R&W in the Media

A day in the life: Jason Boon

Record-setting agent Jason Boon was ranked 12th in this year’s Top 100 Agents. He sat down with REB to tell us about his typical day.

6:00am: Coffee at Gusto Bondi Beach.

6:15am: Surfing – I go for a surf every morning without fail.

7:30am: Spend time with my son Jake. We have our second bub due in a few weeks so that’s sure to keep my wife Melinda and I pretty busy.

8:00am: I head into the office. I usually stop for a coffee at one of the many cafés or a chat with the locals – I’ve worked in Potts Point/Elizabeth Bay for 18 years and lived here for many of those. I’ve bought and sold property for a huge number of people in the area during that time, and I love that I’ve come to know so many of them really well. Potts Point is full of colourful characters – I love the village feel and the fact that everybody’s so friendly. These strong relationships foster a mutual loyalty.

8:15am – 8:45am: Team meeting – my team and I sit down together, either in the office or in a local café. We go through each current property individually and ensure we’re communicating all relevant information from the previous day in relation to the campaign, owner, buyers and any issues that have arisen with the property itself. We also discuss upcoming appraisals, listings and settlements.

8:45am – 10:45am: I get on the phone to clients and make buyer appointments. I’m a huge believer in communicating as much as possible with vendors and buyers, keeping them well updated and addressing any concerns they may have.

10:45am – 12:00pm: Listen to voicemail messages and return calls – my phone generally doesn’t stop ringing, so it’s a bigger job than it sounds!

12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch – usually in the office. We have the TV on (surfing whenever possible), so I sit and relax for a while. My colleagues (and probably Melinda) would argue that I’m not very good at it.

1:00pm – 6:00pm: Listing appraisals and buyer appointments – absolutely vital to selling real estate.

6:00pm: At home I spend time with Melinda and Jake while having some dinner.

7:30pm: Walk our dog, Lucy.

8:00pm: Watch TV, usually fall asleep in front of it.

9:30pm: Bed, recharge to do it all again tomorrow!

[Related: A day in the life: Zali Reynolds]

Friday,1 July 2016

​Source: www.realestatebusiness.com.au/​


The Chinese real estate agent boom

ADETTE Cao is the face of the next Chinese real estate boom. The 20-year-old UNSW student is still in her final year of PR and advertising, but she has already switched careers. As a sales associate at real estate agency Richardson & Wrench, she is on track to become a full agent at least five years earlier than normal.

No longer content to buy Australian real estate, native Chinese are becoming some of the country’s top real estate agents.

Ms Cao, who was born in China and emigrated to Australia at the age of seven, is fluent in Mandarin — an increasingly valuable skill. “My parents have always invested in property and my mum works in real estate, so it’s always been in the background,” she said.

“I got into my second year of uni and realised PR wasn’t what I wanted to do. I like the interaction with people in real estate, and it’s always different day-to-day with new properties coming on the market.”

James Pratt, director of auctions at Raine & Horne and J Pratt Realty, said native speakers of Mandarin and Cantonese now make up at least one-third of the would-be real estate agents studying at the TAFE NSW in the city, where he teaches sales and auctioneering.

Five years ago, he said, there were only a handful of native Chinese students in the typical class.

In the two classes this month, 30-40 per cent are of Chinese descent. Seventy per cent of these students were born in China, with English their second language.

Mr Pratt said they tend to be more focused on real estate as a profession than many other students, so they work hard to do well in the course. “I wouldn’t be surprised if, in 10 years, a majority of the most productive 100 real estate agents in NSW are native speakers of Chinese,” he said.

One of Mr Pratt’s former students, Dani Zhao, now represents about 100 ultra high-net-worth Chinese individuals on large-scale commercial and residential investments, and is currently representing a buyer on a $20 million transaction. Ms Zhao, whose background was in managing large events such as Chinese New Year celebrations, said doing business with Chinese investors was all about trust. “There are so many investors trying to find a good deal, but they want to find somebody trustworthy to work with,” she said. Ms Cao, whose goal is to open her own agency at some point, believes Chinese appetite for Australian property will continue, despite recent changes such as higher stamp duty costs and increased capital controls out of China, which some experts have described as “horrifying”.

“The Chinese market is too expensive for a lot of people to afford,” she said. “It’s a lot cheaper for them to buy something here, although some of the legislation they’re putting in place might deter them in future. It’s really hard to gauge.” She said Chinese people still perceive western countries as superior. “The environment is better, and ideally they probably want to move here,” she said.

