RECORD $11.5 BILLION FOR HARCOURTS ANNOUNCED AT CONFERENCE

Australasia's fastest growing real estate group, Harcourts International Ltd, recorded a massive $11.5 billion in sales over the last year, up 48 percent on the previous year, according to Managing Director, Mike Green.

Speaking at the launch of Harcourts' annual Conference in the Christchurch Convention Centre this morning, Mr Green noted that with over 1,100 Harcourts members and guests attending from through-out New Zealand, he believed this was the largest real estate conference ever to be held in the country.

Key announcements in Mr Green's speech included:

• Harcourts managed the sale of over 44,000 properties in the last year, (an average 120 a day or one every 12 minutes).
• Harcourts continued to dominate in New Zealand.
• Harcourts was the fastest growing real estate organisation in Australia with now 153 offices plus a further one in Fiji and 10 in Indonesia.
• Harcourts International grew by 98 new offices and 700 sales consultants over the last year.

Mr Green also launched Harcourts' newest electronic marketing system to provide sales consultants with a new way to email their clients with the latest real estate news, listings, and open homes. He noted with people's lives becoming increasingly busy, 'cocooning' at home with family was an emerging international trend. Being able to email relevant information on request was fast becoming a vital part of building trusted relationships in any business.

Mr Green said that a key area Harcourts was focusing on in the year ahead was growth in New Zealand and internationally. He also emphasised that while the market ahead was uncertain with contradicting experts and economic indicators, what was certain was that real estate organisations and individuals committed to delivering the most professional service would continue to enjoy outstanding success.

Harcourts' Conference concludes Wednesday evening 19 May with the black tie End of Year Awards dinner where the top national Sales Consultants and Offices for the 2003-2004 year will be announced..