One of Lake Macquarie region's fastest-growing independent real estate businesses has joined one of Australia's oldest and most respected property brands, with Renshaw Real Estate officially becoming Raine & Horne Morisset.
Founded by local resident Brad Renshaw in February 2020, the independent agency has built a strong reputation for integrity, personalised service and deep community involvement. The move to the iconic 143-year-old brand will provide the Morisset business with access to advanced technology, specialised compliance support, and an extensive national and international referral network.
Chris Nicholl, Chief Executive Officer of Raine & Horne, said Mr Renshaw had built an impressive independent business with strong local roots.
"Brad has created a highly respected agency by putting integrity, community and client service first, and we're delighted to welcome him and his team to the Raine & Horne family," Mr Nicholl said.
"His values align perfectly with ours, and with the backing of our technology, compliance systems and national network, we're confident Raine & Horne Morisset has an exciting future ahead."
Mr Renshaw, who has lived in the Morisset area for more than four decades, said joining Raine & Horne was about positioning the business for the future while preserving the local values that have driven its success.
"Joining Raine & Horne allows us to be part of a larger network with the support, systems and expertise to stay at the leading edge of a quickly evolving industry."
Mr Renshaw started in real estate in 2017 after a career in management roles with several Central Coast-based corporates, including Sanitarium and Sara Lee. He also owned and operated a small coffee roasting company before he launched Renshaw Real Estate. He said, “Owning my own business is a dream come true because my parents always owned their own business, and that's all I ever knew."
Raine & Horne's technology and AML readiness central to Morisset partnership
According to Mr Renshaw, the increasingly sophisticated technology and compliance obligations facing the real estate industry made now the right time to align with a larger network.
"We can now be at the forefront of industry changes. It is impossible for a small business to constantly develop the leading-edge systems and decide what technology to employ and what technology to ignore. That heavy lifting is done for us by Raine & Horne.”
He added that the group's significant investment in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) compliance systems was another major attraction, particularly as the real estate industry enters a new era of regulation.
From 1 July 2026, real estate offices are required to comply with Australia's AML/CTF regulations. This means undertaking due diligence checks and reporting suspicious matters to AUSTRAC.
“I'm actually very aware of the changes brought in by the government around AML and CTF and the systems needed to make sure that we get it right,” Mr Renshaw said.
"Raine & Horne has already done a tremendous amount of work preparing for the new AML/CTF requirements. They've taken the experience they've gained in New Zealand and have tailored those learnings here for Australian conditions and rules.
"This is something that we'll be able to take advantage of, and we can incorporate the new requirements without them slowing us down."
Mr Renshaw said the transition would provide immediate benefits for clients, landlords, vendors and investors while retaining the local knowledge and personalised service they had come to expect.
“Joining Raine & Horne means our clients will benefit from the latest technology and a much broader network. Where there's an opportunity to create value for them and their property, we'll be able to connect with agencies across Lake Macquarie, the Central Coast, Sydney and, through the Raine & Horne network, nationally and internationally, given we have offices in the Pacific, including New Zealand, Asia, and the Middle East.”
Going forward, Mr Renshaw is positive about the long-term prospects for the Morisset market, citing the area's affordability, connectivity and enviable lifestyle.
"Morisset is uniquely positioned for long-term growth. We're around an hour and a half from Sydney, on the doorstep of Lake Macquarie and the Watagan Mountains, close to beaches, connected to Sydney and Newcastle by the M1 and the main northern railway line, and within easy reach of Newcastle Airport," he said.
"If the proposed fast rail project goes ahead, it would be another positive for the region, especially with a station slated for Morisset. But even without it, the fundamentals here are incredibly strong. Buyers can still access more affordable property than in the bigger cities while enjoying an outstanding lifestyle, and this makes this area very attractive for years to come."
Local roots and local opportunities drive Morisset business
Since launching in 2020, community involvement has been a cornerstone of Mr Renshaw’s business. It supports a broad range of local initiatives like the Adventist National Games, the Morisset Strikers Football Club, Ride for Rescue, and local schools and community programs.
"Community support isn't something we do because we're expecting a commercial return. We do it because this is our home. My family is here, my wife's family is here, and we've been part of this community for decades," he said. "I want to live in a community where people are happy, where families can thrive and where kids have opportunities. If our business can play even a small role in making Morisset and Lake Macquarie stronger, then that's a success for us.
That philosophy extends to creating opportunities for the next generation. Mr Renshaw recently offered a local Year 10 student a pathway into the real estate industry after meeting him through a school careers program.
Mr Renshaw said he was keen to give the student an opportunity, encouraging him to obtain his certificate of real estate registration, which he has personally funded, and an opportunity to join the office every Friday to learn the ropes of the real estate industry. The student is currently working towards his driver's licence, and Mr Renshaw has employed him to drive him to open homes and appraisal appointments, helping him build the supervised driving hours he needs before applying for his provisional licence.
"He'll get driving experience, he'll get paid, and he'll get actual real estate experience – and some income, which is great for a kid in Year 10."
Mr Renshaw said the new partnership with Raine & Horne would also help create opportunities for his growing team and future generations entering the property industry. "Being part of Raine & Horne provides a platform for us to grow and be stronger as a business and therefore provide stronger and more employment opportunities for people in our community," he said.
"I want to have something that I can be proud of and a team that really enjoys working here. I want people to work in a place where they enjoy coming to work, where their contribution is important and valued, and where they can develop and grow and extend themselves."
This article was independently written and edited by Real Estate Today. © Real Estate Today 2026 – All Rights Reserved.
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