Agency Practice

From invisible to Mildura market leader in 9 days

👓 1.5 minute read

Just prior to the Convention, FN Collie & Tierney (Mildura, Vic) was not visible in the Google Map Pack when local homeowners Googled ‘real estate agents Mildura’. Sitting in position four, potential customers had to open the Map Pack to see First National – which is far from ideal.

One Agency, Ray White and The Professionals were occupying the top three positions, despite having fewer Google Reviews and only marginally higher star ratings. 

First National’s analysis of FN Collie & Tierney’s competitors highlighted vulnerabilities that were ready to be exploited, so Principal Joe Fleri asked Becca Evans (Customer Service Officer) and Amie Flack (Sales Administration) to action the recommendations in the agency’s Google Search Analysis.

Google is highly sensitive to a range of factors that influence search rankings – and it’s not just your normal SEO considerations that you need to be across. 

Following First National’s proven strategy and recommendations, Becca and Amie were able to lift FN Collie & Tierney’s position from No.4 to No.2, within just days, and without spending a cent. 

Suddenly, the agency had immediate visibility in the most valuable space on the page, with its actions pushing The Professionals and Ray White down the search results.

After working through more FN recommendations, Becca reported on the ninth business day that FN Collie & Tierney had switched places with One Agency, taking position No.1.

With re-energised emphasis on acquisition of Google Reviews, FN Collie & Tierney is set to maintain its lead and has turbo-charged its opportunities to grow the business sustainably.

Could your agency be better positioned? 

Contact Communications & Corporate Affairs Manager, Stewart Bunn, for advice – stewart.bunn@firstnational.com.au

Stop banking everything on the big pitch

👓 2 minute read

Most sales agents and property managers still cram a week’s worth of hope into a hour-long listing presentation. They burn valuable time using Google, Pricefinder, REA or RP Data, wrangle a fading office printer, then stride into the lounge room armed with the same recent sales, recycled marketing packages and familiar fee structures as everyone else. When they leave a glossy booklet on the dining table, every egg is placed in that single basket. If a rival slips in afterwards with a cheaper commission, those eggs get smashed.

Why the old model falls short

When your presentation looks, sounds and feels like every competitor’s, the vendor or landlord’s easiest way to differentiate is either your appraisal or your commission fee. No pitch, no matter how slick, is good enough to carry your future pipeline on its own.

Three smarter levers for winning instructions

1. Give before you get - Deliver value well before the appraisal call. Short, plain-English market updates, pocket-sized video explainers and social posts that actually answer local owners’ questions ensure you’re top of mind before their selling clock starts. Think conversation starters, not mass blasts.
2. Follow-up that follows through - The real work begins the moment you walk out the door. A same-day call or video text thanking the owner, filling any gaps and pre-empting fresh queries sets you apart. Schedule additional touch points - SMS, a quick CMA tweak, a link to a relevant case study - so momentum never sags. 
3. Authenticity beats ubiquity - DL cards and billboards keep your face familiar, but they’re wallpaper without the human moments in between. Voice-to-voice chats, personalised videos and community involvement reveal the person behind the brand and foster the trust that glossy brochures cannot.

Making it stick

A structured nurture programme, disciplined diary reminders and a dose of personality will outsell a ‘perfect’ slideshow every time. Treat the listing appointment as just one checkpoint in a longer, richer journey—and watch your conversion rate climb. 

Communicating rental reforms

Jason Partridge of FN Patterson (Port Macquarie, NSW) has gone the extra mile for his landlords, creating a comprehensive guide to the rental reforms now in force in New South Wales. Now, he’s given us permission to share his work with you as well. Thank you, Jason – a great example of collaboration and being ‘Better Together’!

Within his FN Utopia eBook, you’ll see that Jason has recorded short videos that explain the changes. Click the image to take a look. We think you could be inspired to create your own.

Property Management Think Tanks 

First National’s Property Management Think Tanks are a brilliant way to support your PM department. Don’t miss these upcoming opportunities in Adelaide (SA) and Warragul (Vic), because there’s nothing quite like the opportunity to discuss daily challenges and solutions with your colleagues.

Make the most of your REA Pro subscription

New FIRB portal goes live 28 May

👓 40 second read

For First National agents dealing periodically with foreign buyers, be aware the new Foreign Investment Review Board portal goes live tomorrow – Wednesday 28 May, 2025. The existing FIRB application portal will no longer be used to submit foreign investment proposals.

More information about how your clients may use the new portal is found here.