Leading New Zealand real estate agency to set up in Invercargill

Southland’s property market is set for a substantial shake-up – with the imminent arrival of one of New Zealand’s biggest real estate agencies.

Bayleys has today announced it is setting up shop in Invercargill under the name Bayleys Southland – with a team of agents already recruited from existing real estate agencies in the city, supported by administration personnel. More sales consultants are expected to join Bayleys Southland in the coming weeks.

Bayleys has 57 offices nationwide from Kerikeri through to Queenstown, employs approximately 1100 staff – and runs the biggest marketing division of any New Zealand real estate company. Last financial year the company settled 4843 property transactions for a combined value of $4.17billion.

The company is currently seeking Real Estate Institute of NZ approval for its new place of business. Bayleys Southland’s Invercargill office will be in the central city and is scheduled to begin operation in mid-August. The new office will be managed by well known local real estate rural agent Craig Fairbairn.

Principal director David Murray - a 35 year veteran of the real estate industry who also has shareholdings in Bayleys Queenstown, Wanaka and Canterbury - sees the brand’s expansion into Southland as a logical and exciting step. Mr Murray says it reflected a strong optimism in the region’s long-term potential, and would complete the final part of Bayleys’ New Zealand-wide network.

“The Southland region has been well served in the past by existing local real estate agencies, however the increasing need for clients to have their properties showcased throughout the country, and on the worldwide stage, has never been more important,” Mr Murray said.

“Through our exclusive affiliations with global real estate marketing brands Christies Great Estates, and Cushman& Wakefield, Bayleys has led the way in world-wide marketing of property. The property market has changed considerably over recent years, and the days of isolated ‘regionalism’ in real estate marketing are long gone.

“Being a nationwide company embracing all three sectors of the property market – residential, commercial and industrial, and country - allows us to deliver a far broader scope of services to customers rather than an agency which concentrates purely on one sector alone.

“Our marketing mantra is to leave no stone unturned in finding a buyer for our client’s property. Buyer markets of course include the local neighbourhood, the immediate city, and the region. However, Bayleys takes a much broader approach – showcasing properties to national and international markets through avenues no other agency can access,” Mr Murray explained.

Demonstrating the company’s strong international marketing focus, in the country sector alone, Bayleys has sold some $362million worth of farms and agricultural-related properties to UK buyers since 2002. Each year the company conducts a ‘Farming NZ’ seminar series across Britain – showcasing New Zealand farms to English and Irish farmers looking at immigrating to New Zealand.
“However, we will of course be a local firm foremost – which is why we are establishing Bayleys Southland with local estate salespeople who know this area like the back of their hand,” Mr Murray said.

Among the highly experienced real estate agents already signed up with Bayleys Southland are:

• Craig Fairbairn
• Phil Hutton
• Murray Jackson
• Paul Carran

Similar heavyweight marketing clout is delivered with commercial property - which is widely promoted nationwide through the company’s website, buyer/investor databases, and business magazines.

“Commercial property investors nationwide are always on the lookout for new opportunities, development potential and growth areas – all elements we see in abundance in Invercargill,” Mr Murray said.

“By offering these properties to a far wider market of potential investors in centres such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, we are not only generating long-term prosperity for Invercargill and Southland, but also ensuring that local property owners are getting the best price possible for their real estate asset.”
Mr Murray was positive about dairy farming in Southland - notwithstanding the current challenges - particularly the regional price differential potentially providing outstanding buying opportunities compared to other areas of New Zealand.
Bayleys’ rural teams throughout New Zealand have welcomed the move into Southland, with many already advising their Southern colleagues that they have a number of farming clients looking to make the move into the region.