Property sale co. Homesell expects growth

Media release – February 18, 2008

Longest running NZ private property sale co. Homesell expected to grow following The Joneses’ demise

New Zealand’s longest running private property sale company Homesell said it was sad that real estate company The Joneses went under today.

``We are celebrating six years in business this month but it is always sad when any business fails, especially one that is trying to save homeowners exorbitant real estate fees,’’ Homesell managing director Kirsty Gillespie said today.

``I feel for all the real estate agents and people who will lose their jobs but we feel we can help fill the gap in the market.’’

Through its offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin The Joneses offered fixed fee services, charging customers $8995 to sell houses as opposed to the normal percentage commission.

``However the real way New Zealanders can save money in commissions is to sell the home themselves,’’ she said.

About 30 percent of all property transactions now don’t use a real estate agent with the average Homesell customer spending less than $2000 for a two month, comprehensive marketing campaign.

``This makes us the most affordable property marketing specialists and better still, means that the average home owner saves about $15 000 in real estate agent fees through selling privately.’’

Gillespie put the growth in private sales down to three factors; more affordable advertising, seller success and full colour advertising in a free dedicated property paper, street signs, brochures and the internet.

``Over 7000 customers can’t be wrong and while we’d love to have the big marketing budgets of real estate companies to throw at advertising, the best business comes from word of mouth. We know our product works and so do thousands of HomeSell customers nationwide.

``Our business has increased against the declining market as people who may have just used Trade Me are seeking other marketing tools such as colour property paper, street sign, brochures, open home signs and flags. They know they now need to raise their profile rather than just use the internet only.’’

Homesell, with its head office in Canterbury, is the longest running private real estate company in New Zealand and they have marketed over 7000 homes around New Zealand since 2002. Their biggest market areas are Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton and Tauranga but have franchises throughout the country.

Photo: Homesell directors Kirsty Gillespie and Ali Clarke (see photolink) : http://www.homesell.co.nz/aboutus.php

ENDS

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