View - The RE/MAX Magazine: edt 2-16 by RE/MAX Australia

VIEW

The RE/MAX New Zealand Magazine

Edition 2-16 | remax.co.nz

“Hello world, we are RE/MAX” remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

RE/MAX New Zealand Regional Team

CONTENTS

Message from the Managing Director

From the General Manager’s desk

FEATURE

RE/MAX New Zealand P. +64 9 309 8478 E. corporate@remax.co.nz Level 1, 70 Stanley Street, Parnell, Auckland 1010 PO Box 11331, Ellerslie, Auckland 1542

The Conversation...Geoff Bawden

Managing Director: Michael Davoren

EVENTS

Finance Director:

All of RE/MAX loves a Rally

Chris Chapman Director:

FEATURE

Joel Davoren

Top banking professional chooses RE/MAX

NETWORK NEWS

General Manager: Corinna Mansell Business Development; Lower North: Garry Malcom

Welcome to RE/MAX

Man of steel in agent disguise

RE/MAX given fun run naming rights

Member Services Coordinator: Jasmine Rimmer Office Administration / Assistant:

Public Relations:

FEATURE

Rebecca Andrews

Lyn Cox

Follow the RE/MAX balloon’s journey

NZPF General Manager: Geoff Bawden

EVENTS

NZPF Financial Advisor /Administrator:

R4... New Zealanders bring home Vegas award

Kate Greenslade

NETWORK NEWS

New broker owners ‘max’ the RE/MAX position

EVENTS

Variety - the Children’s Charity

Calendar highlights

VIEW

Submissions for RE/MAX New Zealand VIEW can be sent to Jasmine Rimmer at E. jrimmer@remax.co.nz Deadline for submissions: 1 December 2016 VIEW editor: Lyn Cox e: lcox@remax.com.au m: 0061 418 793 096 st

VIEW design: Melissa Wimberley e: mwimberley@remax.com.au

copied or reproduced – in whole or in part – in any way without written permission. VIEW magazine is provided to RE/MAX Affiliates as one of many benefits. The opinions of guest contributors and interviewed guests are their own and not necessarily those of RE/MAX Australia/New Zealand, or its affiliates, or any of its owners, officers, employees or agents. While every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information it contains, neither the publishers, authors nor their employees, can be held liable for inaccuracies, errors or omission. Readers should not rely on this newsletter as a substitute for professional advice.

Message from the Managing Director

From the Managing Director Michael Davoren

Hello world, we are RE/MAX! That is more than just the theme of the RE/MAX Australia July 2016 Rally and the RE/MAX New Zealand Rally in August, it is a stark reminder of the enormous opportunities this global network affords its members. The RE/MAX brand is represented in almost 100 countries, with expansion continuing. This provides a network of real estate agents like no other. RE/MAX New Zealand’s mission statement is: To create and facilitate the experience of unlimited opportunities in the property industry and allied services. Everybody wins. We can create. We can facilitate. We can offer, but people – our RE/MAX associates – must be taking the opportunities offered and running with them. This was brought home to me recently at the Asia Pacific Investment Referral Program (APIRP), which was held in Singapore. The week-long event opened my eyes to genuinely how much investor money is heading to New Zealand and Australia. When Ken Lim, Chairman of RE/MAX Singapore, speaks of ‘working locally, thinking globally’ he is referring to sales associates making the connection between the market they may be most physically connected to and the market without boundaries, with its networks of agents and real estate investors. A quote from him that appears on the RE/MAX Singapore web site is “Doing the right thing at the right time at the right place with the right people with the right motive to accomplish the right objectives.” This is very appropriate for our industry. Real estate is changing. Technology is making the world smaller. We do have to look for new markets – and certainly not overlook them when they are on our doorstep.

As agents, we have access to the likes of Juwai.com, China’s number one portal for property in New Zealand, Australia and the rest of the world, and GiFang.com, a leading property portal for Chinese buyers. As RE/MAX agents, we have one of the most powerful networks in the world today – our own global RE/MAX network and global.remax.com We have to tap into the experts that are on the ground in markets all over the world. We’re in the best position of all real estate companies to do that within our own network. New Zealand is far more welcoming of foreign investment than is Australia so tapping into our global agent network is even more relevant here. Reaching out through our international connections can also impact massively within our local networks. According to the last Australian census around 23 per cent of people speak another language in addition to English at home and around 18 per cent don’t speak English at home. New Zealand may possibly reflect something similar. Agents should be fervently taking strides into new market places, not tentatively; and striding beyond Asia into Europe. Momentum is growing. My intention is to drive RE/MAX participation in the Asia-Pacific region, and to this end, RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand are proud to host the Asia-Pacific Convention on the Gold Coast, Queensland in September 2017. Momentum in one aspect of business is extreme, in a positive way. RE/MAX New Zealand growth this year has been quite spectacular, both growth in numbers and quality. Production-wise, figures month-onmonth are very exciting – and making the industry stand up and look at us. Traditionally, the industry takes the foot off the pedal in December and January, which effectively cuts out

three months of business. No business can afford to do that. Whether you are a regional team member, a broker owner, a sales associate or property manager, I ask everyone to keep this great 2016 momentum going right through to the end of December and beyond. There is a lot happening on the RE/MAX calendar including the Broker Owner Forum for RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand in Bangkok, Thailand on August 28 and 29. This is immediately followed by the RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention, also in Bangkok from August 31 to September 2, which will have attendees from more than 30 countries. The 2017 global RE/MAX R4 Convention is in Las Vegas in February. I’m very excited to announce that the 2017 RE/MAX Platinum + Forum will be in Queenstown, New Zealand in June. RE/MAX members can make the most of all these experiences on offer. I wish you all a very productive and rewarding time through the remainder of 2016 and into 2017 both personally and professionally. Make the most of the enormous quantity of RE/MAX resources available and stay upto-date on offerings through your monthly Regional Update. I’ll leave you with my regular message:

‘Happy selling, happy managing, happy administering….’