Ms Zhao agreed, saying for large investors the changes wouldn’t be a problem. “It might affect small residential overseas buyers, but I think for the big developers they don’t mind,” she said.

According to Ray Dimarco, head of studies at TAFE Property in Sydney, there have been major changes over the last 10 years. “Student composition used to be 10 per cent Chinese and is now over 30 per cent Chinese,” he. “I believe the increase is based at least in part on the high demand for buyers agents to act for only clients in China, but also for local buyers in Sydney.”

Gavin Norris, Australia head for Chinese international property portal Juwai.com, said mainland Chinese had gone from 10 per cent to 25 per cent of the foreign buyer market in the past five years. “You do not have to be Chinese to succeed with Chinese buyers,” he said. “A good agent is a good agent, no matter where they were born or what language they learned first.”

Mr Norris said property had a greater cultural role as a symbol of wealth and success, and as a vehicle for investment and savings, in China than it does in Australia.

“The increase of buyers from mainland China and from other countries with large Chinese-ethnicity populations has made real estate agency principals more willing to give these agents, who sometimes speak English imperfectly, a fair go,” he said.

Last year, the Foreign Investment Review Board approved $24.3 billion of Chinese real estate investment, with the top cities being Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast.  According to Juwai.com, Chinese buyers made 61 per cent more inquiries on Australian property in the first quarter of 2016 than the same period last year.

Friday, 17 June 2016

Source: news.com.au


A leading Sydney office has signed up with one of Australia's most recognised real estate brands.

Richardson & Wrench (R&W) announced it has signed “Blacktown’s leading real estate agency” to its network.

R&W owner and managing director Andrew Cocks said the opening of the Blacktown office would help to achieve a long-term goal of re-establishing the real estate group’s presence in Sydney’s west.

He said the Comino brothers’ decision to join the network was a fantastic endorsement of the R&W brand.

“That Blacktown’s leading agency elected to join R&W is a significant coup and we are very pleased to welcome the Comino brothers, Terry and Brett, to our network,” Mr Cocks said.

“They hold a dominant position in Blacktown and as a long-standing and successful family business, will be in good company with Richardson & Wrench.”

The Comino family has had a solid presence in Blacktown real estate for many years, initially as the independent Matheson & Comino established in 1974.

The agency’s managing director Terry Comino, who holds the record for the largest land parcel sold in Blacktown, said his office made the switch to Richardson & Wrench to establish a stronger point of difference in a crowded and competitive marketplace.

“We feel that our interests are better served under a franchise agreement that offers exclusive territory for prospecting,” Mr Comino said.

“Together with the flat fee business model, it gives us far greater business certainty,” he added.

Mr Cocks said the combined strength of the new R&W office in Blacktown and its neighbouring office in Rooty Hill will be beneficial for the businesses and their customers. 

​Friday,17 June 2016

​Source: http://www.news.com.au/


Innovation extends well beyond technology. Richardson & Wrench owner Andrew Cocks explains how he is driving change in the way the network provides support to its franchisees.

“A lot of people think of technology when they hear the word innovation. There are a lot of people who are at the forefront of driving that technological innovation,” says Mr Cocks. “From a commercial perspective, the key thing for us is to be innovative in terms of business structures and to have a level of flexibility that will be best matched to the needs and wants of the individual.”

Mr Cocks took on the role of executive director at R&W in 2009, tasked with transforming one of Australia’s oldest agencies into a 21st century brand. In addition to a brand overhaul and management restructure, Mr Cocks has introduced new digital technologies and marketing tools. However, the most innovative step he took was to effectively dismantle the network’s outdated service support structure and to rebuild it from scratch.

“I decided to take a different approach to the typical regional and state-based support structure that a lot of the networks have and instead focused on providing the right skill set for the offices,” he says.“There shouldn’t be any differentiation in terms of the support you get just because of where you are. I want the best people to be providing support to our network and I want all of our offices to have access to the best people.”

According to Mr Cocks, R&W’s old system involved a franchise development officer working a particular territory. This has undergone a radical transformation that has seen the group increasingly harness its collective wisdom, rather than promote internal competition between offices. “We don’t have territories anymore,” he says. “All staff across the network have direct access to the specialist head office team which also allows us to build on our culture through strong, personal relationships. It is about providing expert support in disciplines, rather than by regions.”

