Familiar faces launch Bayleys Southland...

Bayleys’ sign boards are springing up throughout Southland as the newest real estate office in town opens its doors with the people behind the signs selected to join Bayleys for their reputations in the industry, their local knowledge, their understanding of the Southland culture and their rapport with the people and the land.

Managing the new Bayleys Southland office in Spey Street, Invercargill, is well-known local rural real estate salesperson Craig Fairbairn and he is joined by Phil Hutton, Murray Jackson and Paul Carran, all of whom are experienced rural salespeople in the area.

Principal Director, David Murray who also has shareholdings in Bayleys Canterbury, Wanaka and Queenstown, says Southland folk show characteristics which are ‘pretty predictable in the very best sense of the word’ and it was important that the people spearheading Bayleys’ move into the region reflected this.

“Southland is known for its straight-up, genuine, no-nonsense practical people and we at Bayleys have no aspirations to change things in any slick manner. We are here to offer a different direction in real estate given Bayleys’ marketing reach, national and international networks and a culture of sharing knowledge and contacts with Bayleys colleagues throughout the country. People who list their property with Bayleys Southland are effectively listing it with the whole of the Bayleys organisation from the directors through to every individual salesperson. That’s pretty powerful,” says Mr Murray.

Mr Fairbairn has 10 years real estate experience in Southland and has attained AREINZ licensee status. Prior to this he was a farmer and he says his ability to see things from his clients’ perspective is invaluable – particularly in the current economic environment.

“Farmers are resilient people and will hold onto their farms if there is any chance that they can stay on the land. But times have been tough for a lot of farmers and our job as Bayleys salespeople is to hold true to the Bayleys mission statement which is ‘to maximise the value of our clients’ real estate assets through superior customer service’. That is what we are ultimately there to do and I am excited about the options and possibilities that the Bayleys brand will offer to those looking to buy and sell in the Southland region,” says Mr Fairbairn.

“Sure, the rural economy has been having a bit of a rough ride – but that’s mainly been on the dairy side of things. Sheep and beef have had a great year down this way and it really is important to remember that people come under financial stress even in the good years and there are always people who need to sell their properties and move on. I am already taking calls from Bayleys country salespeople throughout New Zealand who have clients looking to invest in rural property in Southland as they recognise that there are some great buying opportunities to be had down south.”

Phil Hutton comes to Bayleys as a top achiever with 13 years of real estate sales under his belt along with co-ownership of a real estate office in Invercargill. With shearing and farming as his background, he knows that in the present market, he needs to walk up a potential client’s drive way with an open and understanding mind.

“I’ve seen these tough times before in the farming sector and I know that as a salesperson, a great deal of lateral thinking and creativity is required to try and work out solutions to problems. I think with Bayleys, we are able to offer options in terms of marketing and exposure of their property to a broad variety of buyers that’s exciting and new for Southland,” says Mr Hutton.

“I am looking forward to marketing Southland properties to a whole new audience in the UK, for example, and adding value to the whole selling process by using the Bayleys advantage. With strong local connections throughout Southland, I’m now keen to extend that by tapping into the key people outside of the region who can assist in getting the best result for my clients.”