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
  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    REA Group Limited to acquire Hometrack Australia

    REA Group Limited (ASX:REA) has announced that realestate.com.au Pty Ltd has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Hometrack Australia Pty Ltd (“Hometrack Australia”) subject to ACCC approval. Hometrack Australia is a residential property data company and subsidiary of Hometrack Data Systems, which is owned by UK listed ZPG Plc (LSE:ZPG). Hometrack Australia is a provider of property data…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWSelite agent news room

    Negative Gearing Supports Renters and Housing Affordability: HIA

    “Reports in The Australian on ATO data show that almost two thirds of investors are on an average income of less than $80,000,” said HIA’s Principal Economist, Tim Reardon. Independent research undertaken for HIA by The CIE concluded that increasing the tax on investing in residential homes will force up rental prices, worsen housing affordability and reduce economic activity. The…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    RE/MAX Revolution opens in New Zealand

    Recently in New Zealand, RE/MAX Revolution showed its star calibre at its official opening, an event described by RE/MAX New Zealand and RE/MAX Australia Managing Director Michael Davoren as the ‘greatest attendance at any office opening in his real estate career of more than 35 years’. Around 250 attended, comprising clients and suppliers whom RE/MAX Revolution broker owner Don Ha…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    First National Real Estate returns to Grafton

    First National Real Estate has announced the opening of a new office in Grafton. First National Real Estate Grafton joins more than 400 successful members throughout Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and offers the most progressive property services currently available. “Leveraging the success of First National Real Estate Yamba, our new Grafton office will offer clients a range…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    rent.com.au acquires RentPay from MYOB

    Rental property website rent.com.au has announced that it is expanding its service offering to rental payments by acquiring RentPay, a rental payments system from a subsidiary of MYOB Group Limited. Rent.com.au has entered into an agreement with MYOB, leading provider of business solutions to 1.2m businesses across Australia and New Zealand, to acquire the RentPay system and customer base. RentPay…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWSelite agent news room

    First National Real Estate Leadership Awards recognise young change-makers

    Some young up-and-comers have been recognised with First National Real Estate Leadership Awards. Grant Milbourne, 28, of Lenah Valley was the winner at the 2018 Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards and was presented with his title by Ray Ellis, Chief Executive of First National. Mr Milbourne founded ‘I’ME’ or Insight Mindfulness Education, a not-for-profit organisation that supports youth wellbeing and mental health.…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Ray White Myrtleford’s new owners are familiar faces

    Sandra Dondio is continuing her swift rise up the real estate industry ranks as she takes over ownership of Ray White Myrtleford, with the support of her husband Dean Johnson. Ms Dondio was born and raised in the attractive northeast Victorian town of Myrtleford, which is on the scenic Great Alpine Road between Wangaratta and Bright. Almost three years after…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWSelite agent news room

    Vendors look to social media for faster results

    New data shows vendors can potentially sell their home faster by choosing to list their home through @realty’s new Home Booster social media platform. Home Booster, which is used by @realty agents Australia-wide, has generated a total of more than 21,000 leads for the 50 vendors who have listed their home on the platform in recent months. @realty agents list…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWSelite agent news room

    APRA throws property investors a lifeline with benchmark removal

    An announcement from APRA to remove the investor loan growth benchmark will see some banks cut investor rates to lure back more investors into the lucrative sector. Banks introduced higher rates for investor loans following the introduction of the cap on investor lending, announced in December 2014. Today, RateCity.com.au data shows the gap between owner-occupiers paying principal and interest and…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Starr Partners expands further into south-west Sydney

    Starr Partners is expanding further into the growing south-west Sydney region, with a new office due to open in Narellan on 1 May. The Narellan office will be the sixth addition to the string of successful offices already operating in the south-western suburbs, including Campbelltown, Liverpool, Miller, Bankstown and Minto. Starr Partners CEO Douglas Driscoll said, “We are focused on…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Ray White welcomes Aaron McDonald back to the agency

    Melbourne auctioneer and agent Aaron McDonald has been welcomed back to one of Victoria’s leading agencies, Ray White, with open arms. Mr McDonald said he was excited be back at Ray White after running his own business and working with a local agency, where he was awarded the number one sales agent from 2014 to 2017. He has successfully helped…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Agent Katheryn Purdy joins Di Jones Wahroonga