As a result, the R&W support team members have essentially been employed based on the specific skills they can bring to real estate offices across the network. However, Mr Cocks continues to look for ways to provide innovative business structures for his franchisees. Accepting that the real estate industry is changing means he has remained dedicated to delivering a flexible model for the next generation of real estate business operators.

“I think it is important to realise that running a business is not a one-size-fits all process,” he says. “When I first moved out of the military into the private sector, I was incredibly green and rather naive in a lot of areas. Really, over the last 20 to 30 years, I have built that experience and built that knowledge. What I know about running a business now is significantly different to when I first started on that journey.

“Every real estate business operator is going through that journey too. Should you expect your first-time business owner to have the same level of knowledge and skill set as someone who has been doing it for 20 to 30 years? Of course not. That new business is going to need a lot more support and a lot more assistance.

"We can help them build and grow their business in size, but also in capacity as they become more experienced,” he said.

Providing a platform where ideas can be shared has also been a key feature of R&W’s operations. Mr Cocks says it is important to have a cohesive network that can achieve a far better cross-pollination of ideas, whether they come from experienced operators with decades of experience or someone with a fresh pair of eyes who has been in the industry for 12 months. “It is about having the ability to leverage off the collective mindset and knowledge base of our entire network that is powerful,” he says.

The group has its own internal communications system that allows offices from across the network to share ideas. However, it is not the technology that is driving this real estate business into the future, but a business structure that caters to the different needs of its franchisees. “Innovation in terms of business structures is actually the last bastion of change in the business environment,” Mr Cocks says.

“It is not something that we have really seen happen before in the real estate industry.”

​Friday,10 June2016

Source: www.rebonline.com.au


Real Estate boss issues firm warning on negative gearing

The owner and managing director of a leading real estate network has warned that Labor’s proposed negative gearing changes are a “blunt tool” that would negatively impact all Australians.

In a blog for Real Estate Business, R&W owner Andrew Cocks argues that negative gearing has been painted as the “menace” depriving young Australians of the chance to buy a home so as to benefit the wealthy few. However, the real estate boss said this position is misleading and “far too simplistic”.

“It denies the reality that we as a real estate network see every day – the many mums and dads who have invested in property with the long-term ambition to build sufficient wealth to live independently in retirement and not on the public purse,” he said.

“And importantly, it ignores the fact that many first home buyers are able to get a foot on the property ladder by investing in a negatively geared property.”

Mr Cocks pointed to the Grattan Institute’s modelling of the effects of the removal of negative gearing which predicts there would be an average 2 per cent reduction in residential property values.

“That 2 per cent represents a reduction in the value of the national real estate asset of around $130 billion,” Mr Cocks said.

“That should be of concern to everyone – home occupier, landlord, tenant and government. Of further concern, any reduction in real estate values will not be evenly distributed.”

According to the R&W boss, the impact of this is likely to be felt less in the high-demand areas of the strong housing markets of Sydney and Melbourne where any negative pressure on housing prices would be largely absorbed due to the inherent strength of these markets.

“It’s in the other capitals, regional cities and towns, where affordability is not such a pressing issue, that the drop in value is likely to be greater than 2 per cent and felt most keenly. And it’s going to hurt the nurses and teachers, policemen and bank tellers, who are the big investors in regional real estate, precisely because it is affordable,” he said.

"Every Australian home owner, regardless of whether they own an investment property or not, will see the value of their property reduced and if you happen to live anywhere other than Sydney or Melbourne, it is likely that the impact will be significant. The proposed changes are a blunt tool that will impact everyone.”

Stripping 2 per cent from the value of property will also have an impact on the stamp duty revenue that is propping up most state governments, Mr Cocks argued.

“In NSW, income from stamp duty would be reduced by around $82 million annually, with the national reduction in state government revenue exceeding $220 million. Combined with the negative impact on other taxes and council rates, it is clear that the costs for achieving a budget saving at a federal level will be borne by the states, local councils and all Australian home owners,” he said.

“So a word of warning to the legislators who seek election by attacking easy targets. Be careful what you wish for.”

Click here to read the full blog. 