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Message from the General Manager

From the General Manager’s desk Corinna Mansell

This year’s network growth has been marked by phenomenal enquiry levels and unprecedented increases as RE/MAX New Zealand heads towards 20 new offices for 2016. I have been working on up to five business applications a week. Some of these conversations began two years ago. Conversing with potential RE/MAX business owners, I see them wanting a point of difference. They are not so interested in the old school ways of doing things, of the stereotypical operations, terms and conditions. They are open-minded and keener to investigate different ways of doing real estate, and very focused on businesscustomer relationships. I think this contributes to the incidence of more new business than re-brands. New offices are not forsaking major centres or only targeting locations considered ‘hot spots’, growth seems to be well spread. Technology has made people realise that the world has become smaller, especially in terms of doing business, so where you are physically based is not as significant as it may have been in the past. Real estate is increasingly being seen as a career for young people, 4

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including those with degrees in varied disciplines. The acceptance of real estate as a career choice for younger people is also evidenced in many enquiries where buyers are looking for business longevity. This involves an inter-generational capacity within the business, that is, to have children working in the business and be part of the succession plan. They want to be able to hand down a successful thriving business. We’ve developed ‘the hub’ – a place where those considering business ownership can concentrate on recruitment and cash flow with the aid of professional services, while a team including two fully-licenced real estate agents who have extensive industry experience and understand important matters such as the compliance side of real estate look after the back-end. Business owners grow and gain experience while processing through and out of the hub until their cash flow stabilises, and they can then take over the back-end themselves. The hub is as valuable to the RE/MAX New Zealand team as it feeds information on how we can best add value for our broker owners and meet our mission statement of creating and

facilitating the experience of unlimited opportunities. The hub isn’t a physical space; people can be working remotely or can utilise ‘hot desks’. Numbers in the hub fluctuate. We have had up to five potential business owners. Some will have already put in an application to purchase – but all generally have indicated they intend to open a RE/MAX office. I see New Zealand increasingly become a lifestyle destination, for both the home buying and business buying sectors. The provinces are seeing huge growth as the major centres face supply problems and affordability, and buyers see benefits in provinces rather than high costs, less space and traffic congestion. They see instead a nice place to bring up the family, a good lifestyle still with infrastructure and facilities. Business is becoming more community focused – realising that relationships are the key. I wish you all well as you set your goals on high achievement though the remainder of 2016.

RE/MAX Feature

The Conversation... Geoff Bawden, General Manager, New Zealand Property Finance (NZPF) What is the role of NZPF in the RE/MAX landscape?

in to the value that finance provides as part of the planning and sales process.

The RE/MAX philosophy is about helping those working the brand to build a strong and robust business model. I share that same philosophy with those aligned to NZPF and, in turn, the role of NZPF is to bring to the table a suite of products and services that enhance the offering those associated with RE/MAX provide. We do that by assisting clients but it is also about protecting the client relationship from competitors by providing a suite that can save time and money for agents and broker owners; providing pre-approval so that we can strengthen the agent position when gaining new listings; pre-positioning the purchaser so that we can be more confident about what they can buy; and saving deals that might otherwise be lost or have gone elsewhere. Importantly, it is a role to be enhanced as we build the suite of products we have at our disposal.

In finance-related decisions, it is important to adopt a ‘How do we get this over the line’ approach. Don’t look for the reasons not to do a deal. ‘Managing risk’, some call that. If we can’t do the deal, do we understand why? Have we communicated the reasons? What needs to happen to change that? Put the plan in place to achieve the outcomes required. I call it ‘Deal Maker vs Deal Breaker’.

How do you move buyers toward property ownership - and clients, in general, towards their financial goals? This only occurs if we are engaged, and that is where the spirit of this partnership comes in. The earlier we can be involved with the client relationship, the more input we can have. We need to be transparent with all parties and everyone needs to buy-

What impacts on a borrower are most likely through the rest of this year? The Industry has seen unprecedented change and that is about to continue. Regulation and compliance requirements have strengthened, and processes like the Responsible Lending Code, which makes those involved in the lending process much more accountable for the quality of their recommendations and decisions made, have been introduced. The Industry has also seen more stringent guidelines around who can borrow and how much that can be. This has placed much tougher reliance on providing sound advice and understanding the dynamics of the market. Future advisors will be much more rounded, they will develop enhanced communication skills and they will be better educated.

How do you respond to client questions around the mortgage options available to them? The key to giving good advice is having a thorough understanding of each client’s financial position and the ability to match that with the market. Gain that understanding of what is important then challenge or test that process to be sure of best decisions as the outcome. The reality is that most parties trading in the mortgage space will be competitive in what they offer, particularly price-wise. However, one party will align itself more closely to the client’ needs. Unlocking those needs is the key. How important is it to consider changing circumstance through the life of a loan, and how can the borrower expect to know? Essential. For most people, the mortgage decision is the biggest decision they will ever make. Circumstances change and it is important to regularly review the mortgage options chosen to ensure that what the borrowers have is competitive and that it still aligns to their goals and aspirations.

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

RE/MAX Events

RE/MAX loves a Rally The 2016 RE/MAX New Zealand February Rally and Annual Awards provided many memorable moments this year at the Stamford Plaza in Auckland.

the commercial group, NZPF’s Geoff Bawden led the property finance discussion and Mark Eklund, from RE/MAX Pinnacle, championed the auction group.

Firstly, Cheryl Luster, Global Region Consultant from RE/MAX, LLC travelled from Denver, Colorado to join RE/MAX members at the Rally; and what a great day it was, filled with great content.

