Raine & Horne Liverpool is celebrating its 50th anniversary on 1 July, marking half a century of serving Sydney’s rapidly growing south-west.

Led today by the dynamic duo of Vince Labbozzetta and Michael Busden, the office that was launched by John Pincham in 1976 holds a unique place in Australian real estate history as the first franchised office opened by Raine & Horne.

“This milestone is something I’m incredibly proud of,” said Vince, who joined Raine & Horne Liverpool 24 years ago and became a principal in 2007.

“To be part of the very first Raine & Horne franchise office carries a real sense of responsibility.

“Since joining in 2002 and becoming a franchisee in 2007, I’ve always seen our role as continuing a legacy that helped shape the entire network.

“It’s about respecting where we’ve come from, while continuing to evolve and deliver at a high level for our clients and community.”

Vince said the real estate industry had undergone significant change over the past two decades, led by technology and digital engagement.

“The biggest shift has been the influence of technology, social media and the internet. In 2026, buyers are far more informed and engaged before they even step into a property,” he said.

“In the past, there was a lot more ‘window shopping’ with people walking into offices to browse listings. Now, the first impression happens online.

“Professional photography, video, digital marketing, such as our AI-Powered first-to-market social media marketing platform Amplify that puts more of our listings in front of more buyers, and a strong online presence are critical to achieving premium results.”

Vince continued, “We’ve also seen changes in legislation and compliance, which have made the industry more structured and professional.

“Despite all of this, the fundamentals haven’t changed, real estate is still about people, relationships and trust.”

Foundations built over 50 years guide future direction

Michael Busdon, who joined the business in 2012, said the office’s five decades of success continue to be guided by a balance of traditional values and modern systems.

“At our core, it’s always been about being customer-focused and having strong systems in place,” Michael said. “Raine & Horne has always been a great blend of old and new, combining traditional values such as service, integrity and relationships with modern systems, technology and marketing.

“We’re fortunate to be part of a strong network that provides proven processes, support and structure, which allows us to consistently deliver for our clients.”

Reminiscences of a long-term staffer

Associate Director Gary Armishaw, who first joined Raine & Horne Liverpool in 1981, recalled a very different Liverpool property market.

“Raine & Horne Liverpool was on a prominent corner location on George Street, Liverpool, which attracted vendors and landlords who saw the advantage of showcasing their property in the large window display,” said Gary, who returned to the business in 2020 after several decades of business ownership.

He continued, “Open Homes were rare, and the salespeople were expected to make appointments and show prospective buyers and renters on an individual basis.

“John Pincham would never employ a salesperson unless they had a 4-door car, as you were expected to drive prospects to the listings.”

Liverpool was chosen as the first franchise office by Raine & Horne because of John Pincham's business and sales skills, according to Gary.  “John could negotiate with anyone, including prominent Sydney developers, local Liverpool builders and land subdividers.

“Max Raine and John also had a very close business relationship, with Max paying frequent personal visits to John and his wife Robyn, at the Liverpool office on many occasions.”

The Liverpool market then and now

In the 1970s – twenty years before the inception of the internet – real estate agencies were destination locations for buyers and renters, Gary recalled.

“These agents freely admitted that their existence was mainly due to the volume of overflow enquiry generated by Raine & Horne Liverpool,” he said. 

Liverpool is, and always has been, a first-home buyer area, Gary noted. In 1976, the median price for a three-bedroom house was likely around the low-$30,000 mark. Today, the median house price is approximately $1.204 million, while the median price for a two-bedroom apartment is about $520,000.

“The biggest change in the last 20 years has been the surge in high-rise apartments,” said Gary.

Looking ahead, Michael Busdon said the focus is firmly on growth and the next generation. “The future is exciting. We’re focused on continuing to grow, embracing new technology, and building the next generation of agents,” he said.

“At the same time, we’ll stay grounded, focusing on what’s always worked, which is putting our clients first, maintaining strong systems, and delivering consistent results.

“It’s about evolving with the market while staying true to the values that have built this business over nearly 50 years.”

For all your residential sales and property management needs, contact your local Raine & Horne office today.