What Is New
Ray White Welcomes First Chinese-Based Alan White Premier Club Member
22/04/2008
Ray White has welcomed its first Chinese-based Alan White Premier Club member, Shanghai salesperson Wilage (Wang Zhe).
Wilage, who graduated from Xi'An University in mid-2007 prior to commencing his sales career, qualified by achieving gross commission of RMB157,808 for the period of 1 January 2008 – 31 March 2008.
Ray White Deputy Chairman Sam White said Wilage was a foundation member when Ray White acquired the Shanghai businesses 10 months ago and since that time had embraced a lot of the new concepts introduced to the market by Ray White such as open houses, sole agencies and personalised marketing.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome into the Alan White Premier Club our first Chinese-based salesperson,” Sam White said.
“His success is a reflection of the enthusiasm of the team and the quality of our people there,” he said.
Wilage said he was now proud to be in the real estate business and to be a part of the Ray White family. “I have made the right choice – that is to be in real estate and to be with Ray White,” he said. “I am dedicated to continually getting better,” he said.
Pictured is Sam White (left) welcoming Wilage (right) to the Alan White Premier Club at the recent quarterly awards ceremony in Shanghai.
X Inc, Loan Market Group sets out new structure
07/04/2008
Loan Market and X Inc Finance last week announced a major restructuring that would create two distinct entities, comprising a $10 billion residential mortgage group and Australia’s first national commercial and business loan broker backed by a major aggregator.
Jennifer Nielsen, Loan Market and X Inc Chief Executive, said that under the changes Loan Market would become the group’s primary residential real estate mortgages brand with a team of 500 brokers writing approximately $600 million worth of loans every month.
Meanwhile, X Inc would take the next step in its development and concentrate on meeting the financial requirements of the significant and growing Small to Medium sized Enterprise market.
The changes are effective from June, when Nielsen expects the new Loan Market advertising to be on air and on the internet.
“I’m pleased to announce this reorganisation, which we expect to deliver better clarity to our customers and create a more efficient and focused group with the ability to handle greater volumes of business at a time of significant growth in the mortgage broking industry,” Ms Nielsen said.
“The changes are a logical progression for our business and will give us an excellent opportunity to better leverage the core strengths inherent in both brands.”
Approximately 250 X Inc brokers will merge with the Loan Market business.
Ms Nielsen said the goal for the new, expanded Loan Market was to create the biggest retail mortgage brand in Australia while ensuring that a Loan Market broker is attached to every residential real estate agent in the country.
Loan Market will launch its new advertising campaign in May / June, targeting the residential mortgage market.
The changes were foreshadowed in October when the companies merged to create Australia’s leading branded mortgage business with an $10 billion loan book.
“When the merger occurred our goal was to create a business with the scale, product offer and geographic reach that hadn’t been seen before in Australia,” Ms Nielsen said. “The changes we’ve announced here take us a large step closer to fulfilling that promise.”
Ray White Named Top Business In Ipswich
26/03/2008
Ray White Ipswich has taken out the major prize at the Ipswich Business Awards after being named Business of the Year for 2008.
The prestigious award is testament to the success of the thriving business, which principal Warren Ramsey established 15 years ago.
Ray White Ipswich has experienced considerable growth over the past five years, fuelled by a burgeoning property market. Located 30 kilometres south-west of the Brisbane CBD, Ipswich has recently seen price growth of close to 8 per cent a year, making it one of the highest-growth markets in south-east Queensland.
Principal Warren Ramsay said the award was welcome recognition for his team.
“It’s good to be noticed when you’re plodding along and feeling as though you’re doing a good job for clients,” he said.
“To be nominated is one thing, to become one of the three finalists is fantastic, but to be named as the winner is absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
Mr Ramsey said the award was testament to his office’s involvement within the Ipswich business community and its strong presence and reputation within the residential and commercial property markets.
$70M Deal Highlights Record Month for Ray White Rural
14/03/2008
In one of the biggest cattle station sales in the last several years, Ray White Rural agent Lex Heinemann has negotiated the sale of Northern Territory grazing property ‘Alroy Downs’ for close to $70 million
The 432,200 hectare property was purchased by cattle baron Sterling Buntine, who already holds about 1 million hectares around Australia. Alroy Downs Station was bought by Peter Sherwin in early 2004, which he then developed and added a large number of cattle. The sale price is equivalent to a doubling on return of the value of the property for Mr Sherwin.