[Related: Investors not to blame for affordability crisis ]

Monday, 16 May 2016

Source: www.rebonline.com.au


Congratulations to Richardson & Wrench Bondi Junction's very own Marina Makhlin who has been nominated for the Domain Group's Rising Star Awards. A Sales Executive, Marina has an intimate knowledge and understanding of the Bondi and eastern suburbs market. Gaining immense satisfaction from working with people, Marina provides clients with a positive experience and ensures that their property decisions are the right ones. Her professionalism, integrity and commitment are reflective in her success within the real estate world and the award.    

Entries have closed, the submissions have been read and the judges have conferred, cutting the massive amount of entrants down to just 12 for the inaugural Domain Rising Star Awards. 

The awards celebrate leadership, innovation and outstanding achievement among residential real estate agents aged 30 and under in Victoria and NSW. 

​Domain Group's chief marketing and editorial officer and one of the judges, Melina Cruickshank, said the quality of the applications received was outstanding. 

"It was such an enjoyment experience judging these awards. We got to see first hand the depth of young talent coming through the industry, which is incredibly exciting".

19 May 2016 

http://www.domain.com.au/


Negative Gearing is not a perk of "the rich". It affects everyone. If the plan to get rid of it succeeds, it will be a disaster for our fragile economy. Why should we risk that?

In recent months, a policy to get rid of negative gearing on existing residential property and increase capital gains tax has been all over the media.

This policy – if ever adopted – directly affects the millions of Australians who own any property, whether it’s an investment or their own home. It also affects the 18 million Australians who have a stake in property through their superannuation funds.

But as well as falling house prices, the knock-on effects will see jobs destroyed and government revenues fall, and may even send the Australian economy into recession.

This site is part of a campaign by real estate groups across the country who have united with the Real Estate Institute of Australia to make Australians aware of these disastrous consequences. Our industry participants pride themselves on being apolitical, but this time, the issue is far too important not to speak out.

Yes, this policy will affect the property industry, which is now the biggest industry in Australia. Such a policy would rip billions of dollars out of our sector at a stroke. But it’s obvious that taking billions of dollars out of the economy all at once is a recipe for disaster for all of us.

Please take the time to read the material here, which will be updated regularly, and to contact us if you have questions about your own specific circumstances.

We encourage all Australians to make an informed choice. Negative gearing is not some taxpayer-funded perk for “the rich.” It matters to, and affects, everybody.

Negative gearing affects everyone. Why risk so much right now?

To view video please click the link https://youtu.be/mmAeQHEqfwo

17 May 2016​​

https://negativegearingaffectsyou.com/


‘Like playing chess’: Top 100 agent sets another record

A Sydney-based agent has broken an Australian property price record for the second time with the $13 million sale of a Sydney home.

In 2009, Jason Boon of Richardson and Wrench sold a Potts Point apartment for $20 million, the highest price paid for an apartment in Australia at the time.

Seven years later, he has once again smashed a record price for the area, this time for “an incredibly and beautifully renovated” terrace, selling it for $13 million earlier this month.

Mr Boon achieved the record result by delivering a highly personalised and tailored service to both the vendor and buyer with whom he had long-standing relationships.

“I was working with the buyer for four to five weeks, showing them lots of property in the area,” Mr Boon told REB.

“I approached this particular owner knowing that this would have suited the buyer. It was off-market and only one inspection. There was no marketing.”

Mr Boon explained that although the property was not on the market, the vendor was prepared to sell for the right price.

With this in mind, he was able to match an interested buyer to the property.

“The buyer wanted a particular type of property, and I felt that this property would suit, so I approached the owner and she named a price and we took the buyer through,” he said.

“It was like playing chess: right move at the right time.”

Mr Boon was ranked number 12 in this year's REB Top 100 list of the nation's most successful real estate agents.

27 April 2016

http://www.realestatebusiness.com.au/breaking-news/10557-like-playing-chess-top-100-agent-sets-another-record?utm_source=Real%20Estate%20Business&utm_campaign=27_04_16&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1

 

 


The Real Estate Business Awards

The Real Estate Business Awards are the only accolades open to every professional and real estate group across the industry.

The awards recognise the very best operators in the industry, across categories that count.

We would like to congratulate the following Richardson & Wrench finalists...

> Aris Dendrinos from R&W Marrickville – Metro Principal of the Year

> Cassandra O’Brien from R&W Rooty Hill – Office Administrator of the Year

> Marina Makhlin from R&W Bondi Junction – Rising Star

> R&W Campbelltown – Metro Sales Office of the Year 

04 May 2016


This Lake Bathurst property was once a school and has been renovated into a home

ONCE a school, this Lake Bathurst property has undergone a number of transformations before becoming the four-bedroom residence it now is.

