110 | Ray White Invercargill T T Kim Bowden Southland bucks the national trend Established in 2002, Ray White Invercargill now boasts 21 sales agents, three property managers, a marketing manager, a compliance manager, and three administrative support staff PROPERTY Ray White Invercargill has strengthened its position as one of Southland’s largest real estate operators, increasing sales volumes and market share in a region that has largely defied the national property downturn. The franchise, established in 2002, now boasts 21 sales agents, three property managers, a marketing manager, a compliance manager, and three administrative support staff “behind the scenes making sure everything happens”, Branch Manager Paschael Tawhara says. With a number of seasoned agents who’ve been “in the game for a long time”, that engine is translating into results. Last year the office achieved 18 percent market share, completing 352 sales, a 24 percent increase on the previous year. Southland itself is proving to be an outlier in a softer national housing picture. “Southland is bucking the national downturn trend,” Paschael says. While larger centres such as Auckland and Wellington have seen corrections, Southland’s property values have remained notably resilient. The region’s median house price rose 6.3 percent to $489,000 between 2024 and 2025, with local properties taking around 37 days to sell, compared with about 44 days nationally. Paschael says Southland tends to experience “mellow highs and lows” rather than sharp market swings. That stability, combined with comparatively lower entry prices, has continued to attract both first-home buyers and investors, she says. Right now, the team is seeing strong multiple offers on well‑presented, competitively priced homes and a buyer pool outpacing the stock coming to market. On the property management side, the firm manages a portfolio of properties in a highly competitive Southland market, with as many as 17 property management firms operating in the region. “I always see competition as healthy, and I think it holds us to account,” Paschael says, adding the business sees a “real Protect yourself and your family by ordering an intelligent house inspection report, a pre-purchase or pre-sale report or one of our building inspections. 027 216 3112 | john.l@bettagroup.co.nz | bettainspectit.co.nz Call John on 0800 422 388 or book an inspection online. Betta Inspect It Safe and Reliable Electrical Services At AMTEC Electrical we are totally committed to supplying a service that consistently meets the requirements of our customers. We are dedicated to continually improve our service by involving all employees in establishing and maintaining quality systems. With 35 years experience in the business, we are your safe and reliable provider of electrical services in Invercargill. Residential • Commercial • New Builds• Alterations Building Maintenance • IQP Registered • Site Safe Certified 03 217 6158 admin@amtec.net.nz 69 Eye St, Invercargill www.amtec.co.nz Telepower are proud to support Ray White - Invercargill exciting opportunity” to be more active and educational in the investor community. For investors, the numbers are compelling: an average weekly rent of approximately $450 on a median house price of $489,000 translates to a gross yield of roughly 4.8 percent. “Southland is a great place for investors with high yields,” Paschael says. She says being part of a larger national network gives the business an edge with complex or unusual situations. “If something tricky comes up, it’s potentially already happened in the likes of Auckland, and they can help us navigate it quite quickly.” Compliance is a prime example. From healthy homes standards to recent pet law changes, the rules continue to evolve. “At the end of the day, we’re here to provide a service — making sure we have all those resources about what you can do, what you can’t do, and guide landlords correctly,” she says. Paschael joined the business in October last year from a banking background. She is enjoying the transition and is quickly finding her stride as branch manager. One focus is future‑proofing the business through smarter marketing and technology,
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