Media release - 15June, 2012

Raine & Horne continues to build strong Hunter region presence

Raine & Horne is continuing to build its strong reputation in the booming Hunter region of NSW with the opening of a new office in Toronto.

Led by principals Frank Vanderwyk and Kerry Day, Raine & Horne Toronto, located at 2/60 The Boulevard, Toronto, is set to provide vendors and home buyers in the Lake Macquarie region with a premium level of customer service and real estate choice.

“We are the only Raine & Horne office on the western side of Lake Macquarie, encompassing a huge area of some 80,000 residences that we feel will benefit from an association with Raine & Horne, which is not only a highly visible real estate brand in the Hunter but Australia-wide,” said Mr Vanderwyk, who previously owned three real estate offices on the Central Coast.

“Likewise, Raine & Horne’s unique Global Database, that links over 1 million real estate consumers across the country, means that Lake Macquarie homeowners can market their properties to buyers all over Australia.”

As part of their due diligence, Mr Vanderwyk and Mr Day also compared the Raine & Horne network with other local franchises.

“Along with its superior name in the community, we found that Raine & Horne offered more user-friendly systems and superior sales support,” explained Mr Vanderwyk.

Mr Day, who is also the proprietor of leading roofing specialist, Roofence, says the time is ripe for the establishment of Raine & Horne Toronto, as Lake Macquarie is geared for future growth, given its close proximity to Sydney, Gosford, Wyong and Newcastle.

“The West Lakes area is expected to be the future growth corridor north of Wyong,” says Mr Day, who via his work with Roofence, estimates he has serviced around 10% of homes in the region.

“My existing business has given me an excellent knowledge of the real estate market in Lake Macquarie and provided me with a very good database of contacts,” says Mr Day.

Lake Macquarie real estate is also affordable for first home buyers, with entry level three-bedroom, two bathroom homes, built on 600 sqm blocks, starting from $380,000.

“Lake Macquarie also has a number of small inlets that offer some very affordable waterfront properties from as low as $500,000,” says Mr Day, who confirms that young singles and families looking to strike it rich in the local mines are moving to the region.

Apart from owner-occupiers, Lake Macquarie is also on the map for investors and retirees.

“Investors are attracted by the strong rental yields of 5-6% generated by Lake Macquarie homes, while retirees from Sydney and Newcastle are moving to the area for the lifestyle options attached to our magnificent waterways,” says Mr Day.

Savvy investors and retirees have also noted that Lake Macquarie is well served with transport, healthcare and educational facilities, according to Mr Day, while the nearby Hunter Valley is a source of employment for many locals.

“We have multiple railway stations for those workers commuting to and from Sydney, as well as other world-class facilities such as Newcastle University, the John Hunter Hospital and the Williamtown airport,” says Mr Day.

“If it’s shopping you’re after, Charlestown Square is just 20 minutes away, while the schools in Toronto are some of the best in the Hunter Region.”

In welcoming Raine & Horne Toronto to the network, Angus Raine, CEO Raine & Horne, confirms that Lake Macquarie is a natural location for his network’s newest office.

“The Hunter is a very strong and cohesive region with all 11 Raine & Horne offices interacting regularly and performing well,” says Mr Raine.

“We are very fortunate to have Kerry and Frank opening Raine & Horne Toronto, especially considering they have a combined real estate experience of more than 40 years in the Hunter and Central Coast regions, and are well known for their support of local sporting and community groups, as well as schools.”

For all your sales and property management needs in Toronto, contact Raine & Horne Toronto on 02 4959 8624.

-ENDS-

For further media information or if you wish to attend the presentation contact:

Frank Vanderwyk, Co-Principal Raine & Horne Toronto on 0409 691 332

Kerry Day, Co-Principal Raine & Horne Toronto on 0448 812 477

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

Raine & Horne increases its Hunter profile with new office in Toronto