Media release - 28th April, 2015

Real estate husband and wife team, Paul and Joanne Dean, who have successfully sold more properties in Victor Harbor than many other local agents over the past three years, are back with Raine & Horne.

The couple, who met in 2009, are launching Raine & Horne Victor, which re-engages the real estate Superbrand with the Fleurieu Peninsula, where it has been a prominent player for many decades.

“Jo has been associated with Raine & Horne and Chris Weston, Managing Director of Raine & Horne SA, since 1989, firstly as a property manager and then as a sales agent,” said Paul Dean, who started in real estate in 2002 with Country Wide PLC, the UK’s largest real estate firm.

“Country Wide PLC has over 1,000 offices and I worked in a number of offices honing my sales and negotiation skills, which have transferred well to the South Australian market when I migrated here in 2009.”

Paul moved to South Australia after getting to know Jo who sold his parents' home on the South Coast.

“I was trying to tell her how to do her job from England. But she was patient and eventually one thing led to another and here we are married and launching into a small business together.”

The launch of Raine & Horne Victor has also been timed to perfection.

“The Victor Harbor real estate market is popular with retirees from Adelaide given it’s a coastal location, as well as buyers from as far away as Melbourne seeking an affordable holiday home or rental,” said Paul Dean.

“Two bedroom apartments with ocean views are available for sale from the low $200,000s and we sell plenty of four bedroom, double garage houses, which start from around $330,000. This is about 40% cheaper than Adelaide.”

For investors, currently earning 1.5% from a bank, Mr Dean says that Victor Harbor units and houses are producing gross yields of about 5%.

Yet these returns are about to be turbo-charged thanks to the completion of the $400 million Southern Expressway upgrade in August 2014, which involved the construction of a multi-lane, two-way expressway connecting the spectacular Fleurieu Peninsula and Victor Harbor to Adelaide.

“We are getting nearer to the city and are now 45 to 50 minutes to southern Adelaide. The potential for Victor Harbor is significant, especially for workers commuting to Adelaide for work,” said Mr Dean.

“It will also improve capital growth prospects and investment yields as there is only so much coast line around here on which to build real estate.”

For Joanne Dean, the launch of Raine & Horne Victor represents a back to the future move.

“I worked in property management for almost two decades before switching to sales with Raine & Horne in 2008.”

In 2011, Raine & Horne Victor Harbor changed hands when long-term principal, Malcolm Collet and Sales Manager Faye Anderson decided to retire. The new principals moved the office location and changed its name.

“They recently decided to move on and we saw an opportunity to launch Raine & Horne Victor from its spiritual home at 57 Ocean Street, Victor Harbor,” said Mrs Dean.

The couple are delighted to be back with Raine & Horne because of the Superbrand’s excellent team culture.

“We have so much confidence in the brand. We looked at other franchise options but felt more comfortable with Raine & Horne as they let us run our own race to an extent,” said Mrs Dean.

“It’s also a joy to be associated with Chris Weston again, and I also know about 50% of the other franchise owners. It’s the longevity and stability of Raine & Horne that has enticed us back. It feels really comfortable.”

Michael McDonald, CEO of Raine & Horne SA, said that he was excited about the prospects of working with Paul and Joanne Dean and the team at Raine & Horne Victor.

“Paul and Joanne have strong reputations for getting the job done and over the past two years they have sold more units in the 5211 post code than any other agents,” said Mr McDonald.

“They have been able to achieve this level of success because they complement each other in the way they work as a team.

“With Jo, vendors get the consummate real estate specialist who can show them how to present their homes for sale, make them feel comfortable about the sales process, as well as a professional who is totally immersed in the real estate legislation in South Australia.

“With Paul, vendors get a real estate expert who will develop a bespoke sales strategy for every home, conduct 90% of the negotiation with buyers and who won’t go to bed until he’s met each and every promise to them.”

For all your real estate sales and property management needs in Victor Harbor and surrounding suburbs, contact Raine & Horne Victor on 08 8552 7934.

–ENDS–

For further media information contact:

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

Andrew Harrington, National Communications Manager, Raine & Horne on 02 9258 5400

Victor Harbor sales duo back with Raine & Horne