| 81 Management maestros join forces Irelands is now running with a larger property management team, while the sales side of the business has been revitalised with the vigour it used to have in Irelands’ early days. PROPERTY Irelands Two leading family-owned property management and real estate companies in Christchurch, First Avenue Property and Irelands, have recently amalgamated and are now operating as Irelands. Irelands was established by Bernice Ireland in 1995, and the business has remained in family ownership ever since. Bernice’s daughter Melissa Benge bought into the business in 2017, while also running First Avenue Property with her husband Martin. Martin has recently retired, and Melissa bought her mum’s share of Irelands and brought the two businesses together. “Nothing has changed for our landlords, tenants, property buyers, and sellers,” she says. “Our company tagline, ‘property made easy’, remains true. We strive to make life easier for our landlords, tenants, buyers, and sellers alike.” Melissa says there are some real benefits of amalgamating the two property businesses, not least in the way Irelands can further streamline its approach. “The two businesses operated under the same principles anyway, but now we’ve got one set of contracts, one brand, one company, one team.” Irelands is now running with a larger property management team, while the sales side of the business has been revitalised with the vigour it used to have in Irelands’ early days, before it started to focus more heavily on property management. The process of re-branding has brought Melissa and the management team a good opportunity to identify who the company is and what it is about in the market. “We really care about our clients, and our brand looks to present the company as a friendly and approachable organisation to deal with. There are some scary property managers out there, and we want to be the part of the market that is approachable. Our sales team take the same approach by making sure all parties involved in a transaction are clear on what’s happening at each stage of the process. Property made easy is what we’ve always done.” Melissa says recent property sale prices have adjusted in Christchurch but they’re certainly not dumping like has been seen in Kelly Deeks Auckland and Wellington, Christchurch property always having been more affordable. In the rental space, there is a massive shortage of rental properties. “We are almost back to post-earthquake levels,” she says. “After the earthquake in 2011, there were 500 rental properties available. There are now 726, when we would normally have up to 1200. Irelands are preparing for another increase in rents because of the supply shortage for tenants.” Aside from an influx of people into Christchurch, the other part of the story is when healthy homes standards became law in 2019 and a change to the Residential Tenancies Act legislation in 2021, a lot of landlords felt the pinch and decided to sell their rental properties. Irelands stands in full support of healthy homes standards and compliance. “These changes create successful tenancies because tenants are warm and comfortable and stay longer in their rentals. It’s a good thing for New Zealand housing, for people to pay good rent for a warm, dry, safe home.” As Irelands offers both property management and sales services, there are real benefits when a landlord decides to sell their rental. “We have an existing relationship with both landlord and tenant. We won’t upset the tenants, we will work around them and keep them happy so they keep paying their rent, and we will sell to another investor so the tenants can stay on. That is always the goal.” “These changes create successful tenancies because tenants are warm and comfortable.” 39 YEARS IN BUSINESS Electrical Service Gary Lee Electrical Ltd “Strong on Service” Phone 03 366 7686 | Mobile 0274 333 764 Email garyleeelectrical@xtra.co.nz M.J. Robertson Plumbers provides full plumbing services throughout Christchurch and surrounding areas. We have more than 50 years industry experience, specialise in trouble-shooting and provide FREE quotes and estimates. We work with trusted suppliers and pass on cost savings to you! www.mjr.co.nz office@mjr.co.nz 03 366 6195 Emergency 24-hour plumbing service available
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=