Media release - 9th June, 2016

The expansion of Raine & Horne in Northern NSW and South East Queensland continues unabated with the launch of a new office in Murwillumbah, which will be led by the experienced team of Deborah and Chris Wheeler.

“The launch of Raine & Horne Murwillumbah means we have added over 25 offices to our group in the last 2 years, which makes us truly a force to be reckoned with in Queensland,” said Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne. In recent weeks, the real estate Superbrand has also launched Raine & Horne Mermaid on the Gold Coast and Raine & Horne Logan City.

“The brand is resonating in Queensland because we’ve put a strong management team in place, which is capably led by our experienced General Manager, Steve Worrad.

“Our commitment to continuous improvements in training, systems and IT are also paying dividends, which our Queensland expansion is testament to.”

Raine & Horne Murwillumbah Mr Raine said he was delighted that the Wheelers, who have operated in the far north-eastern New South Wales town for 20 years, have decided to join the Raine & Horne network. The new office will operate from a prominent commercial position on the corner of Wollumbin Street and Commercial Road, Murwillumbah.

“The Wheelers have a well-established family business and I’m delighted that they have gravitated to Raine & Horne after decades of independence.

“This is a real coup for Raine & Horne, while the merger will help local owners sell their properties into a bigger pool of buyers through the international Raine & Horne network.”

Deborah Wheeler, who along with husband Chris, has owned and operated Wheelers Real Estate since 1997, worked for another large real estate group prior to establishing the independent property firm. The Wheelers canvassed a number of property groups, before settling on Raine & Horne.

“Raine & Horne was our first choice, and we decided to join the network because as an independent you can feel quite isolated in the marketplace,” said Mrs Wheeler.

“By aligning ourselves with Raine & Horne it will give us better access to a broader marketplace and a whole suite of marketing materials and IT expertise that we don’t currently have access to.”

Raine & Horne’s professionalism over a long period of time helped to win over the Wheelers.

“Raine & Horne’s Business Support and Development Manager for our region, Sheryl Turnell, is a great communicator, who spent a lot of time talking to us about our business and our unique opportunities,” said Ms Wheeler.

“Her presentation to us was also first class and the level of marketing and communication material that she had, helped smooth our way into the Raine & Horne fold.

“Compared to other franchise groups, we felt the family culture of Raine & Horne was more consistent with our own family business values.”

Mrs Wheeler is convinced that the alliance with Raine & Horne will accentuate the existing business’s point of difference.”

“Prior to starting in real estate in 1996, we owned and operated a building company in Sydney. This background has proved useful, for example, when a contract of sale is in danger of falling over because of what might be perceived as an unfavourable pest or building inspection report,” said Mrs Wheeler.

“The vendors are presented with a challenge they were unaware of and often times the buyer is unsettled by the confusing phraseology of the report.

“Our past experience in the building industry allows us to confidently talk through these issues with the parties involved and negotiate a positive outcome for the vendor and the buyer.”

The Murwillumbah real estate market’s affordability and range is proving a big plus for owner occupiers, according to Mrs Wheeler.

“We have a real mix of stock, from 2-3 bedroom 1950s fibro homes selling for prices in the mid-$200,000s, to Queenslander cottages and smaller acreages of 2-5 acres, which range in price from $550,000 to $750,000 depending on the quality of the dwelling and the improvements to the block.

“In the last 10 years, we’ve had new estates built out in Murwillumbah, with 3-4 bedroom houses with double garages on blocks of 600 square metres, which are now selling for around $450,000.

“We also have larger grazing holdings of 200 acres starting from $1.1 million.”

Investors have started to take an interest in the entry-level markets in town since the start of 2016 as a result of its affordability and relatively strong yields.

“Properties priced between $250,000 and $375,000 are starting to attract investor attention, especially as they are generating yields of more than 5% gross,” said Mrs Wheeler.

“While there are limited work opportunities in Murwillumbah, our research indicates that with improved freeway access to the Gold Coast and Brisbane, which is just 2 hours away, our growing commuter population will underpin the property market long-term.”

–ENDS–

For further media information contact:

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne on 0409 920 697

Andrew Harrington, National Communications Manager, Raine & Horne, on 02 9258 5400

New wheels for Raine & Horne in Murwillumbah