Sprawling over 1.4 hectares of land, the Old Schoolhouse 2769 Braidwood Rd was bought by its current owners in 2001.

By that time the school, which was originally built in 1881 and closed in 1969, had been converted into a bed and breakfast and then into a home before being finished off by the current vendors.

Richardson & Wrench Goulburn principal Debbie Carey has listed the home with a price guide of $1.25 million and said every part of the home had been extensively renovated with high quality finishes.

“It’s had a professional gardener come in from when they bought it in 2001. The paddock part of it has a boundary of a creek and it has the perfect amount of trees planted in the perfect spots,” Ms Carey said.

“The formal part of the garden is up at the house end, around the ­entrance and the rear yard and it’s all defined by pebble stones, garden borders and brick staircases.”

The interior features sandstone detailing, Italian tiles and Blackbutt timber floorboards among other quality materials.

Although the renovations brought the schoolhouse into the modern age, it still holds much of its classic charm. “All the renovations were done by an architect, even the swimming pool,” Ms Carey said. “They replaced the flooring and the paintwork, it was all done professionally.

The bathroom renovations include high-end fittings which tie in with the character of the property.” Where once the buildings on the property were connected by covered verandas, renovations turned these exposed walkways into hallways, interlocking the structures and creating wings in the home.

There are two kitchens, separate lounge and dining rooms, a home office, library, sunroom, study and a total of three bathrooms, including the main bedroom’s ensuite.

The home also has a pizza oven, solar power, a fireplace, wine cellar, multiple outdoor areas and a variety of heating and cooling options.

Ms Carey said the property would be ideal for buyers in search of a permanent home, looking to set up a B & B or even to live in and rent as a wedding venue or for other business ventures.

It is located within a 20-minute drive of Goulburn, an hour from Canberra and two-and-a-half hours from the Sydney CBD.

Once a school, this Lake Bathurst property is now a modern home with character charm.

 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/


The record price for an Australian terrace house has been smashed with the $13 million sale of a four-bedroom, five bathroom property in Sydney’s Potts Point.

Purchased two years ago for $5.25 million, extensively renovated and sold for a record-breaking $13 million.

Richardson & Wrench Elizabeth Bay/Potts Points own Jason Boon was the selling agent and explains why Potts Point is fast becoming Sydney's version of NY's Soho. 

19 April 2016

www.domain.com.au 

 


The heads of Australia's leading real estate groups have explained why they are developing their financial services businesses and how agents stand to benefit. 

Richardson & Wrench's owner and managing director Andrew Cocks spoke to REB on this matter. 

“They are really essential for a modern business,” R&W owner and managing director Andrew Cocks told REB. “The modern property-related business has to provide a really diverse range of services,” he said.

“For a lot of real estate businesses, who are effectively small business operators, does that mean they need to have all those services in house? No, it doesn’t, as long as we can link them up with people who are very skilled, very capable and can be trusted to work with people’s clients to provide a great outcome.”

Mr Cocks said he does not align R&W with any brokers that he can’t personally vouch for.

“We go to great lengths to ensure that the partnerships we develop are going to be in the best interest of our franchise network. Ultimately, that’s what we get measured on.”

05 April 2016 

​http://www.realestatebusiness.com.au/ 

 


Brisbane's house prices have risen to a record high, jumpist year and forcing buyers to look further afield and outside the city for a bargain.

Richardson & Wrench Wilston/Windsor Ann Nugent was interviewed on her thoughts of the house prices rising and if they will continue. 

You can check out Ann here.

22nd March 2016

http://www.9news.com.au/ 

 


One of Australia’s oldest real estate groups has been sold to its current managing director after almost 30 years of ownership by one family.

Richardson & Wrench announced today that the company has been acquired by managing director Andrew Cocks.
 
The sale concludes more than a year of negotiations between Mr Cocks and the Wong family, who have owned the Richardson & Wrench Group since 1988.

Mr Cocks said he looked forward to continuing to strengthen R&W and accelerate the growth plan that has been in place since he was appointed to the group in 2009.

“I have a real passion and belief in Richardson & Wrench and what it stands for,” Mr Cocks said.

