After 38 years in the industry, Nick Thornton has opened Ray White Chermside, where he plans to continue to recruit, develop and manage talent to benefit clients.
The Announcement:
Chermside real estate stalwart Nick Thornton has joined the Ray White Group in Brisbane.
Nick Thornton with long-time business partner and wife Julie Thornton have opened Ray White Chermside. Mr Thornton will be the face of the business as selling principal while Ms Thornton will head up the property management team.
Real estate is in Mr Thornton’s blood and he has a long-time connection with Ray White.
Mr Thornton’s father, John Thornton was a salesperson within the first Ray White Aspley business, which opened in the 1980s under Ken Carter. When he was only young, Mr Thornton was introduced to the world of real estate by helping the office with goods and chattel auctions on a Saturday.
“I would help Ken Carter, who in my opinion is still one of the best auctioneers I’ve ever met. The office used to conduct goods and chattel auctions and I’d be there holding up the punchbowl or artwork and helping my dad in the process,” Mr Thornton said.
“It was fast moving and thrilling so you couldn’t help but get into the spirit of it. When I finished school, I thought this is what I want to do.”
Fast-forward four decades and Mr Thornton has transacted more than $450 million in settled sales. He also sat on the REIQ board between 2000 and 2015 on three occasions as the Northern Zone Chairperson and became an REIQ fellow in 2015.
“I have received a lot out of my industry and for that reason I like to give back. My mission statement is to recruit, develop and manage talent to benefit our clients and to do so in partnership is a clear direction to where I see our industry heading,” he said.
“I also want to give back to my community and among other endeavours, before the pandemic I would often do sessions with local senior high school students – teaching them about renting, moving out of home, budgeting and what to expect when they are in charge of their own lives.
“We all have a local dentist and a local hairdresser and you wouldn’t go to three different places for a quote and that’s what I want to show my community. I would like to think that I would be your local real estate agent, that go-to real estate agent with knowledge.”
Mr Thornton has also conducted many charity auctions supporting the local schools, sporting clubs and other local community fundraising charities. He also has a wealth of experience he can offer his community, gathered from the 38 years he’s been in the industry.
“Growing up on Brisbane northside my local knowledge is key and what sets me apart from my competitors. Not many agents have more knowledge, passion and commitment. I follow what the council is doing and know the trends, when to buy or when to sell – knowledge is key,” he said.
“I think having the knowledge of what’s happening in your backyard is critical, you have to know where the roads are widening, what the new zoning applications are and so on.”
The Chermside area has a broad range of demographics and housing types, from units to family homes and multi-million dollar properties. The area attracts both investors and owner occupiers alike.
Mr Thornton also noted that with two major hospitals in the area, many medical professionals are making the move to Chermside.
“Chermside is a northside hub with one of the major Brisbane shopping centres, Westfield shopping town Chermside, which has just undergone a billion dollar upgrade and the two major hospitals, the Princes Charles Hospital and St Vincents,” he said.
Ray White Queensland CEO Jason Andrew welcomed the Thorntons to the group.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nick and Julie Thornton to the group with their impressive record as business owners in the area over the last four decades,” he said.
“I have no doubt their local knowledge and expertise will be a huge asset to the group and I look forward to celebrating their success.”
Source: Ray White Group
