Harcourts' David Martin collecting award at last years' conference

This year, the event’s slogan is “Leading the Revolution”. The real estate industry is changing at a rapid pace, and this conference will provide all attendees with the tools to achieve great success in 2010 and the years to come.

Mr Green is a LeadingRE board member and he also chairs the organisation’s International Advisory Board, comprised of non-U.S. members committed to expanding the value proposition of the company’s international membership programs.

While in the US, Mr Green will be attending several meetings regarding new opportunities for expansion for Harcourts.

“I will be talking with several parties in Los Angeles about Harcourts’ potential entry into the US real estate market.

“At this stage these opportunities are still emerging, so we don’t have one particular party we are in discussions with,” Mr Green said.

Already the largest real estate group in New Zealand and the fastest growing in Australia, Harcourts joined Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ as the exclusive South Pacific member in 2003 in order to provide international marketing exposure for Harcourts’ clients’ property.

As a member of LeadingRE, Harcourts International can assist individuals to relocate virtually any community in the US or abroad and can meet corporate relocation needs through the network’s sister relocation company, RELO Direct.

With more than 5,500 offices and 170,000 sales associates in the United States and 35 countries abroad, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ affiliates sell more than US$400 billion in home sales representing more than 1.3 million transactions annually, outselling any international franchise and leading the world in the sales of $1 million-plus homes.

Harcourts has announced today a new joint venture with NAI Global that will significantly expand the commercial reach and services Harcourts can offer in Australia and New Zealand.

As the latest arm of the Harcourts global empire, NAI Harcourts will take its first steps in Australia and New Zealand this year.

NAI Global is the world’s leading managed commercial network of 5,000 commercial property professionals and 325 offices in 55 countries throughout the world.

A joint venture between Harcourts and NAI Global will introduce a strong global platform of commercial real estate brokerage services to support corporate end users, investors and financial institutions locally and around the world.

NAI Harcourts have now appointed commercial real estate industry veteran Christopher Nicholl as CEO for the new venture. Mr Nicholl recently spoke of the company’s plans in Las Vegas at NAI Global’s annual convention and at Harcourts’ annual Business Leaders Conference.

He comes to NAI Harcourts with more than 20 years’ experience in the commercial property industry. Prior to NAI Harcourts, he was based in Singapore as International Director and Regional Managing Director, Project and Development Services, Asia Pacific with Jones Lang LaSalle. Nicholl also previously served as Executive Director and Board member of Colliers Australia.

Harcourts Managing Director Mike Green said Harcourts is a global real estate franchise group that has more than 625 offices around the world.

“Expanding our presence in the commercial sector is a significant step for the Harcourts Group, and a necessary one to take the company’s growth to the next level,” Mr Green said.

“Over the past few years the market has grown to exceed $1 billion in revenue; yet at the same time we have seen very few new entrants, which offers NAI Harcourts a tremendous opportunity,” Mr Green said.

President and Chief Executive Officer of NAI Global Jeffrey Finn said, “NAI Global has been looking for ways to grow a presence in Australia and New Zealand, and Harcourts is the perfect partner for us to do so.

“The quality and strength of the Harcourts organisation in Australia and New Zealand, combined with NAI Global’s international commercial real estate platform creates a powerful platform for NAI Harcourts,” Mr Finn said.

“NAI Harcourts will give us a strong presence and powerful business generation engine in this important part of the world, connecting businesses and investors from around the globe to this escalating market,” Mr Finn said.

Harcourts has had a twenty five per cent increase in the number of offices supporting The Harcourts Foundation since November last year, with more than 120 Harcourts offices now signed up to the “donation per sale” scheme.

Managing Director Mike Green said it was the aim of The Harcourts Foundation to reach $500,000 by the end of Business Leaders Conference so all Harcourts team members could see the amazing progress made since its inception in mid 2008.

“We set up The Harcourts Foundation with the aim of providing financial support that helps, grows and enriches local communities, and it has only really taken just over 18 months for us to reach such the significant milestone of half a million dollars,” he said.

“These funds are raised by our dedicated Harcourts team members in Australia and New Zealand either from various fundraising events, auctions, workplace giving, individual donations or ‘off the top’ giving (calculated from each sale commission),” he said.

In the last quarter (October – December 2009), The Harcourts Foundation granted $50,000 to 11 charities from around Australia.

Among the grants given was a donation of nearly $12,000 to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Victoria and similarly, a grant of nearly $12,000 to Youngcare in Queensland.  Mr Green said he was extremely proud of the extent to which The Harcourts Foundation has been supported by Harcourts’ people and their clients throughout Australia and New Zealand since its beginning in 2008.

“We are now half way through the next round of grant applications, with the closing date being 31 March, 2010.

