News Room

If you have any news for the Real Estate industry - whether you are a professional or a supplier to the industry, please email us: newsroom@eliteagent.com
  • WA Real Estate News

    WA announces rent relief package

    The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia has welcomed the McGowan Government’s announcement for rent assistance to help property owners who have been left to burden the costs of those struggling to make their rent payments due to the impacts of COVID-19.   REIWA President Damian Collins said last week legislation was passed through parliament which protected the rights of tenants,…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    MRI Software appoints key executives to support global growth

    Real estate software solutions company MRI Software has strengthened its leadership team with two key executive appointments. Roman Telerman has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer from Vice President of Finance, and experienced software executive David Bowie has joined the team as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific. MRI Software’s Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ghilani said Mr Telerman…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Private inspections to make a comeback in NZ

    With New Zealand set to come out of lockdown after the Anzac Day weekend, real estate agents are preparing for private viewings to recommence The country will move to Alert Level 3 just before midnight on Monday, April 27, and from next Tuesday, all businesses deemed to be capable of operating “safely” will be permitted to do so. Minister of…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    REIA backs Government’s COVID-19 tracing app

    The Real Estate Institute of Australia has encouraged real estate professionals to download the Government’s new COVID-19 tracing app and play a part in tackling the virus. The app, which would allow health authorities to trace who people had been in contact with quicker than manual contact tracing, has come under fire for privacy concerns, but REIA President Adrian Kelly…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Stamp duty reduction a missed opportunity: REINSW

    The Real Estate Industry of New South Wales (REINSW) is calling on the State Government to slash stamp duty in response to the economic fallout from COVID-19. Noting the industry has argued for the removal of stamp duty for years, the industry body now says reducing it offers a lifeline. “We’ve called it inefficient, unreasonable, unfair, an unnecessary burden and,…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    How actor Sam Neill sold his Double Bay property online

    Actor Sam Neill has sold his Double Bay property for an undisclosed amount believed to be over $3.6m to an Australian bidder currently in Hong Kong via online auction. The online marketing for the home was headlined “Vendor wants fast sale”. Selling agent Paul Ephron used the Openn Negotiation App to make that a reality for his client. After only…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    REIV Charitable Foundation reaches out to support children in homeless families

    The Real Estate Institute of Victoria charitable Foundation has donated $20,000 to Launch Housing to help 60 at-risk children without stable housing to access crucial support and supplies. The donation follows a $10,000 donation to Launch Housing in 2019, which was able to benefit 27 people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Chair of the REIV Charitable Foundation Sophie Lyon…

    Read More »
  • NT Real Estate News

    Darwin property market holding steady

    Seemingly against the odds and market predictions, Darwin real estate continues to hold steady with owner-occupiers and interstate investors continuing to purchase local homes.  According to the latest figures by Raine & Horne, Darwin property values show no signs of significant falls, while rental vacancy rates also remain stable at 4 per cent. Rental arears are only up marginally from…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Would you buy a home without stepping foot inside?

    US-based website realtor.com has released the results of a new consumer survey highlighting COVID-19’s impact on home buying, selling and moving in the age of social distancing. The survey found that American consumers, especially younger demographics, want virtual tours and are warming to the idea of buying a home without visiting it in person. Realtor.com and Toluna Insights surveyed 1,300 consumers during the…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Qld Government backflips on rental relief package

    The Queensland Government has backed down on its initial coronavirus rental relief package saying they will continue to listen and work with stakeholders in the finalisation of COVID-19 tenancy measures. Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said he would be working through with stakeholders the implications to resolve all concerns. “Queensland was one of the first states out…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Propic makes AI technology available for free during pandemic

    Real estate software service provider Propic will make its AI technology available for free to all real estate businesses, irrespective of size, to support the industry through the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the changing needs of businesses and customers, the AI technology has been trained to answer a variety of different coronavirus-related questions. Valued at thousands of dollars, Propic’s…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Qld agent sets new bidding record on Openn Negotiation

