Media release - 15^th March, 2013

REIA awards recognise real estate leaders

Simon Winter from Raine & Horne Business Sales wins REIA award
Mr Winter is a four time winner of the REISA Business Broker award
Around 30 to 35% of business sales involve bank financing in 2013, compared to 70-80% five years ago
Businesses take an average of 8 months to sell, according to Raine & Horne Business Sales, and much longer if the vendor has inflated expectations

Adelaide business broker, Simon Winter, a Co-Principal of Kent Town-based Raine & Horne Business Sales, has been named Australia’s best at the Real Estate Institute of Australia’s National Awards for Excellence in Canberra last night.

The Awards, held in The Great Hall at Parliament House, Canberra, recognise the outstanding contributions of those in the real estate profession, rewarding them for their hard work, community service and consumer focus, according to a statement from the REIA.

Mr Winter secured the top gong as REIA Business Broker of the Year, after being a finalist on three other occasions.

Since 2005, Mr Winter has also won the business broker category at the Real Estate Institute of SA awards four times, and attributes his winning ways to his work ethic in a very difficult business market in 2012.

“I’ve never worked as hard as I did last year, as it’s a challenging market to buy and sell businesses in, given the tight lending environment imposed by the banks,” says Mr Winter, who averages about 50% more business sales annually than many of his national competitors.

“Around 30 to 35% of the deals we do now have bank lending, whereas five years ago, around 70 to 80% of transactions involved bank lending.

“While it seems the banks are loosening the shackles on home lending, unless you are running a rock solid business, you just won’t get a loan.

Mr Winter is therefore urging businesses to consider the services of an experienced business broker such as Raine & Horne Business Sales.

“One of the key requirements to unlocking the finance genie is a business plan,” advises Mr Winter, who has developed unique software that can help aspiring businesses build a business plan literally overnight.

In addition, Mr Winter is a certified practicing accountant and a certified valuer, which provides Raine & Horne Business Sales with another significant point of difference.

“I can value a business from the outset and this gives vendors a rock solid view of the potential financial outcomes from the sale, which helps manage expectations,” says Mr Winter, who estimates it takes an average of about 8 months to sell a business, and much longer if the price doesn’t meet market expectations.

For those considering a business opportunity, Mr Winter advises that despite the bad press, retail still has merit, with cafes and supermarkets generating plenty of enquiries, while businesses in the leisure sector, such as caravan parks, are enjoying reasonable demand.

“Around 60% of the businesses we sell are in retail, so the theory that this sector is dead doesn’t stand up,” says Mr Winter.

“If you’re in a retail business with a high turnover, such as food, and have good cash-flow and clientele, then in theory, if you price the business correctly, there are buyers,” says Mr Winter.

According to Michael McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, Raine & Horne South Australia, Mr Winter continues to win awards simply because he works harder than the competition

“Simon works seven days a week, 12 hours a day and leaves no stone unturned in pursuing sales leads for his vendors,” says Mr McDonald.

“It’s always so good to see people like Simon, who have achieved so much in the industry, recognised for their work.

“It’s also a great win for business broking in South Australia, as it’s not a high profile industry, yet it’s incredibly important in helping business owners achieve the right financial outcomes when the time comes to sell a major asset.”

In a significant night for leading real estate group Raine & Horne, in its 130^th year of operation, Greg Tate from Raine & Horne Commercial Brisbane Southside was also named the Corporate Support Person of the Year by the REIA for 2012.

-ENDS-

For further media information contact:

Michael McDonald, CEO Raine & Horne SA, on 0488 667 710

Simon Winter, Raine & Horne Business Sales on 0419 828 689

Andrew Harrington, National Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator on 02 9258 5400

Adelaide business broker named Australia’s best