News Room

If you have any news for the Real Estate industry - whether you are a professional or a supplier to the industry, please email us: newsroom@eliteagent.com
  • Real Estate News

    APRA proposes loan providers to set their own floor rate, allowing bigger mortgages

    The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has announced a possible revision to its 7 per cent ‘stress test’ buffer on home loans. In a letter issued to authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs), APRA has proposed removing its guidance and allowing ADIs to review and set their own minimum interest rate floor for use in serviceability assessments. In the letter, the regulator…

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  • Real Estate News

    Post election stability reported around the country

    Has the coalition victory created an increase in consumer confidence as it relates to the property market? Many groups are saying that stability is a good thing with signs already of greater optimism, clarity and certainty. Dexar Group  Dexar Group Chief Experience Officer John Minns has welcomed the end of the election campaign and stability for the housing market in…

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  • Real Estate News

    Victoria’s best auctioneers battle it out

    Some of the best auctioneers from around Victoria will battle it today for their chance to compete in the Australasian Auctioneering Championships in October. The Senior Auctioneer of the Year Competition, organised by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV), is a two-day event, testing auctioneers on their knowledge of best practice and legislation. It also tests their performance in…

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  • Real Estate News

    Callum MacPherson joins Ray White Frankston

    High performing agent Callum MacPherson has joined Ray White Frankston in the outer south-east region of Melbourne. Mr MacPherson said he has enjoyed a passion for property and the region since he was a child. “I was born and raised in the Frankston region, and I wouldn’t choose anywhere else to raise my own family now,” he said. Ray White…

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  • Real Estate News

    The future of rent – Real Ideas Prize finalists revealed, it’s time to cast your vote!

    The competition to discover inspiring ideas that move the rental experience forward has now entered its final phase, with the public invited to have their say on who should win the Real Ideas Prize. Five entries were chosen to make the shortlist for the award after an overwhelming amount of entries were received nationwide. These finalists were recently given the…

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  • Real Estate News

    International House Sydney: Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year

    Lendlease has claimed the nation’s top property prize, receiving the Rider Levett Bucknall Australian Development of the Year award for their innovative timber marvel, International House Sydney. Lendlease was presented with the accolade at the Property Council of Australia / Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards in Sydney on Friday. “International House is not only a construction industry ‘game…

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  • Real Estate News

    REISA celebrates 100 years with a major review

    The Real Estate Industry of South Australia is marking its centenary year with a major review that seeks to shape its vision for the next generation of real estate professionals. REISA President, Brett Roenfeldt OAM said the move is in keeping with the organisation’s focus to deliver relevant direction, products, services and support to underpin the success of its membership,…

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  • Real Estate News

    REIV launches ‘Choose a Member’ to promote reliable agents

    The Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has launched its ‘Choose a Member’ campaign to raise awareness of a new agent search tool. REIV President Robyn Waters said it has never been more important for property owners to thoroughly research potential candidates when selecting the right person to sell, lease or manage their property. ‘Choose a Member’ searches can be…

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  • Real Estate News

    Ray White Double Bay usher in a new era by recruiting new talent

    IT’S the dawn of a new era for Ray White Double Bay who has commenced its next phase of expansion with the recruitment of real estate young gun Alan Fettes. Mr Fettes has been selling real estate for over five years in Sydney’s blue-chip eastern suburbs and lays claim to being the youngest agent to ever earn $1 million in…

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  • Real Estate News

    RE/MAX and Mortgage Link announce financial partnership

    The Australian and New Zealand financial arm of RE/MAX, Pivotal Financial, and  New Zealand financial services brand, Mortgage Link have announced a new partnership. Mortgage Link’s Managing Director Josh Bronkhorst, said the partnership gave its financial advisers a good opportunity to work with real estate agents from the brand. RE/MAX New Zealand Managing Director Michael Davoren said the relationship means…

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  • Real Estate News

    Belle Property launches Facebook-hosted coaching program for junior agents

    Belle Property has launched a Facebook-hosted training and coaching program to help new agents bridge the gap between registration and commencing their career. Developed by Belle Property’s Academy Advantage training department, ‘Fast-Track’ is geared towards agents with less than 12 months experience and covers prospecting, building a database, and maintaining database health. “One of the major weaknesses of the real…

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  • Real Estate News

    Ray White New Zealand welcomes new leader in Nelson region

    The Ray White Group has welcomed Mark Rumsey as the new owner, Principal and licensed agent for Ray White Nelson, Richmond and Motueka in the Upper South Island of New Zealand. Mr Rumsey has over 10 years of experience in business ownership and said he was excited to be heading up three Ray White businesses in the lush region. “I…

