National
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Savills Australia welcomes new director to Melbourne team
Savills Australia has brought James Girvan on to the capital transactions team. It’s a return to Savills for Girvan, who brings 13 years’ experience in commercial property agency and valuations to the role. Relocating from Sydney to Melbourne for the role, Girvan has overseen over $3 billion worth of commercial property transactions. Those transactions include 231 Elizabeth Street for a…
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Possible $1bn IPO for PEXA would be one of the biggest in 2018
Electronic conveyancing business PEXA is moving towards a sale which may see four state governments pocket over $350 million. If the sale goes through it could stand to be one of the biggest initial public offerings in 2018. Late last year the business identified a 12-month window, starting in September 2017, to explore strategic options ahead of a potential 2018…
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AI chatbot to take on common real estate interactions
A new chatbot service is set to improve the real estate customer experience by acting as a concierge when it comes to buying, selling, renting, providing suburb information and managing properties. Known as ‘Ding’, the AI chatbot was recently launched by Local Knowledge Property Group and has the ability to cater to a range of tasks in real estate. Co-founder…
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The Harcourts Foundation grants over $50,000 to 14 charities
The Harcourts Foundation, the charitable arm of Harcourts Group Australia, announced grants to 14 Australian charities during its most recent quarterly funding round. A total of $51,740 was donated across Australia to benefit charities serving the communities where Harcourts employees live and work. “Over the past six months, a total of $190,781,000 has been granted by The Harcourts Foundation,” said…
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2018 REIA National Awards for Excellence winners announced
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) announced the winners of the 13th National Awards for Excellence on Thursday 22nd March at a gala dinner at Doltone House, Sydney. REIA President Malcolm Gunning said the awards recognise the best of the best in Australian real estate. “Real estate professionals from across the country converged on Sydney last night in what…
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Ray White agents ‘link up’ to celebrate referrals
REAL estate agents, mortgage brokers and financial advisers from all over Australia and New Zealand have spent a memorable evening at the historic village in Crows Nest where it all began for property giant Ray White in 1902. The attendees were the winners of the group’s biggest-ever referral initiative called LINK which saw every facet of the White family business…
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Century 21 adds seven names to leadership team
Century 21 has added to their over 100,000 staff in 78 countries, with the employment of seven key new staff members in the Australasian corporate office in order to help manage growth and to support new franchise owners. Over the past six months, Century 21 has opened new offices in New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. Real estate…
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The digital marketing platform turning cold calls into hot leads
Lead generation is a necessary part of real estate, but it’s far from the easiest part of the job. But what if you already knew where there were hungry vendors and could target them? And what if someone else could do all the work for you, while still branding it to your agency? Welcome to the world of Captr. Captr…
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National property growth slows as Hobart booms
New data from the ABS for the December 2017 quarter shows a big change in the pattern of growth across Australia’s cities. Residential property prices rose 5 per cent through the year to December quarter 2017, with growth easing from the September (+8.3 per cent) and June (+10.2 per cent) quarters 2017. Sydney’s slump was buoyed by other states, including…
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Property resales still show profit, despite cooling conditions
Despite the slowing property market, nine out of 10 properties still sell at a profit to their vendors according to the new Corelogic Pain and Gain report for December quarter 2017. 91.1 per cent of all property that sold during the December quarter went for a price that was above the previous purchase price, up from 90.9 per cent the…
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Digital platform aims to take the pain out of lease renewals
FLK IT OVER is a digital platform which allows tenants to sign leases via their smartphone, aiming to save property managers and agencies hours for paperwork. Agent send tenants a link to their tenancy agreement via SMS before the platform takes the tenant step by step through the details and conditions of the lease, requiring tenant approval at each step.…
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Australian startup Gavl recognised by IBM
The co-founder and CTO of Gavl, an auction live stream platform which launched in 2016, has been invited to speak at IBM Think 2018 in Vegas. The platform has live-streamed more than $5bn in auction sales over its time, and allows buyers anywhere to watch and bid on live auctions via app or website. So far Gavl has chalked up…
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AREC focuses on what’s “shaping the future of real estate”
