Media release - 28 February, 2012

Raine & Horne Double Bay wins big at prestigious real estate awards

Eastern Suburbs real estate powerhouse Raine & Horne Double Bay was once again a dominant force at the Raine & Horne NSW/ACT Annual Awards, held at the prestigious Westin Hotel, Sydney, on Saturday 18 February, 2012.

Hosted by entertaining motivational wizard, John Lees, the awards recognise the best principals, sales agents, property managers and support staff in Raine & Horne’s 200-strong network in NSW and the ACT.

For its part, Raine & Horne Double Bay won 10 major awards, including Top Office (Number of Sales) and Top Office (Dollar Value).

In the hotly contested Top Salesperson (Number of Sales) category, Michael Pallier again grabbed top spot, with fellow Raine & Horne Double Bay principals, Ric Serrao and Barry Goldman enjoying top 10 finishes. Mr Serrao and Mr Pallier also featured among the top ten in the Top Salesperson – Number of Sales category.

Mr Pallier was recognised with a win in the Top Salesperson (Principal Dollar Value) category, with Mr Serrao and Mr Goldman joining him in the top four in this category.

Raine & Horne Double Bay also performed strongly in the auction categories, winning the Auction Shield - Metropolitan, while Mr Serrao finished just ahead of Mr Goldman in the Top Auction Lister category.

Martin Maskin, Co-Principal, Raine & Horne Double Bay, said that since establishing the business in 2001 with Mr Pallier and Mr Goldman, the partners, who were joined by Mr Serrao in 2007, have always set out to be the best they could be.

“We have taken a strategic approach to achieving sustainable long term success in the highly competitive Eastern Suburbs real estate market,” said Mr Maskin, who was named a Chairman’s Club Salesperson Member for 2012.

“We have also enjoyed the support of the Raine & Horne network and our exceptional sales and support staff,” he added.

Mr Goldman stated that winning the awards was particularly rewarding as 2011 was a tricky year for Raine & Horne Double Bay and the Eastern Suburbs real estate market.

“The market above $3 million was significantly more challenging than the market below this price point,” said Mr Goldman.

“In fact the market below $3 million is going really well, and the apartment market from $600,000 to $1.5 million will be one to watch in 2012.

“Likewise houses between the high $1 millions and low $2 millions is relatively strong, while the market at the very top end, above $7 million, will pose its share of challenges in 2012 if owners aren’t prepared to meet buyer expectations,” said Mr Goldman.

Mr Goldman added, “The trouble is that we have a strong Australian Dollar, which affects overseas investors and expats, while the economic woes in Europe are affecting confidence.

“At the same time with news that the likes of Westpac and the ANZ are shredding jobs, bankers are worried about losing their livelihoods, while many have low-ball expectations as they approach the bonus season.

“The expectation of job losses and smaller bonuses is already impacting the property markets in the Eastern Suburbs.”

Apart from its winning ways in the sales and auctions categories, Louise Sumner was named one of Raine & Horne’s outstanding receptionists, while George Astudillo was elevated into the Chairman’s Club for Property Management in 2012.

Mr Goldman, Mr Serrao and Mr Pallier also joined Mr Maskin in the Chairman’s Club for salespeople in 2012, along with sales agent Daphne Sauvage.

For further media information contact:

Barry Goldman, Co-Principal Raine & Horne Double Bay on 0418 890 210

Kit Bashford, National Marketing & Communications Manager on 02 9258 5400