“I encourage all Australian charities to jump online and download the grant application form. We look forward to funding as many applicants as possible,” Mr Green said.

Be sure to look out for grant application deadlines:
•    1 January – 31 March
•    1 April – 30 June
•    1 July – 30 September
•    1 October – 31 December

Managing Director for Harcourts Mike Green said the company’s motto for 2010 is ‘one team – in touch’, which will be woven throughout all actions by all Harcourts employees.

“Technology is now making it easier and easier for us to communicate with our audience.

“Our team is constantly utilising this technology to ensure we are operating in all channels of communication,” Mr Green said.

“While last year we focused heavily on upgrading our websites and internal communication tools, this year we are focusing intensely on new media and social media,” he said.

The iPhone application is the latest communications technology to be developed as part of the yearlong campaign to keep both the Harcourts team and wider community updated with all exciting news and information.

The application was designed using the iSite platform by Harcourts’ Head of Marketing and Communications, David Martin and is now available to download.

“Anyone can download this free application that has an Apple iPhone or android handset,” Mr Martin said.

“All the latest media articles, newsletters, and video updates will be delivered direct to your device. Simply visit Apple iTunes or android marketplace to download this free application,” he said.

Harcourts is also the exclusive South Pacific member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ – the world’s largest real estate network with more than 5000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in 35 countries.

Adding to this success, earlier this year leading world real estate authority Stefan Swanepoel named Harcourts International in his 2009 Swanepoel Trends Report as one of four international real estate brands that best exemplify a global real estate company.

The reason for our success, our growth and our excellent reputation is simple. It’s our people. They succeed because of our personal and professional commitment, and our collective determination to be the best.

The strength of the Harcourts brand, our superior business and information systems, proven marketing tools and strategies plus our group’s talented and committed team have all contributed to the ongoing success of Harcourts.

Head of International Aaron Hodson said with our business achieving a 40 per cent growth when the market dropped 50 per cent or more in other countries last year, it is clear that Harcourts’s strategy and fantastic business model is working.

Our master franchise model isn’t based on providing only a ‘brand’ to promote – but rather a full service operation with ongoing support.

“We work hard to ensure all new offices are fully inducted to the Harcourts family and place equal importance on values as we do on our business model,” he said.

Our values-based culture is built around putting people first, doing the right thing, being courageous and last but not least, fun and laughter.

“Added to our values-based culture, is our dedication to supporting our international team.

“Our international award winning marketing team continually provides innovative and new products and services to our offices using the best technology available,” he said.

In line with ‘putting people first’, Harcourts believes in finding the right partner in each country, which is why the international business development team will pay many visits to offices abroad in order to find  a group of people with the right determination and motivation to join the Harcourts group.

Last week our International Operations Manager, Tina Sander visited the Harcourts Indonesian corporate team and offices to conduct training with their teams on how to improve productivity and efficiency within a business by using our specially designed Harcourts systems.

Harcourts One is the platform the company uses nationally and is an integral tool to our business success. We at Harcourts place great importance on ensuring all team members are across this invaluable business tool.

“The system is a one-stop-shop for everything from managing databases to e-marketing. Harcourts One is a central input for listings, and streamlines business efficiency,” Ms Sander said.

Harcourts International supplies a brand, products, system and support to develop a long term relationship and successful company.

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 Service Manager and is given instant access to our unique Infolink website that displays recently sold properties both locally and throughout New Zealand and Australia. The client can then either opt to receive updated market information each month, or to have an appraisal personally arranged,” Mr Green said.

“We believe in putting people first, and Harcourts works hard to ensure we are constantly introducing new and valuable services for our customers. There is no doubt more and more of our customers are ‘on line’ and this requires a complete ‘rethink’ of our service model”

Mr Green said approximately 10 per cent of enquiries through Infolink are from international investors, 40 per cent are from local investors and the remaining 50 per cent from owner occupiers.

“This unique system has great benefits for all customers; however those who don’t live near the area they want to invest or sell in really reap the benefits.

“We can now provide valuable information for customers who up until now have found it difficult to source the information that we can provide.”

Harcourts continues to develop new technologies to make the buying or selling process for customers an easy and pleasant experience.

To view Infolink, please visit http://infolink.harcourts.net/.

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 100^th Harcourts office to their ‘off the top’ giving support network.  These offices support The Harcourts Foundation by donating a set figure from commissions they receive from every property sale.

According to Managing Director of Harcourts International, Mike Green, the support shown by Harcourts people indicates a changing direction in society’s business and personal priorities.

“As we are very quickly approaching a new decade, it seems that society’s sentiment is changing with a view that places a much greater emphasis on supporting their community, rather than focussing solely on their own personal interests,” he said.