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  • NSW Real Estate News

    Sydney agent Jeff Freud joins Belle Property Double Bay

    Experienced Sydney agent Jeff Freud has joined Belle Property Double Bay. Mr Freud said the shift to Belle was a perfect fit for the next stage of his career. “It’s a family business that offered me an opportunity to grow a rent roll of my own,” he explained. Mr Freud was previously a Principal Partner at Century 21 Rose Bay.…

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  • Real Estate News

    Ray White Double Bay agents set a new street record

    Ray White Double Bay agents, Evan Williams and Benjamin Goodwin, have set a new street record just days after listing a Woollahra home with a red carpet soiree. Sold for an undisclosed amount for a new street record, Mr Williams said he was thrilled with the result and the level of interest as a direct result of the VIP launch…

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  • Real Estate News

    Queensland Government’s 46-storey new home wins state’s top property honour

    A skyscraper that has reshaped the Brisbane skyline has taken out the Property Council of Australia’s Rider Levett Bucknall Queensland Development of the Year award. 1 William Street is the 46-storey office now home to the Queensland Government and public service. Building owners Cbus Property and ISPT were praised for taking an innovative approach to development that has delivered a…

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  • Real Estate News

    Pontoon Property to offer dedicated creative solution for property marketing

    Creative branding agency Pontoon 8 has revealed a fresh focus on property marketing with the launch of a new business venture entitled Pontoon Property. The move sees Pontoon 8 Managing Director Saxon Lyne joining forces with experienced property marketer Shane Stewart to focus their creative talents on the property marketing space. Based in Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Pontoon Property…

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  • Real Estate News

    McGrath continues Victorian expansion with a new Greensborough office

    McGrath has continued its Victorian growth strategy with the opening of a new office in Greensborough located in Melbourne’s North-East. This will be the company’s 12th Victorian office since first entering the state in December 2015. McGrath Greensborough Eltham will be led by joint Principals Ben Flannagan alongside his father Brent. The Flannagans have operated a family-led real estate business…

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  • Real Estate News

    Entries for the Annual REA Excellence Awards (AREAs) are now open

    Submissions are now open for the Annual REA Excellence Awards (AREAs), which celebrates excellence in the property and media industries. The AREAs honour the most innovative, community-minded and highest-achieving individuals and businesses across property and media. There are 21 awards in total across the three categories of Innovation, Service & Marketing Excellence and Community. The categories are designed to encompass…

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  • Real Estate News

    Property disruptor Soho launches ‘News Feed’ feature

    Property disruptor Soho has launched a ‘News Feed’ feature for its app in an attempt to help buyers and sellers find their dream home. Similar to existing social networking platforms, users will be able to track trending topics through hashtags, connect to industry experts, and watch videos from industry figures. Since the platform launched in 2017 it has garnered over…

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  • Real Estate News

    Colliers International welcomes two new faces to the Canberra team

    Colliers International has welcomed its newest agent Sisi Chen to its Canberra team while also welcoming back Michael Pearson and Nathan Burraston. “Over the past six months our team has grown by 50 per cent,” Colliers International Director Residential, Shane Radnell revealed. Late last year the office also recruited Tom Maloney. “The number of residential sales agents employed in our…

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  • Real Estate News

    Northern Territory triumphs in Transform/19

    ‘Transform’ is Elite Agent’s premier education program – a 30-day opportunity for real estate professionals to improve their careers and be coached by the best in the business. More than 100 agents with various levels of experience participated in the 2019 challenge, from novice auctioneers to experienced agents and agency leaders. Challengers are awarded points along the way for completing…

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  • Real Estate News

    OBrien Real Estate stake a claim on Melbourne’s Monash corridor with Gareth Apswoude

    OBrien Real Estate continues to expand its network in the Monash corridor of Melbourne with the addition of Gareth Apswoude and assistant Zoe Zhao. OBrien Managing Director Dean O’Brien described Mr Apswoude as a highly valued addition. “What we like about Gareth is he is straight talking, creative in his approach, customer focussed, confident and has a track record of…

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  • Real Estate News

    Adelaide caught up in election hype: Raine & Horne

    The prospect of a possible change of government in the upcoming election has prompted investors to buy up property in Adelaide, according to Raine & Horne. “Some investors aren’t waiting to see if there will be a change of government on election night and are buying up properties in Adelaide now to ensure they don’t miss out on the current…

