Commercial sales hotshot, Luke Smith, Co-Principal of Raine & Horne Commercial Inner West/South Sydney has been named his firm’s Top National Commercial Salesperson – Auction Listing at the 2017 National Raine & Horne Awards held at The Star Gold Coast last week.

Mr Smith, along with his brother Nick, launched Raine & Horne Commercial Inner West/South Sydney in 2007. The Smith brothers had been previously employed for ten years in father Michael and mother Yvonne’s business, Raine & Horne Marrickville.

Michael and Yvonne launched Raine & Horne Marrickville in 1983, and the firm was recently recognised for its commitment to the Raine & Horne brand at the national awards

After receiving the award at the Gold Coast event, Michael Smith thanked the Raine family for its support over the past 35 years, telling the 300-strong audience that: “We’ve always had an eyeball-to-eyeball relationship [with the Raines] based on mutual trust and respect.

“Raine & Horne is excellent because the Raine family are still there. Starting with Max and Sue Raine, and now Angus and Tash, they’re great family people, whose first priority is to their kids, the family and then Raine & Horne, which they treat like a family.

“While 35 years is a long time, it’s never boring, and that’s why we’re still here.”

Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne said the recognition of Michael and Yvonne, along with Luke was a pleasing result. Fellow Raine & Horne Marrickville Principal, Filippo D’Arrigo was also named among Raine & Horne’s Top Salesperson (Principal) – Number of Sales and Top Salesperson (Principal) Dollar Value.

“Raine & Horne Commercial has been selling residential and commercial property in the Inner West and Sydney’s south for almost 35 years, and it’s pleasing to see the second-generation principals such Luke Smith and his brother Nick assuming the reins, as well as Filippo. 

“This passing of the baton to exciting and energetic young business leaders such as Luke and Filippo is part of a tectonic shift to youth in real estate.

"This shift not only guarantees business continuity for Raine & Horne but means our offices are led by young professionals who are fully immersed in every aspect of our brand, the property industry and are well-known within their local communities.”

Luke Smith said he is thrilled about his wining this award and the recognition for his role in building a successful family business.

“Mum and dad launched Raine & Horne Marrickville when I was a few months old. And as far back as I can remember, there was always exposure to what happens in a real estate office. My earliest memory involved playing with one of those old pinboard displays,” he recalls.

“It was never planned that I’d go into real estate. It was at the end of my high schooling at Christian Brothers Lewisham that I started to consider real estate as a possible career path.

“I wasn’t interested in studying and had no desire to go to university, and there was no doubt I was influenced by what mum and dad were doing. That said, there was never any pressure to join the family business.”

After the end of high school in 1997, Mr Smith said his parents encouraged him to join the business while he planned his future.  

“However, I enjoyed working in the business and decided to stay until 2007, when Nick and I launched Raine & Horne Commercial Inner West/South Sydney,” Mr Smith said.

Part of the reason Luke and Nick Smith opted for a commercial office was to try and build a small business themselves. However, as an asset class, commercial real estate had much to offer. 

Luke Smith explains, “The Inner West was and continues to be a bustling commercial and industrial property marketplace.”

Being part of the Raine & Horne Commercial network was critical to Mr Smith’s transition from residential to commercial property.

“Going to the conferences and networking with my Raine & Horne Commercial peers such as Coin Henry and Gavan Shatford about the opportunities involved in owning a commercial real estate business proved invaluable,” he said.

“I even drove out to see Colin and Gavin at Penrith when we were first opening. This story illustrates the benefit of being part of a network such as Raine & Horne Commercial.

“I repaid the favour recently, by bringing Colin’s son Luke into my business to enable him to cut his teeth in commercial real estate.”

As a small business owner, Luke Smith said it’s valuable to be able to seek his father and mother’s advice when necessary. He explains, “We’ve worked out our silos nicely, but when there is an opportunity to collaborate on a project, we do so.

“That said we like to gee dad up. We send him heaps of referrals and get no love back,” chuckles Luke Smith. “Hopefully the favour is repaid someday.

“Jokes aside, having dad as part of the network for 35 years is also a plus. He’d take us to as many of the Raine events and conferences as he could. Tagging along with dad gave us exposure to successful people in the network.”

For all your commercial sales, leasing and property management needs in the Inner West and South Sydney, and surrounding suburbs, contact Raine & Horne Commercial Inner West/South Sydney on 02 (9572 8855).