Real Estate Industry News
Elite Agent is a respected news, education and information source for real estate professionals throughout the world – because we work with the best in the business. We cover all aspects of real estate careers including property management, leadership, rent roll growth, sales techniques, listing, negotiation, technology, social media, digital marketing and more. More about Elite Agent.
-
High volumes, lower clearance as auctions go online
Auction volumes were high, but as expected, the preliminary clearance rate took a hit across the capitals this week, falling to 61.3 per cent amid continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. It wasn’t for lack of innovation, however as agents worked hard to adapt to a fast-changing environment. This week was the first to see all auctions…
Read More » -
Victorian property sells $52k over reserve with Openn Negotiation
Online real estate auction platform Openn Negotiation has reported a successful weekend as the industry turns to the online realm for property auctions. Open Negotiation said its first sale for the weekend occurred at 6pm Friday night, shepherding in a positive weekend of activity. “34 Maitland Street, Geelong West, Victoria has just been successfully sold…
Read More » -
COVID-19 – McGrath sees public endorse auction live streams
Online auctions and virtual inspections are proving successful, according to McGrath Estate Agents, who note the real estate industry has adapted quickly to the necessary legislation of social distancing. “We have painstakingly worked with our agents to ensure that we exceed the safety requirements around COVID-19 of social distancing of between more than 4 square…
Read More » -
Property Council welcomes ‘business hibernation’ plan
The Property Council has welcomed the commitment of the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to develop a package of measures to help Australian businesses get through the current economic crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak. "The Prime Minister's proposal for a 'business hibernation' package recognises the critical importance of helping as many Australian businesses make…
Read More » -
The Eview Group – Setting up for the comeback
It’s far from business as usual but Manos and Maria Findikakis note it is business non-the-less at their offices all over Australia. This weekend their agents managed to secure a number of contracts despite the challenge of no open homes and a government rent relief package that remains up in the air. In the interim,…
Read More » -
Rent relief remains a work in progress: Scott Morrison
Formal action on rent relief remains a work in progress, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison today explaining it will form part of Australia’s “innovative” tranche three stimulus package which is designed to support business and individuals. Earlier today the PM met with premiers and chief ministers via a virtual national cabinet meeting, discussing the “contentious”…
Read More » -
Real Estate Industry waits for a COVID-19 rent relief decision
The real estate industry is just hours away from learning how the nation will handle rent distress for residential and commercial tenants. Due to be discussed in a national cabinet meeting this morning, the focus is expected to centre around rent relief including a possible national stimulus package to underwrite commercial rents, rates, and taxes,…
Read More » -
Kylie Walsh of DiJONES – A stronger industry, embracing change
DiJONES’ general manager Kylie Walsh is no stranger to innovation, but in recent weeks she reflects the whole industry has been forced to innovate at speed. “As an industry, real estate has been very slow to change,” she notes. “But this event will force us to…
Read More » -
How a pandemic will shape communities
COVID-19 is challenging many conventions within urban development across the globe. While the pandemic is seeing Australians adopt unprecedented social distancing measures, potential lockdowns require residents to live, work, learn, and shop for daily needs and undertake passive recreational activities within their own neighbourhoods. One of Australia’s leading urban planners and designers believes that the…
Read More » -
Property valuers call for equity release during COVID-19 crisis
Australia’s largest independent property valuation and advisory firm has called for easier access to existing equity in homes and investment properties would to ease financial pressure for Aussies during the COVID-19 crisis. Herron Todd White CEO Gary Brinkworth said both the government and regulators must urgently work with financiers to unlock this source of stored…
Read More » -
Daniel Lee of Plum Property – Picking up the tools to make the best of it
Daniel Lee of Plum Property – a Brisbane brand quickly gaining attention for its nifty use of video – is taking extensive precautions against COVID-19 with the aim of protecting both his 20-plus staff and his valued clientele. Open homesOf course, this playing field altered on Monday night with news open homes and auctions would…
Read More » -
REIA announces 2020 REIA National Awards for Excellence winners
The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) announce the winners of the 15th National Awards for Excellence. Due to the measures currently in place surrounding COVID-19, the event planned to be held in Darwin on 2 April 2020 was cancelled. REIA President Adrian Kelly said whilst this was disappointing it was inevitable for the safety and wellbeing of all concerned. …
Read More » -
realestate.com.au launches digital inspections
realestate.com.au has announced the launch of a new digital feature to support real estate agents. The move is in response to the government's stricter social distancing measures and allows agents to connect with more consumers in a way that reflects today’s environment with limited social interactions. In light of new government restrictions on group open-for-inspections,…
Read More » -
How to make your business more financially resilient
John Knight is a qualified accountant and business strategist who shared his tips on business resilience in the face of Coronavirus with Sam McLean
Read More » -
Open homes and auctions halted
Real estate auctions and open homes are the latest casualties of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison tonight announcing these were among the events that “cannot continue” in a bid to combat Coronavirus. In an address to the nation, the PM labelled 2020 the toughest year for Australians “Our goal is to combat…
Read More » -
Ray White lobbies for ‘essential’ real estate services
The Ray White Group, along with all major real estate brands, is set to lobby the Federal Government in order for its national members to be deemed an “essential service”, the same as the financial services industry, in a bid to prevent a catastrophic fallout in the property sector. Ray White Group Managing Director Dan…
Read More » -
Conduct of open homes and public auctions by real estate agents
On Sunday night, the Prime Minister made it very clear that all Australians should immediately cease unnecessary travel and cease all unnecessary social interaction in order to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. With this in mind, the Real Estate Institute of Australia is now calling on all real estate agents across Australia to make…
Read More » -
REIA Awards for Excellence cancelled
The recently postponed REIA National Awards for Excellence have now been cancelled completely for 2020. President Adrian Kelly said, considering all the unknown factors of the coronavirus pandemic, it was the wisest course of action to take. “Postponing the awards until October is still too risky when we don’t know what the future holds, particularly…
Read More » -
Property reforms commence in NSW today
The real estate and property reforms start today - Monday, 23 March 2020.If you have a certificate of registration or a licence to work in the property services industry in NSW the following changes have occurred. If you are currently a nominated LIC or a sole trader and have notified Fair Trading you are now…
Read More » -
A new way of doing business is crucial: Ouwens Casserly
Ouwens Casserly Real Estate is looking to be among the industry leaders in response to coronavirus, with staff already trialling remote working arrangements to service a strong South Australian property market. From last Thursday, Ouwens Casserly Real Estate began trialling remote working arrangements for its 100+ staff, who are usually based at six sites across…
Read More » -
Tenants may get rent relief but landlords need protection too
The Australian Government, in conjunction with the State Governments is considering new measures to protect tenants who are unable to pay their rent due to COVID-19.
