Conference time again!

I can’t believe it’s that time of year again when we are getting ready for Harcourts’ annual Conferences. The Harcourts team across Australia and New Zealand works incredibly hard the entire year to gather the best ideas, tools, keynote and workshop speakers and of course the most outstanding  opening to present to our people.

For the first time in Harcourts history, the Australian Conference is being held in Adelaide, South Australia. Many Conference delegates from outside South Australia are planning to take this opportunity to spend some time enjoying the marvellous city of Adelaide, a beautiful city that offers multicultural diversity and plenty to keep you busy.  In New Zealand, we will be at Sky City in Auckland – a great venue in a wonderful city.

I believe our clients are looking for certainty, professionalism and security in very uncertain times – Conference 2009 will give our team the tools and inspiration to provide that outstanding experience. There is no doubt that this year we have another simply sensational Conference to look forward to. 

Australia – www.harcourtsconference.com.au       

New Zealand – http://www.harcourtsconference.co.nz/

Harcourts Recognised on Global Platform

Harcourts has again been recognised as an industry leader on the international real estate scene.

Head of Marketing and Communications, David Martin, and I headed off to Arizona in the US to attend the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio Conference. The Conference attracted top real estate brokers, managers, relocation professionals, sponsors and guests from across the U.S. and eight countries worldwide. 

The first recognition Harcourts received was first place in the property marketing products category, and then 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, profile and overall presentation and effectiveness in the marketplace.  

These awards are outstanding recognition of our marketing products and place us amongst the top real estate brands internationally. A team of marketing and communications professionals located in all corners of Australia and New Zealand develop our marketing and communication strategy and products. David does an exceptional job of leading this talented team and these prestigious awards highlight the hard work they have put in over the years in order to provide the very best support and tools for our people on an international scale.

It really is great for an Australasian real estate brand to be footing it with some of the biggest and best in the World!

Australian & NZ property markets and economies in a fortunate place

My eyes have really been opened to the current economic situation outside of Australia and New Zealand during my recent visit to the United States for the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (LRE) Conference and Board meeting. To give some background to those who don’t know, LRE is an international real estate network comprised of 700 companies representing 170,000 Sales Consultants worldwide.  Harcourts International is the exclusive South Pacific member of the network.

 

Early last year, I was invited to Chair the International Advisory Board upon its formation. The International Advisory Board is comprised of 6 non-U.S. members committed to expanding the value proposition of the company’s international membership programs.   Then in May last year, I was honoured to be appointed to the full LRE Board of Directors, hence my participation in the Conference and Board meeting.

 

During the week, I was fortunate to connect with other members of LRE from around the globe, and the topic of conversation was, unsurprisingly, the state of the economy and its effect on the property market.

 

I spoke to my colleagues about the many opportunities the Global Financial Crisis has provided to the property market here in Australia and NZ, including lower interest rates, the boosted First Home Owners Grant, State Government Stamp Duty incentives, and general affordability allowing homebuyers and investors to enter the market and upgrade. However, the stories I heard in return had no positive spin on them whatsoever.

 

I actually did not completely realise the dismal state of affairs overseas until last week. For example, did you realise that in Detroit, 80% of all sales are currently foreclosures, and the average sale price in the CBD has fallen to $4,500 because of those foreclosures? I certainly didn’t. To be completely frank, the US economy is in ruins right now, and the worst thing is the effect this has on families. Watching the news one night, the cameras happened to be outside a car dealership where 40 people had just been made redundant – a fight broke out between a couple of the employees, all caught on tape. When interviewed after, one of the men told of the impact on his family – couldn’t pay their mortgage, would lose their home, just couldn’t see a way forward.

 

While it is one thing to look at statistics and hear news commentary on the US economy, to get a full appreciation of the devastation, you really need to go there and see for yourself. Lives are being seriously impacted and it really is a very sad state of affairs.

 

When I touched down on Australian soil, I was glad to be home, as I always am, but even more so this time. I think I fully appreciated how lucky I am to be living in what is, I believe, the best place in the world. Yes, people are losing their jobs and it is a tough time for many, but literally worlds apart from the situation the US is tackling. We don’t realise just how lucky we are!

Great First Quarter!

In amongst all the economic doom and gloom, there are some very positive signs in the real estate market. The first quarter of this year has seen a significant increase in activity resulting in strong sales. While initially the first home buyers have been strong, with the lower priced property selling very well, we are now seeing that flowing into other market segments. This is of course not surprising as the sellers of the homes to the first home buyers are then able to buy themselves, generally in the next, usually higher, price bracket.

Activity across the board has steadily increased since Christmas, with March being the best month for sales for Harcourts in over 14 months, up by almost 40% over recent months.

While it is clearly too soon to be celebrating a market rebound, this first quarter certainly suggests we may have seen the worst of price and volume falls in the real estate market and that with the increase in demand, we may well see an increase in prices, albeit gradual.

At the same time, the sharemarket had it’s best month for more than 2 years, interest rates have moved upwards a little, building approvals are up and most commentators are suggesting the US economy may have stabilised – this all points to the bottom having been reached and that the beginnings of a recovery may be starting.

Never been a better time to be in the real estate market!