    Di Jones Real Estate continues a string of appointments with sales agent Katheryn Purdy joining its Wahroonga team. “A specialist in the St Ives area, Katheryn is a strong negotiator with a passion for providing exceptional client service,” Di Jones CEO Rob Ward said. “Katheryn is highly skilled at creating strategic sales and marketing campaigns to suit the specific needs…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    NGU Real Estate opens Greater Springfield office

    NGU Real Estate is proud to announce the opening of its Greater Springfield office. NGU Real Estate Greater Springfield is the innovative real estate agency’s sixth office to launch since the Queensland-based company opened its doors two years ago. NGU Real Estate CEO Emil Juresic is thrilled to have NGU Real Estate Greater Springfield director Kurt Cockburn on board. “Kurt…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Century 21 agents to get some inspirational island time at the start of winter

    Century 21 agents will experience an endless summer this year with the network’s Australasian Convention to be held on Hamilton Island in early June. Hundreds of agents from across Australia and New Zealand will be treated to internationally renowned speakers, cutting-edge training and exciting new company announcements – all planned around special events that will exploit the breathtaking views of…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Top Ray White principal advises The Mentor

    Matt Lancashire, the number one selling principal in Ray White’s Queensland network, was humbled to be chosen by businessman Mark Bouris for his new hit reality TV show, The Mentor. The first of Seven’s new seven-part reality makeover series The Mentor, which aired last night, centred on a family real estate agency in Moreton Bay. “I felt humbled that Mark…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Elders recognises Rob Rickard for the seventh year in a row

    Elders Rural Real Estate Sales Specialist, Rob Rickard, has been recognised at the Elders Real Estate Awards as National Rural Salesperson of the Year, together with Victorian Salesperson of the Year for the seventh consecutive year. Servicing the Camperdown and Mortlake region since 2001, Mr Rickard attributes his success to offering a high level of service to clients within his…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    The Hills continue to be green pastures for Century 21

    The success Century 21 has enjoyed in booming north-west Sydney is set to reach new heights with star Hills agent, Martin Baldacchino, opting to open Century 21 The Hills District with Rafi Younes, one of the network’s most successful agents and franchise owners. Mr Baldacchino and Mr Younes both enjoy Centurion status within the network, one of Century 21’s highest…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    AI partnership to help Juwai.com overcome language barriers

    Chinese international property portal Juwai.com and Macau-based artificial intelligence and service robot pioneer Singou Technology Ltd. have signed a new partnership that will see Juwai.com deploy Singou’s AI engine to enhance the consumer service it provides to Chinese international property buyers. Juwai.com will also begin distributing to the property industry and to homeowners the robot Butler 1, Singou’s newest model.…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    Harcourts recognised for Excellence in Events

    At the Meeting and Events Australia 2017 Industry Awards, Harcourts was honoured with the Corporate Event of the Year award. The awards recognise excellence in the meetings and events industry across Queensland. As a state winner, Harcourts is amongst the national finalists for the Meeting and Events Australia Gala Awards to be held on May 8 in Adelaide. “Winning the…

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  • Commercial Real Estate

    Barangaroo South wins NSW’s top property honour

    Sydney’s largest urban regeneration project, Barangaroo South, has picked up the state’s top property honour. Lendlease was presented with the Property Council of Australia’s RLB NSW Development of the Year award at a cocktail reception this evening. Barangaroo South will eventually accommodate 23,000 office workers, 2,000 residents, a six-star hotel and 80-plus cafés, bars, restaurants and retail outlets across 535,000…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWSelite agent news room

    Di Jones urges support for Dress for Success

    Donations of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories are being accepted at the office of Di Jones Real Estate Beecroft as part of a drive to help support women in their return to the job market. Di Jones CEO Rob Ward said the Beecroft branch has committed to the charity, Dress for Success, in 2017 and will again be a drop-off…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWSelite agent news room

    Affordability improving in most capital cities: HIA

    “Affordability improved in most of Australia’s capital cities during the first three months of 2018 as house price pressures eased,” said Shane Garrett, HIA Senior Economist. HIA’s Affordability Index is calculated for each of the eight capital cities and regional areas on a quarterly basis and takes into account latest dwelling prices, mortgage interest rates and wage developments. The results…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Harcourts expands with three new business partnerships

    Harcourts Group Australia has announced three new national business partnerships. “The new partnerships enhance the offerings available to property owners and property managers, giving Harcourts clients the protection and peace of mind so often sought in the property management space,” said Cathie Crampton, Harcourts Head of Property Management. Harcourts national business partners cover a wide range of products and services…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWSelite agent news room