An enormous amount of valuable networking, shared experiences and sharing of knowledge was topped off with some fantastic prizes in business card draws from RE/MAX Preferred Partners ABC Photosigns, NZME, NZPF, TradeMe, Realestate.co.nz, Real Estate Trust and Open2View.

RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand Managing Director, Michael Davoren, and directors, Joel Davoren and Chris Chapman, were also in attendance, of course. The RE/MAX theme of “Quest for Champions” had messages of lifting your game and standing out of the crowd running through presentations. Michele Hyde, an exceptional sales associate from RE/MAX Excellence in ‘over the ditch’ Townsville led one of the five special interest groups. Nathaniel Hamilton from Tenancy Practice Services (TPS), which offers tenancy advice and consulting to all property managers within New Zealand, led property management, Jeff Brill from RE/MAX Premier led

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The afternoon program included Variety – the Children’s Charity’s Head of Fund-raising and Engagement, Stephen Meadow, who captured a lot of people, not to mention their hearts, with an emotive video clip. Then came the man who needed no introduction, famous All Blacks, Sevens World Cup and Commonwealth Games’ gold medallist, barrister, popular Master of Ceremonies and owner/operator of the Kaikohe New World supermarket in Northland, New Zealand (to name a few of his achievements), Eric Rush, who brought the Rally to a close with many great messages and fits of laughter from the crowd.

Eric said, “You can have all the moves, or training, but if you don’t have heart you’ll struggle to be GREAT”. He also said that if you are a part of a rugby team you are welcomed anywhere in the world as part of the rugby family - whether you play club rugby or national rugby. This message resonated with RE/MAX members as it is also so true for the RE/MAX family. As RE/MAX is in around 100 countries, a RE/MAX member is welcome anywhere! As if the day couldn’t get any better, the awards evening began with a fantastic performance from Variety Voices, a choir made up of children who have been and continue to be helped by Variety and their sponsors, who received a standing ovation at their first RE/MAX New Zealand annual awards performance. When auctioneer Mark Eklund of RE/MAX Pinnacle took the stage for a pre-dinner charity auction, he and a generous crowd raised more than $5,500 for Variety, and delivered a sign of great things to come in RE/MAX New Zealand’s relationship with Variety.

RE/MAX Events

MAJOR AWARDS Broker / Owner of the Year: Ashok Patel and Karl Finn of RE/MAX Pinnacle, which also took out top office. Top Agent: Ben Jones, RE/MAX Pinnacle, who also won the International Diamond award Top Team: Team Stevens â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Melanie Stevens, Lynne Stevens & Rebecca Terrey of RE/MAX Team Realty, which also won the marketing award. Rookie of the Year: Alfred De Silva, RE/MAX Premier Young Agent of the Year: Jeremy Crosland, RE/MAX Go For Sold. Property Manager: Lisa Dower, RE/MAX Elite International Hall of Fame: Lynne Johnson, RE/MAX Team Realty; Brian McMillan, RE/MAX High Country and Rob Hewison, RE/MAX Zest, Howick

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

RE/MAX Feature

Top banking professional chooses RE/MAX Sometimes there’s more to a RE/MAX member than meets the eye…

Frank Cui is managing director and owner of RE/MAX Partners in Flatbush, an office that operates in residential sales and leasing but specialises in development projects. Frank’s story, and the path he has taken along the way to joining RE/MAX and opening his office, is one of some pretty amazing milestones and accomplishments. Born in Mainland China, Frank came to New Zealand 15 years ago as an international student – with, as he explains ‘no English, two suitcases and the clothes on my back’. Frank completed a finance degree with the University of Auckland, where, in his third year, he was offered a position by the ANZ bank as a trainee teller. That was 2003, and the following year he was offered a higher position. In 2005, he was approached by the Bank of New Zealand – another leap in his career. There Frank gathered experience in many bank sectors, and became the Bank of New Zealand’s youngest branch manager at age 23 years. He received a tap on the shoulder in 2010, which led him to start up the bank’s first migrant banking division and to which he added the Asia business division. He began with

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two people and zero customers. By the time he left in mid-2015, Frank had a staff of 55 and in excess of 25,000 customers. While he had received many awards during this time, Frank says he was most proud of the growth that had been achieved. Mid 2015, he decided to join the family business, the SureCapital Group, and immediately identified ‘a hole in the group dimension’. What Frank saw missing was the property sales and distribution element so he began looking at potential franchise groups. Frank’s mission – and the mission he wanted for his real estate business – was to help more New Zealanders realise their home ownership dream. He found the RE/MAX honesty, its culture and business model most conducive to the realisation of this mission. He chose to open at Flatbush because: •

It is in the southern development corridor to Hamilton;

•

There is huge potential in the market from short through to long-term;

•

Flatbush is planned as the South Auckland CBD;

•

He already has well-established relationships with developers active in the region; and

•

He has involvement with projects coming up in the near vicinity.

RE/MAX Partners opened in July this year with a team of eight, comprising five very experienced sales specialists and three new to the industry who are currently involved in solid in-house training designed by Frank himself. The importance RE/MAX places on professional development was another part of the brand’s attraction. Frank is very committed to ongoing professional development, on coaching, mentoring and training, and he views office culture as very important for staff retention. The family company – SureCapital Group - has a finance arm, a property development arm and now RE/MAX Partners as its sales and distribution channel. Frank says the relationship he struck with RE/MAX New Zealand General Manager, Corinna Mansell, played a massive part in his decision to choose RE/MAX; making it true that people follow people, not necessarily the brand, he says.

