66 | DEVELOPMENT First National New Plymouth Hawera subdivision fills local gap Kelly Deeks Demand remains strong for building sites in the Rata Street subdivision in Hawera. HOUSE AND LAND PACKAGE Coming soon to Rata Street, Hawera 06 757 4483 taranakisales@milestonehomes.co.nz milestonehomes.co.nz ENQUIRE TODAY Jeff Campbell • Electrical Contractor For domestic, rural or commercial electrical work give Jeff a call Professional • Timely • Experienced 06 278 8345 027 711 7108 OR Real estate agents and property developers Shawn and Pam Gibbon are putting their money and their development expertise where they are needed, in their own home town of Hawera where 11 new sections on Rata Street now have new homes under construction. Principals of the First National real estate collective, Shawn and Pam have been into residential and commercial property development for the past 10 years. They have been involved in residential developments in New Plymouth, Waikanae, and Ōtaki before their real estate business showed them there was a need for high quality subdivisions literally on their own doorstep. “A few years ago, we saw the market was changing and there was a real need for top-quality subdivisions,” Shawn says. “Our team at First National in Hawera had no sections or no good quality sections to sell at that time, so we decided to create them. We bought 15 acres on Rata Street in Hawera, where Pam and I live, that’s where the need is. We wanted to look after our own community rather than everyone else’s.” Shawn and Pam initially did a small subdivision of five sites, then did a further 11 sites and sold 10 of them prior to Christmas last year in a three-week campaign, showing the demand for quality subdivisions in quality areas was definitely there. The sites were marketed through the First National collective, with every buyer dealing with the salesperson of their choice. “That was quite unique and it worked really well for us at that time. It was good for our team, because not everyone has the right skills to sell subdivisions, and some had never sold any before. Now our whole team has been involved and they understand how it works. It was an amazing training exercise.” Shawn says these lots on Rata Street comprise one of the best looking subdivisions in the area, with quality street lighting, parking, and footpaths. It has even been developed in line with South Taranaki District Council’s 10 year plan, with roads wide enough they can be added on to, and more services installed than immediately required. “We have worked with the Council to future-proof the area.” Other local investors have seen the success of the Rata Street subdivision and are now prepared to pursue residential developments of their own.
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