Hunter House Sales Hit The Roof

New South Wales builder Valley Homes has defied rising interest rates to record sales of A$30 million last financial year, attributing success largely to management's 'personal approach'. The company sells residential and investment properties priced from A$150,000 in the Hunter Region of New South Wales.

"We sell an average of 150 homes a year," Sales and Marketing Manager Noel McKinnon says. "Sales have tripled in the last five or six years because of our reputation as a personal builder."

Noel says the key to business success is treating buyers as individuals and catering to their needs.

"We use an architect in Western Australia, and can design everything from modern homes with curved roofs through to country style homes," he says.

The company also sells homes off the plan. Noel says there is rising demand for duplexes, townhouses and custom designed homes, although the average buyer wants a four bedroom home with a double garage. Valley Homes' reputation is built on providing each home with quality inclusions and workmanship.

Once the local council approves plans, Valley Homes allows 28 to 32 weeks to build the home.

"We advise the average buyer to set aside up to A$50,000 for additions such as lawns, driveways, blinds, light fittings and floor coverings," Noel says.

The company also caters to the luxury housing market.

"We have a million dollar project underway at Nelson Bay," Noel says. "We're building two four bedroom units with roofs made from COLORBOND® steel and balconies overlooking the bay, and are also installing lifts."

Investors also buy property from Valley Homes. The company sells 20 to 25 house and land packages a year to investors in high growth areas such as Singleton and Muswellbrook.

"We may sell a duplex at Singleton to an investor for A$490,000 that guarantees a rental return of A$550 a week, an annual return of five to six per cent," Noel says.

"We generally encourage investors to hold on to the property for eight years."

Many homes built and sold by Valley Homes have roofs made from COLORBOND® steel. House frames made from TRUECORE® steel are also available on request.

The company is a member of the STEEL BY™ Brand Partnership Program.

"BlueScope Steel is a well known Australian brand with an outstanding reputation," Valley Homes' Manager Aaron Mosely says.

"As a member of the STEEL BY™ Brand Partnership Program, we can promote our use of quality products such as COLORBOND® steel, and align our company's reputation with that of BlueScope Steel through use of the STEEL BY™ logo."

Valley Homes was established by Arne Baumann and Lindsay Hardy in 1971 as a service station builder before expanding into the Hunter Region's residential market in 1982.

The company now employs 16 full time staff, and has undertaken major housing projects for the Commonwealth Department of Housing and Construction, NSW Department of Housing and the Defence Housing Authority.

For more information contact:
Noel McKinnon
Valley Homes
Ph: 02 4934 1400