Re/Max Malta opens first office in Gozo

Projected growth prospects "on target"

RE/MAX Malta has just opened another franchise office, this time in Victoria, Gozo. This is the company's third office since it started operating from St Julian's last April. Last September it inaugurated its second office in Sliema's busy Tower Road.

The franchise, named Re/Max Property Centre, is owned and operated by Michael Galea of General Services Ltd and Mario Grech, an accountant. Both Gozitan and businessmen, Mr Galea and Mr Grech also enjoy many years of combined experience in the trade and property development business.

"Our expansion of operations to Gozo shows that business is doing well and that the Gozitan market is appreciating the need for a new player in the property business," Jeffrey and Kevin Buttigieg, regional directors for Re/Max Malta, said.

"Gozo is a very interesting market with a wide range of different properties that appeal to both the foreign buyer and local property seekers. We are now looking forward to this new challenging opportunity which will continue to confirm RE/MAX Malta as one of the leaders in the local property industry.

"The industry today is demanding an increasingly more professionally run operation when compared to the more traditional real estate offices currently present on the islands. We are providing just that by introducing the winning formula that Re/Max offers in so many other countries. We are very pleased to be represented in Gozo by Michael and Mario and we wish them the best of luck in their new endeavour."

Due to the encouraging amount of requests from potential Gozitan, Maltese and foreign property buyers, Re/Max Property Centre will be servicing clients from a corner office in Republic Street, Victoria.

However, works are already underway on what will become the permanent office which is strategically located in the busy centre of the capital. In fact, completion date is set in about three months and will be manned by a team of three experienced sales associates and a manager, all fresh from a Re/Max training course.

Speaking to The Sunday Times about the launch of their franchise Mr Galea said that he had been considering setting up his own real estate company for some time. The structure of Re/Max International, along with the backing of Re/Max Malta, was the ideal opportunity to affiliate himself with a world renowned leader in the real estate industry.

By taking up the Gozo franchise "we can immediately start enjoying the benefits of worldwide marketing, technology and professional training, all under the careful mentoring of Re/Max".

Re/Max Malta plans to open two more offices by the end of this year and other offices by the end of 2006 to accommodate various requests for particular areas around Malta. Having two offices in Malta and an office in Gozo Re/Max Malta is reaching its growth targets.

"Ever since our launch in April last year we have received a great response, nationally and internationally through our Website, which is linked to over 20 other Re/Max Websites around the world, as well as locally, through our solid advertising campaign," Mr Kevin Buttigieg said.

He went on to say that the growth of the company was proof that they had the chemistry to build the largest network of offices in Malta and emulate growth of their fellow European regions.

Re/Max Malta will shortly be launching Re/Max Renowned Properties in Malta, a branch of Re/Max that only deals with upmarket properties around the world. Owners of properties with a certain value will also have the opportunity to advertise their property together with other elite properties via a Website and its Renowned Properties magazine.

The strategy of the company is to build on the already professional name Re/Max. One of the priorities of the company is organising real estate specific training courses/seminars and mentoring quality services across the board.

The Re/Max training courses are real estate specific and go into detail with regard to the code of ethics adapted by Re/Max around the world, dealing with customers professionally and listing and marketing property. Re/Max associates are encouraged to market themselves so they can benefit from being in business but never on their own.

Re/Max Malta is operated by J&K Properties Ltd and joins part of the largest real estate network in the world with 5,439 offices and 102,946 associates in 54 countries.