• Raine & Horne has expanded its presence in the ACT with the launch of a residential sales and property management office in Gungahlin.
• Raine & Horne Gungahlin will be led by Courtnie and Zeb Alaia who have been Co-Principals of a real estate office in Goulburn since 2013.
• Mr and Mrs Alaia have plans to expand in Canberra and are seeking to buy local rent rolls.

Leading real estate group Raine & Horne has expanded its presence in the nation’s capital by launching a residential sales and property management office in Gungahlin 10 kilometres north of the city’s centre.

Courtnie and Zeb Alaia, Co-Principals of nearby award winning Raine & Horne Goulburn, will lead the new office and sales manager Luke Scarlett, a Gungahlin local. The new office follows the recent launch of Raine & Horne Commercial Canberra by the husband-and-wife team of Mark and Hayley Nicholls and nearby residential office, Raine & Horne Queanbeyan.

Local connections and real estate experience

Mrs Alaia was employed as a valuer by the since-closed Australian Valuation Office in Canberra before taking over Raine & Horne Goulburn in 2013 with her husband.

“We had just had our fourth baby, and I was on maternity leave from my job, and the plan was always to return to working in property valuation in Canberra,” said Mrs Alaia.  

“However, Raine & Horne Goulburn took off, and I took a redundancy, and then the plan was to open an office in Canberra within ten years. So, it’s exciting to tick that box.”

The couple has launched an office in Gungahlin because it’s very close to Goulburn, while the suburb is regularly recognised as one of Australia’s fastest growing. Also, the couple has supported the real estate goals of many property owners moving between Canberra and Goulburn.

Moreover, the couple’s sons Ethan (17) and Jonah (15) are part of the junior development squads for the Canberra Raiders. The talented rugby league duo also attends the talented sports program at the prestigious Erindale College.

“We just thought it makes sense to have an office in Gungahlin to leverage off the market between Canberra and Goulburn,” said Mrs Alaia, who owns apartments in Gungahlin and Tuggeranong with her husband.

“We have also just purchased a strata business and will bring this service to the Gungahlin market. The great news is that there is plenty of crossovers between strata laws in NSW and ACT.”

Raine & Horne is best for support and family-oriented culture

Mr and Mrs Alaia had no hesitation in launching the Gungahlin office under the famous charcoal and gold livery of the 140-year-old Raine & Horne.

“I like dealing with the corporate team as it offers lots of support and guidance,” Mrs Alaia said.

“Their systems are excellent and are a lot better than other agencies or franchises out there.

“I also like the family feel with Raine & Horne, and we like Angus Raine. He’s the Executive Chairman and he’s someone that you can get on the phone very easily. Angus and his wife have a big family like us, and he comes down regularly. I really do like the support we get from head office.”

Mr Scarlett, who has lived in Canberra since 2013, agreed that the advantage that Raine & Horne’s ecosystem of proptech firsts, such as social media marketing platform Amplify, would immediately give vendors in Gungahlin and surrounding suburbs a competitive edge.

“Raine & Horne brings a difference to the Gungahlin market thanks to its reputation for a more honest and transparent real estate approach.

“But Amplify also delivers online marketing campaigns that provide targeted buyer reach, a massive point of difference for vendors.

“With Amplify, Raine & Horne can cast an extensive net to catch more fish at once.”

Mr Scarlett believes that with Mr and Mrs Alaia’s sons playing for the Canberra Raiders, they already have an excellent local network of contacts.

“They have rapport and relationships with many Canberra locals rather than just stepping into this town fresh.”

Positive outlook for Gungahlin real estate

Mr Scarlett added that with the pause in interest rates, the timing for the launch of Raine & Horne Gungahlin couldn’t be better.

“The interesting factor with Canberra real estate is that many suburbs will perform differently to neighbouring postcodes – and the level of finance buyers need is often a defining component,” he said.

“In the sought-after suburbs, we have seen very little change in values over the last 14 months, often because buyers are public servants or from big businesses who don’t need as much finance to secure properties.”

Mrs Alaia confirmed that Raine & Horne Gungahlin is looking to secure rent rolls in the region and open more offices in Canberra.