INDUSTRY NEWS
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Investors retreat behind apartment downturn: HIA
The ABS released building activity data yesterday for the final quarter of 2017. Detached house commencements increased by 0.7 per cent over the December 2017 quarter, while starts for other dwelling types (predominantly apartments) declined by 11.2 per cent. “The decline in multi-unit dwelling starts has dragged down the total number of new home starts during the final quarter of…
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Finalists announced for the Leading Property Managers Association Awards
The finalists of the 12 categories for the Leading Property Managers Association Awards have been announced with the winners to be revealed at the LPMA conference, 10-11 May on the Gold Coast. “The LPMA Awards are an opportunity for the best in our industry to shine and get the recognition that they deserve,” said LPMA Australia National Manager Jodie Stainton.…
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Study examines how Australia’s planning system can deliver more affordable housing
A new study is examining how planning schemes can deliver affordable housing for low-income groups with unmet housing needs. By examining models used in the UK and US, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) has produced the Supporting affordable housing supply: inclusionary planning in new and renewing communities report, which addresses some of the concerns around affordable housing in…
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realestate.com.au launches Agent Elevate
realestate.com.au today launches Agent Elevate, the first offering in its new Agent Edge family of personal branding products that will give agents an edge in their market. Agent Elevate will help individual agents increase their presence on realestate.com.au and grab the attention of sellers searching in their suburb. Agent Elevate provides agents with: Prominent positioning in the photo carousel on…
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Trump’s trade war could see more Chinese buyers turn to Australian property
A series of back-and-forth tariffs has sparked fears in the US that a trade war with China could be on the horizon – but experts feel this could be a plus for the Australian property market. After China imposed tariffs on 128 American products imported into the country, Trump retaliated with tariffs on $50 billion USD-worth of imports. These back…
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New service plans to revolutionise international property investment
CityYield, a global agency that specialises in the sale of investment property for rental yield across leading international markets, has launched into the Australian market. For the first time, non-institutional investors will be able to find, analyse and acquire properties across hotspots in the UK, Germany and the US using the service. Jeremy Kasler, CEO of CityYield, said, “Through our…
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April 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. “The housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne have slowed. Nationwide measures of housing prices are little changed over the past six months, with prices having recorded falls in some areas,” says RBA Governor Dr Philip Lowe. “In the eastern capital cities, a considerable additional…
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realestate.com.au gives agents the edge
realestate.com.au today announced Agent Edge, a new family of personal branding products which will give agents an edge in their market. Agent Edge products, the first of which launches this month, are designed for individual agents to increase their presence on realestate.com.au and connect with Australia’s largest pool of sellers. The Agent Edge product family: Agent Elevate: Get noticed and…
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REIWA releases list of top post-boom Perth cities
Alkimos, Golden Bay and Trigg have topped reiwa.com’s list of the seven Perth suburbs recording higher house sales volumes now than they did during the ‘boom’. REIWA President Hayden Groves said while overall house sales volumes had declined in Perth since 2014, there were seven suburbs that had bucked this trend to record increases in activity. “For some of the relatively…
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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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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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Market slows as house prices rise in New Zealand
According to the latest data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand, although prices are rising in New Zealand, properties are sitting on the market for longer. The monthly figures from the REINZ show median house prices for New Zealand rose 6.9 per cent in February to $530,000, up from $496,000 at the same time last year. It was…
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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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Di Jones CEO Rob Ward rides for cancer awareness
Di Jones Real Estate CEO Rob Ward is donning the lycra to raise money for cancer research as part of the Tour de Cure. “Cancer has touched the lives of many of our staff and I felt it was time to tackle it head on,” Mr Ward said. Kicking off on the 27 April 2018, Mr Ward will join more…
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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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Agent recognised for going ‘above and beyond’ for his community
Barry Plant Manningham agent Orlando Petruccelli has proved it’s more than just sales that motivate him, he’s been commended for his dedication and spirit by his office and community. A recent surprise birthday celebration for a vendor going through a tough time is a great example of the lengths Mr Petruccelli will go to for his clients, and the wider…
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2018 Real Estate Industry Award Changes – Your questions answered
With the Real Estate industry awards coming into effect 2nd April 2018, we’re providing a home for the information we’ve published on this important topic. You also have your chance to ask your own questions on what the changes mean to you or your agency. Click the below button to ask your questions (can be anonymous). Ask your question here…
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RE/MAX Global Takes Bold Step to Acquiring Leading Technology Firm booj
In a move signalling a shift in RE/MAX technology strategy, RE/MAX, LLC announced it has acquired booj, an award-winning Colorado-based web design and technology company. The acquisition cements a new approach for RE/MAX that goes beyond adapting third-party vendor products to fit broker and agent needs. Moving forward, RE/MAX say they will leverage the capabilities of booj and other strategic…
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Coasts outperform the capital in Queensland for 2017
The beachfront markets of the Gold and Sunshine Coast, and Noosa, have finished 2017 with the strongest growth in the state, significantly outperforming Brisbane. The Gold Coast delivered a gold medal performance, with the annual median house price growing by 7.7 per cent, to end the year on $615,000. The Sunshine Coast median house price grew 6.4 per cent to…
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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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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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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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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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REIQ names best of the profession for 2018
A record-breaking fourth title win for REIQ Auctioneer of the Year Justin Nickerson has led this year’s REIQ Awards for Excellence as more than 700 real estate professionals gathered to recognise the elite in their field at the Brisbane Royal International Convention Centre (RNA) on March 3rd, 2018. The win is the third consecutive win for Mr Nickerson and the…
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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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REIWA celebrates 100 years of WA real estate
The Real Estate Institute of Western Australia and the State Library of Western Australia are presenting a public exhibition celebrating a century of REIWA service. REIWA CEO Neville Pozzi, said the centenary was a major milestone in the Institute’s history and he was delighted to be able to share how REIWA has grown and positively influenced the state over the…
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Here’s five reasons not to buy this property
A young rural agent has decided to anti-market a property in Bombala in southern NSW, outlining five reasons any potential buyers should avoid this property. Ray White Rural Canberra and Yass agent George Southwell, 22, shot this video onsite at a property called Crystal View in southern NSW outlining the key reasons the property was not ideal. “I’m going to…
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Top performing public schools leading price growth in Victoria, REIV
Homes located within the catchment for some of Melbourne’s best public schools are achieving six-figure premiums, compared to neighbouring properties which fall just outside the zone. The latest REIV data shows the median house price in highly sought after public school catchments is up to $400,000 more expensive than homes within a one kilometer radius of the zone. In the…
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First National Reveals Top NSW Agents
First National Real Estate’s New South Wales estate agents were presented with their General Excellence and Marketing Awards at Doltone House Hyde Park on Saturday night. The awards brought recognition to the best of New South Wales’ real estate performances throughout 2017, which according to NSW Chairman Greg Taylor highlight the network’s commitment to professional development, customer satisfaction, and outstanding…
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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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