Archive for May 13th, 2010

Wanganui – May 2010
This week heralds the opening of a new business to serve local buyers and sellers of homes – Ray White Wanganui. The new office, the latest in the leading national agency’s 133-branch chain, is the new incarnation of Hocquard Realty, a long-time Wanganui family business founded by Laurie Hocquard 15 years ago.

Laurie’s son Tim, the office’s director, says the switch to Ray White was not a decision taken lightly. “It offers our business the opportunity to grow, with the expansion of the brand and their assistance in adding quality staff. In our view, Ray White is a more forward thinking agency than its competitors, and the fact that it has a very good support team appealed to us, along with its strong presence in New Zealand and Australia and that it is a family-orientated, hands-on business.

Joining the office’s 10 existing staff with the switch to Ray White will be a new sales manager, Doug Lacy, whose 26-year real estate career includes experience with Ray White and a record as a top salesperson in the area. Also entering the team is Margot Whetton as branch manager; she has been in the industry for 11 years and was formerly a branch manager for PGG Wrightson. To read the full story please click here.

In one of the most significant developments in the Australian marine industry, renowned real estate company the Ray White Group has announced its foray into the bustling sector with the establishment of Ray White Marine. 
   

The new entity is a joint venture between Andrew and Greg Bell, directors of Queensland’s largest real estate firm the Ray White Surfers Paradise Group, and Marina Oceanus, owners of the exclusive Marina Mirage marina on the Gold Coast.   

The exciting new Ray White Marine operation will tap into the multi-million dollar marine sales industry and will oversee the auction and sale of marinas and marine vessels throughout Australia. It is the first time any real estate agency has undertaken a comprehensive strategy to sell and market boats and marinas.  The recently established entity is a major step forward for the Ray White Group, marking the privately-owned company’s first venture into the marine industry.   

 Ray White Group Deputy Chairman Sam White said the establishment of Ray White Marine is an exciting development for the Group.   

 “We believe that the sales templates and processes we have developed in a highly competitive real estate market can be applicable to other classes – our structure can work particularly well in the marine industry,” said Mr White.   

Andrew Bell says the move will provide a conduit for buyers, sellers and boat dealers on a scale rarely seen.    “This new entity will revolutionise the industry and allow for the marketing, auctioning and brokering of vessels and berths on a level that has never been offered in the Australian marine industry,” Mr Bell said. “We are establishing a national body that will provide sellers unprecedented exposure to a broad market via an intensive auction campaign as well as access to our vast network.     

“Ray White Marine will have direct access to our database which boasts over 700,000 members as well as access to our full time creative staff and will be included in Ray White’s prestige and commercial magazines with a local, national and international distribution.     

“In addition, Ray White Marine will have a presence at Marina Oceanus at Marina Mirage, Tedder Avenue as well as Orchid Avenue and other selected Ray White offices to deliver both a greater level of enquiry and faster rate of sale.   

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