Archive for the 'Why Would You… or Why Wouldn’t You… Buy a House Right Now?' Category
How and why has Allens Goode Leith Realty Limited just made the most important business decision in its 13 year history? That decision being: Our independent three office Northland organisation with consistent residential market share in our selling district of between 25 and 35% joining forces with the Ray White Group and, as of early October 2011, becoming Ray White Allens.
It all started early this year when an opportunity to purchase the existing Ray White Whangarei business was presented to the directors. That purchase would gain us a rental roll of around 70 good quality properties and the chance to encourage 11 experienced sales professionals to join the Allens team. At this point there was no inclination or consideration of joining the Ray White, or any other, franchise. As negotiations continued it became obvious to the directors that the selling licensee was very enthusiastic about the features and benefits offered by the franchise. Although still not seriously considering this option, we made a decision to meet the CEO of the New Zealand group, Carey Smith, for no other reason really than to discount the idea. Probably the most important decision of all as it turned out …
The old saying “you don’t know what you don’t know” springs to mind at this point. Looking back, meeting the quietly spoken, intuitive Carey was the turning point in the decision making process.
Real estate is all about people, relationships, empathy, and credibility. The way Carey explained what Ray White was all about, what it had to offer and how he believed it could add value to our company was compelling. This and other explanations of features such as their IT platform, marketing, training, networking and reporting systems were well planned, extremely informative and obviously ahead of where Allens was at this point (even though we thought we were well ahead of the game in a lot of areas). The resources that the Ray White organisation have at their disposal allowing ongoing research and development in all the important areas relating to the practise of real estate, combined with the existing high level relationships with supply and industry partners, as well as the stability and credibility of a 110 year old international real estate brand with a global reputation were factors that were starting to become, to say the least, very attractive to us.
On the other hand, the emotional connection to our existing brand was very strong. We had invested heavily, over the last decade especially, in building a local brand that had strong community awareness, equity and market share in Northland. We had a team of salespeople and support staff who had been extremely loyal and who were an important part of the growing of the Allens brand … how would they react to this change? Would they embrace and engage with the benefits and features on offer if we joined the Ray White Group? Or would they react in a negative and confrontational way that could cause irreparable damage to the company brand in these challenging times?
After several weeks of investigation, consultation with business advisors, including our accountants and bankers, proing and conning, the decision was made late one Friday night and from that moment on there has not been one moment of ‘buyers remorse’ – just excitement and enthusiasm regarding the future of our company.
A presentation was made to the two respective teams last week and, although I for one had some trepidation, my fears were unfounded.
The decision the directors had made on behalf of the company was immediately accepted by the two teams with an excitement that exceeded our expectations. It is obvious that the team members were also of the belief that this was something that Allens needed to take the company to the next level; that Allens had maybe hit a ceiling, although very successful as a brand over the last decade or so; that belonging to a globally aware brand with resources, knowledge and systems that can be tapped into with a press of a button, was the way to go.
Someone said to me a long time ago that “opportunities come to pass, not to pause” and we are very thankful that we as directors and later our team members have grabbed this fantastic opportunity before it got away.
Let the rollout begin!
Over the next few weeks our customers will start to see some dramatic visual changes take place as we rebrand our three offices at Whangarei, Tutukaka Coast and Bream Bay. Also undergoing a makeover will be the Allens Minis, website, stationery, flyers and marketing – as we take steps to become ‘Ray White Allens’.
September 12 2011 | Being a Business Owner and Our Community and Why Would You... or Why Wouldn't You... Buy a House Right Now? | No Comments »
Following on from the recent annual Allens Awards we the directors would like to make special mention of how encouraged and extremely grateful we are for the efforts and energy the Allens team continues to display on a consistent basis, especially considering the continuing challenges the present marketplace is providing.
While the Allens Awards represent the achievements of individuals, we are even more convinced that the culture of support and sharing that is so much a part of what makes Allens unique within the real estate industry, allows opportunities and an environment that are advantageous to all the members of this exceptional team.
Everyone is aware of the difficulties of the economy and the effect that has had on consumer confidence in the last few years. The challenges that has caused the real estate industry have been well documented and all of us at Allens have been affected, but the champion spirit still remains in all our team, and we applaud them.
Whether we like it or not, adversity is part of life. Overcoming adversity is one of the biggest hurdles we face. Problems, large and small present themselves to us throughout our whole existence. Regardless of how clever, or happy-go-lucky we are, we will encounter struggle, challenges, difficulties, and at times heart wrenching moments.
Is this meant to be a negative, cynical assessment of what we have to look forward to? Not at all!
In fact, thank goodness for adversity! Learning to deal with, and overcoming adversity, is what makes us who we are. Every challenge, every difficulty we successfully confront in our life serves to strengthen our will, confidence and ability to conquer future obstacles. When you respond positively and constructively to your biggest challenges, the qualities of strength, courage, character and perseverance emerge from deep inside of you.
We all need to remember that the difficult times in life help us appreciate when things are going smoothly and be grateful for and enjoy what we have. We need to decide whether we will allow our experience to make or break us. Depending upon how we choose to perceive it, it could go either way.
We intend to continue facing the adversities of the marketplace with strength, courage, resilience and humour, and to take every opportunity we can to provide the vision, direction, platform, environment, systems and structures to enable and assist all our team to be the very best they can be. We believe the attitude, professionalism, determination, knowledge and skills of our sales team, so ably supported by our superb admin, marketing, reception and Property Management teams will ensure any challenge thrown our way will be overcome with the spirit and determination so bravely shown in recent turbulent and unsettling times.
August 04 2011 | Being a Business Owner and The State of the Market and Why Would You... or Why Wouldn't You... Buy a House Right Now? | No Comments »
I find it so interesting in our times of “information overload” via blogging, newsletters, online print and other media – the ability we all have to find a credible source to back up our own line of thinking. Whether we think the economy is growing, stagnant or declining - there is someone out there who believes it also - hence adding weight, and perhaps validity, to our own thoughts.
So with that thought in mind, I want to share my outlook for 2011 – and encourage all you “positive thinkers” to jump on board.
A commentary I follow closely (and if you don’t already, you should really add to your weekly followers:) is Tony Alexander – Chief Economist at BNZ. An excerpt from his latest commentary says:
- The Reserve Banks next move based on economic data, is likely to be upwards about June.
- The Government, if they are successful in privatising some assets will get the share market moving again
- Our ratio of household debt to income is improving
I feel all these factors will positively flow through to the housing market giving it a much needed injection of activity. As a country looking to spend, we are all a bit gun shy, and tend to follow the crowd – I predict activity will grow gradually throughout the year as people see that others are jumping to pick up the bargains and that age old feeling of not wanting to miss the boat kicks in.
John Key is encouraging us to invest in shares – whilst I would encourage you all to invest in houses! - I think the key message that will flow to the country is that it is okay to invest again, stimulating that spend.
How do you see the next 12 months – Growth, stagnant or decline?
Subscribe to Tony Alexander’s Weekly Overview by clicking here
February 02 2011 | Buying Property and The State of the Market and Why Would You... or Why Wouldn't You... Buy a House Right Now? | 1 Comment »
