"Since advertising in realestateworld.com.au, our office has noticed our enquiry level is as good as it ever was.
"We take particular notice of enquiry, and have found that, compared to what we were doing before, we have been able to save our office, and particularly our vendors, a substantial amount, particularly when it comes to vendor paid advertising.
"realestateworld.com.au is targeting people only interested in real estate, and the distribution, plus the quality it delivers, is paramount when it comes to determining where we place our advertisements.
"We at LJ Hooker Kiama, have no regrets moving our advertising and highly recommend realestateworld.com.au as the best magazine for advertising properties."
Victoria Lynch,
Licensee/Principal, LJ Hooker Kiama.
Since the introduction of the new realestateworld.com.au magazine, Parktrent Real Estate has increased its space to 1 to 2 pages every week.
Margaret Johnson and Donna Reid are not only having very successful open houses every weekend but the sales are rolling in with 15 sales for the month of November, and December is looking good also.
"We see many people on the weekends, and the realestateworld.com.au open house lift out is commonly seen.
"Buyers get back into their cars, and before starting up they are marking off the day they have planned for house hunting."
"A planned day is the best way for weekend open houses. This way you don't confuse yourself with times and miss out."
With realestateworld.com.au coming out on Thursdays, it gives you plenty of time to plan and organize the weekend ahead for Open Houses",they said Margaret & Donna fill up their "rew" display baskets at several different locations sometimes on a daily basis for the ones that run out quickly.
These girls currently disperse 1000 magazines to additional sites every week, making it easier for home hunters to access.
When it comes to marketing and advertising the properties of our vendors, many things are taken into consideration. The foremost are response, cost, effectiveness and quality.
"As the majority of real estate agents in the Illawarra are advertising in the new look realestateworld.com.au publication, we at Richardson & Wrench feel the best coverage is gained by being where everyone else is, giving the widest variety of properties for the consumer to chose from.
"Cost, in relation to the quality and distribution of this magazine cannot be compared. "We know, that other agents, as well as ourselves, are getting maximum enquiry compared to what we have done in the past.
"Plus we know that people who pick up this magazine are doing so for one reason only...they're interested in real estate! "Happy, satisfied vendors are what this is all about and realestateworld.com.au delivers just that.
"realestateworld.com.au...it works for us !"
Wayne Bennett, Rudi Vergis: Directors, Richardson & Wrench Thirroul.
Picture: Rudi and R&W Sales agent Geoff Birchall, placing that ever valuable "sold" sign on the third property in this complex sold in the last few weeks at Hamilton Street, Thirroul.
With the help of the realestateworld.com.au publication we have achieved one of the highest prices for a property in the Berkeley/Regency Heights area."
Rob Franceschini, from Master Properties in Wollongong, said since advertising exclusively in the publication, there is a strong turnout every weekend at open for inspections.
"We find realestateworld.com. au a cost effective way of getting the best coverage, for the agent to sell, and the consumer to find their dream home.
"We find our vendors are impressed by the quality of the magazine, particularly its colour reproduction on the gloss paper", Rob concluded.
Picture: The property which achieved the high price, with Rob Franceschini (inset)
"Who said the market is quiet?, asks Frank Marcelli from Master Properties, Warrawong.
"Since increasing our advertising coverage in realestateworld.com.au, our enquiry level has tripled.
"This property in Flagstaff Rd.,Warrawong was only on the market a short time and attracted heaps of enquiry and sold very quickly.
"We have had excellent numbers to our open for inspections, and last weekend got the surprise of my life when, a property I wasn't expecting any interest in, attract 12 couples, and included an offer by the end of the day.
"Advertising in realestateworld. com.au is definitely making it easier to sell... and the best part of all, people can pick it up every week from so many different outlets, they don't have to pay for it, and it contains more open for inspections than any other publication", Frank concluded.
In what is perhaps a prelude to other offices doing the same, three long established northern suburbs offices have come together to form MMJ North.
Located on the Princes Highway at Corrimal, directors Roger Hughes, Greg Ellul and Troy Phipps along with Charles Hegyi and Greg Truebody now operate with a joint staff of 26 and have over 1200 properties under management.
Unique in the sense that each property rent roll operates independently with the same original staff and separate ownership, it's in the sales arena where all come together as one, with 11 staff of experienced agents.
Roger Hughes explains that "we entered this arrangement in an effort to avoid duplication of services and save on fixed costs; promote the sharing of industry knowledge and enable staff to feel part of a larger team encouraging higher morale and better overall performance".
The venture involves a new concept to real estate operations that they have developed, where a business can be essentially ‘parked' under the roof of a larger operation without necessarily being involved in the shareholding of the core business, by virtue of a license agreement and adherence to a standardised code of practice. It is expected that other smaller businesses will be attracted to the hub in the future in order to take advantage of the savings in day to day running costs as well as a greater well of operational knowledge.
