Friday 13 July 2007

Adelaide's Melissa Cameron was so impressed with the service she received when buying a home-and-land package from Devine that she applied for a job with the company.

Against some 50 candidates, Melissa was appointed the Client Services Representative at Devine's Pirie Street headquarters, and is putting into practice her first-hand experience as a new home-owner.

Her liaison role eases purchasers through the many decisions that have to be made to ensure a dream home doesn't turn into a nightmare. This includes discussing plans, contracts, financing options, materials, finishes, colours, appliances and design matters, helping customers obtain government grants and entitlements, and keeping them fully apprised of construction progress.

"It's my dream job," said Melissa, who recently moved into her Devine home at 'Lakeside' in Andrews Farm with fiancé Luke Quick.

"Some people say building a new home is stressful, but we found the whole experience enjoyable and rewarding. Nothing was too much trouble for Devine, and everything was done according to our wishes.

"I was so impressed with the professionalism of the company and the quality of care from the then client service representative, Taryn Alderdice, that I set my heart on working for Devine."

When Taryn was promoted to the position of Operations Co-ordinator and Devine advertised her old job, Melissa was one of 50 applicants.

Although just 20, Melissa has strong people skills, cultivated by working in the hotel and hospitality industries since graduating from Trinity College in 2004. She is also in her second year of a Tourism and Hospitality Management Course at the University of South Australia.

"I'm relishing the opportunity Devine has given me," said Melissa, who is in the final week of her on-the-job training from Taryn.

"My aim is to make the experience for purchasers as smooth as I experienced. If things go as well as they should we can build a house in just 12 weeks."

Devine has an extensive range of home-and-land packages in Adelaide, starting from $210,000, and display homes at Salisbury, Playford Mews, Andrews Farm and Paringa View.

"There is strong demand for new homes which provide value-for-money, and Devine is focused on continuing to provide excellent value with modern family homes in desirable residential developments," said Devine's South Australian Manager, Steve Weightman.

"Our home designs and residential communities cater equally for first and second home buyers. All models have functional layouts to maximise the amount of useable space, rooms with an airy, open feel, and easy-care front and rear yards.

"We give careful consideration to living spaces, window placements and storage facilities."

Generally, master bedrooms have a walk-in robe and an en-suite, and supplementary bedrooms are fitted with built-ins. The designer kitchens have been carefully planned to ensure maximum functionality is achieved whilst acting as a focal point of the home.

Internal schemes have been professionally put together, taking much of the 'pain' out of having to select item by item.

Devine homes within Devine Communities Estates come with

    * quality aluminium windows with choice of powder-coated coloured finishes
    * maintenance-free Colorbond metal fascia and gutters
    * Landscaping, including entertaining patios to some designs
    * fencing
    * driveways
    * and a choice of external and internal colour schemes

They carry:

    * a five-year structural warranty
    * a three-month maintenance period
    * and a minimum four-star energy efficiency rating

Devine's estates maintain the integrity of a human-scale neighbourhood, which encourages residents to stroll around and mix with their neighbours.

"We aim to create modern, dynamic residential communities in harmony with their surroundings and constructed to ecologically sustainable parameters," said Mr Weightman. "We embrace leading environmental techniques to conserve resources, minimise pollution, protect biodiversity and provide a quality lifestyle."

Devine's residential communities incorporate landscaped gardens, tree-lined streets, and community reserves with grassed areas for active and passive recreation.

They are open for inspection seven days a week, with details on www.devine.com.au

Released by: Devine South Australia, Ground floor, 212 Pirie Street, Adelaide 5001
Contacts:Melissa Cameron, Client Services Representative, Ph: (08) 8306 5656
Steve Weightman, SA State Manager, (08) 8306 5678, 0411 866 443
Paul Nash, National GM Housing & Land, on 0439 730 424

Prepared by: Barry Hyland, PR Plus, Level 1, 272 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest 2065;
Ph: (02) 9439 9191, (0412) 354 992; Email: pluspr@ozemail.com.au