National

  • REA Group appoints new CFO

    REA Group have welcomed Janelle Hopkins to the team as their new Chief Financial Officer. Ms Hopkins previously held the position of Group Chief Financial Officer at Australia Post and will begin her new role on 3 June. Ms Hopkins will be replacing Owen Wilson who stepped into the role of CEO with REA Group in January. Speaking to The…

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  • Quantity Surveyor data challenges validity of Labor’s negative gearing assumptions

    New data released by MCG Quantity Surveyors is claiming the Labor Party relied on incorrect assumptions in formulating its negative gearing policy. According to the data, Labor’s assertions on the percentage of investors buying new homes were grossly understated and call into question the party’s revenue projections. “Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen has suggested new-buy investors comprised anywhere between four and…

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  • New research suggests too many bidders at auction is demotivating

    People bid less in auctions that have more bidders, new research suggests. Economists from the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have released the results of a new study suggesting that the more bidders there are in an auction, the less each bidder thinks they have a chance of winning. Published in the latest issue of…

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  • Strong demand and low unemployment provide a positive property outlook

    The latest property outlook from realestate.com.au indicates that the current market downturn is ‘far from the worst we’ve experienced’. Some uncertainty for buyers and sellers will continue in the lead up to the Federal Election whereby a Liberal win should see stability for the market, but a change in government would continue to see values fall along with above market…

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  • LJ Hooker Avnu launches digital platform

    LJ Hooker Avnu has launched a new platform aimed at making the buying and selling process smarter and more transparent. The platform provides vendors and landlords with real time data about web traffic, buyer feedback and comparative listings and sales and agent activities related to the sale of their property. According to L Janusz Hooker, Chairman of LJ Hooker, the…

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  • Ray White study shows principals earn more than the benchmark

    LEADERSHIP and dogged determination are what the company say underpins a new Ray White achievement. According to a recent study principals earned 76 per cent more than their Australian industry peers in 2018. Ray White reviewed the 2018 financial year results for 269 of its own Australian businesses and then compared it The Australian Benchmark Report (Real Estate Agents 2018),…

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  • REIA launches Federal Election campaign

    The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has launched a campaign to give the property sector a voice during this years Federal Election. In a statement REIA President, Adrian Kelly, said he aims to ensure issues relating to the taxation of property are an integral part of the campaign and all politicians are educated about the consequences of the Labour’s…

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  • CoreLogic launches a new home loan analytics portfolio, merging portfolio and property data

    CoreLogic has launched a new home loan analytics portfolio, merging portfolio and property data to assist lenders operating in changing market conditions. According to CoreLogic Executive Head of Data, Analytics and Solutions, Tracey Ah Hee, this analysis solution will help lenders to identify portfolio blind spots. “We match a lender’s existing portfolio data to property-specific data to provide a customer-level…

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  • Bendigo Bank reduces their owner-occupied home loan variable interest rates

    Bendigo Bank has announced it is decreasing its Bendigo Express Home Loan and Basic Home Loan variable interest rates. Bendigo Bank Executive, Consumer Banking, Richard Fennell said the changes introduced will enhance customer experience by providing greater choice. “Some of our customers, particularly first home buyers, may prefer the assisted home loan journey and market-leading service excellence of our Bendigo…

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  • Household lending rises in February: ABS

    New figures released by the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have revealed the value of new lending commitments to households rose 2.6 per cent in February 2019. The February rise followed on from a fall of 2.3 in January. According to ABS Chief Economist, Bruce Hockman, despite the activity, the longer term story is largely unchanged with new lending…

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  • Rent yields across Australia rise over the first quarter of 2019: CoreLogic

    The first CoreLogic Quarterly Rental Review for 2019 has been released, with results showing a national increase in yields over the past three and 12 months. According to CoreLogic Research Analyst Cameron Kusher, gross rental yields for the first quarter are at 4.10 per cent compared to 3.95 per cent in the previous quarter and 3.77 per cent a year…

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  • PRDnationwide celebrate stand out achievers in their network

    PRDnationwide have recognised the top performers and leaders in the network with their annual gala dinner. The gala dinner was held at the conclusion of a two-day program of forum and conference events, with the winners being acknowledged in front of more than 260 of their industry peers. PRDnationwide Chairman & Managing Director Tony Brasier praised the event, commenting that the…

