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New CEO meets and greets members

Last week First National’s new CEO, David Edwards grabbed the opportunity to spend time with members who were attending Regional Council meetings and professional development sessions in Adelaide and Sydney.

 

In Adelaide, David got acquainted with SA/NT Council members and hosted a breakfast meeting ahead of a day of Tom Panos training.

 

Similarly, in Sydney there were meetings with NSW Regional Councillors before the Principals’ Business Session, which was facilitated by Victorian and Tasmanian BGM, James Bateman (thanks James!).

 

Over the coming weeks, please take advantage of your upcoming opportunities to meet David at breakfasts and training days. 

POLICY: REIA launches major initiatives 

The Real Estate Institute of Australia last week launched two major initiatives, the Property Management Action Plan and Build to Rent Report.

Property Management Action Plan

The Property Management Action Plan (PMAP) is the REIA’s response to the unprecedented challenges our industry faces in the rental property sector. Following 2023’s Property Management Roundtables, which saw all state institutes but the REIQ unite with REIA to consult property managers to: 

  • Emphasise the necessity for a comprehensive national framework for property management
  • Transcend the constraints of state-based regulation, and 
  • To identify pragmatic measures that can unlock growth in the rental sector

This initiative has four key themes for action: People, Investment, Health & Wellbeing and Innovation. Through the PMAP. The REIA aims to propel the industry forward through a multifaceted approach: policy development, advocacy through events and forums, and research initiatives. 

Next steps:

  • Steering group to be formed 
  • Create investment prospectus
  • Recruitment, attraction and retention campaign

The REIA is calling for anybody who has an interest in being involved to contact anna.neelagama@reia.com.au

Build to Rent Report

 

The second major initiative, the Build to Rent Report, demonstrates that despite the growing momentum behind Build-to-Rent (BTR) developments, these initiatives represent a mere 3% of the existing rental stock within Australia’s eastern cities and will still fall well short of Budget 2023 projections.

 

REIA President, Ms Leanne Pilkington says the Report has delivered mixed results for the outlook of this asset class. 

 

‘BTR currently only accounts for 3,800 completed units and of the 44,139 combined BTR units proposed, only 43% have approval. A whopping 55% are planned for Melbourne while the bulk of BTR pipeline will be owned and managed by foreign investors. BTR will take time to come online and our shortages are now,’ she said.

 

The REIA will therefore continue to advocate for the pivotal role of private property investment in solving Australia’s rental supply crisis.

AWARDS: Lodge your GEM Awards data quarterly, please

 

Don’t forget, it’s time to lodge your first quarter results so we can show you and your team where you sit in the quarterly leader board.

 

While First National has always requested quarterly lodgement of GEM Awards data, we’ve also permitted offices to lodge annually because we understand you can’t always find time. However, during this awards season some offices faced disappointment when late lodgement of data combined with data entry errors resulting in them missing out on awards they would otherwise have been entitled to. 

 

When you lodge your data quarterly, you provide National Support Office with the chance to notice any mistakes and get in contact with you. 

 

So, moving forward, offices submitting awards data annually will automatically have their data audited. It is hoped that this will assure all offices are treated fairly, and everybody receives the recognition they deserve. Please lodge your data now and we’ll look forward to sharing the quarterly leader board soon.

 

UPSKILLING: Productive property manager training with Nathan Brett 

 

NSW Business Growth Manager, Sarah Barton reported a strong turnout of South Coast Zone and Sydney members at Nathan Brett’s ‘Productive Property Manager’ training session in Wollongong, New South Wales.

UPSKILLING: New England property management teams ‘caffeinate and collaborate’ 

 

At Peterson’s Guesthouse and Winery in Armidale (NSW), New England Zone property managers enjoyed a really informative and engaging training session with Felicity Vance from FV Consulting, says NSW Business Growth Manager, Amy Bruce. 

 

Delegates took a deep dive into the intricacies of property management, from adopting a landlord mindset to proactive repair strategies, mental wellbeing and healthy boundaries.

Vale Kate Wallis

 

It is with great sadness that First National has received news of former FN Tamborine Mountain (QLD) principal, Kate Wallis' passing. 

 

As her son Blake said in his Facebook post, Kate was 'a devoted mother, cherished wife, beloved sister, and a dear friend to many. Her presence illuminated the lives of those around her, and her absence will be deeply felt by all who knew her.'

 

Blake has invited Kate's friends and colleagues to celebrate her life and say farewell this Friday 19 April at Coolibah Downs Private Estate 41 Mount Nathan Rd, Mount Nathan.

UPSKILLING: Tom Panos shares expertise in Adelaide

 

Tom Panos works with the top 1% of real estate agents across Australia and New Zealand and has been doing so for over 30 years.  After a successful sales "road trip" across the country, he addressed our South Australian members at Adelaide Oval recently. 

UPSKILLING: Don't miss our upcoming digital training opportunities