RE/MAX Events

2016 events overhauled By Member Services Coordinator, Jasmine Rimmer

Events produced out of the RE/MAX New Zealand Regional Office have had an overhaul, giving new relevance and enticing a new flock of attendees. RE/MAX New Zealand’s mission is to provide unlimited opportunities, and professional development courses, training days and events make a significant contribution to those opportunities. All forms of professional development and training, as well as celebratory and social events, must be enticing, offer diversity and reach across all the different roles RE/MAX welcomes in its members: administrators, broker/ owners, property managers, sales associates and finance specialists. The RE/MAX Experience is designed to guide those new to RE/MAX, or those who simply need a refresher, through the many tools and support services RE/MAX offers to build a member’s business, and has an updated and in-depth focus on what is on offer as a RE/MAX member. Whether this be a session taken by the Member Services Coordinator on the RE/MAX internal systems to help individuals; personal marketing; accessing collateral and RE/MAX specific material; brand marketing; or a run through of the public relations consultant’s scope and position within the group, it is a day to gain everything that is RE/MAX.

RE/MAX Partners also promote their available services, and RE/MAX New Zealand’s charity of choice, Variety - the Children’s Charity showcase their hard work in the communities and how RE/MAX members can help make brighter futures for young New Zealanders. Attendees say they leave RE/MAX Experience with a true understanding of the international recognition and scope the brand has, and feeling that “…I just got so much out of being here today”. The course facilitator, Garry Malcolm, is a tried-and-tested enforcer of the Fire-Up Programme and has personally seen the effects and success the programme has had on his own sales team. When the Fire-Up Programme was reintroduced to the group, what an impact it had! There was not a single seat empty in the Regional Office training room where the first training event, a comprehensive ‘how to succeed in your real estate business’, was held.

topical issue of the housing market: Methamphetamine Contamination. Scotney took attendees through his recommendation of the protocol and steps in how to deal with the issue. Along with utilising speakers and trainers internally within RE/MAX, it is fantastic to have the opportunity for external real estate industry trainers to be presenting and mentoring the RE/MAX group. Sarah Pearce (pictured below), a well-regarded professional speaker and trusted advisor to CEO’s, senior executives, business owners and their teams, led a full day at the Regional Office, which focused on personal brand. Sarah was able to collaboratively help attendees identify, develop and then, through follow-up communication, manage their personal brand to gain that competitive edge.

Property management-focused webinars have been introduced in collaboration with RE/MAX Partner, Tenancy Practice Services Limited (TPS). In May, Scotney Williams, of TPS, Total Tenancy and founder of Meth Testing NZ, gave a great insight into the

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

Welcome to RE/MAX Are you ready for a life-changer? RE/MAX is proud to introduce and welcome the newest offices and Broker/Owners to the RE/MAX New Zealand network. RE/MAX Realty Group, Warkwirth – Ben & Nola Kloppers RE/MAX Synrg, Invercargill - Sean Synnott RE/MAX Synrg, Dunedin - Sean Synnott

Your life, your business, your way? Here’s a question to ask yourself: If I could own a real estate business that allowed me to be an entrepreneur, and that gave me both flexibility and support to be in business for myself but not by myself, would I seize the chance? And if supporting me was a culture that empowered me and my team to satisfy ambition, achieve goals and build an independent and very profitable business through systems, tools, training, information and assistance, would I jump at the life-changer decision?

RE/MAX By the Lake, Taupo - Shaun Brennan RE/MAX Central, Rotorua - Donna Russell

their businesses primed to experience profitability and growth. The network is growing phenomenally and the quality of new broker owners, and teams, is exceptional. As is the RE/MAX experience itself… an experience with unlimited possibilities!

“Conversing with potential RE/MAX business owners, I see them wanting a point of difference.” Corinna Mansell, General Manager, RE/MAX New Zealand

New RE/MAX New Zealand broker owners are groomed for success and

RE/MAX Zest: “Adding a third office to the RE/MAX Zest franchise, Eric Chase is elated to have opened the cottage doors of the Pokeno office”

RE/MAX Property: “From property management to sales, Broker/Owners, Rasheed Muhammed and Nazia Ali are excited to be opening the Manukau Office”

RE/MAX VIP Realty:

RE/MAX Realty Group:

“Broker/Owner, Kris Hagena, adds new office for RE/MAX VIP Realty in Woodend”.

“RE/MAX spreads it’s reach into the North with Broker/Owners, Ben & Nola Kloppers opening in Warkworth”.

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RE/MAX Network News

RE/MAX Country: “Broker/Owner Andrew Gibson proudly adds third RE/MAX Country office in Hamilton”

RE/MAX Synrg: “The RE/MAX Synrg team is building in both Dunedin and Invercargill”.

RE/MAX By the Lake: “From Sales Associate to Broker/Owner, Shaun Brennan is proud to open the doors to his Taupo office, avidly named, RE/MAX By the Lake”.

RE/MAX Central: “Launching into a new area for RE/MAX is Broker/Owner, Donna Russell with new franchise RE/MAX Central, Rotorua”.

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

RE/MAX Network News

to take some time out and have some passions outside of property. You did a Physical Education degree… how did your career path go from there?

Man of steel in agent disguise Paul Lawrence, a sales associate with RE/MAX Initial, Christchurch, obviously handles a football as skillfully as he negotiates a sale. The game is American Football. He plays in the New Zealand Men’s National Team, The Steel Blacks. Paul explains: “The Steel Blacks have a game coming up in July against American Samoa and then world champs for Flag Football in The Bahamas– a five-a-side version of the game where you have flags like ripper rugby. We play NCAA College rules.” Paul’s zest for life is inspiring. He’s connected with numerous sporting teams, and is also the current President of the Canterbury Young Professionals. Paul and his mother Trish Lawrence are Team Lawrence. Intrigued? VIEW investigates further… What’s your football career history? I began playing American Football in 2013 in Christchurch. My background for sport was rugby, rugby league and basketball, which I still play at an elite level.

