Media Release – Harcourts Commits to an Entrance into South America

Brad Ryan from Harcourts Narre Warren South is delighted to deliver this hot off the press Harcourts Media Release.

Harcourts Commits to an Entrance into South America this Year
Tue, 02 Jun 2009

Harcourts has just signed an exclusive deal with Global Franchise Consultants in Brazil to promote and launch the Harcourts brand into South America, according to Harcourts’ International Franchise Development Manager Aaron Hodson.

 

Mr Hodson said that an initial focus will be expanding into Brazil, quickly followed by growth into other South American countries.

 

“Brazil was the obvious choice for the launch of Harcourts into South America. It is a stable economy which has a relatively new real estate industry, and one of the top three internet provider services in the world, which will support our Harcourts systems wonderfully,” he said.

 

According to Mr Hodson, Global Franchise Consultants has been responsible for the launch of over sixty high profile franchise groups into South America, and Harcourts international will be the first international real estate group, and the first Australasian brand, launched by Global Franchise in South America.

 

Mr Hodson said that interest for Harcourts in South America had “soared” following the organisation’s successful launch into South Africa last year.

 

“This is an exciting step for the Harcourts group given the strength of the South American economy and real estate market,” Mr Hodson said.

 

Harcourts is Australasia’s fastest growing real estate organisation, with offices in all states and the Northern Territory, 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.

Stay tuned for more Media Releases on Harcourts ever expanding growth accross the globe!

Harcourts International Awarded Best Property Marketing Products Globally

NEWS RELEASE       

Harcourts International Awarded Best Property Marketing Products Globally                                             

 

Harcourts International has been awarded Best Property Marketing Products in the recent Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® Marketing Contest.

 

The award was presented to Harcourts International Head of Marketing and Communications, David Martin, at the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™ Conference held last week in Arizona, USA.

 

Harcourts was awarded first place in the property marketing products category and top 3 in both brand and general marketing products among over 700 eligible real estate companies across 39 countries. Winners were chosen based on creativity and overall presentation and effectiveness in the marketplace.

 

Leading Real Estate Companies of the World™, based in the United States, is a global real estate network comprised of over 700 of the best-known international real estate firms. 

 

“The contest showcases the finest marketing in the industry and is an opportunity for our affiliates to share strategies for branding, advertising and company promotion,” said Robin LaSure, LeadingRE vice president of communications.  “To be recognised for excellence among this distinguished group is an honour, and we commend Harcourts for its superior marketing efforts.”

 

Mr Martin said he was honoured to receive the prestigious award on behalf of Harcourts’ marketing team across Australia, New Zealand and the world.

 

“These awards are outstanding recognition of our marketing products and place us amongst the top real estate brands internationally. Placing first in the property marketing category reinforces Harcourts commitment to providing exceptional property promotion for our clients.”

he 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.

 

Harcourts International’s Managing Director, Mike Green, is a LeadingRE board member and he also

chairs the organisation’s newly formed International Advisory Board, comprised of non-U.S. members committed to expanding the value proposition of the company’s international membership programs. 

 

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 over 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.

Economy Dependant on Extension to Increased First Homebuyers Grant

 

MEDIA RELEASE   

          

Economy Dependant on Extension to Increased First Homebuyers Grant           

 

Better than expected results in the real estate market following the federal government’s first homebuyers incentive package increase indicate that an extension was needed to help create a strong economy, according to the Managing Director of Harcourts International, Mike Green.  

 

Mr Green said that recent statistics revealed there had been a dramatic increase in the sale of houses in the $300,000 to $400,000 bracket between the second half of 2007 and second half of 2008, with house sales in this bracket accounting for 48% of all sales – a 5% increase from the same period of 2007.

 

“ These figures come as no surprise considering that first home buyers now represent more than one quarter of all owner occupied housing purchases; up from just 17% one year ago, which is exactly the effect the Rudd Government was hoping to achieve by increasing the first homebuyers grant. Since Christmas we have seen continued strong activity in this market segment,” Mr Green said.

According to Mr Green, the activity in the first homebuyers bracket resulted in a flow-on effect to property in other brackets, as home owners selling their property to the first home buyers, were then freed up to buy, in the main, at the next level up, in turn freeing up those sellers to do the same.

Mr Green said that by extending the increased first homebuyers grant beyond the June 2009 deadline, to possibly June 2010, the Federal Government would be ensuring the Australian property market remains active.

 

He said that state governments with other initiatives in place, such as stamp duty reductions and concessions, are also playing their part and should look to broaden those measures to assist in continuing to create market activity.