Ray White Rural chairman Paul White said Lex Heinemann had done a fantastic job getting the sale across the line following a complex negotiation period, and said the sale pointed to the continuing strength of the cattle industry in Australia.
Strong sales have highlighted the rural property market recently, many of which have been highlighted on Channel 5. Ray White Rural (Emerald) recently sold two properties at auction for a total of $25 million, and Ray White Rural agent Bruce Gunning brought his total sales for the year to $135 million with the sale last month of a large cropping property in northern New South Wales.
Paul White said it was exciting time for Ray White Rural.
“Ray White Rural settled an all time record month in February 2008 with in excess of $180 million in property sales. Our unconditional sales for February are exceeding $210 million,” he said.
“Well done everybody – it’s very exciting to see where this Group’s going,” he said.
Victoria and Tasmania Celebrate Night of Firsts at Annual Awards
07/03/2008
Pictured (L-R): Joshua Allison (Ray White Bundoora), Myf Porter,
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A record crowd of more than 1,000 witnessed a string of unprecedented achievements following on from a successful 2007 for the Ray White Group in Victoria and Tasmania.
For the first time, the Top Sales Performer wrote more settled commission than any other agent from any other real estate Group in Victoria, with Ray White Bundoora agent Andrew Mizzi settling a state record of over $1 million in settled commission. And for the first time, the top ten sales performers all achieved Elite Performer status based on their performances from the 2007 calendar year.
In the top office category, Ray White Oakleigh was successful for an unprecedented third consecutive year.
It was also the first time the contribution of personal assistants was recognised with Kelly Christeinsen (Ray White Nagambie) announced as the inaugural winner of the award for Personal Assistant of the Year 2007.
Ray White Echuca principal Handel Aubrey was named Ray White’s first life member in Victoria. 10 year medals were also awarded for the first time.
Ray White Victoria/Tasmania CEO Andrea Rowan said 2007 was a year of exceptional growth in terms of trading results, sales teams and number of offices. Her speech at the Annual Awards reflected these achievements.
“2007 evidenced that as a company we have undergone a transformation in our thinking. We are now embracing our unlimited business model with vigor,” she said.
“We wrote three personal bests and recorded four months where we traded in excess of $300 million. A phenomenal increase on 2006.
“Last year we worked hard to understand and refine our businesses, we had confidence in our direction and in ourselves and we went for it. Growth in our sales teams, growth in our number of recruits and record breaking growth in all our trading results.”
Ms Rowan said that ultimately the 2007 Annual Awards aimed to recognise everyone throughout Victoria and Tasmania who had contributed to last year’s exceptional growth.
For a complete list of award winners, visit Channel 5 under Recognition > Award Winners > Victoria/Tasmania Annual Award Winners 2007.
Victoria / Tasmania 2007 Annual Awards photo gallery
Victoria / Tasmania 2007 Annual Awards - Group Showcase
Ray White’s Top Performers Recognised at Queensland Annual Awards
27/02/2008
Ray White’s top international performers have been recognised following the staging of the Ray White Queensland 2007 Annual Awards in Brisbane last week.
The top four international agents and the top two international agencies were among the winners to emerge at the Queensland awards, with Ray White Broadbeach agent Michael Kollosche (pictured) awarded top international salesperson and Ray White Surfers Paradise successful for the 14th consecutive year as top international agency.
Top salesperson Michael Kollosche urged other agents to “live the dream”. Judy Goodger (#2, Paddington), Amber Werchon (#3, Maroochydore) and Michael Willems (#4, Surfers Paradise) did just that, rounding out the top four international agents.
But just as the awards ceremony recognised current successes, there was a moment for reflection with a moving tribute to second generation company leader Alan White. And the current company leaders outlined their vision for the future, with Deputy Chairman Sam White declaring Ray White’s best years were still ahead of it (see previous story).
Ray White Toowoomba principal Denis Duffy received the Max White Award, awarded to the individuals who have made the most significant contributions to the Ray White Group. Peter & Sigrid De Jong (Goodna) were also recognised for their contributions by being inducted as Life Members of the Ray White Group.
But the night celebrated the efforts of all members of the Ray White Group in Queensland. Over 1,100 guests were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the past year which saw Ray White increase its market share by over 2 percentage points.
For a full list of award winners, visit Channel 5 > Recognition > Award Winners > Queensland Annual Award Winners 2007.
