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The real estate market continues to show improved signs for all sectors within property sales on the strength of the continued low Official Cash Rate of 2.5%, steady immigration numbers coming toNew Zealand linked with the recent election that saw the National Party return to government with an increased majority.

Prices have continued to firm, particularly across Auckland where the average sale price has lifted during the past two months and is now $475,000 which is a lift since the beginning of the year of just under 4%. The numbers of sales also across Auckland have remained consistent during the past three months to be just below 2,000 per month and we expect this trend to continue throughout the final months of 2011 and during the first quarter of 2012.  What has been of interest is the increasing amount of property that has been marketed by auction, which is at a record high of 26.4%. Across New Zealand the sales numbers have also remained just above 5,000 per month and the average sale price has increased from $340,000 at the beginning of 2011 to $359,000 in October 2011.

It is now forecast that the Official Cash Rate will remain at 2.5% at least until September 2012. This will continue to give confidence to first home buyers and investors and this in turn will keep the market remaining active in the second and third home buyer areas.

The recent capital valuations received by property owners throughout Auckland are a definite reflection of the continued activity that has occurred in certain areas of Auckland and also those properties within the $500,000 to $1 million price bracket.

The outlook for property prices over the next period remains strong; with lower days on market and an active buyer pool this should continue to drive sales across all markets.

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After the opening address, the questions turned to the use of technology within the business of a high performing agent. Rohan Thompson commented that technology is an increasingly important piece to the success of marketing and communicating in real estate, but there still needs to be a high face-to-face rate linked with telephone communication. Within his business Rohan has two personal assistants who look after much of the email enquiry, which frees him up to offer a greater personal service. Craig Smith from LJ Hooker Titirangi talked about reputation and technology. He made the observation that salespeople are being Googled before they meet face-to-face with potential clients and their reputation can be predetermined from whatever the search results offer.

The panel’s questions moved onto providing service. Matty Ma from Harcourts Albany spoke about her continued persistence of being able to deliver immediate service to her clients and customers. Where possible she will meet customers within a 10 minute time frame if they want to look at property. Rohan Thompson said the cornerstone to his service was ringing his vendors’ everyday to keep them up to date before they need to be kept up to date.

There were over 250 attendees from within the industry and Ray White would like to congratulate Rohan Thompson on his outstanding presentation at the Superstars Breakfast.

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In making the change to Ray White, Vicki said “The Ray White Group provides industry leading technology and gives us the ability to be able to communicate successfully with our community. Our office has a team approach to our real estate success and in our considerations of partnering with Ray White; we made the decision that in offering the finest service to our clients that we would also offer Australasia’s leading real estate brand.”

Wellington City Real Estate Ltd has a sales team of 14. The team have consistently been awarded for their high quality service and this is reflected in the number of sales they  achieve throughout the marketplace.

Carey Smith, Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand, said that in welcoming Vicki that her team approach to real estate was certainly a successful model. “There is a good mixture of youth, enthusiasm and experience which now makes up the dynamic team for Ray White in Wellington City.” He also said that Vicki’s leadership and drive for success is widely recognised and that transfers to her business as she sets the highest standards for her office.

 Ray White Wellington City provides services in residential sales, property management and commercial leasing. Their office website provides information on their current listings, properties available for rent, investment properties and information on preparing your home for sale and details of the Wellington City area.

For further information please contact Vicki Collins on 0275 389 574  or visit their website at rwwellingtoncity.co.nz.

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Graeme Fraser, Auckland Business Performance Manager, presented the City-Side zone awards. In his address he made comment about the growth of the Group on the city side, particularly the top offices which include City Apartments, Ponsonby, Remuera, Royal Oak and Central Auckland Commercial. These businesses have lifted their market share consistently during the year, with the top business on the city-side, being City Apartments, having a market share in excess of 40% for the first time ever. He also recognised Bruce Whillans from Central Auckland Commercial as being the number one salesperson for sales turnover; Marie Raos from Howick as the leading salesperson for business growth; and Damian Piggin and Daniel Horrobin from City Apartments for auction marketing.

