Media release - 21 February, 2012

Raine & Horne Neutral Bay property manager grabs rookie of the year title at state awards

Raine & Horne Neutral Bay’s Peter Marsi grabbed the hotly contested Rookie Award for Property Management for 2011, at the Raine & Horne NSW/ACT Annual Awards, held at the prestigious Westin Hotel, Sydney on Saturday, 18 February.

“There are more than 200 offices in the Raine & Horne network in NSW/ACT, so it’s a phenomenal achievement for Peter to be recognised with this award,” said Angus Raine, Chief Executive Officer, Raine & Horne.

“Peter has been a consistent performer who has attended training regularly, maintained a consistent positive, enthusiastic attitude towards clients and projects a professional image.”

According to Raine & Horne Neutral Bay Co-Principal Hamish Kyle, tenant demand is nearing an all time high in Neutral Bay, which makes Mr Marsi’s award all the more meritorious.

“Vacancy rates are close to their record lows at 3%, which adds to the pressure on a rookie property manager to deliver the goods for landlords and tenants,” said Mr Kyle, who was elevated to the Raine & Horne Chairman’s Club for sales along with Co-Principals of Raine & Horne Neutral Bay, David Buttel and Stewart Robertson.

“We are seeing demand from young families and executive couples for rental homes in Neutral Bay because they want to be close to their workplace in the CBD.

“Peter has won this award because he’s a major contributor within our offices and he’s taken over a small, yet important portfolio of long-term landlords for us and has done an exceptional job.

Mr Marsi said, “I am thrilled to be recognised by such as great company as Raine & Horne in this way, and am looking forward to working hard in 2012, and continuing to build on the excellent relationships I developed with landlords last year.

“Neutral Bay is a competitive rental market and my advice to aspiring tenants is to be fully prepared when the right rental comes along.

“This means having your paper work such as driver’s licence, references from previous real estate firms, personal references and the like up to date,” added Mr Marsi, who along with fellow property managers at Raine Neutral Bay, Nicole Meyer, Lynne Lester and Vince Parisi, was included in the Raine & Horne Chairman’s Club for 2012.

As for the Neutral Bay investment market, Mr Kyle said was "absolutely flying", with investors competing with first home buyers for entry level homes.

“In Neutral Bay, it’s possible to secure two bedroom, one bathroom apartments with one car space, from $500,000 and demand at this price point is very strong,” said Mr Kyle.

“People buy and invest in Neutral Bay because it’s just five kilometres to the CBD, while it feels like it’s almost bullet-proof.

“Where the rest of the Australian market can experience difficult cycles from time to time, demand for homes from buyers, investors and tenants just keeps rocketing along in Neutral Bay,” adds Mr Kyle.

For further media information contact:

Angus Raine, CEO Raine & Horne on 0409 920 697

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