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What team do you play for? I play for The Ilam Rebels in Christchurch as a wide receiver and a cornerback which is a defensive specialist. I have also just been named in the NZ National Men’s Team, The Steel Blacks, along with the squad of 20 players in the NZ Flag Football Team. You head to the Bahamas in September. Is this your first time in the World Championships? Yes, the first time New Zealand has sent a team to the World Champs, and we’re all absolutely stoked to be here! Where do you see your American Football career taking you in the future? The dream is to be seen by a European team while in the Bahamas. European countries are huge on Flag Football so would be great to travel there for some games. The New Zealand game against Samoa is more of an exhibition game so it is just great to increase the profile of the sport here in New Zealand. At the moment, real estate is the top career option for me but it’s necessary

After completing the degree in Dunedin, I worked in radio as promotions manager, and sold radio and was also a freelance sports journo. After five years in radio, I joined a real estate agency that had been an advertising client. I was offered the job provided I could complete my real estate papers, which I did in just three weeks rather than the usual three to six months. Ironically, when my mother Trish dropped me at school on my fifth birthday, it was her first day in real estate. Then 21 years later to the day, I received my license to begin real estate work! What a great omen. She has now been in real estate more than 23 years and I wouldn’t be where I am in real estate without her guidance and leadership. Were there highlights while in sports journalism? As a freelance sports journo for RadioLIVE, most of my work was with The Highlanders in Dunedin, but I also got to travel to Christchurch to report on Lydia Ko win the NZ Woman’s LPGA Open at Clearwater. I was involved with the 2011 Rugby World Cup, interviewing players like England’s Johnny Wilkinson and Felipe Contepomi of Argentina, with The Breakers and Black Caps, and a few other sports teams who travelled south. While working for Mediaworks I also began announcing for The Highlanders, The Otago ITM Cup team and The Vadofone Warriors. I’ve been lucky enough to continue this in Christchurch working as MC for The Crusaders. Is there a cross-over between sport and real estate? I believe you only get out of life what you put in, and you have so much time in a day. When opportunity comes knocking, it’s up to you to answer the door. Being actively involved with multiple areas of life, I can draw on all these experiences to relate to clients. I’m not a one dimensional real estate agent, like many, and combining with Trish and all of her experience, we make an incredible team and our clients love working with us. Update, late July: The New Zealand Steel Black lost to American Samoa, 30-10.

RE/MAX Network News

RE/MAX expands its international influence RE/MAX expanded its international influence in this year’s first quarter with two new master franchises and an improved online experience for global remax.com visitors, and Managing Director Michael Davoren says it is the increase in the Asia Pacific RE/MAX reach that is of greatest interest to Australia and New Zealand. “With new master franchises in Malaysia and Myanmar taking the RE/MAX reach in the Asia Pacific region to 15 countries, we have massive networking opportunities to benefit our agents and our customers.

RE/MAX given fun run naming rights The commitment of Andrew Gibson and the team from RE/MAX Country in Cambridge has seen the rebranding of a popular annual community event to now be known as the RE/MAX Waipa Fun Run. This year, the event organised by St Peters Catholic School celebrated its fifth anniversary in March. It’s an event for the whole family, from youngest to oldest, and the community turns out in force for the day, with a five or 10 kilometre walk or run starting at the Cambridge Town Square . There is also a corporate challenge and a schools-only challenge on the programme. With many organisations involved on the day, and just as many sponsors, RE/MAX Country proudly accepts the naming rights in recognition of its ongoing support. St Peter’s Catholic School is also supported by Sport Waikato, which fully endorses the event. The Waipa Fun Run commenced in 2012 from humble beginnings with around 300 competitors. The event has grown every year and is now an eagerly awaited event on the Waipa and wider community calendar.

More than 650 competitors over all events participated in March this year, in a high quality, well organised community event that showcases all Cambridge has to offer. A spokesperson from St Peters Catholic School said: “We were thrilled to welcome on board this year, RE/MAX, who were able to give us a financial boost which ultimately means our students will benefit both inside the classroom and out, with the extra funds raised. “The Cambridge RE/MAX team led by Andrew Gibson were wonderful to work with and we look forward to them continuing to support us again in 2017.”

With thanks to Michael Jeans Photography.

“RE/MAX unifies these countries Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Guam, Korea, China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Malaysia and Myanmar - bringing the whole region together for referral business.” RE/MAX held its Asia Pacific Investment Referral Program in Singapore in May and the Asia Pacific Convention in Thailand in August. RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand host the Asia Pacific Convention on the Gold Coast in 2017. Coming from its position as a leader in a mature real estate market, RE/MAX New Zealand has a role in improving real estate practices in many countries, and the RE/MAX presence through the Asia Pacific region was attracting Asian applicants for franchises in this country. “We have recently welcomed highlyskilled and experienced business owners like Auckland’s Frank Cui who comes from a merchant banking background,” Michael Davoren said.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is the venue for the 2017 RE/MAX Asia Pacific Convention.¬¬

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

Lofty RE/MAX heights Take a tour with the RE/MAX balloon at the various events through the Wairarapa Balloon Festival during the last weekend of February. The faces behind the RE/MAX Balloon Chris Bransgrove, the managing director of Balloon Promoters, has been flying hot air balloons for over 30 years and has been part of most balloon fiestas around the country through that period of time.