 

“Activity and strong demand in the property market helps create a strong economy and provides job opportunities, certainly in the real estate sector, but also in the construction sector and the many others reliant on it,” he said.

Time to sell?

One of the biggest questions I think that I am asked in real estate is ” when is the best time to sell”. So I will post my own little view on the subject from time to time, I am sure that i may raise the odd eyebrow or even get a quirky smile…either way it’s a good question to debate!

Well for me the best time to sell needs to cover a few basic requirements and today I would like to cover just one.

1- Why are you selling?….Is it ‘Da Bank”???

It’s a simple question, but you need to ask yourself, why am I/we selling? Is it because one of the three D’s ( Da Bank, Death or Divorce!) if it is….you don’t have a choice, usually someone else is going to make that decision for you, you just need to ensure you have plans to secure the best agent before it’s out of your control. By this if you have Da Bank calling you on speed dial for those late payments, you may have a chance to put forward a sale strategy by putting the home to Auction in 4 weeks and getting the Da Bank their money that they need so bad, but also letting you keep control of the process so that you can have some say on the reserve price, the type and quality of marketing material used for the sale and have that chance at getting that little bit more money from the market, if you can!

I use the word “Da Bank” as a phrase to remember the three D’s. I hope for you it is never one that may cross your path, but in the event that it does, don’t be afraid to speak up and talk to your local agent, for the most part the agent will be more than willing to assist- by this get them to speak to your bank or the agency in control of the recovery of overdue payments…whoever they need to! Put a plan in place and see if some good can be made of a not so good situation.

As a professional Estate Agent I get no joy in seeing the bank take over a property, too many people are effected by the actions, when just a few words could change everything.

Be Positive, Get out their and buy your very own piece of Australia, and if you already have…grab some more!

Have a Fantastic week,

Brad

Media Release

 

MEDIA RELEASE 

 

 Leading World Authority in Real Estate Identifies Harcourts in Top Five Brands in the World

   

 Harcourts International has been identified by a leading world authority in real estate, Stefan Swanepoel, as one of the top five international real estate brands in the world. 

 

According to Managing Director of Harcourts International, Mike Green, the 2009 Swanepoel Trends Report showcased Harcourts International as an organisation that is leading the change in expanding successfully into other countries and continents.

 

The report describes Harcourts’ success as among other things, being based on a “people oriented culture” that has resulted in a turnover rate that is significantly lower than the industry average.

 

‘A youthful Gen X culture has energized the company’s drive, creativity and passion. That cultural mindset is further defined by a clear purpose and a business philosophy that flows down through the organization in the form of four very simple but specific values that are constantly communicated: People first; Doing the right thing; Being courageous; and Fun and laughter,’ the report stipulates.

 

Mr Green said that to be recognised in the 2009 Swanepoel Trends Report as an organisation that was influential on a global scale spoke enormously of how far the group has come since he brought Harcourts to Australia in 1997. 

 

“This is truly exciting for the Harcourts team and demonstrates that we are now becoming recognised internationally for the quality of our organisation in all aspects.  Continuing our strong international growth and constantly striving for our goal of being one of the world’s leading real estate franchise groups will provide even greater marketing opportunities for our clients and our people through greater brand awareness and profile on a global stage.”

 

Today the group has over 600 offices, 4,000 full-time sales consultants, 1,500 support staff and a sales

volume in excess of $19.5 billion (fiscal 2008).

 

Stefan Swanepoel is widely recognized as the leading visionary on trends and change in the real estate industry. He has penned 14 books, whitepapers and reports including the 1998 Amazon.com bestseller, Real Estate confronts Reality (1997), the sequel Real Estate confronts the Future (2004) and the Swanepoel TRENDS Report (2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009).

 

Before making California his home, Mr Swanepoel lived on three continents and developed a broad international business background. He has served as CEO, President or senior executive of various businesses including a; bank, construction company, international franchise, software company, real estate brokerage, and a publishing company. Today Mr Swanepoel serves as Chairman and CEO of RealtyU® Group, Inc. the largest career development company serving the real estate industry as well as CEO of RealSure, Inc,. a leading management consulting company providing consulting services to real estate and non real estate companies.

 

Already the fastest growing real estate group in Australia and the largest in New Zealand, Harcourts is now operating in nine countries: New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, Singapore, Zambia, China, South Africa and Botswana.

 

 

Have a Fantastic Day,

Brad.

(I am proud to be a part of the Harcourts family)