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  • realestate.com.au has launched ‘How to Home Loan’ – a video campaign

    realestate.com.au has launched a new video series to help first-home buyers navigate the challenges of securing finance and buying a home. The tongue-in-cheek series, called How to Home Loan, stars Jess Harris and explores the everyday frustrations that come with the home-buying journey. From daunting bank meetings to maintaining the avocado lifestyle while trying to save, the five-part educational series…

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  • Three important takeaways from Momentum 2019

    The Momentum 2019 series, presented by realestate.com.au, has wrapped up for another year and attendees were treated to some stellar advice that’s sure to amplify productivity throughout the rest of the year. Hitting all the major capitals and taking a quick detour to Wagga Wagga, this year’s event headliners brought out the big guns for their presentations. Motivational speaker Yossi…

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  • Century 21 kicks off media campaign with Seven West

    Century 21 has commenced its 2019 advertising campaign partnership with Seven West. As part of the media plan between Century 21 and Seven West media, C21 properties and agents will be promoted across some of the biggest media assets in Australia, including the popular TV hit House Rules which will air in May. Owner and Chairman Charles Tarbey recently made…

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  • April 2019: RBA rates remain unchanged – industry reacts

    Yesterday (2 April 2019), the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent for its 28th consecutive meeting. Many commentators expected this to be the case as the cash rate has now remained unchanged for 32 months. Here’s a quick rundown of what happened. With respect to the housing market: The adjustment in established housing…

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  • Budget 2019 focused on a strong economy

    Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg handed down the Federal Budget last night. With a Federal Election on the horizon, the centrepiece of the budget was a cash rebate pitch to middle income earners and no changes to taxation legislation this side of an election. It’s the second year in the row there was no mention of…

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  • Regional development manager takes top female leadership award

    The winner of the 2019 Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) and Frasers Property National Women in Leadership Award for Excellence has been announced, with Lendlease Regional Development Manager – Communities, Tamara Rasmussen, taking the top accolade. Ms Rasmussen has worked in property and development for two decades, including 15 years with Lendlease, and says she is thrilled to have…

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  • realestate.com.au aims to simplify tenant selection with new verification tool

    realestate.com.au recently launched Tenant Verification that aims to simplify the tenant selection process. Available through the 1form platform, Tenant Verification is a service aimed at helping prospective tenants submit a more complete application by verifying identity documents and rental history. How it works For a fee of $29 (payable by the tenant) the report details the results of an identity…

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  • Housing downturn loses some steam: CoreLogic

    CoreLogic’s latest home value index results show the pace of declining property values in March eased relative to the past four months. Head of Research at CoreLogic, Tim Lawless, confirmed that the 0.6 per cent drop in March was the smallest of the month-on-month declines since values fell by 0.5 per cent in October last year. However, Mr Lawless noted…

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  • REIA responds to Opposition’s start date for negative gearing and capital gains tax changes

    The REIA has reiterated its strong opposition to the Labor Party’s negative gearing and capital gains tax policy, following the announcement that 1 January 2020 would be the start date for their negative gearing and capital gains tax increases if they were to win the federal election. “The REIA has always been concerned with the impact the policy would have…

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  • Peer to peer office space market gets a reboot

    Australian PropTech disrupter Rubberdesk recently announced the relaunch of its peer to peer marketplace for businesses. Through the platform, businesses are able to earn money by renting out their spare office space on a monthly basis. The platform currently has over 15,000 spaces available to rent, with the relaunch adding extended three-, six- and 12-monthly rental terms, online payment processing…

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  • Rod Leaver appointed CEO of Knight Frank Australia

    Stephen Ellis has announced he will be retiring from Knight Frank Australia, effective 30 June, with Rod Leaver taking the position as Chief Executive Officer on 6 May 2019. Mr Leaver will report to Kevin Coppel, Managing Director, Asia Pacific. Since returning to Australia in 2016, Mr Leaver has been advising groups on real estate strategy, portfolio governance and urban…

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  • flexible working property management

    Hello Alfred, can you find me a cleaner?

