HUGE GROWTH PLANS FOR NEWLY JOINED FORCE OF LEADING AUCKLAND REAL ESTATE NAMES

Two of Harcourts' and Auckland's most well-known real estate personalities have just joined forces in a new business partnership to take on the ownership of the Harcourts Howick and Harcourts Pakaranga offices. But it doesn't stop there.

Graham Viall and David Clifton confirmed the two offices were just the beginning, with plans for growth and more offices in the near future to meet the demand of what Mr Clifton described as, "the most diverse range of real estate in New Zealand from first home buyers to a huge amount of waterfront and extensive new subdivisions."

Harcourts Business Owner Graham Viall was one of Harcourts' founding franchise owners dating back to 1991, and is a long-standing member of the Harcourts Franchise Council. Mr Viall currently owns the Harcourts offices in Pukekohe, Manuwera, Papakura, and Papakura Rural, and is renowned throughout the company for having run an exceptionally successful operation for many years.

David Clifton is equally well-known in the industry throughout Australasia for his expertise as an Auctioneer. Mr Clifton has most recently been Harcourts National Auction Manager, and has called over 9,000 auctions in his career. He also co-owned five successful offices in Melbourne, Australia prior to moving to New Zealand and joining Harcourts in 1999 to head and drive its auction division.

Since the new ownership took place 1 February, Mr Viall said the team of 27 sales consultants had "a very strong first month which we were all delighted with." As well as recruiting more sales consultants, the offices have a rapidly growing rental property management division with both owners vastly experienced and enthusiastic in managing large successful property management departments.

Mr Clifton said, "Having worked at both a business and corporate level, I am very excited about this move and we are both very committed to the Harcourts brand." Mr Viall added, "I'm absolutely delighted with the expansion. Having found an excellent existing team, I'm confident we will achieve exceptional growth as planned."

CEO of Harcourts New Zealand, Bryan Thomson, said, "Harcourts' success is based on a philosophy of assisting great people to grow and prosper. David Clifton and Graham Viall are two outstanding examples of great individuals achieving great personal and business growth and we are very excited to have this new partnership of long term Harcourts team members driving our expansion in the key Auckland marketplace. "

"Sellers and buyers in the area will see the impact of their commitment to total professionalism and success as a huge step forward when selecting a real estate company to manage their property needs. I cannot recommend them enough."