National

  • The RBA leaves rates on hold at 0.75% at December meeting

    The Reserve Bank of Australia has left the official cash rate on hold at 0.75 per cent in the final meeting of the year. Headed into today’s announcement, there was only a five per cent chance of a cut to the cash rate. We’ve already seen three 25 basis point cuts this year, however, there is still the expectation that…

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  • Weekend Auction Wrap: Sydney and Melbourne continue to see strong clearance rates

    It was another huge weekend of auctions in Australia’s two largest property markets as the spring selling season closed out with strong demand from buyers. Again it was Sydney that led the field, finishing the weekend with a preliminary clearance rate of 84.7 per cent, according to CoreLogic. In total there were 1,131 auctions held in Sydney, making it the…

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  • A third of Australians choose overseas travel over a home

    When asked to choose between being well travelled or owning a home, one in every three Australians values travel over home ownership. That was the key finding from ME’s recent travel survey which explored how important travel is to Australians. The trade-off between buying a home and exploring the world was far more apparent among 18-24 years olds, with 50…

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  • Elite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Money magazine names best financial providers for 2020

    Australians could save more than $180,000 by switching to financial product providers that have been named winners of Money magazine’s Best of the Best Awards for 2020. More than 100 winners were named across financial services including credit cards, term deposits, banking, loans, superannuation, insurance, investments and online broking; as well as personal and business services such as broadband, phone…

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  • Australia, New Zealand feature in global real estate ranks

    When Denver-based RE/MAX LLC recently announced its global Top 100 rankings for January to September this year, 25 residential sales teams from Australia and New Zealand made the cut. Included were:#4 Neilson Team, RE/MAX Bayside Properties, Cleveland, AU#7 Don Ha Project Sales, RE/MAX Revolution, Auckland, NZ#15 Rademeyer Team, RE/MAX First, Caloundra, AU#16 Melita Bell Team, RE/MAX Success, Toowoomba, AU#17 Deborah…

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  • Partnership to help home hunters get best mortgage rates

    Social property app Sohoapp.com has partnered with Westpac-backed uno Home Loans so homebuyers using the app can check if their home loan is competitive, and how much they could save by refinancing. Sohoapp.com founder and CEO Jonathan Lui said the company is launching uno’s loanScore and mortgage calculator products throughout its platform. “Our mission is to help Australians get into…

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  • Community responds to Realmark’s SOS drive

    Realmark offices have joined forces in the lead up to Christmas to create a community event raising awareness of their corporate community program True Blue and Starting Over Support (SOS). SOS – a not-for-profit organisation that helps families moving on from crisis to build a new life – was selected as the groups’ community program for 2019. Their aim is…

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  • Professionals network refreshes brand

    The national reshaping of Professionals Real Estate Group is gathering pace, with the network refreshing its brand nationally. Professionals Real Estate Group chief executive officer David Crombie said the benefits created through the unification of the 225-plus member group last year had exceeded expectations and the branding refresh was designed to further build the group’s momentum. The management of Professionals…

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  • Barry Plant raises nearly $95,000 for Make-A-Wish during “Wishtober”

    Every year the Barry Plant Group turns October into “Wishtober”, raising funds for Make-A-Wish Australia – an organisation that grants life-changing wishes to children and teens suffering from serious illness. During Wishtober every Barry Plant office contributes an amount from the commission from every property sold in the month, with Head Office also contributing to the cause.  This year they…

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  • Weekend Auction Wrap: Positive signs for the market in 2020

    It was a huge weekend of auctions across the country with Sydney again leading all comers, as buyers are continuing to make aggressive moves in a bid to get deals done by Christmas. Sydney’s preliminary auction clearance rate came in at 82.3%, which was up sharply on up on last week’s final clearance rate of…

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  • Elite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Barry Plant partners with Anywhere Auctions

    The timing of auctions can create all sorts of logistical problems for potential vendors or buyers and their advocates. What if you are buying or selling a property that’s in another state or city? What if you are travelling for business or a holiday and can’t be there on the day of the auction? What if there’s an auction on…

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  • Knight Frank’s Private View of extraordinary spaces around the world

    Despite continuing economic and political uncertainty, the demand for prime property, and investment in commercial assets, are still showing signs of strength. The latest issue of Knight Frank's Private View showcases some of the most extraordinary and unique properties currently on the market. Private View features a small, but exceptional sample of properties including the…

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  • Not back to ‘game on’ for new apartments just yet: JLL

