Business Central September 2021

| 51 Wairoa: Property Brokers - Wairoa Relaxed lifestyle and a great climate T T Richard Loader The team at Property Brokers Wairoa is currently managing 230 properties and storage facilities. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT S trategically located between Gisborne and Napier, Wairoa district, is burgeon- ing, as new arrivals from throughout the country discover the benefits of living in a smaller community. For Vern Withey, Manager of Property Brokers, Wairoa, this phenomenon is keeping him and the team busy, across both property purchasing and management markets. He’s been with Property Brokers 15 years and says that working now in this special district suits him just fine. “Currently we’re managing 230 properties and storage facilities in Wairoa. I think people are drawn to this district because it is pretty relaxed,” Vern says. Great climate and excellent fishing are other draw-cards. Changes imposed by Government impact- ing on property investors had an initial impact on interest in investing in the area, however Vern says that was relatively short-lived. Property Brokers operates across rural, commercial and residential sectors and a new office will be opening soon in Whangarei. “We focus big on team. I have had offers to go to other places but we have a great ethos here and it produces results.” Asked what qualities best serve some-one intending to make a success of working in real-estate Vern says it comes down to a few very important characteristics. “You need to be a people person and you need to be upfront and straight with people. With all the regulations now governing the industry, its essential clients understand what they can and can not do within the rules.” He also thinks that this tightening in the regulatory environment has weeded out those agents who were not up to standard. “For us, we’re on the look-out to increase our team here and we’re about to hold a recruitment night and a first home-buyer night. Across the country we have 51 people currently in training, so business is very posi- tive for us.” Training is a substantial process with sever- al papers for new agents to work through. “We engage in a strategic conversation with any potential agents, to understand what their own intentions are with their career, what they hope to achieve, and whether it’s the right fit for us.” All up, Property Brokers has a team of 806 staff of which 431 are dedicated sales people. Vern says, between Property Brokers branches there’s a great deal of cooperation as well. “If one office can’t handle a particular refer - ral then there are plenty of us that can help.” Another service Property Brokers offers is rental appraisal. “Very often they need an expert objective eye to view a property to give them a real sense of what the home is worth from a rental income perspective.” Asked what appeals to people to attract them to move into the district Vern says people come for a number of reasons. First, the price of good quality housing stock is generally less than in other areas. “Certainly price is a key-driver, especially for those who want to either get on to the proper- ty ladder or want to sell-down and have some retirement funds freed up.” With a territory extending from Mahia through to Mohaka, to inland Lake Waikare- moana, Vern says the district offers lots of life-style options and a slower pace of life. “And we’re only just over an hour away from major centres, which is appealing.” Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? SHEPHERD ELECTRICAL Domestic · Commercial · Industrial Harry 027 457 2099 harryshepherd@gmail.com WOODWARD CCHHRRIISSPP Proud to serve the Wairoa Community i i Property • Trusts • Estates • Estate planning • Litigation Wills • Powers of Attorney • Business Law • Family Law Employment Law • Criminal Law • Regulatory Offences 06 838 8189 wairoa@wwclaw.co.nz www.woodward-chrisp.co.nz 7 Locke Street,Wairoa / P O Box 347, Gisborne