The Australasian Real Estate Conference (AREC) is celebrating its 21st year by bringing 32 speakers over 48 hours. The two day conference returns to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, May 27th and Monday, May 28th for the seventh year. Under the direction of AREC founder John McGrath, delegates will be armed with priceless information and practical…
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Belle Property announce four key appointments
Focusing on growth and development in both productivity and customer service, Belle Property bolstered its Corporate team in March with four key appointments. After managing numerous customer experience initiatives for LJ Hooker, Lisa Vuong Bienstock joins as Head of Customer Experience. As the group continues to invest in enhancing consumer outcomes, Lisa will undertake extensive research and analysis to identify…
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Social Sustainability Action needs to Step Up
With the nation’s premier annual conference on sustainability in the built environment underway this week in Melbourne, the Property Council is turning the spotlight on social sustainability as the next significant area of concerted industry action. Chief Executive Ken Morrison released a new report that defines key concepts and brings together case studies looking at the industry’s growing social sustainability…
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First Home Buyer Share Reaches Five-Year High, HIA
The January 2018 housing finance figures show that the First Home Buyer share of owner-occupier mortgage volumes is the highest it’s been for five years. “During January, First Home Buyers accounted for 18 per cent of home mortgage loans to owner occupiers. This is the highest monthly share in over five years,” explained Shane Garrett HIA Senior Economist. “First Home…
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Planning and Investment are the keys in the population debate, says Property Council
Last Nights ABC Four Corners program Big Australia: Are we ready? has further invigorated the population debate that has recently been rekindled in Australia. Property Council of Australia Chief Executive Ken Morrison welcomed the debate, but called for people to look past anti-immigration fearmongering and focus on the opportunity to plan for great cities and liveable communities. “Beware the false…
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Chatbots are coming to an apartment near you
As anyone who has ever worked in strata management can appreciate, often inquiries and complaints relate to similar things – Can I book a facility? What day is bin day? And that good old strata living gem, how do I make a noise complaint? A new service called Strata.chat sees chatbots taking on some of this repetitive grunt work, allowing…
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McGrath hosts annual leadership forum in Melbourne
More than 100 of McGrath’s business leaders, executives and franchisees gathered together in Melbourne this week for the company’s annual Leadership Forum, held over two days. The company’s largest leadership forum to date was led by McGrath Founder and Executive Director John McGrath and recently appointed CEO Geoff Lucas. Chair of the McGrath Board Peter Lewis joined Mr McGrath and…
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Purplebricks enters into two enforeceable undertakings in QLD
According to a QLD Government media release, national real estate agency Purplebricks has entered into two enforceable undertakings with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), for alleged breaches of the Australian Consumer Law and the Property Occupations Act 2014. The release states that between November 2016 and June 2017, Purplebricks Australia Pty Ltd, entered into agreements with consumers who were…
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March 2018: Interest rates on hold, Industry reaction
At its meeting today, the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent. REALESTATE.COM.AU “More indicators are pointing to improving economic conditions and given how fast the US is growing, this will support our economy,” says Nerida Conisbee, realestate.com.au Chief Economist. “The main thing holding them (RBA) from increasing rates are consumers, in particular the enduring…
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Morgan Stanley report shows Airbnb growth has slowed overseas but Australian data tells a different story
According to a recent report from Morgan Stanley, as awareness of security issues rises, Airbnb’s growth slows. The third annual AlphaWise survey saw the researcher drop their prediction of Airbnb growth by over 50 per cent, from 29 per cent to 12 per cent, in the EU/US. However, the data in Australia tells a much more concerning story for property…
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Property developer Goldfields appoints McGrath to market its first QLD project
McGrath Estate Agents, a division of McGrath Limited (ASX:MEA) has been appointed by Goldfields as the exclusive agent to market the sale of its latest project, Hayfield, in Brisbane’s western growth corridor. McGrath Projects General Manager Adam Sparkes said “We are delighted to be representing Goldfields as they launch their first Queensland project, Hayfield, in the Ripley Valley. Goldfields have…
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New co-ownership platform launches to tackle housing affordability challenge
Kohab, a digital platform, community and marketplace for co-ownership, launched yesterday. The platform helps friends, family and like-minded buyers purchase a home together, connecting them with the right property, real estate agent, legal, mortgage and insurance providers all in the one place. Platform partners such as Sparke Helmore and National Australia Bank have been specifically selected by Kohab for their…
