Tommy's First Word - Issue 120, current to 18 January 2011

As another year draws to an end, it is always a good time to reflect on achievements; to look ahead to the coming year, to plan where we want our businesses and our personal lives to be this time next year and to look back and see what we could have done better.

Regular reviews of what we do and the way we do it has always been a feature of Tommy’s planning. We endeavour to look at our business through the eyes of our clients or from the customer’s perspective as after all, we are in a service industry and top level service is what we have to offer to keep ahead of our industry competitors.

It’s immensely satisfying being so closely involved in people’s lives, participating in important lifestyle decisions and helping clients to make well founded home buying decisions. Despite the recent market being on the soft side, many of our clients are still highly dependant on real estate as a means to future wealth and family financial security. Our involvement with these people is a responsibility
that we don’t take lightly.

Holiday time is often a time when families have an opportunity to get together away from the pressures of work and to plan for their future. Relocation plans are often set in concrete whilst people are on holiday. Perhaps they find what they consider to be a better location to live in; or employment or business opportunities are discovered. Holidays provide an opportunity to take a leisurely look at
the market and to identify possible home buying opportunities. All of our Tommy’s offices have a good supply of property for sale at this time and we will have people available to assist clients over the holiday period.

A key initiative taken by Tommy’s in the latter part of 2010 has been to carry out a major review of our website. There was a time when our main marketing focus was on the print media. Whilst we still maintain a high marketing profile through the Dominion Post and the Tommy’s Lifestyle magazine there has in recent times been a marked shift towards the importance of the websites we support in displaying property for sale and communicating with clients.

With the latest developments of our website www.tommys.co.nz we have endeavoured to provide a “one stop shop” for home buyers and sellers. From a seller’s perspective, we can offer an opportunity to display property with a range of photographs to a worldwide audience at no cost, apart from photography charges in some instances. Buyers can short-list properties of interest from our
significant selection of homes for sale and they can also register their requirements to ensure that they are advised of new listings matching their nominated criteria, as they come to the market.

Our website also provides handy hints for home buyers and sellers and a host of other information relevant to the buying and selling public on issues such as choosing an agent, minimizing stress levels, marketing options and establishing a realistic price for your property. The site also provides an opportunity for clients to register and receive a fortnightly email version of my regular column on
matters relevant to the real estate industry or other topical items of interest to the public generally.

In closing, can I offer a ray of hope for buyers for the New Year. The Official Cash Rate has recently been maintained at current levels giving a firm indication that interest rates should remain at, or near, present levels for the next few months at least. There are good buying opportunities out there and I think that January/February 2011 will be a good time to buy.

For me, Christmas in a wonderful time; a time for friends and family to get together and enjoy each others’ company. It’s a time to relax, to take stock of life, to reflect on family achievements and goals for the future. Holidays are an integral part of life and a balance between work and leisure time is important.

On behalf of everyone at Tommy’s, I’d like to thank you all for your support during 2010. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, a safe and happy holiday break and a very prosperous new year.

Best wishes

TOMMY HEPTINSTALL

Managing Director