Media release - 8^th September, 2013

New office aims to market Bundaberg real estate into Asia

Raine & Horne establishes office in Bundaberg, the launch coinciding with a robust investment market with vacancy rates around 1% and healthy rental yields on offer
Affordability is another attraction, with some three bedroom homes still available in Bundaberg at values below $200,000
Bundaberg’s diversified economy will help sustain long-term growth and yields

Leading real estate group Raine & Horne has added a new office to its growing network in Queensland, with the recent launch of Raine & Horne Bundaberg.

Led by a motivated and passionate local team, including principals Henry Rzeszewski, Debbie Rzeszewski, Brendon Mattick and Nicole Mattick, Raine & Horne Bundaberg is set to make a major mark in one of Queensland’s most modern and progressive growth centres.

“The four principals of Raine & Horne Bundaberg have many years of commercial experience between us, ranging from executive management and sales positions, to marketing and property management,” says Principal Henry Rzeszewski.

Mr Rzeszewski says he and his business partners decided to switch to Raine & Horne after meeting its Executive Chairman and CEO, Angus Raine, in Bundaberg recently, and believed the direction and values of the 130-year old family owned and operated firm represented a good match for his business, which includes his wife Debbie, son-in-law Brendon and daughter Nicole along with existing staff.

“The brand has been refreshed and this appealed to me, while Raine & Horne’s global reach and services will prove a real boon for our customers,” says Mr Rzeszewski.

“Raine & Horne has a global customer database that has more than 1 million contacts and it can potentially match a vendor in Bundaberg with a buyer in Brisbane, Bondi or Bunbury in Western Australia.

“The global market, particularly the Chinese market, is a big influence here in Australia, and via Raine & Horne’s offices and affiliates, we can market Bundaberg real estate into Asia.”

Mr Mattick, who will lead the sales charge at Raine & Horne Bundaberg, describes the town’s real estate market as robust – with solid sales a feature.

However it’s the investment market that is rumbling along, with vacancy rates of around 1% attracting more yield-hungry investors and self-managed super funds from all over Australia.

“Bundaberg offers great value when an investor can secure a three bedroom, one bathroom investment home on a quarter acre block for around $230,000 and rent it for $280 a week,” says Mr Mattick.

“Moreover, savvy investors recognise that Bundaberg has a healthy economy that augurs well for the long-term prospects of the real estate market,” says Mr Mattick.

The Bundaberg Regional Economic Development Strategy (2009-2014) says the region’s workforce is growing at 8.1% annually, while its Gross Regional Product (GRP) totals $2.8 billion at last count.

Underpinning employment and economic growth is a diversified commercial sector dominated by manufacturing (13.3% of the economy), agriculture, forestry and fishing (11.6%), retail trade (8%), health and community services (7.4%) and education (6%).[i]

“The fisheries industry, which is centred on the Port of Bundaberg, is very robust, while manufacturing is significant with Transpacific, Bundaberg Sugar, Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks among the major employers,” says Mr Rzeszewski.

“Mining is also becoming a big employer as a consequence of the gas projects in nearby Gladstone.”

Brian Reid, COO of Raine & Horne, says the company’s decision to establish a presence in Bundaberg is a result of the growth prospects of the town, coupled with the surge in capital city real estate markets.

“With auction clearance rates in the capital cities as high as 85%, we expect to see the real estate markets in major population centres such as Bundaberg follow suit,” says Mr Reid.

“Therefore we are pleased that we will be working with a professional like Henry, who has significant marketing and small business experience, and the team at Raine & Horne Bundaberg to deliver the very best level of real estate products and services to vendors, buyers, investors and tenants in the Bundaberg market.”

For all your sales and property management needs, in Bundaberg and surrounding suburbs, contact Raine & Horne Bundaberg on 07 4151 1166.

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Henry Rzeszewski, Principal, Raine & Horne Bundaberg on 0403713565

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

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Coordinator on 02 9258 5400

[i] Bundaberg Regional Economic Development Strategy 2009-2014

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