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
  • Real Estate News

    Crown Group property developers’ sales rebound

    Australian property developer Crown Group says the Reserve Bank’s latest rate cut is welcomed by developers and is seeing a return of confidence among home buyers and property investors. Chairman and Group CEO Iwan Sunito said he had seen a surge in both confidence and buyer activity in the past two weeks, as a result of the federal election outcome.…

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  • Real Estate News

    Local heroes honoured in community campaign

    Laing+Simmons has revealed its 10 Real Heroes: the coaches, carers, volunteers and regular Aussie battlers who have each now received $5,000 as part of the company’s campaign honouring the ‘unreal efforts of real people’ in the community. The Real Heroes campaign saw Laing+Simmons give away $50,000 to 10 local heroes in the community after receiving hundreds of nominations from across…

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  • Real Estate News

    The best of the best on show at AREC’s Australasian Auctioneering Competition

    After the resounding success of last year’s inaugural competition, the AREC Australasian Auctioneering competition has now established itself as an integral part of the Australian Real Estate Conference. Under the direction of AREC founder John McGrath, the competition was judged by an independent panel of four, who awarded the AREC 2019 Australasian Auctioneer to New South Welshman, Jason Andrew from…

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  • Real Estate News

    @realty move into Tasmania

    @realty has launched in Tasmania, giving the company a presence in every state and territory in Australia except the Northern Territory. The agency has secured licensing to expand into Tasmania, and launched a recruitment drive, enticing agents with its unique model that allows the opportunity to choose where they work, and own 100 per cent of their rent roll. Headquartered…

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  • Real Estate News

    DiJONES opens private rooms for parents across all NSW offices

    DiJONES real estate has now opened a private room at all of their offices across NSW to allow mothers to breastfeed, and parents to change nappies and heat up food. DiJONES General Manager Kylie Walsh was frustrated with continuously watching parents sitting on the floor outside of public toilets trying to feed and change their babies, so a few years…

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  • Real Estate News

    Housing affordability improves while rental affordability declines: REIA

    Housing affordability marginally improved across the country in the March quarter of 2019 with the exception of the Northern Territory, according to research from the Real Estate Institute of Australia and Adelaide Bank. REIA President Adrian Kelly said the March quarter 2019 edition of the Adelaide Bank/REIA Housing Affordability Report found New South Wales had the largest improvement in housing…

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  • Real Estate News

    Richard Shalhoub returns to McGrath

    Prestige agent Richard Shalhoub is to return to McGrath after the company announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Mr Shalhoub’s business and assets in Sydney’s CBD and northern CBD harbourfront market. The total consideration is expected to be approximately $1.6 million and will be settled in cash, with the binding agreement expected to be completed in early…

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  • Real Estate News

    Stanton Hillier Parker relaunches Australian real estate arm

    Stanton Hillier Parker has announced it will re-open its real estate arm in Australia. The business will be under the guidance of new management, offering boutique property advisory services to a diversified range of clients Australia-wide. Stanton Hillier Parker was originally formed via the merger of Hillier Parker, first established in 1896 in the United Kingdom, and Stanton & Sons…

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  • Real Estate News

    UniLodge signs with Cohort Go to simplify student accommodation payments

    International edtech company Cohort Go has partnered with UniLodge Australia to roll out custom-built payments software that will make it easier for students to pay for their accommodation. UniLodge, a specialist accommodation provider for universities, colleges and TAFEs, manages over 70 properties across Australia. The partnership enables UniLodge to eliminate manual reconciliation of fortnightly student payment records, thanks to the…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    RBA cuts cash rate to 1.25 per cent – industry reacts

    In what was a widely expected move, the Reserve Bank of Australia has cut the cash rate to an all-time low of 1.25 per cent. At their monthly meeting on June 4, the Board elected to lower the cash rate by 25 basis points, explaining the decision was aimed at supporting employment growth and providing greater confidence that inflation would…

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  • Real Estate News

    Queensland wins LJ Hooker ‘Real Estate of Origin’

    As the Blues and Maroons prepare to don their jerseys and take to the field in Brisbane, Queensland has already been declared the victor in the LJ Hooker ‘Real Estate of Origin’. Head of Research, Mathew Tiller analysed the property market data from both states to compile the battle for open homes and auctions between QLD and NSW, and found…

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  • Real Estate News

    Sales activity falls in all Australian regions: CoreLogic

    The latest CoreLogic Regional Report reveals challenging property market performance across Australia’s regions, with falling sales activity in the 12 months to February 2019. Commenting on the regional report findings, CoreLogic research analyst Cameron Kusher said: “The regional markets are taking their lead from the capital cities, with the annual rate of value growth winding down across most regions. While…