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  • Real Estate News

    Australia’s first engineered timber office wins NSW’s top property honour

    Australia’s first engineered timber office, International House Sydney, has received the Property Council of Australia’s Rider Levett Bucknall NSW Development of the Year award. “International House demonstrates that mass timber construction is a viable alternative to conventional construction and stands as a beacon of innovation and sustainable design excellence,” said the Property Council’s NSW Executive Director Jane Fitzgerald. International House…

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  • Real Estate News

    OBrien welcomes Heather Steadman to Oakleigh office

    OBrien Real Estate, Victoria has welcomed agent Heather Steadman to the Oakleigh sales team. Ms Steadman brings 15 years of sales experience in the Glen Eira area and said she was excited to be working with the team. According to OBrien Real Estate Oakleigh Director, Max Martinucci, Ms Steadman’s family-orientated personality will fit perfectly with building the ethos of family…

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  • Real Estate News

    Stone Real Estate Camden has welcomed Chris Philp into the fold

    Stone Real Estate Camden has welcomed Chris Philp to the team to bolster operations in the area. The 31-year-old said joining the boutique agency was an offer he could not refuse. “The Stone brand is highly impressive and I can see it’s really going places,” Mr Philp said. “They’re enthusiastic and have a great culture. I’ve seen them in action…

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  • Real Estate News

    The Agency joins forces with Renee Hardman to form Team Sauvage

    The Agency has teamed up with WA agent Renee Hardman to launch Team Sauvage in Mandurah. Ms Hardman has operated her own real estate business for 13 years in the coastal community, where she holds the claim for selling the highest-priced property in Halls Head Canals for $5.8 million. Ms Hardman notes her commitment to her work is client-driven. She…

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  • Real Estate News

    Mother-daughter duo celebrate 10 years with Ray White

    Ray White Whitsunday sales agent Ellen Kerr and daughter Bek Kerr have recently celebrated their 10-year anniversary at Ray White. The mother and daughter duo have worked in real estate together for over 12 years in total. Ellen Kerr explained the secret to their success is the passion they share for the their jobs and the industry. “Real estate brings…

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  • Real Estate News

    REIA calls Federal Election campaign a success

    The Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) has called its public awareness campaign against property taxation a success. According to REIA President Adrian Kelly, the aim of the campaign was to ensure that all political parties, candidates and voters know the consequences of the Opposition’s policy on negative gearing and capital gains tax in advance of the May 18 election.…

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  • Real Estate News

    Perth’s industrial space prospers on the back of employment and population growth

    Ray White’s latest research has found there are signs of improvement in Perth’s industrial leasing sector, with employment and population growth leading to positive GSP results. Entitled Between the Lines – Perth Industrial Sub 5,000sq m Leasing report, the research indicates small business is driving the trend. “Take-up in industrial space has especially been outstanding over the past two years,…

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  • Real Estate News

    DiJONES launch AI platform ‘askDiJONES’

    DiJONES has combined house-hunting data and artificial intelligence to give homeowners an advantage when they consider selling or preparing to sell. The askDiJONES “skill” (much like an app on a mobile device) can be installed into a person’s virtual home assistant and consumers can tap into the group’s live database of active and passive buyers and renters to see who…

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  • INDUSTRY NEWS

    May 2019: RBA rates remain at 1.50 per cent – industry reacts

    Yesterday (7 May 2019), the RBA Board decided to leave the cash rate unchanged at 1.50 per cent for its 30th consecutive meeting. Here’s a quick rundown of what happened. With respect to the housing market: The adjustment in established housing markets is continuing after the earlier large run-up in prices in some cities. Conditions remain soft and rent inflation…

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  • Real Estate News

    First National recognises outstanding teen

    First National Real Estate has recognised a Queensland teenager for her role in making Cystic Fibrosis medication more widely available. 13-year-old Evie Marshall received the Leadership Award at the 2019 Seven News Young Achiever Awards on Friday after successfully campaigning for Australians with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) to have access to life-extending medication. The medication, called Orkambi, previously cost $250,000 per patient,…

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  • Real Estate News

    Century 21 extends its presence in regional NSW

    Century 21 has announced the opening of a new Central West office in Forbes as it expands its presence in regional New South Wales. C21 Central West will be headed up by Tara Kelly, who has over 20 years industry experience. The office will cater to both sales and property management, with the vision of being a “progressive real estate…

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  • Real Estate News

    Husband and wife team opens Ray White Augustine Heights

    Experienced husband and wife duo, Rudy and Alma Grommen, have opened a new Ray White business in Augustine Heights, Queensland. Mr Grommen said the team decided to move their existing Brookwater office to Augustine Heights, in the growing Greater Springfield region of southeast Queensland, due to the diverse housing market and customer base. “The area has experienced some of the…

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