Media release - 26th October, 2015

Raine & Horne Semaphore wins award as REISA’s best Small Residential Agency
Simon Winter, Principal of Raine & Horne Corporate Business Sales wins Business Broker for the seventh time since 2005
Kate Smith, Principal of Raine & Horne Semaphore, takes third in the South Australian Sales Person (Residential) category

Superbrand Raine & Horne continues to makes its presence felt in South Australia after winning a number of significant gongs in the Real Estate Institute of South Australia’s Annual Awards for Excellence held at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday 17 October.

Led by Kate Smith, who placed a very creditable third in the highly-competitive South Australian Salesperson (Residential) category, Raine & Horne Semaphore increased its number of settled sales in the 2014/15 financial year by a stunning 37%, while sales values also jumped by 38%.

Raine & Horne Semaphore services the Lefevre Peninsula, and one of the factors in the agency’s success has been attributed to better meeting efficiencies during 2014/15.

This has been achieved with the use of enhanced structures and productivity, such as weekly property management meetings, as well as morning meetings between Ms Smith and her administrative/reception team, according to Michael McDonald, CEO of Raine & Horne SA.

“This greater efficiency benefits all staff who gain a clear idea of their roles and responsibilities, and it has given staff opportunities to share ideas for innovating and helping improve the business,” said Mr McDonald.

Improvements in communication and teamwork also played a role in the success of Raine & Horne Semaphore and contributed to Ms Smith’s personal success.

“In late 2014, a team psychologist was brought in to meet with the whole staff at the office, who helped them gain a deeper understanding of their different personalities, and how these different personalities work with one another,” said Mr McDonald.

“Kate has also increased her focus on rewarding the team and doing fun activities together to help keep staff loyal and prepared to go the extra mile. During 2014/15, quarterly dinners were introduced, where staff visit a restaurant, let down their hair and bond as a team.”

Mr McDonald added that Ms Smith’s recognition, along with the victory by Simon Winter, Principal of Raine & Horne Corporate Business Sales, in the business broking category, continues to demonstrate that the 132-year old Raine & Horne brand is making significant inroads in South Australia.

“Simon is becoming something of an REISA institution after recording a fifth straight win in the business broking category,” said Mr McDonald.

“Simon more than doubled the value of his settled sales in 2014/15 to the highest point since the GFC, which is testament to his consistency and the delivery of quality customer service.”

Mr Winter said that 20% of his business comes from repeat clients, while referral sales jumped by 73%.

“Simon consistently exceeds customer expectations and this is at the heart of his business success, which explains why so many of his sales can be traced back to a previous transaction,” said Mr McDonald.

“With principals such as Kate and Simon leading the way, and new innovation and developments rolling out over the next year, these awards will be just the tip of the iceberg for Raine & Horne South Australia.

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Michael McDonald, CEO, Raine & Horne SA on 0488 667 710

Raine & Horne flexes its muscles at REISA awards