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Scaleup Mediafund and Spheria lead LocalAgentFinder $5.5m funding round
LocalAgentFinder has announced a successful completion of a $5.5m funding round that was oversubscribed, and values LocalAgentFinder at a pre-money valuation of more than $60m. The round was led by Scaleup Mediafund, which is owned and supported by News Corp Australia, Network Ten, Nova Entertainment, and Fox Sports Australia, together with leading Australian small cap fund manager Spheria Asset Management.…
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The Agency teams up with Guy Leech to roll out life-saving automated external defibrillators (AED)
A friendly connection between Jon Snead and ironman Guy Leach has lead to an agreement to have The Agency roll out automated external defibrillators (AEDs) nationally, starting with Sydney with staff being trained on the life-saving equipment. “I’ve known Guy for many years through paddling, we’ve trained together over the past eight years. It was two years ago when we…
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New C21 website sees an explosion in growth
Launched in January, the new Century 21 website has seen a large (42.8 per cent) increase in unique users from January 14 to February 14 compared to the same period last year. Redesigned to enhance the experience for mobile users, the site also registered a 275 per cent increase in mobile users over the period. Charles Tarbey, Century 21 Chairman…
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Global Consumer Group Launches Push for New South Wales Government to Ban Rent-Bidding Apps
SumOfUs, an international consumer group with more than 170,000 members in Australia has called on the New South Wales Government to ban the spread of “pernicious and mercenary” new rent-bidding apps. They say the apps – US-based Rentberry and local apps Property Connect and RentWolf – will push up rental prices by forcing applicants into rent-bidding wars. Victorian Premier Daniel…
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Algorithm predicts risk or reward of property purchase
Imagine a simple algorithm that could help determine the risk or reward of a property purchase… Well, that’s exactly the new research tool available to property purchasers. Using data and financial modelling, an algorithm from Riskwise Property Review allows buyers a glimpse into the long-term risk or possible reward of a purchase, and the analysis is instant. Riskwise founder and…
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Console announce integrated payment solution
Console Group have announced the introduction of Console Pay as a new capability in their flagship property management and trust accounting software, Console Gateway. Console Pay powered Ezidebit, is now officially the first fully-integrated payment solution on the market. The integration provides full visibility of payment information and the ability to manage changes to payment schedules, such as rent increases,…
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Germany v Australia – same tax breaks, different markets
In a recent report on the private rental sector, AHURI compared the landscape of 10 countries across Europe, North America and Australasia. Their findings have revealed some major similarities between Germany and Australia’s capital gains and negative gearing policies, but stark differences in the actual property market. The report’s lead author and UNSW City Futures Research Centre research fellow Dr…
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Harcourts spreads reach toward South Coast
Daniel McConnell, Director of Harcourts Shellharbour City/Albion Park, has been joined by Daniel Dajcic in opening a new office Harcourts Kiama. The dynamic duo is excited to lead the new company, with a focus on offering clients’ a superior experience whilst maintaining youthful passion and energy. The pair have over 25 years combined real estate experience in the Illawarra region.…
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PM Leader Michael Conolly returns to McGrath
McGrath Estate Agents have announced the return of Michael Conolly as Head of Network Property Management for McGrath. Mr Conolly is one of Australia’s most respected experts in property management with over 28 years’ experience in residential, commercial and business management. He has extensive leadership experience including roles as State Manager of multi-billion-dollar asset portfolios. Mr Conolly returns to McGrath…
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RE/MAX Australia celebrates 21 years by awarding its best
RE/MAX Australia announced its top performers for 2017 at a gala event also celebrating 21 years since the first RE/MAX office opened in Australia. More than 550 attended the annual awards held at the Royal ICC in Brisbane on February 15th. Keeping with tradition, the network’s ultimate individual honour, The Eagle Award, was the final announcement for the evening. RE/MAX…
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New weapon in the sub-letting battle
Landlords and agents now have a new weapon at their disposal in the battle against illegal sub-letting, with the launch of an Australia-first monitoring service called BnbGuard. Live as of late last year, but publicly launched last week, BnbGuard was created by an Australian start-up and monitors properties for unauthorised use on popular short-stay accommodation sites such as Airbnb. Co-founders…
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