Brendan Wong
An independent agency has capitalised on a growing number of international buyers by launching a dedicated website for them.
Toop&Toop launched ToopGlobal earlier this month after seeing an increase of enquiries from international buyers into South Australia.
“In the last six to 12 months on Toop.com.au, we’ve had a 45 per cent increase in hits from Chinese enquiries, and a 46 per cent increase from Hong Kong,” Toop&Toop sales and marketing general manager, Genevieve Toop said.
“From 1 June, 28 per cent of our sales had been to international buyers and that was another indication that this international market was taking off and we wanted to do something to help these buyers.
“We thought that we would start the website to give them a resource to be able to connect and interact with us in their preferred language."
Ms Toop attributed the rise to the falling Australian dollar and the affordability of South Australian property, which was lower and more stable than other states.
On the website the agency have launched their Global Real Estate Reception, allowing people all over the world to see the team at work in real time.
“It’s a world-first in real estate, that we know,” Ms Toop said.
“We’ve got a camera streaming live into our reception at all hours that we’re at work and this widget then switches to a world map and a timeframe, so international clients can tell very easily when we’re at work. And when we’re in work hours, they can click a button and Skype to our reception and ask any real estate question.”
The website also includes video introductions from Toop&Toop representatives who speak second languages.
While it is still early days, Ms Toop hopes the website will gain more traction from international buyers.