International fiestas have also been in the mix, including flying at the world’s biggest annual hot air balloon fiesta in Albuquerque 2002, and coming first in the ‘Flight of the Nations’ event. Chris owned New Zealand’s first single man balloon, known as the sky hopper, and has owned many different balloons over the years. He and his wife, Wendy, have been flying the RE/MAX balloon for over a decade. C a rrin

gton P

a rk , C a

rterton

Carrington Park, Carterton

RE/MAX in Wairarapa Times Age

Opaki School, Masterton,

Henley Lake, Masterton Resene Splash and Dasdh

Masterton Soleway Showgrounds, Trust House Night Glow

Meander over Martinborough

Easter Weekend, March 2016 Horoowhenua / Levin

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RE/MAX Feature Henley Lake, Masterton Resene Splash and Dasdh

New Zealanders join RE/MAX revellers in Vegas and bring home an award RE/MAX colleagues from all over the world attended the annual R4 Convention in Las Vegas in March. This year, New Zealand was awarded one of the top awards for office growth internationally through the worldwide network’s regions. Larry Oberly, RE/MAX Vice President Global Development, presented Managing Director Michael Davoren, Finance Director Chris Chapman, Director Joel Davoren and New Zealand General Manager Corinna Mansell with an award for RE/MAX New Zealand’s growth in 2015. Almost 70 Australian and New Zealand RE/MAX members returned with an even greater appreciation of the reach of the RE/MAX real estate network having shared valuable experiences with approximately 6000 global colleagues. “I believe the annual R4 Convention is like no other real estate industry gathering. Just the physical numbers of people, the calibre of speakers, the quality of entertainment, and knowing that it represents an industry name spanning around 100 countries is mind-blowing,” Corinna said. Next year’s event is from February 27 to March 3 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. RE/MAX, one of the world’s greatest real estate brands, is officially growing

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faster outside of the United State where it began 43 years ago.

Top Image: Nazia Ali, Gayle Patterson-Gray, Christine Gibson, Ben Kloppers, Nola Kloppers, Andrew Gibson & Cary Ralph enjoying ‘down time’ at R4

The agent count for countries excluding the US and Canada records a 15.4 per cent increase in 2015, and that’s 8.5 per cent above the gain in RE/MAX agents across the world. RE/MAX New Zealand figures aligned with the regional growth trend, with significant agent growth in the 2016 calendar year thus far.

Top Right: Chris Chapman, Larry Oberly, Joel Davoren & Michael Davoren

“The quality of our new franchise owners has been a highlight, adding to our already highly experienced group of office owners. The professionalism of RE/MAX franchise owners and their dedication to quality service, along with our agent-centric model, is what will continue our growth,” Corinna said. Geoff Lewis, President of RE/MAX, LLC, says of R4: “In the end, a convention like R4 is a massive idea incubator, with the world’s top consultants trading their greatest strategies. It’s the best recharge you can imagine, with an instant impact on the attitude and business of every attendee.”

Bottom Image: Corinna Mansell accepting RE/MAX New Zealand’s award for regional growth.

RE/MAX Events

Powerful Positive Phenomenal Peak Performers Platinum

High Achievers told to ‘Be the change!’ Queenstown announced the 2017 destination Platinum + forum

Each year RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand invite their top performers to participate in a forum of shared knowledge and experiences. Around 50 gathered at Hamilton Island on the Queensland coast in June for two days of intense professional and personal development, and networking opportunities. The outstanding program had panel and round table sessions featuring RE/MAX top performers in business profitability and success, as well as three exceptional external speakers. The topic for Kylie Davis, Head of Real Estate Solutions at CoreLogic, was the future of the real estate industry, which had delegates soaking up information.

communication is the most effective form of communication, through face-to-face or by telephone. The third guest speaker was nothing short of inspirational, and was an exceptional example of the forum’s theme: Be the change that you would like to see in your world. Future education activist Chantelle Baxter is co-founder and CEO of One Girl, one of Australia’s fastest growing non-profit organisations, and has personally changed lives of 12,000 young women in some of the world’s poorest nations, including Sierra Leone, West Africa. The Platinum + Forum is provided exclusively for RE/MAX high achievers and is a ‘by invitation only’ event.

“Disruption in our industry is an everincreasing topic and Kylie was able to put some valuable structure around the issue,” said RE/MAX Managing Director, Michael Davoren.

“The forum’s theme was about not expecting others to make things better… to create your success for you,” said Michael Davoren.

The second guest, Mike Storkey, is a business trainer and coach, a very experienced real estate agent and a dedicated Toastmaster, where he holds one of its highest positions: International President-Elect.

they are always striving to be higher.”

Mike spoke on the impact of communications in an environment quickly being consumed by technology. He delivered a truly valuable message for professional real estate agents today – that personal

“The thing about high achievers is that

He announced the June 2017 Platinum + venue to be Queenstown, New Zealand.

Top Image: Joel Davoren presenting at the Platinum +. Middle Image: Trish and Paul Lawrence post-dive in the Whitsundays. Bottom Image: Michael Davoren with keynote speaker Chantelle Baxter.

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

RE/MAX Network News

‘Aunty Carol’ scores the goals Carol Lewis is a sales associate at RE/MAX Go For Sold in Palmerston North where she leads the very successful Team Lewis completed by her son and daughter, with Mike in sales and Deb as personal assistant. Carol ranked in New Zealand’s top three agents for 2015 after returning to the RE/MAX fold when she joined Pamela Lee Burge’s RE/MAX Go for Sold team in June 2014. Dominant in her market place, Team Lewis’ premier listings are regularly featured two-out-of-three in realestate.co.nz.

Mike Lewis is on the team, the number one striker for scoring goals, same power off the left boot as off the right. “This is my third season of personally sponsoring the soccer team”, said Carol, “and the RE/MAX Feilding Reserves call me ‘Aunty Carol’.” The highly successful agent knows the importance of profile and giving back to the community.

Property inspections made safer Nelson real estate Principal Kate Bradley acted promptly when new legislation relating to health and safety were introduced earlier this year. Ensuring customer and agent safety was of highest priority, visitors to RE/MAX Elite’s open homes will see the property’s potential risks clearly identified. “The new health and safety regulations will impact buyers when inspecting property,” Kate said, “and these new regulations mean it is even more important for all buyers to sign in when attending open homes.” Buyers can expect a hazard sheet on display at RE/MAX Elite open homes.

Team Lewis proved a RE/MAX force to be reckoned with in the March 2016 sales stakes and claimed the number one position in the New Zealand network’s ranking of top sales units.