    First National Real Estate to sponsor The Adelaide Thunderbirds

    First National Real Estate is proud to announce a corporate partner sponsorship of Netball SA and Suncorp Super Netball team, the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The twelve-month sponsorship will see the Adelaide Thunderbirds underpin First National Real Estate’s commitment to creating opportunities for kids to engage with their sports role models through free tickets and regional clinics in Moonta and Waikerie. A…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    Government fails landlords and tenants following NCAT decision, says REINSW

    In response to a  grey area uncovered in 2017, the High Court ruling has meant NSW PMs and landlords have no course of action through NCAT if the landlord is in another state. Also if a tenant moves interstate then challenges a landlord claim over their rental bond, the matter cannot be heard through NCAT. REINSW President Leanne Pilkington said the NSW…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Leading Brisbane agents joins Belle Property

    With an ambition to become a Principal in the next two years, Brisbane agent Matt O’Neill has joined Belle Property Ascot. Starting his real estate career over eight years ago, Mr O’Neill worked his way up to establish himself, and his colleague, Josh Procopis, as a top performing and consistent team in Brisbane. “I started from nothing and built traction…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Realmark uses social media for the greater good

    Last week Realmark turned their social media marketing on Facebook into greater good for the community, raising valuable funds for the charity ‘Racing for MNDi’. The Realmark team was approached by client and football hero Nic Naitanui, who is heavily involved in the Racing for MNDi Foundation. Racing for MNDi aims to raise the profile of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in Australia…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Lennox Head homecoming for top real estate agent Nick Bordin

    Top real estate agent Nick Bordin makes the move to the North Coast, joining Elders Real Estate Lennox Head, following a stellar career in Sydney. Originally from the Northern Rivers town of Kyogle, Mr Bordin moved to the North Coast to pursue a career in real estate when he was just 18. Mr Bordin puts his big city success down…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    William Chen and Anton Zhouk spearhead Buxton’s Boroondara expansion

    Already familiar faces in Boroondara, leading agents William Chen and Anton Zhouk have been announced as the Directors of Buxton’s newest office in Balwyn. A Balwyn resident himself, William Chen has lived and worked in the area for the past 10 years and is looking forward to joining the Buxton brand. He has sold close to a billion dollars’ worth of…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    Rental rates climb over seasonally strong first quarter: CoreLogic

    CoreLogic has released its first Quarterly Rental Review for 2018, which tracks the median rental price of houses and units across Australian capital cities and regions. The quarterly report measures the percentage change in rental prices over the first quarter, which is typically the strongest for rental appreciation and growth, as well as over the past 12 months to March…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    PMs Embrace Bright Ideas at 2018 PPM Property Management Conference

    The 2018 PPM Property Management Conference, as well as PPM Group’s ‘Best of the Best’ National Property Management Awards, are now open for registrations. The PPM conference event is 100% property management focused with a wide selection of principal/department manager/senior property management breakout sessions. The event is designed for principals, department managers, business development managers, leasing consultants, property managers and support staff…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Upper North Shore specialist joins Di Jones

    The expansion of Di Jones Real Estate continues with the appointment of sales agent and Upper North Shore specialist Mae Chan. Di Jones CEO Rob Ward said with almost a decade of experience in the real estate industry, Mae has built a reputation in the Upper North Shore market for service excellence, exceptional results and commitment to her clients. “Mae…

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  • Real Estate News

    Raine & Horne opens new office in Craigieburn

    Raine & Horne has opened its 20th new office in the last six months, with the launch of a business in Melbourne’s north, with Gerry Verma and Terry Singh at the helm. Randolph Clements, Managing Director, Raine & Horne Victoria, said, “Craigieburn is strategically vital to our expansion as it is now a suburb to watch after being overlooked by owner-occupiers…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate enters the Australian market, backed by Charles Tarbey

    After a master franchise agreement between Realogy Holdings Corporation and CT Investment Holdings Pty Ltd, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate has announced it will be expanding its global presence with offices in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Tarbey is chairman and owner of CT Investment Holdings Pty Ltd, and his company will be responsible for the growth, marketing and…

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  • FRANCHISE NEWS

    Ray White’s Cameron Crombie wins gold for Australia

    Congratulations Cameron Crombie of Ray White Canberra, who won a gold medal in the F38 shot put at the Commonwealth Games this week. By day the star athlete is a sales agent at Ray White Canberra in the capital city. “It won’t sink in for a while yet, it could be a few weeks or months. I haven’t had much…

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