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
  • Elite AgentElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    RISE2020 – A conference with a conscience

    A stellar line-up of some of real estate’s top performers will gather in Melbourne next April to put their weight behind a new initiative to support good mental health.  RISE2020 is more than just a real estate conference. It’s a conference with a conscience. Proceeds from the event will go towards seed funding for a mental health resource for the…

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  • LEADERSHIP

    Conquering digital mastery in real estate – and educating disadvantaged kids at the same time

    It’s no secret that the digital world can be confusing, competitive and relied on methods of leads and visibility can change in a heartbeat. In an ever-changing market driven by digital, it’s more important than ever that the real estate industry masters digital media.  And with big players of the industry changing the interaction between consumers and agents, agencies need…

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  • Real Estate News

    12 Sydney property market predictions for 2020

    1. Property owners will continue to sit on their handsListings will continue to be at relatively low levels as a significant proportion of property owners will wait and ‘time the market’ until they are certain prices have peaked again. For this reason, Sydney property buyers might be rewarded with more stock at the end of 2020. Once this happens, prices will…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    New regulations to make short-term rentals more appealing to investors

    A 25-year veteran of the real estate industry has predicted the short-term rental market may prove a more attractive option for property investors and urged real estate professionals to recognise its importance. Scott Mackey built a 400-strong rent roll at RE/MAX Precision in Bundaberg but sold it this year to further expand his short-term rental (STR) business, incorporating Airbnb, which…

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  • Real Estate News

    Former REIQ BDM joins @realty

    Former Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) Business Development Manager Karen Woodworth has joined national real estate network @realty. Ms Woodworth will assume the role of @realty Business Development Manager, helping to steer the company’s continued growth, following its recent expansion in to Tasmania and the Northern Territory. @realty director James Taylor said Ms Woodworth was with the REIQ for…

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  • Real Estate News

    The Paramount Group rebrands two offices to Century 21

    Century 21 has welcomed The Paramount Group to its network with the rebranding of their Camden and Gregory Hills offices in the South-West region of Sydney. With more than 30 years of combined real estate experience, Principals Domenic Bonfiglio and Henry Fernandez, along with their dedicated team, will service clients in the Camden, Gregory Hills and surrounding suburbs under the…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    Property at forefront of NSW trillion-dollar future

    The Property Council of Australia has backed the NSW 2040 Economic Blueprint released this week, which says creating liveable and connected cities is a key aspiration for the state. The landmark NSW 2040 Economic Blueprint: Investing in the State’s Future presents a 20-year economic vision for the state, predicting New South Wales will be the first trillion-dollar economy in Australia.…

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  • Real Estate News

    20 holiday hotspots primed for price growth

    New research has revealed 20 holiday locations poised for growth over the next three years, with East Ballina taking out the top spot with a predicted median house price growth of up to 28 per cent. The analysis by SuburbGrowth.com.au – part of the Select Residential Property Research Group (SRP) – identified suburbs in four states where prices were predicted…

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  • Real Estate NewsElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Call for government to raise price caps for first home buyers

    On of the nation’s most awarded mortgage brokers is calling for the government to lift price caps on first home loan schemes, saying first-time buyers in Sydney and Melbourne might as well not waste their time. Zippy Financial Director and Principal Broker Louisa Sanghera said the property price caps in the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme were set so low…

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  • Real Estate News

    Gold Coast paper names area’s top 10 agents

    LJ Hooker Mudgeeraba‘s Braden Lamb has been voted the Gold Coast’s best real estate agent by Gold Coast Bulletin readers. Mr Lamb, who came out on top of the poll of 10 finalists, said his interest in real estate came from an early age as he watched his parents buy, renovate and sell properties, and he went on to buy…

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  • Elite AgentElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Cost of insurance for real estate agents drops

    SME retailers and professionals, including real estate agents, have seen price reductions on their Public Liability insurance. The news comes despite inflation and despite the fact prices have remained steady across other products and occupations. In the last quarter, the annual inflation rate in Australia rose to 1.6 percent, with food inflation at its highest in five years and transport…

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  • Elite Agent

    Knight Frank’s top predictions for commercial real estate in 2020 and beyond

    The Australian commercial real estate market will see further growth in capital values and strong returns, as the impact of lower interest rates flows through and creates the conditions for yield compression, according to the latest research from Knight Frank. Ben Burston, Knight Frank's Chief Economist said "The Australian economy should gradually regain momentum in 2020…