Carey Smith presenting Lesley Hawes NZ 2012 Elite Member

Corinna Mansell, National Business Performance Manager, presented the North Shore awards. The top business in the categories of sales turnover and business growth was Pinehill; Whangaparaoa were the leading marketing office.  Individually Darryn Laskey was recognised as the top salesperson for property sales and he was also recognised as number one in business growth.

Carey Smith, Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand, in his address spoke about the relevance of individual licensee salespeople. “There is a strong belief within the Ray White Group that the salesperson is the one who becomes the choice of the vendor.”  He said that the Group is ensuring our salespeople are well profiled, have outstanding marketing material and also have industry leading technology.

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 The office is in a high profile location that was previously trading with another group. Jean Johnson herself is a leading salesperson in the Dargaville region. Having traded in the area for close to 20 years, the office has grown to have a market share of close to 50% and Jean has been acknowledged as the leading salesperson in the Northland region through the REINZ on two occasions during the past five years.

Dargaville is located 55 kilometres south-west of Whangarei and has a population of approximately 4,500.  The area is known mainly for Kauri logging together with being a hub for many significant transport businesses.

Jean Johnson Realty also undertakes property management and has one of the largest rental portfolios in the region.

Jean Johnson, owner of the business, said that her and her team are very excited about the move to Ray White. “The Group’s presence, the technology and the marketing were the standout reasons as to why we have decided to change brands and join Ray White.  It will give us a true coverage locally, nationally and internationally.”

Sarah Pearce, Growth Executive for Ray White New Zealand, said “Jean Johnson joining our group adds further to our Northland strength. Jean’s business is one of the leading offices in Dargaville and her belief in personal service and commitment to results fit perfectly with Ray White.”

The office has been rebranded and the commencement date is 3^rd November 2011.  The office website is rwdargaville.co.nz and Jean can be contacted at jean.johnson@raywhite.com.

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The Raglan office has a proud history with the Ray White Group. The office first joined in 1997 as part of a major repositioning of the brand then known as Ray White United in the Waikato region and has consistently held a dominant market leadership position in Raglan and has a market share in excess of 75%.

In talking about the re-commitment to Ray White, Dave Hanna said “The business is very much based on the highest of service levels through our belief in auction marketing. It provides our business with a distinct point of difference, which we believe gets the very best results for our clients.”

Julie Hanna is the auctioneer for Raglan Real Estate and has completed over 400 auctions. She said that when they took on a consistent programme of auctions the business changed and market share has continued to grow since that time.

Carey Smith, Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand, said having Dave and Julie re-commit to the Group continues to provide us with significant strength in their region. “They are our leading business in market share and have established one of the best auction cultures in our company.”

The Raglan office is located Bow Street and their selection of property can be found through their office website at rwraglan.co.nz.

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Wayne, who for the past year has been managing Ray White Queenstown, is excited about his new move, “working within the Ray White franchise has shown me that it offers the best real estate systems in Australasia”, he says.

The existing offices in Queenstown and Arrowtown will carry on under their current ownerships and with the growing strength of the Frankton operation Ray White will continue to dominate the Wakatipu. “It’s the only brand with 3 offices in the area”, he adds “ and the strong bond between the offices means that sellers get the best exposure for their properties and buyers can one-stop-shop”.

Wayne believes that the next five years will see good times again in real estate and with so many old timers getting out of the industry the door is wide open for new young recruits wanting to learn the ropes. “With Ray White’s brilliant systems at your fingertips and a bright future ahead, there is huge appeal for the next generation to enter the industry right now so recruitment is a top priority for my new business”.

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The overall supreme salesperson for the quarter was Sid Charoenpornsavat from the Ray White Northwood office and Sid was also recognised as the top business growth salesperson for the quarter. The top office for sales turnover was Ray White Metro, with Ray White Greymouth being recognised as the top office for business growth.

The following ad appeared in the Christchurch Press and was in part to thank all of our partners, including the Christchurch Press, Property Press, Trade Me, realestate.co.nz and signage companies, who have assisted with the ongoing growth of our business through the region. It has been a difficult time during the past 12 months throughout the Christchurch market and our business owners have responded by ensuring the sales team and property managers are able to continue to operate with the best resources within the marketplace.

The Ray White Group has 160 sales people in the Canterbury and West Coast regions and we would like to acknowledge their continuing efforts in assisting sellers and buyers within the market.

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