    Despite the rebound in housing market activity and existing dwelling prices seen over recent months, we should not be expecting a sudden rebound in the new construction apartment market and conditions will remain tough for developers in the short-term, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne as the tail end of the last construction cycle is absorbed.…

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  • Elite 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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  • Five tips for renovations and flipping over Christmas

    Flipping and renovating in Australia can be an effective way to generate wealth, especially if it’s done strategically. In fact in 2016, Roy Morgan’s research showed that over 8.4 million Australians worked on a home improvement project, and this number is continually growing. I’ve often argued that the Christmas season is the best time to get flipping and this year…

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  • 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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  • Elite 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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  • 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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  • Weekend Auction Wrap: Sydney and Melbourne buyers getting aggressive

    It was another busy weekend for auctioneers across the country, with the 2,571 homes taken to auction making it the second busiest weekend of the year. Melbourne saw another strong result this weekend with 77 per cent of homes selling based on preliminary clearance data from CoreLogic., while Sydney was also strong coming in at 77.2 per cent. While volumes…

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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Elite 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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  • Weekend Auction Wrap: Sydney’s second busiest weekend of the year

    Once again, Sydney was the market leader for auction results over the weekend, coming in with a preliminary clearance rate of 81 per cent. According to the latest data from CoreLogic, Sydney had 931 homes taken to auction making it the second busiest weekend of the year. In Melbourne, however, there was also a surge in volumes, but the clearance…

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  • Elite 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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  • 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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  • Elders Real Estate wins coveted Canstar award

    Elders Real estate has won the prestigious Canstar Blue’s 2019 real estate agents review for most satisfied customers, coming out with top marks in communication, problem resolution, knowledge, advice and overall satisfaction. The Canstar Blue’s 2019 real estate agents review is based on the results of a survey of hundreds of customers who have used an agent for buying, selling,…

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  • Elite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    RBA can take a summer holiday

    Positive economic signs and a federal government push for banks to relax lending standards for small business will give the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) a break from cutting official interest rates, according to leading mortgage aggregator Finsure Group. Finsure Managing Director John Kolenda said with the cash rate reduced to a record low of 0.75 per cent, the RBA…

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  • Domain Test Stadiums are ‘open for inspection’

    Domain, naming rights partner of the Men’s Test series, is celebrating Australia’s two national obsessions, property and cricket by giving fans the chance to explore some of Australia’s most iconic sporting stadiums like never before. As part of a wider campaign, major Australian cricket stadiums will feature on Domain, offering an exclusive look behind the scenes – complete with property…

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  • Smart Cities Awards applaud innovation and impact

    Thirteen winners have been applauded for their visionary leadership, best practice projects and real-world impact at the second annual Smart Cities Awards. Telstra and GWI partnered with Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand to present the awards, which were held in Sydney as part of Smart Cities Week. “The 2019 winners of the Smart Cities Awards are delivering truly world-standard…

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  • Weekly Auction Wrap: Lower volumes but strong sales

    There was a lower number of homes going to auction over the weekend, thanks to the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne. But that didn’t stop Sydney and the rest of the country from putting in another solid performance. The auction clearance rate in Sydney remained at a very upbeat 79.4 per cent, while Melbourne dipped to 73.3 per cent on…

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  • Elite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    Melbourne and Sydney drive rise in house prices

    House prices across the nation continue to move higher, getting dragged along by continued strength in both Sydney and Melbourne as house prices continue to rise. According to the latest data from the CoreLogic, it was Melbourne property prices that gained the most in the month of October, up 2.3 per cent – its strongest result since 2009, while Sydney…

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  • Elite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    CPI brings good news for home buyers and renters

    The September 2019 quarter CPI figure is good news for home buyers and renters, according to the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA). REIA President Adrian Kelly said the All Groups CPI increased by 0.5 per cent in the December quarter, giving an annual increase of 1.7 per cent. “The annual changes for the analytical series of trimmed mean and…

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  • Elite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    HIA reports confidence returning to housing market

    “New home sales bounced back in September to return to levels seen during the latter half of 2018,” stated HIA Economist, Angela Lillicrap. The HIA New Home Sales report – a monthly survey of the largest volume home builders in the five largest states – is a leading indicator of future trends in the residential…

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  • Elite Agent The News Source for Real Estate Professionals

    rent.com.au announces interest-free period for RentBond

    Rental property website Rent.com.au has announced changes to broaden the appeal of its flagship bond payment product, adding a new interest-free and fee free period to give renters some cash relief when moving between properties. Highlights for property managers: The 21-day interest-free period means renters can fund their new bond at no cost, while they’re waiting on their previous bond…

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