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  • Real Estate News

    The Agency WA to launch new Wembley office

    The Agency Group Australia is further expanding its reach in the Perth property market with the appointment of highly-experienced sales agents and upcoming launch of a new office in the sought-after inner-city suburb of Wembley. Well-regarded real estate agent Paul Tonich, along with his colleagues Corey Adamson, Jon Williams and Luke Martin, have joined the Western Australian team and will…

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  • Real Estate NewsElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    REIWA calls on West Aussies to help those in need this festive season

    With more than 300,000 people seeking help from The Salvation Army each year during the festive season, REIWA is encouraging West Australians to get behind the Salvos’ Annual Christmas Appeal to help bring holiday cheer to those in need. REIWA President Damian Collins said the holiday season can be especially challenging for those struggling to make ends meet. “This is…

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  • Real Estate News

    Ray White Toowong welcomes new leader

    Ray White Toowong has a new Principal at the helm, with long-term local agent Kris Matthews taking the reins of the blue chip Brisbane office. Mr Matthews, who has been with Ray White his entire real estate career of eight years, noted he was excited by the prospect of taking this career step into business ownership. In a stylish transition,…

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  • Real Estate News

    Openn Negotiation doubles bidders and halves time on market for McGrath Geelong

    An online sales property purchasing system generating buyer competition and selling properties faster has the potential to “break the industry in half”, according to one Principal using the system. McGrath Geelong Principal Will Ainsworth has sold 18 properties using Openn Negotiation, which enables buyers to submit flexible terms for the vendor’s approval, allowing more people to participate in bidding and…

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  • Real Estate News

    Strategy is key, says winning auctioneer from The Block

    When Queensland newlyweds Tess and Luke took out The Block auctions in August, it was largely thanks to experienced auctioneer David Wood. The hockingstuart auctioneer sold the property for an unprecedented $3.62 million – his third win on The Block which he puts down to his market knowledge, buyer profiling and auctioneering style. Mr Wood, who has conducted 3,000 auctions…

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  • Real Estate News

    Top 10 suburbs to retire and build equity

    When it comes to their golden years, there are three essential factors retirees should take into account when choosing property, according to RiskWise Property Research. RiskWise CEO Doron Peleg said lifestyle, relative affordability and building equity should all be considered by those leaving the workforce behind for the easy life. And a RiskWise analysis has…

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  • Real Estate NewsElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    REIQ opposes Queensland rental reforms

    The Real Estate Institute of Queensland has strongly opposed the state’s proposed new rental reform laws, claiming they are a “slap in the face to every day mum and dad property owners” and would “significantly damage” the Queensland rental market. The REIQ claimed stage one of the proposal, announced last Friday by Housing Minister Mick de Brenni, would see renters…

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  • Real Estate NewsElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Victorian land values skyrocketing

    Real Estate Institute Victoria President, Leah Calnan says said, Victoria is a great place to invest with land prices having soared since 2014. A recent analysis by the REIV on land values over the past 5 years has confirmed that Victorian property continues to go from strength to strength. Over the same period, the median property size has dropped slightly,…

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  • Real Estate News

    Domain launches app to help owners track property demand

    Owning a home can be stressful. Should you rent it, sell it or just sit tight? Today, this decision has become easier with the launch of Domain for Owners.This feature from Domain lets owners see current, personalised information including demand for properties like theirs, how it has changed over time and its estimated value, all with…

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  • Elite AgentElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Five Australian cities among world’s best for luxury residential price growth

    Five Australian cities have ranked in the top 30 cities around the world for luxury residential price growth, according to the latest global research from Knight Frank. The Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index – Q3 2019, which tracks the movement in prime residential prices across 45 cities worldwide, revealed Sydney was ranked 17 for luxury price growth, followed by Melbourne…

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  • Real Estate News

    Program set to benefit agents who help other agents

    @realty is launching an Australian first-of-its-kind revenue sharing program which will pay it forward to agents who bring others to the network. The @realty Ambassador Program offers agents who are instrumental in bringing on other agents to @realty a passive income from the sales the new agent makes, without impacting the new agent’s income. Directors James and JJ Taylor said…

