A new real estate agency is opening a “meet and greet” outlet in a NSW regional shopping centre in a bid to better connect with a wider customer base and boost lead generation.
Experienced Bathurst real estate agents James and Toni Thompson are opening the first McGrath Estate Agents office in Bathurst in Sentinel Property Group’s neighborhood shopping centre, Bathurst Chase.
The office will be in a 140 sqm tenancy near the Coles supermarket, which is the anchor tenant in the centre.
Mr Thompson said McGrath had taken out a licence for the suite with a view to a long term arrangement with Sentinel in the future years.
Mr Thompson has been in real estate in Bathurst for almost 30 years, and said the new agency would break from the traditional real estate office.
“It’s very much a meet and greet location with no on-site administration,” Mr Thompson said.
“There are thousands of people every day coming to Bathurst Chase and doing their shopping at the Coles supermarket.
“This is an opportunity for us to connect better with people in a casual atmosphere and to change the perception of a real estate agent. Over the years the customer has changed, but most real estate agencies have stayed the same. This model is new and exciting.
“We want people to be able to come in and relax and have a chat. We’ll have a coffee kiosk. There will be no hard sell.”