Posts Tagged ‘beachfront real estate’

Predictions about the future of the real estate market are as changeable as the statistics, but recent figures from the leading real estate group Ray White show that the Auckland market is tightening in favour of the seller. Figures for June and July 2009 for Ray White in the greater Auckland area show that the average number of days on market has dropped to 37.5 from 53 in January and February – a reflection of the reduced stock over winter and a growing pool of buyers.

The pressure is forcing would-be buyers to up the stakes: at the height of the property boom, in mid-2007, properties were selling for an average of just 2.1% below the listing price. As the slump began, buyers started to pick up relative bargains, with sales at an average of 8.3% below the listing price in August 2008. As the market has tightened, so too has the gap between sellers’ expectations and buyers’ hopes, with an average sale price of just 3.9% below the listed figure in July 2009.

The speed of turnover is reflected in the number of sales: the second quarter has seen a 25% rise in the number of properties sold in the up-to-$1 million range (4,781), compared with 3,815 in the first quarter.All this is happening, says Ray White New Zealand CEO Carey Smith, against a backdrop of ‘self-cleansing’ in the real estate industry. “The recession has prompted a significant decline in both agents and offices, with a turnover of agents in the market of 52% in the year to February 2009.

 Times like these demand a rise in the quality of service and results for vendors and buyers.”Ray White has responded to this demand with a new service, Ray White Concierge. The service, free to Ray White clients, takes care of all connections and disconnections of services, including telephone, internet, gas, electricity and pay TV. The service also offers helps with home loans through Loan Market, and  insurance with Sovereign.

The progressiveness of Ray White in the area of IT and customer usability has been in evidence for several years; the company was the first real-estate agency to list on TradeMe, in 2005, and each office has its own web presence.

“It remains an intensely competitive industry, and the quality of service and access to information is what sets agencies apart from one another,” Mr Smith says. “We have developed Ray White Concierge as part of our response to that competitiveness – after-sale service is extremely important and is an area where some agents fall down.”

On behalf of the Ray White Group, we are proud to release our Signature Statement campaign, which commences on 5th September 2009 and runs until 25th of September 2009.  

The Signature Statement campaign is a three – four week window of opportunity for those who are currently selling their property with Ray White.  There are several marketing mediums available  through our NZ group members with specially negotiated media and online rates. The campaign will be undertaken through national, regional and local media together with online marketing.

Our main partners include APN Media, ACP Media and Fairfax.  It gives the opportunity to market your property through media which includes the New Zealand Herald, Christchurch Press, Property Press and Suburban News.  The rates are specific to Ray White clients and in most instances have been discounted based on the our media buying power as a group of 130 offices. 

In regards to our online position, Trade Me Property have made available a special offer for vendors to list in their Feature category.  ABC Photoboards, Maxum and Orion Signs are also part of the Signature Campaign, offering great value on signage and associated marketing.

The current market conditions see increased buyer activity and while we believe that it is a good time to be selling your property, the marketing that accompanies the potential sale is considered even more important. 

We hope that the opportunity to market your property will be asisted through one of Ray White New Zealand 130 offices and the special signature campaign.

For more details please contact Stephanie Watson at Ray White New Zealand on 09 377 5069 or any of our business owners.

Northland Auction

Ray White Northern Offices had a heartwarming Auction recently, where the Public Trust instructed the Paihia/Kerikeri offices to conduct an auction of a deceased estate 3 bedroom house in Moerewa. Joe Hoey of the Paihia office conducted a number of open homes, where good attendances indicated a range of potential purchasers. The reserve was duly set and auctioneer Mark Saxton of Ray White Kaitaia called for opening bids.

 When the bidding stalled the highest bidder called for the attention of the auctioneer and stated “This is not the price I want to pay for this property, out of respect to the Whanau of the deceased previous owner I would like to pay more”. The auctioneer asked him what price he would be prepared to pay, the bidder then offered a higher figure which reached the reserve and the property was knocked down to the rounded applause by all those in attendance. 

We are pleased to report during the past month that several of our businesses throughout the Auckland and Manuwatu districts have recommitted for a further five years to the company.   Bob Mountfort and Neil Baker’s offices throughout the Eastern Beaches area, including Howick, Botany Town Centre, Botany Junction, Pakuranga, Bucklands Beach and Whitford, continue to be members of Ray White for a further five years.   

 Another business that is an important part of our company is Motueka.  This business is a market leader and consistently ranks in the upper levels of market share.  David Ogilvie and his team have shown the confidence in Ray White to extend their tenure.

Ray White Broadbeach agent Michael Kollosche has again hit the headlines, this time with the $18 million sale of a beachside mansion on the Gold Coast’s Mermaid Beach.

 The 1,395m² property (pictured) with 32 metres of direct beach frontage was sold to Australian gaming king Bruce Mathieson, who has overseas a $1 billion pub and pokies empire with supermarket giant Woolworths.The six-bedroom, six bathroom, 10-garage prestige property was bought from former skateboard champion Stephen Hill, who paid $20 million dollars for the property in September 2006 and spent a further $10 million building the home.

Mr Kollosche, who sold the property for Mr Hill, said the Gold Coast market had dropped slightly because of the recession: “Prices have obviously dropped a little bit as they have everywhere, but people are starting to get on with it and transact,” he said.

Mr Kollosche, Ray White’s top international salesperson for 2008, has made a habit of targeting the exclusive properties that line Mermaid Beach with a series of high-profile sales next to his name.