Ray White Group's Real Estate of Origin propels appraisals

The Ray White Maroochydore office in Queensland took out the top spot for most appraisals for Real Estate of Origin.

IN less than four hours, Ray White agents have drummed up nearly 7,000 extra appraisals across Australia and New Zealand, actively demonstrating how the leading group knows how to both harness its scale, and have some fun along the way - especially in challenging times.

Ray White’s in-house tech team used multiple locations to host the group’s fourth Real Estate of Origin, a coordinated group-wide appraisal drive, that led to some friendly rivalry and great banter among its members.

The real-time call-a-thon saw the residential, commercial and rural network of offices log in, participate and connect with their databases across Australia and New Zealand, in an initiative spearheaded by the group’s Head of Growth, Mark McLeod.

"It's fantastic to see every state take part. Even our friends in Western Australia, who are doing it particularly tough this week, set up mini Origin appraisal drives in their homes," Mr McLeod said.

"It gives our members a wonderful chance to pick up the phone and talk directly to our valued clients about the strength of the property market and the value of their homes, all in one day.

The Ray White Aspley team in Queensland bringing their Hawaiian theme to the Real Estate of Origin.

"We produce a weekly Ray White Now document that's invaluable in delivering real-time data and insights for our members to share with their clients, but Real Estate of Origin gives us the golden opportunity to go one step forward by having those critical one-on-one conversations.

"Today, our business owners have almost 7,000 extra appraisals to conduct for prospective vendors, that’s a mammoth effort in less than four hours in each time zone.

"The Queensland network alone has 2,295 new appraisals to undertake now which is terrific, so Ray White Queensland CEO Jason Andrew wins bragging rights this time around.

"It was a really big day for us and we’re really excited about the outcome. The ability to bring the network together and utilize the media room in Sydney was something quite special.

"Real Estate of Origin is great for appraisal drives and is now firmly part of the yearly calendar. It’s great that so many of our members from across every state and territory took part.

"We've seen in many codes of sport how rivalries between teams and states can drive results and records and that's been evident here."

The local winners were Ray White Maroochydore (QLD), Ray White Next Step Realty Group (NZ), Ray White Lara (VIC/TAS), Ray White East Lake Macquarie (NSW/ACT), Ray White Broome (WA), and Ray White Tea Tree Gully (SA/NT).

The network-wide winner for most appraisals with a whopping 236 was Ray White Robina Sales Agent Karyn O'Dea (above left with her team).

Ms O'Dea said it was a massive effort to deliver so many appraisal calls in one day and that she was incredibly proud of her team for doing so.

“We have a full customer care programme where we check in at least once a year with our entire database to offer an up-to-date appraisal of their property so Real Estate of Origin is an excellent extension of the work my team and I already do,” she said.

“Our target is always to be better than yesterday and our whole team genuinely loves what they do. Every person, house and circumstance is different, how cool is that? I’ve been doing this for 14 years and I still feel like I’m in the honeymoon period.

Ray White Mt Albert in New Zealand making a tranche of calls for Real Estate of Origin.

“We've been servicing this community for six years now and everyone knows me or a member of my team and that’s a source of real pride. We look forward to speaking to every one of our 236 appraisal calls again for a follow-up.”

Ray White Group Managing Director Dan White said the fourth Real Estate of Origin drive was like no other, given the current circumstances.

"Real Estate of Origin is always a very proud day for us. Our members continue to overcome any obstacle thrown their way and remain very relevant to their customers," Mr White said.

"No matter what's going on in the market, there's nothing better than being close to the customer and offering a great service, that's what today is all about.

"A big thank you and credit to all of you for your camaraderie. This takes some of us out of our comfort zone and you have my full admiration for this successful appraisal drive."