    A Queensland property has taken out the record for the greatest number of bids placed in an Openn Negotiation sale, with 67 total bids made in 11 days. The house located at 133 Turner Street, Scarborough, settled earlier this month for almost $200k above reserve. Brendan Homan from Innov8 Property, the agent at the helm of this sale, has been…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Record realestate.com.au audience shows Australia’s property passion remains

    Leading real estate website realestate.com.au has achieved a new record audience for March, with 10.7 million people visiting the site. The milestone comes as the real estate industry is being forced to operate under new guidelines in order to minimise the spread of COVID-19. Realestate.com.au has remained laser-focused on helping the property industry adapt to new operating requirements with limited face-to-face interactions.…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Victoria fast-tracks legislation to support landlords and tenants in COVID-19

    The Victorian Government will bring urgent legislation to the Parliament next week to support tenants and landlords through the coronavirus pandemic by reforming residential and commercial tenancy laws. The laws include introducing a temporary ban on evictions, pausing rental increases for six months, and providing land tax relief for landlords and rent relief for tenants experiencing financial hardship. In line…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Ray White Manly’s 1000 courtesy calls to the area’s elderly

    Ray White Manly has sought to ensure the local community knows there is always someone else on the end of the phone should they need it, undertaking more than 1000 courtesy calls to the elderly in their area. “We have a great relationship with our local MP, so my Sales Associate Jack Chadwick and I reached out to see if there…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    NSW Government unveils $440 million land tax break to support tenants and landlords

    NSW commercial tenants significantly impacted by COVID-19 will have greater protection from evictions with the State Government set to enact the National Cabinet Code of Conduct as part of a $440 million land tax relief package.  The measures will apply to commercial leases where the tenant is in financial distress due to COVID-19, including but not limited to shops, cafes,…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    A journey with a twist: How Ray White’s Tony McPherson finally made it home

    “Linda and I had planned a cruise some time ago to celebrate a milestone birthday and tick off some bucket-list destinations,” Mr McPherson explained. “We flew to Buenos Aires to join a cruise that included the Falkland Islands, around Cape Horn, up the coast of Chile to Lima in Peru, then on land to Cusco, Machu Picchu, back to Argentina,…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Northern Territory announces business relief for payroll, power, rent and rates

    The Northern Territory Government is offering incentives for commercial landlords to reduce rents during the COVID-19 crisis. An additional $180 million committed to the NT Jobs Rescue and Recovery Plan will help Territory businesses who need relief on the cost of their lease by offering extra support to commercial landlords so they in turn do the right thing by their tenants.…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Mandatory code of conduct for Commercial Tenancies announced by Cabinet

    Commercial Tenancies The National Cabinet agreed that states and territories would implement the attached mandatory Code of Conduct (the Code), including via legislation or regulation as appropriate, to implement the principles agreed on Friday 3 April. The Code builds on the draft codes submitted by landlord and tenant representative bodies in the commercial property sector.…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    ATO introduces claim shortcut for working from home

    The ATO has announced people working from home as a result of COVID-19 can claim a rate of 80 cents per hour for all their running expenses, rather than calculating specific costs.

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    REA’s new COVID-19 features and support recapped

    REA Group has announced a raft of new features to assist agents as they navigate the COVID-19 landscape and this week they moved to clarify what is currently available along with ongoing support measures. Noting the situation continues to evolve, REA CEO Owen Wilson last week said the focus is clear: to provide customers with ongoing flexible support measuresto launch…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Call for essential services clarity in strata management

    Australia’s peak body for strata title properties has called on the Federal Health Department to clearly define the role of essential services in strata as its close-knit communities deal with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.Strata Community Association (SCA) is the industry body for Body Corporate and Community Title Management (also referred to as Strata Management, Strata Title or Owners Corporation Management)…

    Read More »
  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    REIA seeks award variation from Fair Work to keep industry employed

     The REIA, on behalf of the state and territory Real Estate Institutes, has made a submission to the Fair Work Commission to vary the Real Estate Industry Award 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to keep as many real estate salespeople employed as possible.  “Currently the Award requires that an agent make at least $54.5k pa – the Minimum…