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  • Real Estate News

    Hamish Mill wins 2019 Domain Golden Gavel Award

    The Society of Auctioneers & Appraisers has recognised the best auctioneers and appraisers in South Australia at the Domain Golden Gavel Awards. Held in Adelaide, the night saw the organisation present awards for categories such as ‘Top Real Estate Auctioneer’ and ‘Top Principal Auction Marketer’. Among the list of winners was Harcourts Williams sales consultant and auctioneer Hamish Mill who…

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  • Real Estate News

    Leading Ayr real estate firm chooses Raine & Horne to support rapid growth

    Anderson Real Estate of Ayr in North Queensland has partnered with Raine & Horne in a bid to take the growing operation to the next level. Established in 2013, Anderson Real Estate is an independent property management business run by former financial planner Peter Andersen, his wife Nora and their daughter Laura. “We have grown our property management business both…

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  • Real Estate News

    Leasing activity up 13 per cent in May: REIWA

    New reiwa.com rental data has revealed Perth tenant activity increased 13 per cent in May, with 4,316 properties leased during the month. REIWA Deputy President Lisa Joyce said activity in the Perth rental market had enjoyed a strong rebound this month, following a more subdued April. “In May, the suburbs that saw the biggest spike in leasing activity were Warnbro,…

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  • Real Estate News

    Ray White has a new office at Sydney’s Ramsgate Beach

    The Ray White Group has welcomed the expansion of the Brighton-Le-Sands team, with a new office now open at Ramsgate. Principals Peter Tsekenis and Elia Economou welcomed the office opening, noting an increased southern Sydney footprint had been their goal in recent years. “For at least the last three to four years we were planning to expand the business. Our…

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  • Real Estate News

    Housing downturn losing steam: CoreLogic

    The CoreLogic May 2019 home value index results have shown national dwelling values were down 0.4 per cent, the smallest month-on-month decline since May 2018. Although at a broad level dwelling values are still trending lower across the regions of Australia, the pace of declines eased further in May, continuing a trend that has been evident since the beginning of…

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  • Real Estate News

    End to part-time work for commission-only employees

    Part-time commission-only real estate employment is set to be phased out following a recent decision from the Fair Work Commission (FWC). What has changed? Senior Employment Relations Adviser from Employsure, Sophie Joselyn said the Real Estate Industry Award 2010 was thrown into the spotlight during the FWC’s four-year review, which ruled that part-time commission-only employment was ‘neither useful nor relevant’.…

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  • Real Estate News

    REIQ hits the road for the ‘Real Tour’

    The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is set to hit the road with an educational road-trip tour around regional Queensland. The ‘Real Tour’ is a day-long program of entertaining, educational sessions, closing with a fun networking session with all of the speakers. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the road trip was designed to bring the best of the REIQ…

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  • Real Estate News

    Harcourts announces top national performers

    Harcourts Group Australia capped off its annual conference with a black-tie awards gala to celebrate top performers in residential and commercial sales, property management and business achievements. Julianna Forsyth Baker received the company’s top accolade by being inducted into the Harcourts Hall of Fame. Harcourts Group Australia CEO Marcus Williams expressed his pride in the network for their work over…

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  • Real Estate News

    Stone Real Estate debuts in Ballarat

    Stone Real Estate has opened an office in Ballarat, Victoria with two well-known locals, Jarrod Cloke and Samantha Prince. Jarrod said Stone’s fresh modern brand is a perfect fit for the Ballarat property market. “This town is attracting so much interest from both buyers and investors that a sophisticated boutique agency like Stone is exactly what it needs,” he said.…

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  • Real Estate News

    LJ Hooker Avnu expands to Sydney’s Northern Districts

    LJ Hooker Avnu has announced its expansion into Sydney’s Northern Districts with the appointment of agent Benjamin Mulae and his team. Benjamin said he was attracted to LJ Hooker Avnu because of the efficiencies it will bring to him and his team. Joining Benjamin will be his associate agents Angie Wong and Martika Whitfield. “At Avnu my team will be…

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  • Real Estate News

    First National recognises more young leaders

    First National Real Estate has recognised four more young Australians for their community leadership by presenting them with the First National Real Estate Leadership & Innovation Awards through the 2019 Seven News Young Achiever Awards. The winners announced across four states at separate awards functions included: Victoria – Yasmin Poole, 20, of Williamstown (First National Leadership Award) Yasmin is the…