Read More » -
Auctions busy, but clearance rate slows
This week proved the second busiest for auction activity in 2020, however the preliminary clearance rate took a hit as a result of continued uncertainty around COVID-19. According to the latest figures from CoreLogic, this weekend saw 2,539 homes taken to auction across the combined capital cities, returning a preliminary auction clearance rate of 61.3…
Read More » -
Government announces further measures for business to save jobs during coronavirus crisis
The Federal Government has released the second stage of its economic plan to cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus and help build a bridge to recovery. A total of $189 billion is being injected into the economy by all arms of government in order to keep Australians in work and businesses in business. This…
Read More » -
NSW and Victoria propose lockdown of non-essential services
The inevitable escalation of measures to control the spread of coronavirus across Australia will have a profound impact on business and the economy for many months to come. With New South Wales and Victoria now proposing a lock-down of non-essential services within the next 48 hours it is reasonable to assume other states and territories…
Read More » -
UK Government provides protection for renters affected by coronavirus
The Ministry of Housing in the UK has announced a radical package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by coronavirus. As a result, no renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home during this difficult time. The government department, in a press release, said that emergency legislation…
Read More » -
‘New normal’ continues to create competition at auction
The agility of Ray White members to adapt to the new rules surrounding large gatherings passed its first hurdle this week with many successful auction events safely held across the country. Ray White's members had 101 auctions scheduled on Wednesday night and the early indications are that 69 per cent have sold, with more 3.8…
Read More » -
VR real estate group offers support to industry facing changes during pandemic
A real estate company that operates virtually contact-free is offering to share its secrets with others in the industry as it stares down the barrel of uncertainty due to the coronavirus outbreak. Although they never predicted a pandemic, Kindred Property Group had already developed virtual property tours on more than 90 per cent of its…
Read More » -
Realmark makes proactive move online
A recent investment in technology will come to the fore at WA's Realmark Group should the need arise to work remotely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Realmark Group has worked to proactively implement working from home for teams, rolling out procedures and policies last week to ensure they were working in the…
Read More » -
Vendor Paid Advertising works – don’t kill it
The emerging trend of 'off-market' sales is putting some vendors at risk of underselling their properties, one real estate CEO has warned the industry. Starr Partners CEO Douglas Driscoll said it's not inconceivable that some people could be underselling their homes by as much as five per cent, which, on a $1 million property –…
Read More » -
How real estate agents can market property in the age of COVID-19
With an estimated 115,000 listings on the market (according to CoreLogic), agencies are looking for solutions that allow them to continue to transact property – particularly if consumers are subject to further isolation and quarantine measures which can make the familiar arrangements a challenge. Strategies to contain the spread of the virus, such as enforced…
Read More » -
Coronavirus fallout prompts RBA to slash rates
The RBA has officially cut interest rates to their lowest level on record in the fight against the economic fallout from the coronavirus. In an emergency meeting yesterday, the RBA reduced the official cash rate to 0.25 per cent down from 0.5 per cent. The RBA has only recently cut the cash rate from 0.75…
Read More » -
REIV works with Government to assist landlords and tenants
With real estate agents, landlords and tenants all facing uncertainty due to the spread of coronavirus, the Real Estate Institute of Victoria is investigating concerns from conducting inspections safely through to dealing with rental arrears. REIV is seeking clarification from Consumer Affairs Victoria regarding some current practical matters to provide some clarity to all stakeholders.…
Read More » -
REIWA calls for safeguards in wake of coronavirus
REIWA is urging the state government to consider additional rent assistance for residential tenants who lose their jobs and safeguards for landlords if the tenant can no longer afford to pay rent as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It comes as welfare and arts bodies call for a ban on housing evictions over the…
Read More » -
realestate.com.au to defer price changes; postpone customer events; assures customers of support through “unprecedented conditions”
As the spread of COVID-19 continues to impact the global community, REA has announced this morning they will postpone customer events and provide additional support customers where possible during this time. A statement from Group CEO Owen Wilson this morning said, "We are focused on the health and safety of our employees, their families and…
Read More » -
AREC 2020 deferred due to virus
Total Real Estate Training (TRET) has today advised that due to the risks associated with the Coronavirus pandemic, The Australasian Real Estate Conference (AREC 2020) that was to have been held on the Gold Coast on Sunday 31st May and Monday, June 1, will be deferred. Nichola Byrne, General Manager of TRET, the organiser of…
Read More »