Solicitors have previously engaged in similar merger arrangements but they believe this is a first of its kind in the Real Estate sector and has involved to a large extent a reinvention of the wheel, which all directors have reported as giving them a new lease of energy in what has been a challenging market.
The locally based MMJ franchise embraced the new venture and sees it as complementing its own existing franchise offices with further expansion into the Illawarra market expected in the near future.
Picture: Directors of MMJ North
(from left) Charles Hegyi, Troy Phipps, Greg Ellul, Roger Hughes and Greg Truebody.
Another great price has been achieved in Port Kembla.
Rob Franceschini from Master Properties in Warrawong, believes results speak for themselves.
He attributes a major part of this success to the realestateworld. com.au publication, given the fact that he believes it has the best exposure of all publications throughout the Illawarra Region.
"Prospective purchasers hold onto a copy for the week, giving them time to organise their open for inspections, unlike other publications.
"Plus the quality of the print is second to none, showing off properties in their true light.
"Since advertising exclusively with realestateworld.com.au, our open for inspections have shown a marked increase, creating plenty of interest with many of our properties", Rob said.
Rob is pictured on site, this week at the Cowper Street property. The pictures show him erecting the "sold" sign, and the magnificent view the new owner is going to enjoy.
"Warren and Mavis Smith decided to sell their home. They have lived in the property since new, 38 years! It was quite an emotional decision and the process needed nurturing and guidance throughout. The home was absolutely immaculate and presented beautifully.
"We started the campaign with professional photography and a floor plan of the layout. This gave the presentation on the internet absolute first class viewing. Fanning Real Estate had 752 viewings on this property alone in the 6 weeks it was on the market. The property was also advertised in the Real Estate World magazine and realestateworld.com.au website, which further raised the profile of the property. "Fanning Real Estate also uses the internet extensively in marketing, such as our "EARLY BIRD" email service to our exclusive buyer database and promotion of our open for inspection times.
"The combined marketing program lead to a total of six open for inspections, and generated 39 groups of prospective purchasers. This led us to a successful sale after six weeks. "What is also important is that the only print media used was this magazine, "realestateworld.com.au".
Our experience showed that we only needed to advertise in one place to get a result such as this, saving both the client and ourselves additional workload, and of course, money.
Sally Absalom, Fanning Real Estate, Wollongong
"We chose Fanning Real Estate and Sally Absalom to sell our home because we trusted her to guide us through what we believed was going to be a bit of a stressful time and after she had successfully handled the sale of our daughter's home in Figtree. We were very impressed with the marketing plan and we know our property was presented in the best possible way. Sally took the emotion out of the process and gave us feedback the whole way. We are very excited to now be moving onto our next venture. If you are thinking of selling we would thoroughly recommend Sally and Fanning Real Estate."
Warren and Mavis Smith, 6 Lamerton Drive, Figtree.
Their passion for cricket is how the couple who won our "win a trip for 2 to the MCG" promotion actually met, and eventually married.
The winner was Judith Maher from Barrack Heights, who is going to take her husband David to watch Australia V. South Africa in the one day series in Melbourne.
Their joint interest in cricket goes way back to their single days, when David asked Judith to come over to his place and watch a cricket match on television... and they have been together ever since.
They have also seen just about every cricket playing nation in action in test matches at the SCG, but this will be their first ever trip to Melbourne, so they are both looking forward to it immensely.
Their prize includes return airfares, platinum seating at the MCG plus 2 night's accommodation and breakfast at the Langham 5 star luxury hotel in Melbourne, plus transfers to and from the airport and the cricket.
Congratulations to you both from realestateworld.com.au
The Bennett family from Corrimal, are extremely happy that Phil Murray and Jeremy Hodder chose to advertise their property exclusively in this publication. Their property at 7 Annie Street Corrimal sold the day after the publication came out for the full listed price. There's no need to advertise anywhere else when you get results like this they commented. Jeremy and Phil are part of the sales team at MMJ North.
The Bennetts were also impressed with their dealing with the pair as this letter shows.
"Dear Phil & Jeremy, We wish to thank Phil and his team, especially Jeremy for all their hard work and dedication to selling our home. Although it only took a short time to sell our property we valued their opinion and listened to their advice and in the end it paid off! Jeremy, nothing was too hard! (even when it came to having to leave ‘Barney' in the backyard) and for that we thank you. To Phil, even the call from interstate wasn't a problem just to ease our mind. We couldn't have wished for a more professional and dedicated team than Phil and Jeremy to look after our sale.
Regards
Lisa & Nick Bennett."
