History of Enting Real Estate Ltd

Enting Real Estate Limited was originally established in the 1930s by Mr P S Enting (Syd) along with Mr A C Sceats; first as Enting, Sceats and Co, then changing to Enting & Enting when Mr Sceats left and Syd's brother Mr M M Enting joined. The office was originally located above the 'Milk Bar' on Stafford Street, Timaru. Enting & Enting specialised as insurance brokers (agents for Lloyd's Insurance), land agents and commission agents.

Enting & Enting was purchased by Zona Mitchell in February 1978 who incorporated the company to Enting Real Estate Limited. Zona ran Enting Real Estate for 25 years at two different locations, on Sophia Street and Elizabeth Street, before retiring. Zona was considered a local icon - many South Canterbury locals bought, sold, and rented property through her. Zona was an avid astrologist - famously consulting the stars before accepting an offer from Murray and Lesley Groundwater (the current owners) to buy her company.

Murray Groundwater, a nationally recognised top rural salesperson and Lesley Groundwater bought Enting Real Estate Limited from Zona Mitchell in 2003. Murray and Lesley started operating as a franchise of LJ Hooker, together growing the sales team and amassing an ever-growing rent role under the direction of Lesley.

In 2021, the Groundwaters purchased LJ Hooker Geraldine and Waimate from local industry legend Audre Ramsay's estate.

As of 2023, Murray still owns and manages Enting Real Estate Limited with Lesley managing the property management side of the business; and their son Ben Groundwater is taking an ever-increasing role in directing the company to its future.

Over the years, the face and location of the office has changed...