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  • Real Estate News

    Raine & Horne welcome Newcastle mega-office

    Raine & Horne has welcomed three independent Newcastle offices in Mayfield, Wallsend and New Lambton. In combination, the three offices have sold 6,000 properties since 2001. Raine & Horne Executive Chairman  Angus Raine said the Newcastle mega-office  is also one of the region’s foremost property managers, managing 1,500 rental properties. “Strategically, the Hunter is among our fastest growing regional growth…

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  • Real Estate News

    Belle Property launches in Cronulla with family-run team

    Belle Property has launched into Cronulla, opening a new office under the leadership of veteran agent and Principal, Frank Sotto. Frank has worked in real estate for many years across various brands, and takes on this new role alongside his wife and son. “When we moved to the Shire, we realised we needed to be providing a higher level of…

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  • Elite Agent

    Lessons from Purplebricks: A New Zealand perspective

    After two-and-a-half years of trading in Australia, the UK-based real estate start-up Purplebricks announced on 7 May this year that it was exiting the market. There is a lesson here for the real estate industry generally, and not just in Australia. It’s a lesson in real estate modelling. Take notice of what happens when the discount model comes to play…

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  • Real Estate News

    Buxton Hampton East welcomes return of Alex Spanidis

    The return of Alex Spanidis has strengthened the team at Buxton Hampton East. Having previously worked at the office for 13 years, Alex is a distinguished agent and auctioneer with almost 20 years experience, particularly in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs. Buxton Hampton East Director Adam Gillon said the office is thrilled to be welcoming him back to what is already an exceptional team.…

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  • Real Estate News

    Barry Plant boosts regional expansion with Benalla office

    The Barry Plant Group has expanded to the regional town of Benalla after signing an agreement with local Director and agent, Brenda Letson. Brenda said she chose to join the Barry Plant Group because of their commitment to an optimum client experience and long-term client relationships. “They also have an extensive training program across all aspects of real estate which…

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  • Real Estate News

    New leadership for Savills Project Management

    Savills Australia has announced the appointment of Ken Ng as new National Head to lead its Project Management division. Ken is charged with the position after 15 years with Savills, having joined the team as a Project Director in 2010 when the business acquired Incoll. He was appointed to Queensland State Director in 2015 and Savills Australia CEO Paul Craig said…

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  • Real Estate News

    RE/MAX Principal sheds locks for cancer foundation

    RE/MAX ‘Go For Sold’ owner Pamela Lee Burge has graciously sacrificed her locks in the name of a good cause. Based in Palmerston North in New Zealand, Mrs Lee Burge had her head shaved by local radio personality ‘Burnzee’ at the RE/MAX Go For Sold’s fourth annual Pink Ribbon Breakfast for Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand on May 25. When…

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  • Real Estate News

    Colliers International appoints new leader for Western Sydney growth

    Colliers International has appointed market leading commercial real estate expert Frank Oliveri to lead its ambitious growth plans in Western Sydney. Mr Oliveri joins Colliers International from CBRE, where he was the Managing Director for the Western Sydney, North Sydney, and South Sydney offices. He has spent the past 11 years specialising in investment sales within the Western Sydney and…

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  • Real Estate News

    Finalists for national property management awards announced

    The nation’s top property managers have been revealed, with 60 contenders listed as finalists in the PPM National Property Management Awards. The awards are renowned as the property management sector’s ‘night of nights’ and this year’s event will take place on 23 June on the Gold coast, in conjunction with the PPM Group’s National Property Management Conference. More than 120…

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  • Real Estate News

    Agents safer in the field thanks to ground-breaking technology

    Fully integrating workforces in the field with head office management and keeping tabs on vehicles and assets has always been problematic. Inputting operational field data into IT systems has been mired by the lack of real-time information, often being reliant on paper forms and regular data entry. It also comes with problems like non-compliance, inaccuracies, and week-long delays, leaving management…

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  • Real Estate News

    Five suburbs set to lead Sydney price rises

    Analysis by a Sydney buyer’s agent has revealed five leading-indicator suburbs set to be at the forefront of price gains during the city’s next growth cycle. Principal and buyer’s agent at Buyers Domain, Nick Viner, said by studying the data and applying on-the-ground knowledge, he has identified locations he considers beacons of overall price rises. “The facts are that certain…

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  • Real Estate News

    One Agency reports strong start to 2019

    Sydney-based Trans-Tasman network, One Agency, has reported a strong start to the year, already adding a dozen new members to the network with more on the way. CEO and Founder Paul Davies said the group continued to attract former franchised offices seeking a less constrained, more cost-efficient environment. “In both New Zealand and Australia we are also seeing a number…

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