    Read More »
  • Elite Agent

    $10,000 grants to relieve NSW small businesses

    Thousands of small businesses across NSW struggling to cope with the COVID-19 shutdown will receive grants of up to $10,000 under a new assistance scheme announced today by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope. The NSW Government will put $750 million into the Small Business Support…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    REIV calls for a 6-month moratorium on changes to rental laws

    The Real Estate Institute of Victoria has called on the Andrews’ Government to push out the commencement date of more than 130 rental law changes due to commence on 1 July. REIV President Leah Calnan stressed that Victoria’s focus needs to be solely on battling Coronavirus and keeping jobs sustainable, and now is not the time to be introducing new…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    How to manage your finances through the pandemic

    Concerning new research reveals 4.2 million working Australians were living hand to mouth well before the coronavirus crisis. Now, with potentially millions of people without savings facing unemployment in the wake of the shutdowns, experts are asking if the Government’s cash handouts can get struggling Aussies through the crisis? The findings come from an independent survey of a nationally representative…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    The real cost of a repayment pause – and how you can minimise the fallout

    CBA's announcement today that customers who take a six-month repayment pause will be refunded interest-on-interest charges during this time will help families struggling to make ends meet. This measure, and the major banks' offer of a repayment pause for people in severe financial hardship will help thousands of Australians at a time when they need…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    The Agency implements measures to protect jobs and ensure team retention

    The Agency Group has announced a raft of business continuity measures to ensure staff retention during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Noting the measures had been welcomed by the vast majority of its staff, they said the initiatives would have no impact on group’s ability to deliver industry-leading real estate services to its clients, property agents, home buyers and sellers, landlords…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Victorian property sells $52k over reserve with Openn Negotiation

    Online real estate auction platform Openn Negotiation has reported a successful weekend as the industry turns to the online realm for property auctions. Open Negotiation said its first sale for the weekend occurred at 6pm Friday night, shepherding in a positive weekend of activity. “34 Maitland Street, Geelong West, Victoria has just been successfully sold by Real Estate Geelong agent…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Property valuers call for equity release during COVID-19 crisis

    Australia’s largest independent property valuation and advisory firm has called for easier access to existing equity in homes and investment properties would to ease financial pressure for Aussies during the COVID-19 crisis. Herron Todd White CEO Gary Brinkworth said both the government and regulators must urgently work with financiers to unlock this source of stored wealth and help struggling individuals…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    REIA announces 2020 REIA National Awards for Excellence winners

    The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) announce the winners of the 15th National Awards for Excellence. Due to the measures currently in place surrounding  COVID-19, the event planned to be held in Darwin on 2 April 2020 was cancelled.  REIA President Adrian Kelly said whilst this was disappointing it was inevitable for the safety and wellbeing of all concerned. …

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    realestate.com.au launches digital inspections

    realestate.com.au has announced the launch of a new digital feature to support real estate agents. The move is in response to the government's stricter social distancing measures and allows agents to connect with more consumers in a way that reflects today’s environment with limited social interactions. In light of new government restrictions on group open-for-inspections,…

    Read More »
  • Elite Agent

    How to make your business more financially resilient

    John Knight is a qualified accountant and business strategist who shared his tips on business resilience in the face of Coronavirus with Sam McLean

    Read More »
  • Real Estate News

    Ray White lobbies for ‘essential’ real estate services

    The Ray White Group, along with all major real estate brands,  is set to lobby the Federal Government in order for its national members to be deemed an “essential service”,  the same as the financial services industry, in a bid to prevent a catastrophic fallout in the property sector. Ray White Group Managing Director Dan…

    Read More »
  • Real Estate NewsAdrian Kelly

    Conduct of open homes and public auctions by real estate agents

    On Sunday night, the Prime Minister made it very clear that all Australians should immediately cease unnecessary travel and cease all unnecessary social interaction in order to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. With this in mind, the Real Estate Institute of Australia is now calling on all real estate agents across Australia to make significant changes to the way…

    Read More »