| 101 PROPERTY Fultons Real Estate T T Kim Newth Getting established in the Canterbury market Fultons operates a different model compared to long-established real estate companies. Canterbury’s growing population and strong economy have been driving buoyancy in the region’s real estate market, with home values rising faster on average in Christchurch than in Auckland, Wellington and other main centres. Fultons Real Estate, newly launched in the Christchurch market, is seeing this buoyancy play out in real time, day by day. The fast-growing agency is reporting a lot of outof-town interest in the city and region. “Christchurch is in a really positive position in the marketplace at the moment,” says company founder John Fulton, who grew up in Christchurch, trained as a builder, and then helped rebuild the city after the Canterbury earthquakes. Now, he’s channelling his passion for property into real estate. “I was with Harcourts for five years before seeing this opportunity to create my own real estate company with ambitions to grow into a large operator in Christchurch,” he says. “I’m already doing good numbers – the amount of inquiry from out of town is considerable. If you look at the other main centres, it’s pretty tough out there, but Christchurch is bucking the trend.” John says there are multiple pull factors in the Christchurch residential property market. Housing affordability is a big drawcard for many considering their next move, including those approaching retirement. “It’s the lifestyle here too. We have a modern city with a fantastic new stadium. Mt Hutt is on the doorstep – it’s one hour to the mountains, and the beach is only half an hour away. Traffic is not a problem. There are plenty of great local eateries, bars and restaurants and an amazing green space right in the middle of the city. “As well as people moving here from the North Island, we’ve noticed that a lot of people from Queenstown are choosing to come here, as there is much better choice around secondary school education for their kids. It’s just a lovely, easy place to live.” Fultons operates a different model compared to long-established real estate companies. With an agreed commission structure in place, any Christchurch agent can introduce a buyer to one of Fultons’ listed properties. “We take care of the sales side and facilitate the transaction, but we reach out to agents in any suburb, or agents who have sold similar properties, so they can introduce buyers, and we incentivise them with our commission structure. We have a large database and have also amalgamated with key developers in Christchurch,” John says. “We are offering a fresh, new approach. We have to prove ourselves in the Christchurch market, but we’re getting results. “We’re adaptable and totally focused on what’s best for the client. We offer a clear, well-planned process that includes considered marketing to ensure properties are presented at their best.” John sees considerable opportunity and growth potential ahead for Christchurch in the coming decade. For buyers, there are many attractive options available, from modern inner- city apartments to boutique subdivisions like Oliver Grove in Halswell that combines exceptional value and a quality lifestyle just 15 minutes from the city centre. “When you look at what’s going on in the world, Christchurch is in such a fantastic position – why wouldn’t you want to live here?” “As well as people moving here from the North Island, we’ve noticed that a lot of people from Queenstown are choosing to come here, as there is much better choice around secondary school education for their kids. It’s just a lovely, easy place to live.”
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