Ray White enters the marine sector with Marina Oceanus

by Media Hunt on 12 May 2010 In one of the most significant developments in the Australian marine industry, renowned real estate company the Ray White Group has announced its foray into the bustling sector with the establishment of Ray White Marine.

The new entity is a joint venture between Andrew and Greg Bell, directors of Queensland’s largest real estate firm the Ray White Surfers Paradise Group, and Marina Oceanus, owners of the exclusive Marina Mirage marina on the Gold Coast.

The exciting new Ray White Marine operation will tap into the multi-million dollar marine sales industry and will oversee the auction and sale of marinas and marine vessels throughout Australia. It is the first time any real estate agency has undertaken a comprehensive strategy to sell and market boats and marinas.

The recently established entity is a major step forward for the Ray White Group, marking the privately-owned company’s first venture into the marine industry.

Ray White Group Deputy Chairman Sam White said the establishment of Ray White Marine is an exciting development for the Group.

“We believe that the sales templates and processes we have developed in a highly competitive real estate market can be applicable to other classes - our structure can work particularly well in the marine industry,” said Mr White.

Andrew Bell says the move will provide a conduit for buyers, sellers and boat dealers on a scale rarely seen.

“This new entity will revolutionise the industry and allow for the marketing, auctioning and brokering of vessels and berths on a level that has never been offered in the Australian marine industry,” Mr Bell said. “We are establishing a national body that will provide sellers unprecedented exposure to a broad market via an intensive auction campaign as well as access to our vast network.

“Ray White Marine will have direct access to our database which boasts over 700,000 members as well as access to our full time creative staff and will be included in Ray White’s prestige and commercial magazines with a local, national and international distribution.

“In addition, Ray White Marine will have a presence at Marina Oceanus at Marina Mirage, Tedder Avenue as well as Orchid Avenue and other selected Ray White offices to deliver both a greater level of enquiry and faster rate of sale.

“We will be drawing on the unrivalled skills, strength and knowledge that have made the Ray White Surfers Paradise Group the leading real estate company in Australasia and combining our auctioneering and marketing expertise with extensive industry experience from Marina Oceanus.”

Mr Bell said Ray White’s specialised auction marketing concept had also been adapted to the marine industry.

“Previously, the only feasible option for boat sellers was to moor their vessel in a marina, which can take months to offload – now we have a viable and efficient method to bring boaties, brokers, investors, buyers and sellers together more effectively in the one place,” he said.

Ray White Marine will operate out of Marina Mirage on the Gold Coast, home to one of Australia’s most exclusive marinas, in conjunction with the long-established Marina Oceanus headquarters.

Mark Ali of Marina Oceanus, who has been involved in the marine industry for more than 15 years, said the new entity will play a major role in lifting the profile of the Australian marine industry.

“This move will give buyers and sellers more confidence as they are dealing with an organisation that combines the renowned and long-established Ray White brand with the industry experience of Marina Oceanus,” he said.

“The team at Marina Oceanus brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained from representing major luxury European vessel manufacturers as well as brokerage sales for many high-end clients from around Australia.

“There are a growing number of people who are looking to offload vessels, upgrade or downgrade within an acceptable time frame - and now there is an avenue to facilitate this activity.

“The Ray White Marine initiative will benefit vendors by showcasing vessels for sale on a scale that only a national brand could offer.”

The first Ray White Marine auction is scheduled to be held at Marina Mirage on the Gold Coast in June.

Mr Bell said they are currently finalising a collection of listings for the first of what will be regular marine auctions held by Ray White Marine.

Ray White Marine are currently involved in an expression of interest campaign after a limited series of marina berths at Marina Mirage were released for the first time in the history of the iconic Gold Coast marina destination.

The campaign, which ends on June 23, gives investors, boating enthusiast’s and super-yacht owners a rare chance to secure a holding in one of Australia’s most exclusive marinas under a leasehold arrangement with up to 50 year terms.

The limited selection of leasehold berths, which range in size from 18 to 30 metres, are a unique, one-time only release as part of a strategy to fund a proposed future multi-million redevelopment of the world-class Marina Mirage into a state-of-the-art super-yacht facility.

The Ray White Surfers Paradise Group has also been involved in a campaign to sell the remaining marina berths at Hope Island Marina which has resulted in more than $15 million in sales.