    Everyday we hear about a new platform which is leading the charge in making property management easier. Earlier this week, Hello Alfred announced an in-app assistant program which sets up building managers to a range of services for easier up keep. The Hello Alfred app provides apartment residents with on-request services from cleaning, grocery delivery, prescription refills and tech support,…

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  • Less than a week to go to submit your game changing idea: Real Ideas Prize

    There is only less than a week to go before the entries for the Real Ideas Prize, hosted by realestate.com.au, closes. The Real Ideas Prize is a unique ‘shark tank’ style competition for anyone in the real estate industry to pitch an idea- no matter no big or small- to go in the running to win a share of $100,000…

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  • National Australia Bank removes home loan spotters’ fees

    The National Australia Bank has announced they will be terminating their ‘Introducer’ payments program, which some finance commentators have dubbed spotters’ fees, effective 1 October 2019. According to the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Philip Chronican, it is a priority for NAB to keep improving and changing to be a better bank. “Through the Royal Commission we heard clearly that our…

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  • Century 21 welcomes Warren McCarthy as their new CEO

    Century 21 Australasia has announced the appointment of Warren McCarthy as their new CEO. Mr McCarthy, an industry veteran of 35 years has held senior roles with LJ Hooker (as CEO) where he was instrumental in growing the network across Australia as well as into India and South East Asia. More recently he was a member of the McGrath Group…

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  • Nation’s capital dominates the REIA awards for 2019

    The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) announced the winners of the 14th National Awards for Excellence last night at a gala dinner held at Crown Perth on 21st March 2019. REIA President Adrian Kelly said the awards acknowledge and recognise the best of the best in Australian real estate. “More than 250 real estate professionals from across Australia converged…

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  • Negative Gearing reform will increase rents and decrease values: SQM

    If Labor’s negative gearing policy is legislated in its current form, expect a rise in rental yields which will occur through a combination of falling house values and, eventually, a rise in rents. That’s the headline from an update to an SQM Research (SQM) research paper released in November 2018, modelling the proposed Labor Party changes to negative gearing that…

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  • Canberra takes the mantle as Australia’s most liveable city

    Melbourne has for many years been regarded as Australia’s most liveable city. However, new data from realestate.com.au and Ipsos reveals that, when it comes to how residents actually feel about where they live, Canberra comes out on top. The realestate.com.au Life in Australia report, powered by Ipsos, is the nation’s largest annual ongoing study of community values and liveability. The…

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  • Ray White Commercial reaches for the sky at 2019 Summit

    More than 40 Ray White Commercial top performers from across Australia and New Zealand filled Hamilton Island’s Yacht Club as powerful interviews and specialist sessions took place for 2019’s Summit conference. Former Navy diver and shark attack survivor Paul De Gelder was a keynote speaker on the day and had the audience in the palm of his hand as he…

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  • InfoTrack launches product to safeguard trust account details from cyber criminials

    Tech company InfoTrack has launched a product called Securexchange to protect real estate agents, conveyancers and buyers from the threat of large financial loss during property exchanges. InfoTrack General Manager Lee Baillie says that the system has been specifically designed to prevent the intercepting of insecure emails which may include settlement bank account details. Instead of getting the correct account…

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  • Ray White wraps up biannual training event, Ignite 19

    Ray White have kicked off the first quarter of 2019 with a bang, holding its biannual training event, Ignite19, in each capital city earlier this month. The exciting program features inspirational keynote speakers as well as special sessions to help agents excel. The focal messages of this year’s Ignite were to live a life beyond fear and how to adapt…

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  • The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) have appointed Davina Rooney as the new CEO

    Officially commencing the appointment on 11 June 2019, the former General Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Procurement will take the reins as Corporate Executive Officer at the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). “Davina’s inspirational leadership capacity together with her deep technical knowledge would enhance the organisation’s industry perspective as it furthered its goals to make communities more productive, liveable…

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  • International RE/MAX Convention in Las Vegas puts Aussies on the map

    Twenty-five Australian RE/MAX members joined RE/MAX Australia and RE/MAX New Zealand’s Managing Director, Michael Davoren, in Las Vegas recently for the 46th annual R4 Convention, where they rubbed shoulders with many thousands of real estate agents and broker owners representing more than 60 countries. “The Greatest Network On Earth was a proud theme and a bold statement in Vegas this year, but…

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