“Over the past six years we’ve implemented strategies that have resulted in a dynamic and cohesive network and made it stronger for the future through being able to provide innovative business solutions to the industry,” he said.

“There is an incredible amount of goodwill within the network and a genuine sense of being part of an organisation that is highly competitive in the marketplace, but also collegial and supportive across the R&W group, where the emphasis remains on the customer and the communities in which we work.”

Outgoing chairman of Richardson & Wrench Holdings Neil Wong said a refocus of the group’s investments led to the decision to part with R&W after 27 years.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement for the change of ownership of R&W to Mr Cocks, as this will ensure that R&W has the necessary stewardship and focus to enable it to maintain its place as a significant player in the Australian real estate industry,” Mr Wong said.

Founded in 1858, Richardson & Wrench has an extensive franchise network in NSW and Queensland.

During his time as managing director, Mr Cocks has implemented a raft of changes to the group's operations, including restructuring the service offering to ensure that the network can obtain the resources, services and support they need in the rapidly changing environment, the development of innovative and more flexible business solutions to better suit the modern-day property professional and a major brand repositioning.

In a statement, the company noted that Mr Cocks has also worked in conjunction with the network to strengthen and reinforce the brand values that have defined Richardson & Wrench for more than 150 years.

Richardson & Wrench operates around 100 franchise territories in NSW and Queensland.

22nd March 2016 

http://www.realestatebusiness.com.au


Collaroy house with potential sells for more than $2 million at Auction.

A Modernist-style home with grandstand ocean views over the northern beaches coastline sold under the hammer for $2,045,000 on Saturday. It was its first time traded since being built.

The three-bedroom house at 26 Lancaster Crescent in Collaroy had seen better days but the potential of its position apparently captured the imagination of many, with several people wielding tape measures.

Saturday saw 578 homes go under the hammer in Sydney. By early evening, Domain Group data had collected 408 results giving a clearance rate of 73.3 per cent, more than 3 percentage points lower than last weekend’s results.

Domain Group’s chief economist, Dr Andrew Wilson said it was the lowest result for a month on top of relatively low auction numbers. “The outer-western suburbs clearly continue to be the underperformers,” he added.  

But interest remained high on the northern beaches. 

Selling agent Tony Norris of Richardson & Wrench Dee Why issued 40 contracts in the lead-up to the Collaroy auction and set a guide between $1.65 million and $1.8 million, where the reserve was set.

“We had buyers saying to us during the campaign, “$1.8 million? Not a chance I’d pay that,” and then you see what happens when they are all in one place looking at the same thing,” he said.

The eight registered bidders had little in common with their plans divided between demolition, renovation, moving in or leasing it, however design professionals were vehement the home should stand for many years yet.

Designer Jim O’Brien of View Thru was commissioned to create a 3D perspective of the existing home, with $900,000 worth of renovations.

“It would take this to four bedrooms with a rumpus, there would be a parents’ retreat and it would keep the structure, because this is a great footprint,” he said.

“This is a gem, so I hope the buyer will not knock it down, because it is gems like this that should be kept.”

The fate of the unique multi-level structure was placed in the hands of the three active bidders. A Qantas pilot and a professional surf instructor lost to a local couple.

Buyer Richard Van Weeren saw the value in the view, but the old home’s future is yet to be decided.

The semi-retired professional and his wife live in a home nearby – apparently “bigger and with a better view”.

“I guess now everyone will know what I paid, so I can tell you now if I spend a couple of million on fixing it up I will want to make a profit in a few years.”

The couple will likely rent out the property in the coming months, before making a decision about rebuilding or improvements.

When engineer Ray Franklin had a home built on a 720-square-metre block overlooking the ocean it was considered ahead of its time. 

He bought the property for about £600 in 1948 but the architect he engaged remains a mystery. One name touted is John Andrews, considered Australia’s first internationally recognised architect.

The home would have been designed while Andrews was still a student of the University of Sydney from where he graduated in 1956. 

If Andrews was the designer, the new owners may have bought themselves a home of architectural significance.

The late owner’s daughter, Lois Fewings, was pleased with the selling price, but admitted it would be some time before the news sank in.

“Dad would have been happy, but right now I just miss him,” she said.

“I will miss coming here and seeing him and it is all a bit surreal after knowing this house for so long.”

5th March, 2015
​www.domain.com.au


New digital platform helps franchise group expand in regional markets

A real estate group has expanded its regional footprint after its new digital marketing platform and corporate website created a wave of interest among regional operators. 