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  • Real Estate News

    Century 21 opens new Sunshine Coast office

    Century 21 has celebrated the opening of its newest Queensland office, Century 21 Living Local in Woombye. Led by Principal Gary De Paoli, who has more than 15 years’ real estate experience, Century 21 Living Local will service clients in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland. Mr De Paolo’s agency Riddell Real Estate has been selling and managing properties within…

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  • Real Estate NewsElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Short-term PM platform Guesty arrives in Australia

    Israeli-born short-term rental property management platform Guesty has announced its Australian debut. The launch will expand Guesty’s presence to 11 global centres throughout Europe, UK, US, Middle East and now Australia, with plans for further entry into Asia Pacific cities including New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong. Guesty has identified Australia as a key market with short-term rentals on the…

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  • Real Estate News

    AI agent sells new luxury address in Western Sydney

    The new Nepean Rise luxury apartment project in Jamistown, just moments from Penrith CBD, is being sold by Emma. Emma is the country’s most advanced virtual selling agent, with a depth of AI learning capacity drawn from a bigger data lake than any other real estate bot has ever been powered by. Laing+Simmons Projects, in…

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  • Real Estate News

    “Aussie” Harcourts Auctions to launch in San Francisco

    Harcourts International has announced the launch of Harcourts Auctions in the San Francisco Bay area. Previously only available to Harcourts, this move will mean the Harcourts Auctions platform will now be a service model available to all brokerages and brands within the Northern California region. Known for changing mindsets when it comes to the concept of sale by auction of…

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  • Real Estate News

    Ray White and Loan Market to launch into Fremantle

    With the strength of Australasia’s largest real estate brand behind them, Brett and Julia Oliver, Candice Geiles and Robert Crawford are excited to be opening the first Ray White and Loan Market collaboration in the heart of the port city business district.  With over 20 years experience in the real estate industry, Brett Oliver says…

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  • Real Estate News

    Agents join forces to lead future of real estate in Essendon

    The Moonee Valley real estate market is set for a shake-up as two of the area’s prominent agents join forces to become Jellis Craig Essendon.  The Essendon team will be led by existing Jellis Craig directors John Morello and Simon Mason alongside former Considine Real Estate director Chauntel Considine and former Frank Dowling Estate Agents partner, Christian Lonzi.  The long-established…

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  • Real Estate NewsElite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Domain announces acquisition of Real Time Agent

    Domain has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Bidtracker Holdings, which operates the business Real Time Agent. The on-target consideration for the proposed transaction is $24.8 million, $19.4 million of which is payable in cash on completion. An additional amount of between $0 and $15.6 million in cash is payable based on the achievement of defined targets over FY20…

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  • Real Estate News

    Percy Eccles joins the Professionals network

    Long-time Warrnambool realtor Percy Eccles has joined the Professionals network in a move aimed at keeping pace with growth in the local property market. Mr Eccles, best known as the principal of Percy Eccles Real Estate, has assembled an expanded team to operate under the Professionals Warrnambool banner from November 4. The office, to be…

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  • Real Estate News

    Stone Real Estate opens in Brisbane

    Stone Real Estate has made its first foray into the Queensland capital, with a North Brisbane agency joining the brand. Led by directors Tristan and Samantha Rowland, Stone Real Estate Aspley commenced trading on November 12. The move is as significant for the couple as it is for Stone Real Estate. Principal, Tristan Rowland, has held the number one agent…

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  • Real Estate News

    Ray White’s 2019 Elite Conference looks to the future

    This year more than 130 Ray White Chairman’s Elite and Elites jetted to Bali for their annual retreat, but this year, the agenda was developed by the group’s high performing members. Ray White Head of Performance Management Adam Downes surveyed the elite sales people before the conference to determine which topics of discussions were prioritised.…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    Soho releases Tinder-type property match

    A social network for property hunting has launched a Tinder-type property match feature that gives users the power to swipe yes or no on real estate listings. Soho launched the new feature on SohoApp.com four weeks ago and CEO Jonathan Lui said the number of swipes has grown 30 times. He predicts at this pace, it could overtake traditional search…

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  • Real Estate News

    Managing agent appointed for Aspen’s $20 million Perth rental portfolio

    Accommodation provider Aspen Group has invested in 84 properties in the Perth real estate market, appointing The Agency as sole property management provider for the $20 million investment. The deal marks a significant uplift in The Agency’s Perth portfolio from 1,025 to 1,109 and takes the national property management portfolio to 4,671. From January to the calendar year to date,…

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