National real estate network @realty celebrated its seventh birthday in style this week, with a 40 per cent increase in sales over the past 12 months and an even brighter outlook for 2021.
The group’s record-breaking performance in 2020 included a lift in sales volumes to more than 3800 settlements in the calendar year.
To kick off 2021, the group is launching @realty insurance, which will provide comprehensive building and contents protection for homeowners, giving agents another tool to streamline the sales process.
James Taylor, @realty’s CEO, said he was proud of what the group had achieved over the past year, despite the uncertainty created by COVID-19.
“Last April, @realty, like everyone else, was in uncharted waters,” he said.
“We were unsure what the market was heading for, so we looked at how we could help agents sustain their business.
“In June @realty introduced OASIS – a business model designed to assist boutique agencies in reducing their overheads, then following that, we launched a new uncapped earning scheme in July, giving the agents the ability to earn 100 per cent commission.
“We also introduced commissions paid on unconditional contracts in October.”
He said these changes, along with the group’s cloud-based technology platform, had enabled agents to continue working even during lockdown.
Managing director JJ Taylor said although real estate remained resilient despite the challenges of 2020, the group’s success could be attributed to strategy, rather than market sentiment.
“A cornerstone of our business has always been our ability to strategically respond to the market and to the needs of our agents and clients,” he said.
“The introduction of uncapped commissions and payment ahead of settlement saw an influx of agents join us, expanding our reach across the country and in turn, providing us with the ability to meet increased demand from vendors and lift our sales results.”
Mr Taylor said celebrating the company’s seven-year anniversary this week was a reminder of how far the group had come.
“We started @realty with just a handful of staff and an ambition to create a new model for the Australian real estate industry,” he said.
“We now have more than 625 agents and dozens of independents and boutique agencies working under the @realty banner for the benefit of low cost operation with the firepower of a national brand.
“We think 2021 will be an even bigger and better year as we continue to add new services and expand our network.”