The Richardson & Wrench Group continues to expand its NSW footprint beyond metropolitan Sydney with the opening of two new regional businesses in Goulburn and Maitland.
 
R&W managing director Andrew Cocks said technology updates completed last year, which delivered a new corporate website and state of the art digital marketing platform, had led to a wave of new interest from regional operators.

“Establishing businesses in major regional towns such as Maitland and Goulburn is an important part of our growth strategy,” Mr Cocks said. “These are good steady markets where the Richardson & Wrench brand values resonate well with the local community.

“The technology improvements we implemented last year, together with the flexibility of our tailored franchise agreements, gives us broad appeal both within and beyond the Sydney metro.”

The Goulburn office will be operated by husband and wife team Debbie and Brad Carey, who have long-standing ties to the Central Tablelands.

R&W said the technology offering, marketing tools and online training platform provided by the group is critical to their ability to establish a new business and reach a geographically diverse marketplace.

Meanwhile, Maitland sees the established independent Col Campbell Real Estate convert to Richardson & Wrench in a strategic decision by the principal to leverage the marketing, business support and technology benefits associated with being part of a franchise group.

“Col has been a highly successful professional in Maitland for many years and has fielded many suitors from the major franchise groups,” Mr Cocks said.

“However, our brand alignment was strong and Col considered Richardson & Wrench the best fit for the personalised and professional service he will continue to offer the people of Maitland,” he said.

“He has a well-established profile in Maitland but the need for major technology updates meant he had a choice of major capital investment or alignment with a compatible franchise group who could deliver everything required of a modern real estate agency.”

2nd March 2016
www.rebonline.com.au


Rate My Agent Awards - 2015

RateMyAgent is the ultimate vendor's companion when it comes to finding the best real estate agent, with statistics, rankings and reviews for agents and agencies right across Australia.

RateMyAgent provides the real estate industry's premier annual awards, recognising real estate agents and businesses for what matters most - customer satisfaction.

The 2015 awards process draws on the thousands of verified reviews submitted to RateMyAgent by vendors and buyers relating to sales that took place in 2015.

The awards recognise 2015's most recommended agents and agencies by suburb, top 10 per state and top 100 nationally.

Congratulations to David Frendo of Richardson & Wrench Rooty Hill for ranking #38 in the Top 100, Australia wide.

 

2nd March 2016
www.ratemyagent.com.au


Le-Anne Allen Appointed REIQ Zone Chair

Richardson & Wrench Bargara Beach Principal Leanne Allen will push for improved training and education of young real estate agents in her role as the newly appointed REIQ Zone Chair for the Bundaberg Region.

Ms Allen said she looked forward to promoting the initiatives of the REIQ in the region and being in a position to represent the interests of local agents to the wider industry body.

“Training and raising the professional standards of real estate is top of my priority list,” said Ms Allen. “In the Bundaberg region we face the challenge of being remote from many of the resources available to metropolitan agents but technology means this should not be a barrier.

“I also hope to encourage more agents to become members of the REIQ and for the marketplace, that is every buyer, seller, renter or landlord, to recognise that a CPD accredited agent has achieved an industry recognised standard of achievement and knowledge.”

Ms Allen has been a member of the REIQ for more than 10 years since establishing R&W Bargara Beach with her husband Glen in 2005. She has established training and education programs within her own agency and is keen to see others do likewise.

“For the young people who enter the industry it’s the difference between having a job or a career,” said Ms Allen. “And for the people who use real estate services it is critical that they receive the best advice and their property is expertly managed throughout the sales process or as an investment rental.”

On the local front Ms Allen said the Bundaberg region looked set for a period of growth, aided by government investment in critical infrastructure projects.

“We have $70 million of investment coming into the Bundaberg region with work to begin on a waste water treatment plant and a new plasterboard factory,” said Ms Allen.

“Investment generates jobs and with it the need for housing and this is critical to the future of the region. Tourism is likely to continue to grow as an income generator with increasing awareness that our little piece of paradise is the southern gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

“Our inquiry over Christmas was at levels not seen for seven or eight years with out of towners definitely back in the market.”

2nd February 2016
REIQ


​​Cost of Renting a Top Summer Home

Noosa’s been on a roll for the past six months. Rental bookings are up eight per cent on last year, the result of both a cheaper dollar that is bringing in more overseas visitors and keeping locals local.

