Media release - 21^st July, 2014

Leading real estate group Raine & Horne will start the new financial year where it left off in the 2013/14 tax year, by adding yet another office to its mushrooming network of offices in Queensland.

In the past year, Raine & Horne has bolstered its Queensland corporate team based at Hendra, a move that has enabled it to launch a new office a month, including Raine & Horne Carindale, which will be led by principal, Alicia Fluhart.

Ms Fluhart recently bought the successful independent Carindale Realty, which is located at 852 Old Cleveland Road, Carina, and is regarded as the leading real estate agency in the area.

“We have decided to switch to the famous gold and charcoal colours of Raine & Horne to give the existing business, which was established in 1999, the edge in marketing, technology and training that only a leading brand can deliver,” said Ms Fluhart.

According to Ms Fluhart, it was the allure of the revamped Raine & Horne brand, as well as a familial connection, which prompted her to make the move to 131-year old family owned and operated firm.

“My husband Mark has been associated with Raine & Horne Onsite Sales for the last seven years, and we really love the recent overhaul of the brand,” said Ms Fluhart.

“Raine & Horne has frameworks for preparing a website, digital marketing, email and CMS systems for keeping in touch with clients, that an independent can’t compete with or afford,” she added.

Ms Fluhart nominates rhcompass for special mention. rhcompass is a web based system which has become the single point of entry for all of the technology requirements for Raine & Horne offices.

“rhcompass offers multi-site bulk uploading of listings to our own site, rh.com.au, as well as the likes of Juwai, realestate.com.au, domain.com.au, homehound.com.au, homely.com.au and so on,” she said.

rhcompass also offers efficiencies in communication, such as fully integrated SMS messaging and bulk email capabilities, as well as full customer relationship management and many other useful business tools.

“By joining Raine & Horne, we are giving the team at Carindale Real Estate the extra tools they need, which will supplement the excellent presence they have in the local area.”

The launch of Raine & Horne Carindale has also been perfectly timed, with property sales in the region improving.

“Compared to the same time last year, real estate sales are about 5% stronger in Carindale and surrounding suburbs,” said Ms Fluhart.

“We expect this to continue and the majority of our sales are to upgraders in their early 40s to 50s, who are earning good salaries.

“The earning capacity of the Carindale community is reflected in the healthy average median sales price of $750,000, which will buy a well-built four bedroom, two bathroom home.”

Angus Raine, Chairman/CEO of Raine & Horne, says he is thrilled at the prospect of working with Alicia Fluhart and the team at Raine & Horne Carindale, and believes the new office underlines the appeal of joining a franchised property group.

“We have had a number of independents join Raine & Horne in the last twelve months, which is at odds with suggestions that there is a flight away from the major real estate franchise groups,” said Mr Raine.

“About 50% of our new offices have been independents, who have been attracted to Raine & Horne because they appreciate the benefits of having access to the latest technology, marketing and training at a lower cost thanks to the economies of scale delivered through group purchasing.”

On the issue of new offices, Mr Raine says his new Queensland corporate team, led by general manager Steve Worrad, is really ramping up the firm’s presence in Brisbane and regional areas.

“We are clocking up plenty of miles meeting prospects and as a consequence there are plenty more offices in the pipeline, which will join Raine & Horne before Christmas,” said Mr Raine.

–ENDS–

For further media information contact:

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

Alicia Fluhart, Principal, Raine & Horne Carindale on 0407 110 656

Andrew Harrington, Marketing & Communications Coordinator on 02 9258 5400

Raine & Horne kicks off 2014/15 financial year with new Queensland office