Two long-standing family Dromana businesses merge as Belle Property.
The principals of two well-respected Mornington Peninsula real estate agencies are combining strengths in a merger between Belle Property Dromana and MJ Ross & Co.
Grant McConnell and Adam Alexander, who with their families own and operate Belle Property Dromana, will join forces with MJ Ross & Co director and sales agent Linda Wooley, a much-loved local business owner with real estate in her blood.
Grant’s connection with the peninsula goes back over 20 years when he combined his love of holidaying in the area with real estate. He and his family moved to the peninsula permanently in 2012. Five years ago, Grant and his wife teamed up with Adam Alexander and wife when they bought out the previous co-owner of the then Hockingstuart agency in 2018.
Notes Grant, “Linda and I have talked about her succession plan for several years. MJ Ross & Co was established by her father over 50 years ago and Linda has worked in the agency since her teens.
“In discussions, we both realised that our values align, we provide exceptional customer service, and together our length and breadth of community relationships will make us a force no other competing real estate team can come close to matching.”
Adam adds, “We will move our operations to the MJ Ross & Co office on Nepean Road, right on the waterfront. Linda will continue in sales and support her existing clients. Staff from both agencies will work together to help grow our rentals and sales businesses.”
“Our collective business ethos is to ‘slow things down’ where possible rather than rushing a home sale and putting stress on our clients. Our merger will free Linda from business management and give her the freedom to return to her exceptional client service roots.”
The merger will result in a team almost three times the size of their local competitors. Increasing the footprint for the agency means further benefits in customer service and communications, as ‘many hands make light work’.
The Mornington Peninsula has increased in popularity in recent years, with 85% of buyers coming from Melbourne in search of a slower-paced lifestyle and access to beaches. Some new residents are retirees wanting affordable homes nearer to friends and family while others are corporate executives with families who commute to Melbourne CBD for work two or three times a week.
Grant shares, “As a boutique brand with national and international reach, the Belle Property network attracts more buyers, creating greater competition and ultimately achieving superior results for our sellers. Locals appreciate our high-calibre photography and marketing strategies that ensure their listings stand out.”
Adam continues,“Along with our unique service offering, being able to market properties in Dromana, Rosebud, Rye and nearby suburbs to a national audience is something most of our real estate competitors are unable to equal.”
Belle Property CEO Peter Hanscomb welcomed the merger, saying “Adam and Grant have made an excellent strategic decision deciding to join forces with Linda Wooley. Marrying two family businesses with long-standing community roots and strong reputations sets them up for continued growth and success.”