Around the block: Harcourts' US partner

Harcourts International managing director Mike Green has announced that the firm's US joint venture partner is California-based Altera Real Estate. Entry into the US is Harcourts' biggest ever undertaking, with Altera having 23 offices and 700 sales people. Green says Harcourts has established itself as one of the top three real estate groups in Australia and in the last two years has expanded into South Africa, China, Indonesia, Zambia, Botswana and Hong Kong. "As a 50 per cent shareholder in this new joint venture we will have a heavy focus on the American market throughout 2010, as long-term plans are put in place for further expansion over the next few years throughout America." Altera Real Estate was founded by US real estate industry veterans Gary Thomas, Dennis and Colleen Badagliacco in 2008. Thomas, chairman of the new joint venture company, says it is a perfect fit for Altera to enter into the joint venture "in order to bring the Harcourts culture and platform to our network and the ability for rapid growth".

Warehouse and showroom

Richard Laery of Bayleys Manukau has sold vacant for $616,666 an older style warehouse and showroom unit of about 300sq m with six carparks at 42A Lambie Drive, Manukau.

Henderson live and work

A well presented mix of live and work property comprising a 140sq m workshop on a 1500sq m site with a large home at 5 Heremai St, Henderson, was sold at auction for $500,000, through listing agent Trudi Pirini and selling agent Glenda West of Ray White Commercial West Auckland.

Former Red Rooster

Katie Wu and Marty Roestenburg of Bayleys Manukau sold for $715,000 via a mortgagee sale, Unit E at 455 East Tamaki Rd, East Tamaki, comprising a 224sq m vacant former Red Rooster retail unit with 12 car parks.