Staff Reporter
A national franchise group is recording strong growth in metropolitan and regional areas in eastern Australia.
Elders Real Estate has opened six new franchise offices in the last three months.
Group general manager of Elders’ Australian network David Goodfellow said: “Elders has opened four new franchise stores across New South Wales, and one each in Tasmania and South Australia, in the past three months alone, and is receiving continual interest from potential franchisees.
“The idea of running your own business and utilising the strength of the Elders brand and network at the same time is very appealing to many potential business owners,” he said.
The network has now grown to over 145 offices operating in all capital cities, major regional and rural centres across the country.
In the 2012/2013 financial year, Elders sold 7,500 properties for a combined total value of $3.15 billion.
Elders Real Estate franchise owner in Streak Bay South Australia Chad Kirby said after working for Elders for four and a half years as a sales representative, the idea of managing his own business with the Elders brand was an exciting opportunity.
“As an Elders franchisee, the support network that we are able to utilise is like no other, and the brand and reputation that Elders has in rural Australia made the choice a no-brainer,” Mr Kirby said.
“Working under the Elders name in rural Australia gives me the opportunity to diversify my work, listing, selling and appraising of properties ranging from small residential allotments to broad-acre farming enterprises and even oyster leases,” he said.
Elders Real Estate principal in Ramsgate, New South Wales Michael Girgis said as one of Australia’s largest real estate companies, he was very keen to work with the Elders network.
“When I met the Elders team, I was very impressed with their level of professionalism and corporate knowledge, which I am still yet to see matched elsewhere in the industry,” Mr Girgis said.
The expansion of Elders’ real estate arm is positive news for the network, which has faced a challenging period this year.
Last month, managing director and CEO of Elders Limited Malcolm Jackman stepped down from his role following the company’s restructure.