Australia
Buyers are hedging their bets in NSW in 2010
February 5th, 20102010 is bringing with it a comeback in the real estate market. Suburbs that saw the greatest drop in value over the past couple of years are really starting to come back. Overall, NSW’s property market is about to enter a year of solid growth.
In 2009, the First Home Buyer’s grant stimulated the property sector throughout the global financial crisis, encouraging many first home buyers to get into the market and take advantage of the increased incentives.
Harcourts New South Wales, CEO, Chris Stephandellis said this first home owner’s rush produced a downside.
“Due to the increased competition in the market place, there was a spike in the market, with many sales exceeding asking prices particularly in the Bathurst area,” he said.
“Now, there is a decreased amount of first home buyers in the market because of the Grant reduction in December, and the looming threat of a fourth interest rate hike when…
RBA decision bodes well for Australian property market
February 5th, 2010The Reserve Bank of Australia on Wednesday made the decision to hold an interest rate rise. This is a welcomed reprieve for the real estate industry, and will be appreciated by many families and businesses.
Due to previous rate rises, banks have increased their interest rates by several points over recent months.
Glenn Stevens Governor of Monetary and Policy Decision said since information about the early impact of these increases is still limited. The Board judged it appropriate to hold a steady setting of monetary policy for the time being.
Managing Director of Harcourts International, Mike Green, said to ensure the market is able to withstand further increases in the future, the RBA needed to make the decision they did.
“It would have been premature to count our economy strong enough to endure four rate rises in less than six months.
“This has already been reinforced by the weaker retail sales figures for December, which…
Top sales consultants announced at prestigious Harcourts awards
January 29th, 2010Harcourts Queensland last night announced the top sales consultants of the quarter (Oct-Dec 2009), and all three hail from South East Queensland.
Grant Stephens of the Sorrento/Benowa office on the Gold Coast was top consultant in October. He has become a business owner of this particular office and is hoping to continue his success this year.
Carmen Briggs of the Inner West won top consultant in November, achieving stellar results for the inner Brisbane area.
Jim Ryan of Coorparoo achieved the great honour of top consultant in December, blitzing sales in his area throughout the month.
Harcourts Queensland CEO Aaron Brooks said the awards ceremony was a grand display of the knowledge and years of experience Harcourts employees have.
“It was a fantastic Gold Coast success, with Grant achieving significant sales results for the month,” Mr Brooks said.
“What a pleasure it is to see members of the Harcourts family go from strength to strength.
“Grant recently…
Harcourts opens its doors to Croydon
January 28th, 2010The Harcourts Croydon office today opened its doors, having been refreshed, revitalised and renewed, and the new owners are looking forward to servicing the Croydon area.
Narelle Dorney, David Hooper, Gary Seaye and Steve Williamson have joined forces to make the Harcourts Croydon office one of the top real estate agencies in the area.
The four owners met at a competing agency, and because of their expertise in their respective fields, jointly decided to establish their own business.
Licensed Real estate agent Narelle Dorney said the agency will be focused on delivering superior customer service, and will incorporate the latest technology for the convenience of our clients.
“With nearly 50 years’ experience in the industry between us all, we are excited about boosting sales in the Croydon area and joining the Harcourts team,” Ms. Dorney said.
“We are all experts in our field, and have many years’ experience in the local area, so know the…
Tags: Croydon, Harcourts Victoria, new office, property
Year opens on a high for Australian property market
January 19th, 20102010 is in good stead thanks to the 2009 property market year-end figures, one of the most challenging years in the history of the Australian economy. All Australian capital cities recorded strong annual house price increases, providing a solid platform for 2010.
Harcourts International’s Managing Director, Mike Green said 2009 statistics indicated Darwin recorded the highest house price increase of approximately 12.3 per cent from the previous year. Melbourne and Canberra followed, with solid price rises of 8.4 per cent and 7.8 per cent during the same period.
“Sydney also recorded a house price increase of 5.9 per cent up from the previous year (2008), and prices continued to rise in Brisbane (5.6 per cent), Hobart (5.4 per cent), Perth (4.4per cent) and Adelaide (3.7 per cent) – averaging just 2.2 per cent below the March 2008 peak,” Mr Green said.
According to Mr Green, the rise in house values strongly indicates a…
Harcourts offers one-of-a-kind personal service for property buyers and sellers
January 4th, 2010Harcourts has developed a unique ‘Infolink’ online service that in just 18 months has generated numerous buyer referrals, more than 400 property appraisals and seen those converted into nearly 50 sales and a further 64 listings.
