Salisbury firm wins top gong at major SA real estate industry awards

Media release - 15^th February, 2013

Raine & Horne SA set for further success in 2014

• Raine & Horne South Australia held its 2013 Annual Awards at Adelaide Zoo’s Sanctuary function centre
• Raine & Horne Salisbury named as Raine & Horne SA’s Top Office with Kate Smith from Raine & Horne Semaphore recognised as the group’s leading salesperson

Raine & Horne Salisbury, located on Adelaide’s northern fringes, was the big winner at one of South Australia’s biggest industry awards, held on Saturday 15th February at Adelaide Zoo’s state-of-the-art Sanctuary function centre.

Raine & Horne Salisbury collected five gongs at the 2013 Raine & Horne SA Annual Awards, including wins in the prestigious Top Metro Office and Top Office in South Australia categories, while Principal Andrew Harvey was named the group’s Top Franchisee.

Mark Lloyd and Darren Bayford from Raine & Horne Salisbury were also named among the Superbrand’s best 10 salespeople, based on settled professional fees, although Raine & Horne Semaphore’s Kate Smith grabbed top billing as the Top Salesperson in South Australia for 2013.

Ms Smith was also named the Top Salesperson (Metro) to cap off a great night for the indefatigable sales agent.

Michael McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Raine & Horne South Australia, attributes the success of Raine & Horne Salisbury and Raine & Horne Semaphore to the decision by both firms to expand their teams in 2013.

“The additional team members enabled both offices to build their contacts in 2013, and ultimately helped them land more appraisals, listings and sales,” said Mr McDonald.

“Market conditions in Salisbury and Semaphore also play a part in the successes of the Raine & Horne offices in these two great locations.”

Salisbury, which is 40 minutes north of Adelaide, is popular with mum and dad investors for its housing affordability.

“The median house price in Salisbury is $260,000, compared with $390,000 for Adelaide, while gross rental yields of 5 percent consistently catch the attention of shrewd investors,” said Mr McDonald.

Meanwhile, lifestyle is at the core of coastal Semaphore’s popularity, according to Mr McDonald.

“The median house price in Semaphore is $500,000, although for a little more, buyers can secure fantastic lifestyle properties such as the captivating four bedroom cottage at 11 Yeo Street, Semaphore,” said Mr McDonald.

“Semaphore is just 25 minutes from the Adelaide CBD and is popular with commuters travelling to the city for work.

“Semaphore is a very popular market, although the success of Kate Smith, who is a leader within the Raine & Horne group, should not be overlooked.

“Kate is an extremely hard worker who leaves no stone unturned on behalf of her clients, and to underline her success, she secured the sales award by outpointing 2012 South Australian sales champion Deb Tucker from Raine & Horne McLaren Vale.”

Looking ahead, Mr McDonald predicts ongoing success for Raine & Horne’s 26 offices in South Australia as the market continues to click along in 2014.

“Once we negotiate next month’s SA state election, it’s fair to expect that the market’s gradual return to form, which gained pace in 2013, will continue this year with capital growth of up to 5 percent a distinct possibility in some markets,” says Mr McDonald.

“At the same time, we are looking to grow the Raine & Horne group in South Australia and ultimately sell more properties, which will also help us deliver more financial support to our community partner, the Cancer Council in South Australia.”

Last month, Cancer Council SA and Raine & Horne formed a partnership, where a portion of every home sold in 2014 will go towards beating cancer.

Mr McDonald said beating cancer was a cause close to Raine & Horne in South Australia.

“As property specialists, our agents often face the harsh reality of a property sale triggered by an illness and resultant financial hardship, and this is at the heart of our financial pledge to support the fight to beat cancer in all its forms,” he said.

As part of the association with Cancer Council SA, Raine & Horne has naming rights for the charity’s highly visible Community Action Van. The real estate Superbrand will also support major events such as Daffodil Day, Girls Night In, Pink Ribbon Day, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and Relay For Life.

The 2013 Raine & Horne SA Awards for Excellence winners include:

Top Office

Raine & Horne Salisbury

Top Salesperson (Dollar Value)

Kate Smith, Raine & Horne Semaphore

Top Franchisee (Dollar Value)

Andrew Harvey, Raine & Horne Salisbury

Top Property Management Office (Biggest % increase in Property Managements)

Country – Raine & Horne Roxby Downs   

Metropolitan – Raine & Horne Glenelg

Top Office - Metro (Dollar Value)

Raine & Horne Salisbury

Top Office - Country (Dollar Value)

Raine & Horne Strathalbyn

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Michael McDonald, CEO, Raine & Horne SA on 0488 667 710