‘When COVID hit I thought it could be doomsday for the market’
‘I couldn’t have been more wrong; The market has gone from strength to strength and continues to show continued growth on the Gold Coast Where once our owners were predominantly investors, we have seen a marked shift and a significant maturing of the area with many more owner occupiers entering the market as the Gold Coast has matured making it a desirable location to live and invest. Properties have almost doubled in value in some cases, and without anything really being done to them. We have seen real growth in the market in the past two years.’
Newlands drive
After 30+ years in the industry, John’s experience is extensive and his passion for the business is as strong as ever. Starting out under the tutelage of one of the icons in the industry on the Gold Coast, Max Christmas, John got to understand what it took to be successful. ‘You have to have a passion for the business first and foremost because there are plenty of kicks in the guts along the way. You have to put in the time, do the hard yards, be available and always do the right thing by the people you deal with to get the rewards.’
Starting out in the late 80’s learning the ropes, John quickly progressed through the ranks due to his drive to succeed. It wasn’t long before he opened his own office under the banner of Raine & Horne in 1993. The business progressed through several incarnations in the ensuing years, moving across to L J Hooker firstly and then the Professionals around the time of the GFC.
Passion for the industry
‘Real estate runs in the veins I guess; my great grandfather was a very big stock and station agent in the Ipswich area back in the day, and I just love the business.’ So much so that not only does John run a very successful business employing 24+ staff, he also sits on the board of the Professionals for Australia and has only recently retired from the board of the REIQ.
A Family affair
The last 5 years has seen four family members join the team - so could this be the start of a real estate dynasty? ‘I’d like to think of it as generational and that the kids would continue on with it after me but it’s not a business for everyone and only time will tell. It’s a big commitment and you really must be passionate about the job to stay in it and thrive. We are well located on the beach front here at Surfers with a great reputation in the industry and terrific staff, so the framework is there to continue as a strong family business'.
Super makes a big difference
‘Superannuation has been a part of our business for many years now and we have always seen it as an important component of our employee’s salary package and for their future. To be honest I had never really thought more about what super provides other than savings for the future. It wasn’t until earlier this year when we sadly lost our eldest son David that we really understood just how important a role super played. The insurance cover it provided, and the support REI Super offered us as a family at that time made a real difference. It certainly made us think differently about the value of super.’
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The REI Super Helpline and the REI Super website are provided by Mercer Outsourcing (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 83 068 908 912 and Mercer Financial Advice (Australia) Pty Ltd (MFA) ABN 76 153 168 293, Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) #411766. November 2021.