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Raine and Horne Murraylands celebrates 25 years – despite a fire which cost them dearly

The real estate agency turns 140 this month, and has a long history in Murray Bridge, too. But it hasn’t all been easy, John DeMichele says.

Peri Strathearn

Jun 15, 2023 — 4 min read

This sponsored post is brought to you by Raine and Horne Murraylands.

Ruge’s Arcade burns on the night of October 26, 2002. Photo: Raine and Horne Murraylands.

Raine and Horne is celebrating 140 years in business this month, and the Murraylands branch has just hit 25 years – but it hasn’t been smooth sailing all the way.

Murraylands principal John DeMichele has been in the industry since 1988, when he began working for what was then Weston Properties under Sandra Hunt.

“I joined it because it was community minded, a real family business,” John says.

The agency became aligned with Raine and Horne around the time John and his wife Kim purchased it in 1998.

“We were young, and we borrowed 100 per cent to buy the business,” he says.

“Then we lost everything.”

Ruge's Arcade stands proud before being gutted by fire in late 2002, and finally demolished. Photos: Raine and Horne Murraylands.

The 2002 Ruge’s Arcade fire destroyed the historic building at the corner of Bridge and Seventh Streets, forever changing the character of Murray Bridge’s CBD.

Half a dozen tenants were left without premises or any of their paper files, including Weston Raine and Horne.

“The first six or eight years were the toughest for our business,” John says.

“We did a refit on Bridge Street when we leased it, then it burnt down; then we went into a temporary property and did a refit there; then we got hold of this bigger one and did a refit here.

“We did it very, very tough as business owners.”

A young John DeMichele joins the agency in 1988, sells his first property and meets Kim Gambling, later Kim DeMichele; while the business shifts into a new building at the corner of Seventh Street and South Terrace, temporarily at first, then permanently on the corner. Photos: Raine and Horne Murraylands.

Two things got them through that period.

One was the community’s support.

That’s why Raine and Horne Murraylands has sought to return the favour, donating more than $30,000 to local community groups and not-for-profits since the fire, by John’s estimation, through sponsorships, donations and “community cash” giveaways.

The other was support from the larger Raine and Horne group.

“They looked after Kim and I during the hard times,” John says.

“Even though it’s 140 years old, you’ve still got that mentality of family.

“I’ve been approached a lot of times by other franchises to join their groups, but a bit of loyalty goes a long way.”

John DeMichele receives awards from the late company chairman Max Raine, and from Chris and Sue Weston, in the early 2000s. Photos: Raine and Horne Murraylands.

State general manager James Trimble says John and Kim exemplify everything that has made Raine and Horne the company it is today.

“What we do and how we represent ourselves is exactly how John and Kim are, the way they support each other and rally around their team,” he says.

“It’s like going into a family in that office, not a big sales engine, but it works, as you can see by the awards they’re winning.

“If I could get more people like John around the country, the company would be in even better shape than it is.”

When you need a real estate agent you can trust

Raine and Horne’s years of experience, locally and nationally, make it a real estate agency you can depend upon the next time you’re buying, selling or renting property.

They know what they’re talking about.

The team at Raine and Horne Murraylands are here to help you with advice on any real estate matter.

Visit www.raineandhorne.com.au/murraylands, call 8532 3833 or drop into the office at 4 Seventh Street, Murray Bridge.

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