With Raine & Horne adding 33 offices over the last 12 months, Mr Travis Wentriro, NSW Network Manager, Raine Horne Group, said he expects changing property market conditions will prompt more independents and start-ups to choose the safety of a recognised brand.

 “But market cycles are only part of the reason that offices are joining us. Several independents who have linked with Raine & Horne recently indicated they were not big enough “attraction brands” to compete for suitable recruits.

 “Some of the independent offices who joined the Superbrand over the past twelve months, felt they were not in the position to offer what a major brand can offer recruits, whether it be industry-best training, a massive technology edge and a support team to encourage the advancement of their sales agents and property managers.”

 He adds, “Recruitment is the biggest hurdle for any principal, let alone a small independent businessowner. Several independents who have joined us told us they were not able to offer enough training to retain their recruits.”

  Exchanging ideas and building networks

 Mr Wentriro says many business owners join Raine & Horne for the network support and bonhomie. 

“Being an independent business owner can be lonely. Who do you pick up the phone and ring when you have a problem? They can’t ring the competitor across the road. 

 “As part of a group like Raine & Horne, you can contact a colleague in the next suburb, in your region or even someone you met at a national conference and tap their experience.

“Our network held our national conference at Hamilton Island this week, and I’m talking to some independents who would have loved to be part of this event.”

 The 2022 Raine & Horne National Awards for Excellence event, held at the spectacular Hamilton Island Conference Centre, attracted more than 300 of Raine & Horne’s best and brightest from its national and international network of offices.

 Rewards and recognition

 According to Mr Wentriro, many of the independents who have hitched their wagons to the Superbrand said the appeal of accessing industry leading rewards and recognition program was a major appeal.

 In 2022, Raine & Horne launched a new internal incentive scheme to reward 450 sales agents, property managers and administrative staff.

 “The Good as Gold campaign acknowledges 50% more winners than in 2021 and has increased the prize pool to $300,000,” Mr Wentriro said.

 “The campaign will also offer vouchers to monthly winners between $200-$2000 from some of the world’s most identifiable consumer brands. Winners are announced as part of Feel-Good Fridays, a monthly virtual awards ceremony that anyone from our network can attend.”

 Tapping supplier benefits and discounts

 Real estate suppliers take each office as part of a major group very seriously, especially a brand such as Raine & Horne that has over 300 offices in its network. 

“We work with some of the biggest names in real estate from BMT Tax Depreciation, Direct Connect, Printforce, Propps and MoneyMe-ListReady who all help us with the best prices for their services as our purchasing power allows us to buy in bulk from them and streamline the way they deliver their services.”

 Lead generation and referrals

 Over the last few years, buyers have fled the capital cities, and regional real estate markets have boomed.

“However, we regularly heard from independents who wanted the Sydney buyers but lamented that they couldn’t always reach them. We got enquiries from independents about how they tap into the Sydney buyer market. 

 “If you’re with a group like Raine & Horne, if you have a lifestyle property in Bowral, you can reach out to our office in Double Bay or Mosman.

 In tandem, our offices can collaborate about putting the country retreat in front of people moving from the Eastern Suburbs or Lower North Shore to Southern Highlands.”

 There’s also the lead generation a group can provide to its offices from its corporate head office. 

 “In 2021, Raine & Horne Corporate, through our social media marketing platform Amplify, generated over 3,500 listings opportunities for our offices across Australia,” said Mr Wentriro.