Media release - 24^th April, 2013

Government and business look to Goulburn as investors pounce

Husband and wife team Zeb and Courtnie Alaia assume the reins at Raine & Horne Goulburn
New systems and updated branding support Raine & Horne Goulburn’s new direction
Strong government and commercial infrastructure investment in Goulburn has forced vacancy rates under 1% and generated robust rental yields above 5%

Its official – husband and wife team, Zeb and Courtnie Alaia, have assumed the reins at Raine & Horne Goulburn, taking over from twenty-year real estate veterans Alan and Julie Gale.

An important part of the handover has been the fact that Raine & Horne Goulburn, located at 110 Auburn Street, has remained fully operational throughout the transition.

“We are excited to inherit the legacy that Alan and Julie started forging so many years ago,” said new principal, Zeb Alaia, who has worked with another major real estate group in Goulburn since 2009.

“We plan to bring some new ideas to the business, but are committed to continuing to provide our local residents with the same excellent service and exceptional results they have come to expect while Alan and Julie were at the helm.”

According to Mr Alaia, Raine & Horne, which is celebrating its 130^th year serving Australian property consumers, enjoys an exceptional reputation in the corridor between Sydney and Canberra, which the new team is working hard to capitalise on.

“Raine & Horne has a number of market-leading offices in our region, such as Raine & Horne Bowral and Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra, the REIA’s Commercial Property Agency of the Year in 2012,” said Mr Alaia.

The new Raine & Horne Goulburn

“We would like to emulate their award winning success and are already taking steps to achieve this.”

To illustrate this point, Raine & Horne Goulburn has completed a major office overhaul including a new shopfront and improved branding exposure.

In addition, Mr and Ms Alaia said Raine & Horne’s broad range of progressive real estate products and services were significant factors in their decision to link with the Superbrand.

“Raine & Horne’s superior branding and unique database, which touches over 1.2 million real estate consumers across the globe, were major attractions,” said Mr Alaia.

“In addition, we felt that the network’s core values in service and communication adhered in every way to the high expectations of our vendors in Goulburn.”

Co-Principal and mother of four, Courtnie Alaia, said Goulburn is situated just 50 minutes from Canberra’s CBD and only a couple of hours from Sydney, making it perfectly positioned for growth.

“Its proximity to the two capitals has made Goulburn a growth hotspot for both government and business.”

“For example, the New South Wales Police Academy provides a steady stream on transient tenants and permanent workers to the regional centre,” said Ms Alaia, who has a Bachelor of Business (Property) and is a registered property valuer.

“There is also talk of the University of Canberra opening a new Goulburn campus at the old Kenmore Estate grounds.

“If the plans go ahead, it is expected to further swell the tenant population of Goulburn and attract property investors.”

According to Ms Alaia, Goulburn’s vacancy rate is already low at 1%, and an investor could purchase units for under $200,000, which in some cases, are generating yields of 5.2%.

“Current returns are very strong, and we are seeing a push by investors from Sydney and Canberra to buy into our market,” said Ms Alaia,

“In some cases, properties are being snapped up by investors even before they appear on the market.”

A case in point is 115 Cowper Street, Goulburn, which sold for $198,000 to a Sydney investor in 24 hours.

“This property sold for the asking price even before we had listed it on the internet,” said Ms Alaia.

In welcoming Mr and Ms Alaia to the leading real estate group, Angus Raine, CEO, Raine & Horne, says the couple’s enthusiasm and experience will build on the Superbrand’s strong reputation in the Goulburn real estate market.

“The previous principals, Alan and Julie, have passed the baton on to Zeb and Courtnie, and we are very fortunate to have them as the principals of Raine & Horne Goulburn,” said Mr Raine, who has strong family ties with the local farming community.

For all your sales and property management needs in Goulburn, contact Raine & Horne Goulburn on 02 4821 9088.

-ENDS-

For further media information please contact:

Angus Raine, CEO, Raine & Horne, on 0409 920 697

Zeb Alaia, Principal, Raine & Horne Goulburn, on 0408 662 944

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator, on 02 9258 5400

New direction for Raine & Horne Goulburn in growth market