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Hundreds of days in lockdown haven’t stopped this network from adding to its Victorian presence in a big way.
Raine & Horne has revealed it has managed to add six new offices to its network in the state across the last 12 months, despite Melbourne and its surroundings having spent a large majority of the year in lockdown conditions.
As well as new offices across Yarraville, Werribee, Tarneit, Dallas, and Diggers Rest, Raine & Horne has also revealed its launch of a brand-new land sales specialist offering: Raine & Horne Land Victoria.
Raine & Horne Victoria managing director Randolph Clements has said that while others “have got bogged down in the negativity of the lockdowns, we’ve seen the pandemic period as an opportunity to keep expanding and preparing for the better times ahead”.
He considers the six new offices as “only the start of our latest expansion push”, before hinting that a further three offices are set to open under the Raine & Horne banner across the city’s north, inner west, and further west, all before Christmas.
While the company is clearly in expansion mode, Mr Clements iterated that they’re “not trying to put an office on every corner like our competitors”.
“We are very selective and, in some cases, have three or four independents or principals from other networks approaching us to join.
“We are carefully making decisions based on who is the best fit for the reputation of our brand,” he indicated.
Part of that expansion has led Raine & Horne to establish its very own specialist land sales agency, Raine & Horne Land Victoria, in Port Melbourne.
According to Mr Clements, the new office deals exclusively with development sites and blocks of land.
While Raine & Horne Land Victoria is a state-based operation, the managing director indicated that its “specifically focused on the residential development markets from Pakenham to Clyde, right across to Melton, Rockbank, and Tarneit”.
Finding the silver linings in the lockdowns that have hampered Melbourne and Victoria more broadly for much of the past 18 months, Mr Clements said the network’s “shrewd new” principals are using lockdown to their advantage – fitting out their new offices “in readiness to pounce on the market once restrictions lift”.
He said they’re also using the downtime to better familiarise themselves with the Raine & Horne technology offerings.
Rita Galati is the director of the new Raine & Horne Yarraville, and said “as much as it’s been frustrating, it’s given me time to rebrand the offices and literally, for the last month, I have been getting familiar with the systems”.
“Lockdown has given me time to focus on my business and immerse myself in the Raine & Horne processes.”
According to Ms Galati, she was motivated to make the switch after a meeting with Mr Clements and has applauded his “very personable” approach.
“Apart from being personable, Randolph seeks the input of all the principals when making major decisions for the Group in Victoria.
“While as managing director, Randolph ultimately makes the decision, it’s great to feel part of the journey,” she concluded.
Raine & Horne Werribee director, Rajeev Mehta, has only opened his office this month, but he’s got the managing director and the network’s technological capabilities to thank for making the launch “very straightforward”.
He explains: “I worked in real estate sales for three years and before that, was in hospitality in the Gisborne area where I met Randolph and Ken Grech, director of Raine & Horne Gisborne.
“Ever since I started in real estate, I wanted to open my own office, and when the time arrived to make a move, Randolph was the first person who came to mind who could help that dream become a reality.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Grace Ormsby
Grace is a journalist across Momentum property and investment brands. Grace joined Momentum Media in 2018, bringing with her a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) from the University of Newcastle. She’s passionate about delivering easy to digest information and content relevant to her key audiences and stakeholders.
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