After opening 20 offices since September 2017, mostly in capital cities, Raine & Horne is expanding its brand reach in regional Australia with the launch of Raine & Horne Cowra this week.
The new office is led by former Raine & Horne sales whiz David Fagan, who was among the group’s best sales agents before launching into a stellar sales career in agriculture machinery and importing, and Ruth Fagan a Cowra Shire Council Councillor. Mr Fagan is also a successful auctioneer and a farmer and is well-known within the grain sector.
As part of establishing Raine & Horne Cowra, the Fagans secured ownership of a real estate office in Cowra that was aligned with another network. Raine & Horne Cowra has a staff of seven property professionals who will offer high-quality sales and property management services to Cowra, Canowindra, and Woodstock.
Commitment to servicing Australia’s fruit bowl
“We’ve opened offices in strategic regional growth hubs Townsville and Albury recently, and have now turned our attention to NSW’s central west, with the launch of an office in Cowra,” said Angus Raine, Executive Chairman, Raine & Horne.
“The NSW Central West is Australia’s fruit bowl, and one of our most active regions given we have award winning offices in Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, and Wellington.
“It’s also pleasing to have the Fagan family back in the fold after David’s brother John, who launched Raine & Horne Bathurst in 1991, retired a couple of years ago.”
Mrs Fagan said the couple’s decision to join Raine & Horne could in part be ascribed to the Fagan family’s affiliation to the 135-year old real estate firm.
“Apart from David’s long-term relationship with Angus Raine, John Fagan’s former business partner at Raine & Horne Bathurst, Matt Clifton has been very welcoming, as have the other principals located in the Central West,” Mrs Fagan noted.
Family affiliation combined with brand strength
“But history and family affiliations don’t pay the bills. We just determined that Raine & Horne is a strong national brand that resonates with owners and buyers. It also offers excellent property management tools and services that will help us to expand our business.
“We have immediate plans to build the property management portfolio and having a well-regarded national brand such as Raine & Horne behind us will help us to achieve this objective.”
The Fagans have plans also to grow the team at Raine & Horne Cowra, which in turn will help contribute to the economic development of the town.
Mrs Fagan explained, “I don’t think people appreciate how many people real estate firms employ directly and indirectly in regional towns. The economic impact of real estate in Cowra is extensive.”
Cowra offers real estate affordability and economic diversity
Cowra’s affordable housing is a significant attraction for those considering buying a property in the town. The town’s median house price is $240,000, noted Mrs Fagan.
“For $430,000 you can buy a substantial family home in Cowra with four bedrooms and two bathrooms,” she said.
“This figure puts a 2-bedroom apartment in Sydney’s Potts Point into perspective.”
However, housing affordability requires job opportunities in regional towns. To this end, Cowra Council is about to launch an Economic Development Strategy. Agriculture is traditionally vital to Cowra’s economy with recent growth in industries including dairy, piggeries, and vegetable propagation.
“To illustrate the importance of agriculture, you can buy more brands of tractors in Cowra than makes of cars,” said Ms Fagan.
“There is also employment in horticulture and the manufacturing of farming equipment.”
Apart from being a councillor and a member of the Western Joint Regional Planning Panel, Mrs Fagan is a board member of Central West Regional Development Australia, a member of the Cowra Showground, Paceway and Race Course Trust and an active member of many local committees.
“David and I are passionate advocates for regional communities, and I want to put my time and money where my mouth is,” Mrs Fagan said.
“We can see a strong future for Cowra, and we want to be a part of that.”