Austinmer real estate agent, John McGuiness from Raine & Horne, says he was more than suprised this week when he arrived at this property. "The Shack", last weekend for an open for inspection.
John opened the door to let the 25 people outside in for the open, and thought it was a bit odd that the place was still a bit messy.
He thought it was even stranger when a man emerged from the doorway with nothing but a towel wrapped around him.
It got even better.... next a woman appeared, also wrapped in a towel.
Maybe the visitors were from Queensland and hadn't adjusted their clock or watches, John quipped.
However, the "open" went ahead and John was extremely pleased with the numbers attending. "They were obviously doing their bit for the environment as well, he said.
"They saved energy on the water heating as well as saving water by showering together".
"I'm sure those attending also appreciated that"
Last Wednesday, Anthony Langlois and his team at Bevans Real Estate held the grand opening of the new Bevans Kiama office situated at 102 Terralong Street, Kiama.
Anthony, an member of the Estate Agents Cooperative (EAC), has been selling real estate in the local Kiama/ Gerringong/Jamberoo area for the last 11 years and as he knew it was where he definitely wanted to live and own a business he opened the Bevans Gerringong/Kiama office at 102 Fern Street, Gerringong over 5 years ago and since then his office has shown tremendous growth. And now he has opened an office right in the heart of Kiama's busy cafe' precinct. This has been his long term goal, to be able to provide the local community with an overall professional real estate experience.
The honourable Mayor of Kiama, Sandra McCarthy officially opened the new office, wishing Anthony and his new and existing staff all the best for many prospective years ahead.
Sandra described Kiama as a town that has proven over the summer period to be popular amongst holiday makers and people longing for a "Sea Change" choosing to relocate to the beautiful south coast, leading to immense growth, demand and success in the real estate industry throughout the entire municipality. Over 100 people including vendors, landlords, client's and friend's came along to enjoy, celebrate and congratulate the opening, and now along with the Bevans Gerringong office, will continue to service and provide honest, informed advice on all aspects of buying, selling and leasing.
Anthony can sincerely say that this has been a great start to the New Year as the growth of his business and the acquisition of tremendous local staff that share in his goals has created a great energy and will see the Bevans franchise now trading in both Gerringong and Kiama soar to great heights. Bevans Kiama & Bevans Gerringong can now offer a service to the entire local Municipality.
They can have your property displayed in the large and prominent windows of both the Kiama and the Gerringong office, and you will have one very large team working for you to get the desired result, whether that be selling or leasing your home.
So, call into either of the main street offices to meet the friendly staff and get a free market opinion of the current market value for either the sale or rental of your property.
Picture: The friendly Bevans team from both offices.
Late last year, realestateworld.com.au supported the Illawarra Surf Lifesaving Association and provided sponsorship funds for its Sydney Water Series Carnivals that will help develop the future stocks of NSW South Coast Lifesavers.
The series of carnivals held between Corrimal and Warilla saw both the junior, (Nippers), and senior lifesaving members in the region, battle for overall supremacy in the water and land in the traditional Iron Man like events. realestateworld.com.au also put on children friendly events during the series, that saw Illawarra residents bring their kids to participate in the fun. "We had heaps of activities for the junior competitors and local kids alike," said Damien McDonald, Marketing Manager for EAC and realestateworld.com.au. "It was great to see all the kids having a good time when they weren't competing, with such events as a Sand Treasure Hunt, Beach Ball throwing competitions, as well as the old Sand Castle building contests.
Realestateworld.com.au is proud to be a supporter of such a worthy association and would love to see as many people getting behind these kids as possible." This week, a certificate of appreciation was presented to local EAC Chairman, Rick Taylor by Amanda Scott, Surf Life Saving Illawarra Development Officer. (Picture) Amanda thanked EAC/realestateworld.com.au for its support, whichhelped reduce entry fees along with defraying costs involved with running the carnivals and providing the prizes for the winners.Rick said realestateworld.com.au's sponsorship of this event was helping play an important role in developing the lifesavingmovement for the years ahead. These volunteers protect the public when swimming at local beaches,making it a very worthwhile cause, Rick concluded.
Did you know that more real estate agents in the Shoalhaven area are now advertising their properties in realestateworld.com.au than any in other printed media.
So it makes sense that if you are going to sell your property, you would want to list with the agents advertising in this publication.
I works like this, most people are looking for the best possible range of properties before making one of the most important decisions of their life....the purchase of a home. Last week, there was a total of 14 real estate agents advertising properties and land for sale in this publication.
Compare this with others....realestateworld.com.au is the definite winner.
Couple this with clear, gloss colour reproduction and 28,000 copies home delivered throughout the Shoalhaven, plus a further 2,000 available from the following outlets, it makes this publication the clear leader in real estate property presentation.
