Q2 2019

Wealth & Finance International - Q2 2019 15 This small, by world standards, organisation with a sales force of 1700 took on and beat competitors from around the world for the coveted title at this year’s International Property Awards held in London. It is probably the smallest agency to win the prestigious crown in the 25 years the competition has run. “To be judged as the world’s best by your peers is the ultimate accolade,” said Peter Thompson, who is the Managing Director and grandson of one of the company’s two founding families. “It reflects on the professionalism and commitment of all our team members, and the culture of our organisation, which is based on family values. “We put our customers first and foremost in everything we do and work collaboratively across our 75 offices to achieve the best result possible,” said Thompson. Barfoot & Thompson made the decision to involve itself with international agencies to ensure it was keeping abreast of latest world trends, processes and technology developments, and also to test itself against the world’s top innovators. “We were delighted to find that our focus on customer service and face-to-face time with vendors, buyers, landlords and tenants – backed by sound procedures, processes and technology – put us in the forefront of world real estate marketing,” says Thompson. “while technology is rapidly changing the way real estate is marketed globally it is the companion of customer service and face time, not its replacement. “The real point of difference for the customer is people committed to meeting their needs.” An added bonus of winning the award for Barfoot & Thompson’s has been to raise its profile among luxury home buyers and their advisers, who are increasingly viewing New Zealand as one of the Small Size No Handicap To Taking World Real Estate Crown The title of world’s best real estate agency for 2018/19 has gone to Barfoot & Thompson, a 95-year-old family business based in Auckland, New Zealand. world’s new hot spots for property investment. Barfoot & Thompson had the local knowledge to assist buyers with guidance on New Zealand’s “We put our customers first and foremost in everything we do and work collaboratively across our 75 offices to achieve the best result possible,” said Thompson. Feb19502 regulations on non-New Zealand citizens buying property, and through an extensive network of associates country-wide, a portfolio of top rural and city properties for sale. International rating agencies highlight New Zealand for the quality of its lifestyle, the robustness and independence of its legal system, extremely low levels of corruption, lack of restrictions around conducting business and by world standards the value for money of its real estate. Company: Barfoot & Thompson Telephone: +64 027 453 5931 Website: https://www.barfoot.co.nz/ Managing Director Peter Thompson, Director Kiri Barfoot and CEO Chris Dobbie