“Early last year, we recognised this  desire among our own people  as well as Harcourts’ clients, and realised that it was important for us to create an avenue for  both to give something back to those in need within our community. It was with this in mind that The Harcourts Foundation was born.”

Mr Green said he was delighted, but not surprised, at the extent to which The Harcourts Foundation has been supported by Harcourts’ people and their clients throughout Australia and New Zealand since its inception.

“ All businesses have a corporate social responsibility to do more than just engage in their business, but must take a wider and more proactive role in supporting and helping the communities they work in” he said.

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 next decade.

Harcourts NSW has also just announced the appointment of Paul Casarotto as the new State Trainer / Business Development Manager for the group.

Paul has 18 years property industry experience as well being a business owner and sales manager for a leading Sydney agency. In addition Paul is a practicing Auctioneer, having conducted close to 4000 auctions, as well as facilitating numerous courses and seminars for up and coming auctioneers.

Harcourts NSW State Office is committed to providing the added support required to the increasing demands of a growing NSW group.

These three new appointments to the NSW State Team will ensure that offices continue to see increased activity in 2009 and beyond, by a well-serviced and committed team at NSW State Support office.

Mr Green said that over the course of the year most activity has been from first home buyers taking advantage of the First Home Owners boost (in Australia), as well as low interest rates and the best housing affordability in several years.

“The First Home Owners boost has begun to decrease and interest rates climb a little as the New Zealand and Australian economies  improve, and as a result of increased confidence across both Australia and New Zealand, we are seeing investors slowly returning to the market  with all price brackets  becoming active,” he said.

“The lower price brackets throughout Australia and New Zealand are now receiving enquiry from investors, which is good news for our rental market, as more opportunities should be provided for renters who are finding it difficult to find homes to rent due to our current low vacancy rate.”

According to Mr Green, recent Australian statistics indicated an upturn in investment loans from a national average of 27.1 per cent in August to 29.8 per cent in September.

“Property investment in New South Wales was head and shoulders above the rest of the country in September, with a massive 33.4 per cent of all new loans arranged for investors. Queensland’s investor loans were sitting comfortable at 29.6%, above Western Australia at 28.0%, and both Victoria and South Australia at 27. 9% and 26.9% respectively,” he said.
Mr Green said that the return of investors to the market was as a direct result of media and expert commentary over the last few months, pointing toward the first step in the recovery of the economy, and has caused a lift in confidence among investors.

According to Mr Green, both Australia and New Zealand are especially well placed to benefit from the improving economy.

“Rapidly growing infrastructure on both sides of the Tasman, together with other benefits such as comparatively strong economies and tourism industries, have attracted many overseas companies to expand their operations into Australia and New Zealand, creating employment and retail growth opportunities across the board,” he said.

Harcourts is New Zealand’s largest and Australia’s fastest growing real estate group.  Founded in New Zealand in 1888, the operation expanded into Australia in 1997. Currently there are over 600 offices in Australia, New Zealand, China, South Africa, Singapore, Zambia, Indonesia and Fiji.

Harcourts has four key factors which have contributed greatly to its ongoing success – the strength of the Harcourts brand, superior business and information systems, proven marketing tools and strategies plus incredibly talented, skilled and committed people.

Harcourts is also the exclusive South Pacific member of Leading Real Estate companies of the world™. Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® is a global network of over 600 premier real estate firms with 5,000 offices and 150,000 sales associates in 35 countries around the world.

The new website was built using the very latest Web 2.0 tools, with large clear photos and easy-to-navigate functionality.

“The website displays open home and auction times, and also has social media options available, so visitors to the site can share their favourite property with their friends on Facebook, Digg, MySpace, Live, Reddit, Bebo, Delicious, LinkedIn, Blogger, Buzz Up! and more,” Mr Wills said.

According to Mr Wills, Harcourts’ new websites (www.harcourts.com.au, www.harcourts.co.nz, www.harcourts.co.za) also features a Community Page, with a newsroom, blog posts, and feeds to Harcourts’ YouTube Channel among other things.

“We’ve built an Office/People page that allows you to find any of our team internationally. Google Maps make this experience easy,” Mr Wills said.

“Google Maps has definitely proven to be a successful addition to our online offering and in time we expect Google Base will be an increasingly popular tool too, particularly when it’s further integrated into the main Google search engine.”

“We see our investment in real estate technology as imperative to provide the public and our team with the best tools possible to ensure their real estate experience is productive and successful.”

Harcourts is Australasia’s fastest growing real estate organisation, with offices in all states in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia and Singapore. Last year, it expanded its operations into Zambia, China, and South Africa., with a total of over 600 offices internationally. For decades Harcourts has prided itself as an industry ground-breaker in real estate technology.