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Our Group stands at 131 offices with just over 1,180 salespeople, 220 property managers and 145 administrators. This year our sales turnover increased by 12%, which saw us transact $3.895 billion in property sales. Our property management portfolio has grown beyond 14,000 and our market share, particularly in the last quarter, has shown good growth across many of the areas we trade.

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The number of sales that will occur within the industry will be 58,000 for the year and will be in line with 2010. The amount of property that has been marketed for sale has dropped by 10% during the year. This has effectively resulted in lower days on market and price increases across most centres throughout New Zealand. Productivity levels for our top 20 businesses increased by 23.8%. There was one interest rate reduction of .5% in March. The official cash interest rate has remained at 2.5% during 2011 and is expected to remain at the same level throughout 2012.

During the year we remained committed to the three pillars of our business growth, being marketing, personal skills and growth. Our marketing platform has seen us redesign our online presence and we have applied a number of superior applications which sees us continue to lead the industry.  Personal websites were also introduced during the year.  We have rebranded our marketing through the media to present further enhanced property presentation. This is now fully integrated with all publishers.

The growth of the company has been evident with the number of new offices that have joined and there have also been several high profile salespeople join Ray White from other companies.

Within this year’s Christmas message we make reference to the significant events that occurred in 2011 throughout New Zealand. To our people and their communities who have been affected by these events, we pay tribute to you.

Our Group will finish the 2011 year in very good shape. The industry continues to polarise.  The significant reinvestment that is required to be a leader in this market is our commitment. 2012 will be a year of continued growth as we enable our plan for genuine leadership.

On behalf of the Ray White corporate team and the White Family, we wish all of our members and their families a relaxed Christmas break and look forward to a successful 2012.

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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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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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Offices that have joined the Group during the year include Bream Bay, Dargaville, Hamilton City, Manukau, Matamata, Mt Albert, Napier, Orakei, Sunnynook, Swanson, Tutukaka, Whangarei and Unlimited in Christchurch.

To see the list of new offices for 2011 please click here.

Carey Smith, Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand, said “The record number of offices joining the Group in 2011 was directly attributed to the growth activities of the company.  The real estate industry from an agency level is becoming more polarised; the requirements from business owners, salespeople, property managers and expectations from vendors are now much higher than they have ever been. We would attribute part of the growth directly to our industry leading technology and our continued ability to be able to resource our group to maximise returns for each of the stakeholders, including vendors, who entrust Ray White.”

The Ray White Group in New Zealand now stands at 133 offices and with the opening of Cambridge, Pt Chevalier and Wellington City next week, the Group will have added a new office every three weeks during 2011.

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The profile of the Dee Street location and the external Ray White livery give the office a highly visual presence. The office is divided into a number of areas and each of the divisions and sales team have their own offices.

Carey Smith, Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand, said “The new office represents an investment by Brendan to ensure the future of his business. The location and the internal and external fit-out is of the highest quality and this will give both the team members and the community confidence when dealing with Ray White.”

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The Ray White Hamilton City office now has over 40 listings and has completed eight sales in its first month of trading.

Sue Hall, the co-owner of the new Hamilton City office, said that it was a proud moment for her to have many of her friends and clients attend the opening of the new office. She went on to say there has been great confidence from her existing clients to support the business and this has resulted in a new property listing being taken every day for the office. She also commented that to have the support of her business partner and six experienced salespeople already was ahead of her expectations.

Carey Smith, Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand, said that the new Hamilton City office was a watershed moment for the Group. “Sue Hall is one of the highest achieving individual salespeople in New Zealand and to have her on board with Ray White will not only give a great lift to our company but also to her new office.”

To see the opening night speech from Carey Smith, please click here.  Information regarding the new Hamilton City office can be seen at rwhamiltoncity.co.nz.

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Tony Scheirlinck, who is currently the co-business owner of Ray White Northcote, said the office in Sunnynook is a natural expansion. “The area is a diversified in property, with Sunnynook being one of the growth areas on the North Shore with the establishment of the transit bus link.”

Carey Smith, NZ Chief Executive of Ray White, said that the opening of a new office at Sunnynook was exciting. “Tony is one of our key leaders in the group who has demonstrated ongoing enthusiasm to grow his business and the new office fits in perfectly. We have a well established business on the North Shore and the addition of Sunnynook will continue to grow our market share and provide the only real estate office in the Sunnynook area.”

For further information regarding the opening of Ray White Sunnynook please contact Tony Scheirlinck.

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