Harcourts International, which recently bought a major stake in SA¹s Homenet estate agency group, has been identified by a leading world authority on real estate, Stefan Swanepoel, as one of the top five international real estate brands.

According to Mike Green, MD of Harcourts International, the 2009 Swanepoel Trends Report showcases Harcourts International as an organisation that is leading the change in expanding successfully into other countries and continents. These include South Africa, where Homenet is in the process of being rebranded as Harcourts Africa. The report describes Harcourts¹ success as, among other things, being based on a ³people orientated culture² that has resulted in a staff turnover rate that is significantly lower than the industry average.

³A youthful Gen X culture has energized the company¹s drive, creativity and passion. That cultural mindset is further defined by a clear purpose and a business philosophy that flows down through the organization in the form of four very simple but specific values that are constantly communicated:
People first; Doing the right thing; Being courageous; and Fun and laughter,² it says.

Green says that to be recognised in the 2009 Swanepoel Trends Report as an organisation that is influential on a global scale speaks enormously of how far the group has come since he took Harcourts to Australia in 1997.

³This is truly exciting for the Harcourts team and demonstrates that we are now becoming recognised internationally for the quality of our organisation in all aspects. Continuing our strong international growth and constantly striving for our goal of being one of the world¹s leading real estate franchise groups will provide even greater marketing opportunities for our clients and our people through greater brand awareness and profile on a global stage.²

Martin Schultheiss, CEO of Harcourts Africa, says: ³The report reflects the fact that there is a new DNA in real estate that is so much more than just brand. While most real estate companies are recording their worst results in history, Harcourts International is breaking new ground and gaining bigger market share.

³And it is doing that by putting its people in front of the brand and equipping them with the best training, systems and technology to thrive in a tough market. In the past couple of months, we have also gone about securing some top talent in Harcourts Africa, which is a real testament to the company and its understanding about the importance of people and equipping them for success.²

Currently the Harcourts group has more than 600 offices, 4000 full-time sales consultants, 1500 support staff and a sales volume in excess of $19,5bn a year (fiscal 2008). Already the fastest growing real estate group in Australia and the largest in New Zealand, Harcourts is now also operating in seven other countries: China, Fiji, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Zambia and Botswana.