“RE/MAX Elite is implementing the most practical steps to minimize hazard and risks to our customers and their families while attending our open homes,” she said.

Carol is also a sponsor and proud supporter of RE/MAX Feilding Reserves, a team she describes as ‘just like one big happy family, always caring, and willing to assist’

The Health and Safety at Work Act came into force in April as part of ‘Working Safer: a blueprint for health and safety at work.’

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RE/MAX Feature

Getting to know you… Joel Davoren, Director, RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand

Joel Davoren began his real estate career 13 year ago, and relishes in a career that now sees him as a RE/MAX director. Joel also became a first-time dad this year. How and when did you discover your interest in real estate? I have been exposed to real estate in one way or another my whole life. I am third generation real estate agent. I first became actively interested in the industry in 2003 when I obtained my salesperson’s registration. I haven’t looked back from there and love the industry and what it can offer those that choose to pursue it as their career! Has your career path turned out as you expected? I would probably say ‘no’, but certainly not in a negative way. I have always had strong ambitions and thought for a long time that I would be involved in an agency for the long term. The move to a corporate level has been fantastic, with new challenges… and I love new challenges. Franchise Sales was both challenging and rewarding. Now the Franchise Director role provides a whole new learning experience. What have you done in your career to ‘stand out from the crowd’ and achieve success? I have always been determined and think that builds resilience. I have a

competitive nature and think that has pushed me to work harder for my clients, colleagues and my family. It can be a hard industry and you need to learn how to pick yourself up and dust yourself off pretty quickly when you take a knock. I’ve never given up easily. This has won me business and helped to develop me as a person. That probably isn’t such a glamorous answer unfortunately, but it’s certainly true! What has becoming a Director of RE/MAX New Zealand (and RE/MAX Australia) meant to you? I have not looked back once since joining RE/MAX and I love this network. Its people are significantly more open, sharing and entrepreneurial than anything I’ve experienced in the past and I honestly feel honoured to be part of. Franchise Sales is very ‘outward’-looking, seeking opportunity from outside of the group. Becoming a Director has allowed me to be a little more ‘inward’looking and it has made me even more appreciative of the network I’m a part of. Explain your day-to-day hands-on role with the Australian network? I’m still involved with franchise sales, but being Franchise Director also means I’m coordinating the sales and development teams as well as sourcing and converting opportunities. We have

dynamic new members on the teams. One of my key roles is providing all of the resources and tools they need to become more effective. I am now working significantly more closely with our business owners as well, which I have found to be incredibly rewarding. This has been a big year for you personally, with you and Kayla welcoming your first child Amelia Patricia Davoren. When Amelia comes to you and says she want a career in real estate – to be the fourthgeneration Davoren - what advice will you give her? Hahaha! If she is anything like her mother I doubt she’ll ask beforehand! However, if she decides this awesome industry is for her, I’ll tell her that it isn’t the most talented agent that wins, it’s the one that is the most consistent, resilient and learning-based; and that it is an industry with unlimited possibilities. Something you may not know about Joel… Tough one. I am obsessed with endurance sports. Possibly some may not know that. I am really passionate about triathlon and love the physical endeavors that test the mind and the body. All in moderation and balance though, as I love the postrace celebration and a quiet beer afterwards.

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

RE/MAX Network News RE/MAX Realty Groups’ Matakana auction in April this year is one of Ben Klopper’s most memorable to date.

New broker owners ‘max’ the RE/MAX position Ben and Nola Kloppers are new to RE/MAX this year and opened RE/MAX Realty Group in Warkworth in February. In less than six months, Ben and Nola have positioned the RE/MAX brand so strongly in their market that they are synonymous with real estate service. This is their story…

We arrived in New Zealand in June 2000 after leaving Zimbabwe unexpectedly. It was the time of farm seizures. We landed in New Zealand with two children, two and four years of age, and lived in Auckland for about 15 months. Nola had been to New Zealand in 1992 to play Polocrosse and loved the experience. It was for this reason that we chose to move to New Zealand as we felt that it was very similar to the friendly small country that we had left behind. Ben started his auctioneering career with Fowles Auction Group, where he would auction anywhere between 100 and 120 vehicles in a day, up to three times a week. One day, we were asked by a recruiting company if we would consider a career in the real estate industry. Up to that point we had never considered a career in real estate, but it did get us thinking. That is how our venture into this industry began some 14 years ago, bringing with it an opportunity to move out of Auckland.

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VIEW takes up the story with Ben and Nola… You have both lived and had real estate careers in the Matakana and Warkworth area for the past 14 years. Have you seen changes in the market in that time? And what about in real estate customers? When we took on a role with Harveys Real Estate in Warkworth, we had no idea what was awaiting us. From door knocking, letter drops, phone calls and being available to everyone 24/7! What a great learning curve! Over the past 14 years we have sold properties from Army Bay on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula to Taupo Bay up in the north of the North Island. However, we have specialised in Warkworth’s market, which includes residential homes, lifestyle blocks, magnificent coastal acreages and coastal waterfront homes. The real estate market has changed considerably over those years, from being a quiet tranquil area considered to be too far out of Auckland to today, where Warkworth and Wellsford are now considered to be part of Auckland and also included in the Supercity Council. You are an award-winning property auctioneer, Ben. Have you always auctioned property? What is your most memorable auction occasion, and why?

