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Rawson Properties open first-ever office in East London

2008-06-11

Pursuing their goal of establishing a nationwide franchise network, Rawson Properties have sold a franchise for the entire East London residential area to local residents Kevin and Penny McCarlie.

The new franchise, the first ever for Rawson's in this city, has been operating since 1st May. It has offices in the Chelsea retail centre in Chamberlain Road, a building close to the centre of the city and accessible from many of East London's suburbs.

Kevin McCarlie comes to property with a strong background in sales and marketing and significant experience in corporate management.

“The management training that I gained in these positions is already proving invaluable in the setting up and launching of the new Rawson Properties operation here,” he said recently.

Penny McCarlie, for her part, comes to Rawson Properties with in-depth property experience: her family having established a well-known property company at East London, which they ran for many years before selling but continuing to manage their own property portfolio.

Kevin McCarlie said recently that the economy in East London has continued to grow steadily and over the last decade the city has been able to attract a regular influx of new residents, including potential middle class homeowners.

Right now, he said, selling turnovers and prices in East London reflect the slowdown that has been evident nationwide for the last six to eight months - but, he added, he is confident that by the middle of 2009 South Africa will have seen the last of its interest rate rises. He expects a further rise this year but is hoping for a significant drop in interest rates within the first half of 2009, which would lead to a far more active residential property market.

“Our plan is by the end of 2009 to have four offices at strategic points in East London, each managed by a staff specifically chosen for the area,” he said. “In these offices the principal will be able to buy a shareholding but we will retain overall control. We aim to have at least 20 agents in our four offices by 2010.”

The competition in real estate in East London, said McCarlie, is tough: many of the brands there are well known and have been established for some time. However he believes that his team has the necessary drive and experience and he has been favourably impressed by Rawson Properties’ branding campaign, which in less than two years has put their name on the map nationwide.

“It is remarkable,” he said, “how a Western Cape operation has suddenly become known throughout the length and breadth of South Africa.”

“Studies have shown that the time to create brand awareness and to gain market share is when the economy is at its lowest. With the extensive support that we have from the Cape Town office we feel that this is possible – hence the decision to open this new franchise in East London during these trying times.”

A major reason for choosing Rawson Properties, said McCarlie, was the sincerity, helpfulness and warmth of the franchise support team.

“This has made a favourable impression on all of us dealing with this group,” he said. “We have begun to realise that the backup systems, many of which are IT related, and their training are quite possibly the most comprehensive in South Africa today.”

McCarlie can be contacted on 082 657 5804 and Rawson Properties’ new offices in East London can be reached on 043 721 3507 or emailed on eastlondon@rawsonproperties.com.