Elders Ballina to become part of McGrath group
Long-established Ballina real estate agency Elders is to become part of the McGrath Estate Agents group.
As of December 14, Elders will trade as McGrath Ballina/Byron.
However, the business will continue to operate out of its River Street premises.
The Ballina office will service the broader Ballina/Byron Bay region. McGrath also will open a Tweed Heads office which will service the NSW-Queensland border districts.
John McGrath, Chief Executive of McGrath, said the company’s progression along the North Coast represented its strategic focus on key lifestyle regions in its national franchise expansion.
Mr McGrath described the Ballina, Byron and Tweed regions as one of the most exciting and desirable real estate markets along the Eastern Seaboard and said it would be highly suited to McGrath’s innovative approach to marketing and technology.
“Ballina, Byron and Tweed Heads have a similar customer base to Sydney – we’re talking about intelligent, savvy home owners desiring greater service and a broader marketing reach in the sale of their properties,” he said.
“They recognise that buyer demographics in their towns are changing, with a larger proportion of buyers now coming outside their area, especially downsizers.
“We believe that McGrath can satisfy their hunger for better strategic marketing and the maximising of buyer competition.”
The Ballina, Tweed Heads and Palm Beach offices will be operated by principals John Nicolson, Ian Mills and David Mills, respectively.
With more than 75% of internet hits on their website originating from Sydney, the trio described McGrath as a natural choice for the future development of their businesses.
The offices join McGrath after 23 years with the Elders network.
The Ballina office has been the national group’s No 1 non-metro office for the majority of the past 20 years.
It enjoys approximately 35% local market share and boasts Ballina’s largest property management rent roll with 625 residential properties and 245 commercial and industrial properties.
McGrath Ballina principal, John Nicolson, said Ballina/Byron Bay is one of Australia’s favourite sea change areas, while hinterland suburbs such as Bangalow and Alstonville were attracting tree changers.
Improving transport and infrastructure is advancing this trend, with daily Ballina-Sydney flights through Virgin Blue, Jetstar and Rex and highway upgrades shortening travel times to one hour for the Gold Coast and two hours for Brisbane.
The Ballina region continues to progress with the council pursuing a plan for marine facilities in Richmond River over the next few years to encourage the boating market.
Mr Nicolson said he and his business partners already had plans for a satellite offices in Byron Bay.
“Changing to McGrath allows us to take our businesses to new levels of service and marketing,” he said.
“McGrath’s exceptionally strong presence in Sydney combined with outstanding marketing and an extensive educated and affluent buyer database made it a natural fit.”
McGrath Ballina will service suburbs from Evans Head in the south to the northern areas of Ballina, Lennox Head, Suffolk Park, Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads and Ocean Shores.
In the west, it will service Lismore, Alstonville, Bangalow and surrounding rural areas.
The Ballina office will also have an Oxygen Home Loans division – the financial services arm of McGrath. The office is at 176 River Street, Ballina. The phone number is 02 6686 8000.
PICTURE: John McGrath with Ballina principal John Nicolson.