While the peak summer season remains strong, expatriate Australians living in south-east Asia are driving growth in traditionally quieter seasons such as the pre-Christmas shoulder, said Peter Butt, a principal of Richardson & Wrench Noosa, the resort town’s largest independent letting agent.

“It’s the come home and spend factor,” Mr Butt said. “It’s a huge advantage for the expats being paid in US dollars.”

The decline that saw the local currency fall more than 17 per cent to US69.21¢ in the nine months to September is boosting demand at Australia’s key beach resorts.

But it hasn’t generally started pushing prices higher as the holiday home sector still battles the strongly ingrained love of cheap regional holidays that are still not priced out of reach.

Noosa’s top rental remains the $25,000 per week visitors would pay for a house on Noosa Sound that sleeps eight, has its own jetty, waterfront facilities and is a stone’s throw from Main Beach. That’s little changed from last year and prices have remained “pretty stable” across the board, Mr Butt said.

“There’s a reluctance for us to push that envelope,” he said. “We’re looking at the next season and the season down the track and we want repeat occupancy.”

On SA’s Fleurieu Peninsula, where a top-priced beachfront house on The Esplanade in the town of Pt Elliot goes for $3000 a week, landlords who are accepting bookings for as short a period as four or five nights, in contrast to the traditional one- or two-week lengths, still have little room to raise prices.

16 December ,2015
​www.domain.com.au 


Buyers still busy in Inner West hotspot of Leichhardt

About 350 properties changed hands in Leichhardt this year, according to data from Domain Group, making the suburb the busiest in the inner west.

Being smack-bang in the middle of such a popular region led to the median house price rising 21.2 per cent to $1,225,500, while unit prices were up almost 20 per cent to $825,000.

And even as the market draws breath and sellers begin to outnumber buyers, agents are still reporting some surprise results.

Richardson & Wrench Leichhardt agent Santos Sulfaro sold 55 Cary Street two weeks ago for $1,325,000, which was   $225,000 over the reserve. Sixteen bidders registered to do battle over the almost derelict Victorian cottage, with a local family looking for a bigger home emerging triumphant.

Despite the frenzy around this renovator’s delight, Sulfaro says the market is indeed slowing down, even in Sydney’s resilient inner west.

“What we’re finding, it’s due to is the overstock of property coming on to the market by opportunist vendors that are trying to capitalise on the peak in the market,” he says.

“Due to the overstock, we’re finding that buyers have a lot of leverage and are able to negotiate a great price so if you’ve been disheartened at auction this year, now is the time to get out there, go to auctions and start bidding on property and Christmas may come early.”

5 December 2015
www.domain.com.au


Agency wins marketing award

A clever agent has been recognised for turning his vendor’s tale of heartbreak into an attention-grabbing advertising campaign that yielded a strong result.

Santos Sulfaro from Richardson and Wrench Leichhardt won his group’s annual property marketing award for the campaign he created to sell a Sydney property damaged in an arson attack.

Mr Sulfaro told REB that the unusual marketing video was the key component of what became a high-profile campaign.

"There was no way I could do a typical real estate video for this property, so I had to work with what I had and I turned it into an action movie trailer," he said.

Mr Sulfaro used dramatic music and shots of the fire-damaged property to create a video that resembled a preview for a thriller film.

"Within a week it had over 1,000 views on YouTube," he explained.

"I think that’s what grabbed even the media’s attention, because they even commented on how the video was so different and got people intrigued about coming to see the property."

Mr Sulfaro said the video got about 3,500 views and generated more than 10,000 hits online.

The vendor "pretty much lost everything in the fire" and had no insurance to cover the damage, according to Mr Sulfaro.

He also lacked the funds to fix the property or even move out, so his family put him up in a hotel, he added.

The first thing Mr Sulfaro did when he won the listing was to advise the vendor to leave the property as it was.

Mr Sulfaro then used Richardson and Wrench’s corporate team to help generate as mainstream media coverage as possible.

"We were able to sell it for $790,000, which was just shy of what it probably would have been worth if it were in its original condition," he said.

"Considering that the property needed to be completely stripped, the roof replaced and new electricals throughout, I think we achieved a very good result."

Mr Sulfaro also won the Best Sales Campaign category at this year’s Real Estate Business Awards. 

12 October 2015
​www.rebonline.com.au


 

 
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