I had never auctioned anything prior to moving to New Zealand. However, when you are doing the volumes expected in the vehicle industry you do get a rhythm to your auction call! There have been many memorable auctions over the years with some fantastic results achieved, however, a Matakana auction this year, under the RE/MAX banner, has got to be right up at the top. We had a record number of groups view the property over the four week campaign and great feedback from all parties. On the auction day we had 75 people at the auction, a good number of registered potential purchasers, and the auction itself was electrifying with great bidding that resulted in us achieving a recordbreaking result for the area. When you are able to achieve such a result with ecstatic purchasers and vendors, it is what makes this industry such an exciting and rewarding industry to be a part of. You are very community-minded. Why is giving such support so important to you? Nola and I have now been involved in over 60 fundraising events over the past 14 years. People do ask us why we are so driven in helping all the various organisations and it all goes back to when we had to leave our place of birth and move to New Zealand. It was

RE/MAX Network News

difficult to begin with but we were accepted, received our residency and later on our New Zealand citizenship. It was during these early years that we decided, if granted the opportunity to start a new life in New Zealand, we would do our very best to help out the community that we lived in and repay the people of New Zealand for the opportunity that we had been given. What have you added since opening RE/MAX Realty Group? We have been involved in three fundraisers - the Mahurangi Rugby Club, Kaipara Tennis Club and the Warkworth Golf club. We’ve also raised funds for the RE/MAX chosen charity, Variety. In the three months of operating under the RE/MAX brand we have raised around $20,000 in support of these. (VIEW notes that Ben and Nola have added further fundraisers in May to August.)

huge and recognised world-wide, the emphasis is placed more on the people working in the brand and their clients rather than the brand itself. We are not just ‘another’ real estate agency. We’re the same agents we’ve always been, just in an independent office with a truly international reach. We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing for our clientele, and we’ll keep putting back into the community as much as we can. With RE/MAX, there is great flexibility in how you can operate. There’s a lot more freedom. You are encouraged to be entrepreneurial. You work independently, but you are part of the biggest real estate company in the world.

What drives you? Nola and I are driven to help people. With RE/MAX we can offer that opportunity, not only for our clients and our community, but also to our staff to run their own successful business under our umbrella, while having access to the systems and structure of a global brand. We are particularly excited with this challenge and cannot wait to grow our business at the same time as helping others grow their business.

Has joining RE/MAX changed you and the way you do business? RE/MAX has changed our perspective about the real estate industry to some extent. Although the RE/MAX brand is

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remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

RE/MAX Events

New Zealand kids benefit from RE/MAX generosity RE/MAX New Zealand announced its partnership with Variety - The Children’s Charity and its commitment to this official charity of choice in October 2015. This year, Variety Voices, a choir made up of children who have been and continue to be helped by Variety and their sponsors, headlined the RE/MAX New Zealand annual awards gala in February. This was the group’s first performance together for 2016 and they truly deserved the standing ovation they received in the ballroom of the Stamford Plaza, Auckland. Variety’s Head of Fundraising and Engagement, Stephen Meadow, had captured minds and hearts with an emotive video clip he had shared in the Rally programme earlier that day, which no doubt left strong messages resonating with RE/MAX members as the charity auction got underway at the gala.

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When auctioneer Mark Eklund of RE/MAX Pinnacle took the stage for a pre-dinner charity auction, he and a generous crowd raised more than $5,500 for Variety, and delivered a sign of more great things to come in RE/MAX New Zealand’s relationship with Variety. That money went towards the Variety Bikes for Kids Tour, giving bicycles and helmets to children at several South Auckland schools along with others around the country. RE/MAX New Zealand General Manager, Corinna Mansell; Members Services Coordinator, Jasmine Rimmer; RE/MAX Premier Broker/Owner, Jeff Brill; and Ramon Neilson of RE/MAX Pinnacle attended the presentation at Glenn Innes Primary School and helped the children choose their bikes and helmets. On behalf of the team at RE/MAX Pinnacle, Ramon was able to present bikes that were fundraised through the

office’s golf day charity auction late last year. The cost of a bicycle and helmet through Variety’s ‘Bikes for Kids’ programme is $200. “It was very heartwarming to see the kids’ faces and see the sheer delight upon receiving their bikes, which most of the children were not aware they had been nominated for,” said Corinna.

About Variety The Children’s Charity Variety - The Children’s Charity is a champion for Kiwi kids; and with one in four New Zealand children growing up in deprivation, its work is essential. Every year the Variety team helps over 13,000 local children to have brighter futures.

RE/MAX Feature

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RE/MAX calendar highlights Back to Vegas: ry 27th to March 7 R4, from Februa Welcome to the 201 dalay Bay in March 3rd at the Man 3rd February 27 to nty of surprises, with energy and ple Las Vegas. Packed motivation and , tion a mix of informa the convention is know who is er nev you . Plus, stellar entertainment event NOT to An st. gue cial spe a likely to drop by as be missed!

RE/MAX Professional Development: another great reason to be part of RE/MAX RE/MAX New Zealand is committed to the professional and personal development of its members and provides many options throughout the year. It teams up with Imagine Experiences, a professional creative team of event management specialists, to deliver its very special events. The second half of 2016 is full of training and events options. The complete Events Calendar is in the RE/MAX Professional Development brochure, which is available to RE/MAX members from the RE/MAX New Zealand corporate office and on Global Training. Meanwhile, here are some highlights:

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something for everyone. Experience RE/MAX to the MAX!

View the full calendar at remax.co.nz/events

2016 RE/MAX NEW ZEALAND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EVENTS CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS (July to December) August: To finish off an eventful month, August closes with the Broker Owner Forum in Bangkok, Thailand and the Asia Pacific Convention to follow. October: Join another webinar with Scotney Williams of Tenancy Practice Services, which is bound to provide you with advice and a broader knowledge of issues and subjects pertaining to the Property Management Industry. It is the last round of Momentum Training for the year for our business owners, followed by the salesperson-focused Fire Up Programme with Garry Malcolm. November: Participate in RE/MAX Experience, and Broker Management Training later in the month too. December: Last chance for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sales Training.

remax.co.nz | Issue 2-16

80,400 Properties

36,000 Residential listings

Location

With the most properties for sale from every real estate brand in the country all in one location, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the largest home of real estate in New Zealand. Statistical figures correct as at 1 June 2016, and intended to be indicative only.