Media release - 29^th August, 2014

Raine & Horne has launched Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach, which will service the real estate market from Pottsville Beach to Cabarita Beach, including Hastings Point
The new office is led by experienced real estate specialist and former property lecturer Vanessa Rhodes
The timing of the launch coincides with a surge in upgrader and investor interest in Pottsville Beach and Cabarita Beach, which are 30 minutes from the Gold Coast
Investor interest in the region is being driven by 1% vacancies and gross yields above 5.5%, which are set to drive up long-term capital growth

Leading real estate group Raine & Horne is continuing its aggressive expansion in the Northern Rivers region of NSW and Queensland with the launch of Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach.

In the past year, Raine & Horne has opened 10 offices in Northern NSW and Queensland.

The new office, which is located at 3 Coronation Avenue, Pottsville Beach, will service the local property market extending from Pottsville Beach to Cabarita Beach, including Hastings Point, according to experienced local agent and principal of Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach, Vanessa Rhodes.

Ms Rhodes, whose real estate experience dates back to 1988, has operated under the banner of a rival real estate network for the past six years, after securing the rights to the Pottsville Beach-based franchise.

“Starting with one loyal employee and 40 rental properties in 2008, we have built an award-winning sales business, which measures up favourably against some of the best offices in our previous network, and a property management business with more than 250 rentals,” said Ms Rhodes.

“We have switched to Raine & Horne because the 131-year old firm enjoys an excellent name and reputation in this region and across Australia,” said Ms Rhodes, who is a licenced valuer, has a Bachelor of Commerce (Property Economics) degree from the University of Western Sydney, and is a former real estate lecturer at the North Coast Institute of TAFE.

“As we are a small office in a coastal town, I was looking for a quality franchise that is more family-focused and recognises that each of its offices has divergent requirements as a consequence of operating in very different markets. For example, Angus Raine and his team recognise that Raine & Horne Double Bay in Sydney will have some differing needs to offices operating in small country and coastal towns such as Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach.

“We also switched to Raine & Horne as we believe our business philosophies are more in line with a family-owned and operated business model than a network beholden to a large board of directors.”

The timing of the switch to Raine & Horne is also perfect as Pottsville Beach and Cabarita Beach are enjoying resurgent upgrader and investor activity.

“Upgraders, particularly those with young families, are choosing Pottsville Beach and Cabarita Beach, as these towns don’t compromise their access to services such as airports and employment opportunities in the major cities such as the Gold Coast and Brisbane,” said Ms Rhodes.

“Travelling on the Pacific Highway, thanks to the Murwillumbah Bypass, you can be at work on the Gold Coast in 30 minutes, while some workers are commuting 90 minutes to jobs in Brisbane.

“At the same time, living in Pottsville Beach and Cabarita Beach enables upgraders to raise their children in quiet, coastal communities that have the beach and the bush right at their doorsteps.”

“There is also a good selection of quality private and government schools, while we’re also just 30 minutes to the alternate lifestyle living of Byron Bay.”

The region is also very affordable for young families, according to Ms Rhodes, with Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach listing an immaculate four bedroom home at 7 Brushtail Court, Pottsville for $469,000.

Investors are also beginning to return to the region due to a combination of affordable prices, decent yields and low vacancy rates.

For example, 1/28 Andrew Avenue, Pottsville, a three bedroom, one bathroom and single garage duplex, is for sale with Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach for $320,000.

“A property like this will rent for more than $350 a week, which represents a healthy gross yield of 5.7%, while we’ve never had rental vacancies above 1% in the last five years,” said Ms Rhodes.

“Factors such as affordability, decent yields and low vacancies rates are sure to drive capital growth prospects in Pottsville Beach and Cabarita Beach and surrounding areas long-term.”

Angus Raine, Chairman/CEO of Raine & Horne, welcomed Ms Rhodes’ decision to switch networks, and believes it’s another sign that the property Superbrand’s expansion strategies in northern NSW and south-east Queensland are proving successful.

“We are delighted that experienced and award winning real estate practitioners such as Vanessa are joining our firm, and I look forward to working closely with the team at Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach,” said Mr Raine.

“One of their points of difference is that almost the entire team live in the local area and they have young families who attend the local primary school and day care centres, so they understand the needs of the young upgraders moving to the region.

“They are also committed to the community via their support for the Tweed Coast Tigers AFL team and participation in the Cancer Council’s annual Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, along with their membership of the Pottsville Community Association.

“With a strong track record in sales and property management, coupled with their commitment to the local community, I believe Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach will not only be a successful real estate office but a major contributor to the growth of the region.”

For all your sales and property management needs from Pottsville Beach to Cabarita Beach, including Hastings Point, please contact Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach on 02 6676 4111 or visit their website at rh.com.au/pottsvillecabarita.

-ENDS-

For further media information please contact:

Vanessa Rhodes, Principal, Raine & Horne Pottsville Beach/Cabarita Beach on 0415 222 735

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Coordinator on 02 9258 5400

Raine & Horne secures beachhead in Northern Rivers region