It also has more properties open for inspection times for the coming weekend than any other publication.
REAL ESTATE AGENTS NOWRA: - Raine & Horne; Property 1; Clyde Poulton Professionals; Nowra First National; PRD Nationwide
BERRY: - First National Real Estate; Elders; Raine & Horne
SHOALHAVEN HEADS: Raine & Horne; First National Real Estate; Elders.
KANGAROO VALLEY: Lindy Ross & Associates
CULBURRA /CURRARONG: Coastal Properties; Currarong Real Estate
GREENWELL POINT: Coastal Properties
CALLALA BAY: Property 1; Coastal Properties; First National Real Estate; Coastal Properties; Raine & Horne
HUSKISSON: First National Real Estate; Elders; Raine & Horne; Oz Combined Realty
VINCENTIA: LJ Hooker; Harcourts
SANCTUARY POINT: Ray White; LJ Hooker; Oz Combined Realty
ST. GEORGE'S BASIN: South Coast Properties; Professionals
ADDITIONAL AREA OUTLETS:NOWRA: My Pink Hair Salon; Oasis Takeaway; Top of the Town General Store; East Nowra Newsagents; Nowra IGA; Cambewarra General Store and Newsagents; Bomaderry IGA; Bomaderry Newsagents; Lyndhurst Centre IGA; Clear Choice; St. George Bank; IMB; RAMS.
BERRY: Berry Newsagents; Shoalhaven Heads; Bowling Club; River Road General Store; Shoalhaven Heads Newsagents.
CULBURRA: Calla Bay IGA; Callala Beach General Store; Currarong General Store; Culburra Newsagent; Culburra Mini Mart; Orient Point General Store/Newsagent; Greenwell Point General Store/Newsagent.
BAY/BASIN: Huskisson Newsagents; Hyama Beach General Store/Newsagents; Old Erowal Bay General Store/Newsagent; Sanctuary Point Newsagents; St George's Basin General Store/Newsagent; Basin View General Store/Newsagent; Sussex Inlet IGA; Sussex Inlet Foodcourt; Falls Creek Produce General Store; Wandandian Garden Centre.
Harcourts NSW has formed a partnership with Dougmal Real Estate, one of the highest profile real estate organisations in the Macarthur and Illawarra regions, CEO of Harcourts New South Wales, Walter Nanni, announced today.
According to Mr Nanni, the group headed by Garth Makowski and Chris Stephandelis, consisting of 15 offices located throughout the Macarthur and Illawarra region, will rebrand to Dougmal Harcourts, allowing their business leaders, Sales Consultants, Property Managers and support staff, along with their clients, access to Harcourts' cutting edge systems and support. Including the Dougmal offices, Harcourts now has a total of close to 40 offices in New South Wales state-wide.
According to Mr Nanni, he was optimistic about the partnership because Harcourts and Dougmal shared many of the same values.
"Dougmal is a people first organisation and therefore has a similar culture to Harcourts. I have personally known both Garth and Chris for a number of years now and upon further examination, we noticed many synergies between the two groups and decided to join forces," he said.
Dougmal was founded by industry leading speaker and author Mr Doug Malouf, who has enjoyed a long standing relationship with Harcourts International, having been invited to speak at many Harcourts conferences in New Zealand in Harcourts earliest days.
Dougmal, an organisation which prides itself on five principles including local history, people of quality, training, recruitment and advancement, has just celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
"Dougmal is a household brand and a market leading organisation in terms of office numbers, results and market share in our local market place. We are an organisation that has recognised the need for growth in IT technology and support, marketing systems, reward and benchmarking, to be able to achieve and deliver our goals to improve in these areas, we knew that we needed to join forces with an organisation already strong in these vital infrastructures."
"We knew that Harcourts were the right fit for a partnership with Dougmal upon meeting with Paul Wright. It is simple; right leadership, right people, right direction and an impressive business model and growth plan has to be a recipe for success. We are very excited about forming our new partnership with Harcourts, now ‘Dougmal Harcourts', and know that we will bring history, great people, diversity and skill to the Harcourts NSW Franchise group," Mr Makowski said.
"This is a truly exciting step for the Harcourts brand continuing our strong national and international growth. Dougmal have a great reputation in New South Wales and we believe the partnership will provide even greater marketing opportunities for all our clients through greater brand awareness and profile in New South Wales," Executive Director of Harcourts International, Paul Wright, said. Already the fastest growing real estate group in Australia and the largest in New Zealand, Harcourts is now operating in eight countries: New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Singapore, Zambia, China and South Africa.
Picture: Local franchise principals with Harcourts CEO, Walter Nanni (far right) and Group Head, Chris Stephandelis.