Infolink is an online service which offers the website user instant access to property market information or personalised service, and then facilitates a referral to their nearest Harcourts office for property selling or buying.
This service is particularly useful for overseas as well as inter-state investors who are looking to buy or sell in the Australasian market and may not be familiar with market conditions or are unable to personally view the area in which they want to buy.
Harcourts International’s Managing Director, Mike Green said the concept was developed to provide a fast and reliable service to potential customers.
“Once we receive an enquiry, the individual is instantly met with a personal response from our Internet Customer…
Harcourts’ Charitable Foundation Reaches Two Significant Milestones
November 30th, 2009The Harcourts Foundation has just announced it has reached two very important milestones simultaneously; $400,000 in donations and 100 Harcourts offices signed up in support, with both milestones being achieved in the last month.
The Harcourts Foundation was set up just over a year ago, with the aim of providing financial support that helps, grows and enriches local communities, and in that short time has already received over $400,000 in donations from various fundraising events, auctions and Harcourts office support across Australia and New Zealand.
Together with the funds donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bush Fire Appeal earlier this year, The Harcourts Foundation has donated over $265,000 to 41 charities in its first year of operation.
In addition to the recent grants made, The Harcourts Foundation has welcomed the 100th Harcourts office to their ‘off the top’ giving support network. These offices support The Harcourts Foundation by donating a set figure from commissions…
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Important Changes to Harcourts NSW State Team
November 27th, 2009The well known Harcourts brand has today announced some exciting changes to their NSW support team and structure.
Walter Nanni is taking on the newly created role of General Manager, and he has confirmed his intention to take up a substantial shareholding in Harcourts NSW, ensuring his commitment and longevity in the Harcourts family.
This change is significant to the growth of Harcourts and the NSW State Team and capitalises on Mr Nanni’s strength in recruiting quality offices into the group, which will become his major focus.
In conjunction with this change, Harcourts International has appointed Chris Stephandellis as the CEO of Harcourts NSW, commencing this month.
Mr Stephandellis was instrumental in the Harcourts and Dougmal joint venture. Mr Stephandellis is a successful Business Owner and part Franchise Owner of the Dougmal Real Estate Group.
Mr Stephandellis’ role will include working closely with Walter, primarily handling the administrative functions and steering Harcourts NSW into the…
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Dougmal Harcourts Glenfield Shines at Quarterly Awards
November 27th, 2009Dougmal Harcourts Glenfield has again stepped up to a new level of achievement at the recent Harcourts New South Wales Quarterly Awards function.
The office was presented with six impressive awards at the recent Awards Function held at Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour.
Principal, Wayne Aiken, gained 3rd place for Top Sales Consultant (income to office) and gained a Platinum achievement award for reaching a personal sales milestone.
Property Manager, Kelly Oliver, was awarded Property Manager of the Quarter, as well as the team winning the Property Management Excellence Award for the quarter.
Other awards for this office included Jason Turta’s Customer Service Award, and the team achieving 1st place for Business Development Team of the Quarter.
Dougmal Harcourts Glenfield is owned and operated by locals who are committed to providing the best real estate service based on ethics, values and client care, evident from their local high profile and continuing success.
CEO of Harcourts New South Wales, Chris…
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Dougmal Harcourts Oak Flats Takes Out Prestigious Awards
November 27th, 2009Dougmal Harcourts Oak Flats has exceeded all expectations at the recent Harcourts New South Wales Quarterly Awards function.
The office was presented with ten impressive awards at the recent Annual Awards Function, among those awards; 2nd place Property Management Excellence Award of the Quarter, 3rd place Top Office, (Total Gross Revenue), and Winner Top Office (Total Gross Revenue per Sales Consultant).
Deb Cummins was presented four awards on the night, achieving Top Sales Consultant, and her Ruby Award representing a personal sales milestone. She also placed in the Top Exclusive Lister and Top 10 Sales Consultant categories. Mrs Cummins also was awarded the Top Sales Consultant (No of Settled Sales) as well as the Top Sales Consultant (Income to Office) for September.
Property Manager of the Quarter (Equal runner-up) was awarded to Sharon Puckeridge and Linda Easterman from the Dougmal Harcourts Oak Flats office, and a Bronze Achievement Award was presented to Principal, Dale Whittaker.
Dougmal…
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