Lachie Sewell’s vision is to offer customers an enhanced, individually-tailored real estate service and in the process, re-define how property is bought and sold in Armidale. 

It will mean putting his own ‘spin’ on the Laing+Simmons brand, which is not something most major real estate brands allow. 

“Laing+Simmons is a new brand to the Armidale market and the approach we’ll be bringing to customers is new, so we’re starting with a clean slate,” said Mr Sewell. 

“Growing regional markets operate differently to the major metropolises, the unique charms and nuances of regional towns are accentuated, so we needed a brand that would be adaptable to and reflective of the Armidale community. 

“This means putting people first and tailoring a real estate solution to their needs, as opposed to making the service fit the customer.”  

A third-generation local agent, Mr Sewell is part of a respected real estate family which has been helping people sell and buy property in Armidale since the 1950s. 

Over the years he has broadened his experience in other markets including Newcastle, where his friend Michael Barber recently established the first Laing+Simmons in that market - and has enjoyed a significant increase in business as a result. 

With advanced marketing and support systems to draw on, underpinned by the family values that differentiate the Laing+Simmons brand, Laing+Simmons Armidale will focus on adding value to customers no matter where they’re at in their property journey. 

For many locals, that property journey will soon become more interesting. 

“With dropping vacancy rates in the area, the rental market is going from strength to strength, which is a great sign for landlords and future investors,” said Mr Sewell. 

“Armidale is one of the state’s key economic growth areas as identified by the NSW Government.

"With the recent opening of the APVMA headquarters in the region and a number of significant projects underway, local employment is expected to grow. 

Mr Sewell said new job opportunities in Armidale created by the Government’s decentralisation initiative will drive more and more tree-changers to the region, further pushing up demand for real estate in the area. 

“Coronavirus aside, this is very exciting time in the Armidale real estate market and it makes sense to introduce a progressive people-first brand like Laing+Simmons at this point in the cycle to meet the changing needs of customers,” said Mr Sewell to WILLIAMS MEDIA.

“The rental market has tightened in recent times and the Government’s rent relief package will help support the market as the pandemic plays out.

"Employment is always a key driver and in this respect, the APVMA headquarters and other local projects in progress will underpin demand for housing in the region.

“But the way people want to engage with agents is evolving and COVID-19 will escalate the change.

"Brands must be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of individuals, because one-size-fits-all approaches to sales campaigns no longer cut the mustard.

“And they must resonate locally. Perhaps I’m biased but the importance of being an active member of the local community is amplified in regional towns like Armidale compared to the big cities. Here, reputations matter and they are built on hard work, authenticity and putting people first.”

Laing+Simmons Network Growth Manager Travis Wentriro says Laing+Simmons Armidale represents a key strategic addition in the company’s growth plans. 

“This is a market where we needed to have a presence as more and more people are leaving the hustle and bustle of the city and looking to buy or build a house in key regional areas,” said Mr Wentriro. 

“Laing+Simmons is in the process of actively growing our presence in key regional areas and we want to work with like-minded agents prominent in their local markets who are focused on creating a strong business for the future. 

“With Lachie now part of the family, we look forward to supporting the long-term growth of Laing+Simmons Armidale in order for it to become a fixture in the local community for generations to come,” Mr Wentriro said.    

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