Media release - 30^th July, 2013

All in the family for new Leura office

Leading real estate group Raine & Horne has launched a new office in the Blue Mountains, which will service the boutique village of Leura, as well as the nearby city centre of Katoomba and scenic Wentworth Falls.

Led by long-term local real estate agent, property manager and businessman, Glen Ebzery, Raine & Horne Leura is located at the entrance to the village, in Suite 5, 118-124 Leura Mall, Leura.

The launch of Raine & Horne Leura has been timed to perfection given the return to form of the local real estate market, according to Mr Ebzery, who has experienced a number of property cycles since starting his career in the region in 1998.

“The real estate market has been turning for the last 18 months and today, we probably have the best conditions since 2003, with investors and owner occupiers back thanks to low interest rates, while enquiry levels are stronger than early 2012,” says Mr Ebzery.

“With the vastly improved level of enquiries from buyers, it is timely news for those vendors considering the sale of a home in Leura, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls this Spring.”

Mr Ebzery also confirms that green-changers are moving to the Blue Mountains in increasing numbers, as a result of improvements to infrastructure.

“The ongoing improvements to the Great Western Highway with the recent opening of the Wentworth Falls section, is slowly reducing commuter times from the Mountains to the City, while improved internet technology is assisting more Sydney-based employees to work a day or two weekly from their homes in Leura, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls.”

Rental yields and vacancy rates are also tighter, according to Mr Ebzery, as more tenants move from Sydney into more affordable Blue Mountains rentals.

“There’s also been a change in the investor landscape, with older landlords being replaced by many investors who are using self-managed super funds to purchase an investment property in the Blue Mountains.”

Timing played a role in Mr Ebzery’s decision, with Raine & Horne’s new marketing and brand direction convincing him to establish his office under the leading real estate group’s banner.

“The fact that the brand has made a commitment to continuous evolution and has implemented measures that will help it stand out from the crowd, appealed to me, while the new innovative television advertising campaign, which hit screens last month, is sure to have cut-through with consumers,” says Mr Ebzery.

“I believe these TVCs will appeal to consumers, particularly at a time when many real estate firms are ignoring the reach that television offers.”

Raine & Horne’s ownership structure also attracted Mr Ebzery, who has significant family business experience by way of his co-ownership of the successful Leura Mall Outback Clothing store, a family business he operated in conjunction with his wife Kate, until March this year.

“The fact that Raine & Horne has been owned and operated by the Raine family since 1883 and supports small, family-owned firms, was appealing given my recent business experiences,” says Mr Ebzery.

Underlining Mr Ebzery’s fondness for family business, his son Brenton Ebzery has joined him at Raine & Horne Leura, forming what is sure to be a successful father-son team.

“Family connections are part of my business plans for Raine & Horne Leura, with Brenton, an experienced and successful Blue Mountains sales agent, set to run the sales operation, while I’ll chip in with sales but also run the property management business.”

In welcoming Mr Ebzery to the leading real estate group, Angus Raine, Executive Chairman and CEO of Raine & Horne, says the decision to launch the new office will enhance the Superbrand’s long-term relationship with the blossoming Blue Mountains real estate market.

“The Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most iconic tourism destinations, and Raine & Horne Leura will provide a positive experience for those clients in Leura, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls, who are looking to buy, sell, invest or rent a home,” says Mr Raine.

“We are very fortunate to have an expert operator such as Glen at the helm of Raine & Horne Leura, especially considering his vast real estate and business experience and good reputation with the local community.”

Mr Ebzery is a long-time member of the Leura Village Association, a local business organisation, and has been its treasurer for three years.

For all your sales and property management needs, or to make enquiries about the Blue Mountains real estate market, contact Raine & Horne Leura on 02 4784 2622.

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Glen Ebzery, Principal, Raine & Horne Leura on 0418 785 851

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

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

Raine & Horne set to scale the heights of Blue Mountains real estate