Network & Industry

Chief Executive: ‘We’ve got to get everyone playing in the same footy jumper'

CEO David Edwards has recorded a quick video update on the very latest news at First National. Our draft member satisfaction survey results are in and key take aways are:

You consider brand uniformity the network’s biggest issue
You believe there’s a need to create a more compelling value proposition

David will provide more details in another video update in November.

In the meantime, your National Support Office (NSO) team are already working on a member fees and levies proposal, a new style guide, and updating marketing services and tools.

Thank you for your feedback about what’s important to you and telling us what you want next for First National Real Estate.

Alexandra Haggarty runs for REINSW Board

Alexandra Haggarty, Managing Director and Licensee in Charge of FN Maitland is proud to announce her candidacy for the Board of Directors of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW).

All REINSW members may vote for Alex until 5:00 pm 30 October. Please check your inbox for an email from REINSW asking for your vote.

With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the real estate industry, Alexandra has been an integral part of the First National network since 2001. Starting her career on reception, she quickly progressed through various roles in property management and sales. Today, she leads one of the most respected agencies in the Lower Hunter Valley.

Alexandra is widely recognised for her pioneering work addressing domestic violence and homelessness. In 2014, she initiated an Australian-first partnership between a real estate agency and a domestic violence and homelessness service provider – Carrie’s Place. This ground-breaking collaboration has successfully housed over 220 Maitland families escaping violence and is now being replicated across New South Wales.

‘I believe in the power of the real estate industry to effect positive social change,’ says Alexandra.

‘If elected to the REINSW Board of Directors, I will advocate for innovative solutions that benefit both our industry and the communities we serve.’

Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker at national events focusing on real estate, homelessness, and domestic violence. She has also collaborated with the REINSW training department to develop impactful training programmes, emphasising the importance of professional development within the industry.

Elected to the REINSW Property Management Chapter in 2019 and serving as Deputy Chair since 2021, Alexandra chairs the Domestic Violence Response Subcommittee. In this role, she has been instrumental in representing the industry during negotiations for the Residential Tenancy Act review.

‘Alexandra's commitment to social responsibility and industry excellence is unparalleled,’ said First National Real Estate Chief Executive, David Edwards.

‘Her leadership would be an invaluable asset to the REINSW Board.’

$10 billion shot at solving housing crisis

Last week, the Business Council of Australia attempted to revive a 1990s reform template to fix the housing crisis. It proposes a $10 billion federal plan to build more homes and slash construction costs.

The plan comprises:

A financial reward for states /territories that remove barriers to new housing
Federal government to set up new fund to offer financial incentives
Stamp duty to be replaced with land tax
More investment in apprentices/bigger intake of skilled foreign workers
Judicial inquiry into corruption in the building industry
Tougher oversight of local councils so they can’t obstruct new housing

Empowering, believing and achieving at PMC24 in Parramatta & Fremantle

70+ property managers attended last week’s PMC24 event at Novotel Sydney Parramatta. This followed 28 Western Australian delegates attending our Fremantle event the week earlier.

Queensland don’t miss your PMC24 29-30 October! Register here…

At both events, Chief Executive, David Edwards, provided an opening address where the network’s strategy for the next three years was outlined.

Following the CEO, Mark Carter delivered an insightful presentation on how to navigate different cultures and their communication considerations – vital skills essential to consistently delivering positive customer experiences.

Business & Mindset Coach, Hermione Gardiner, delved into the complexities of the tenant vacate process, exploring the common challenges faced during vacates and emphasising the importance of prioritising tenant satisfaction and cooperation.

Property Management Trainer & Coach, Michael Furlong explored the qualities of an attraction agent, 90-day action plans, work/life blend, and understanding why some people seem to catch all the breaks while others don’t.

A panel discussion provided a great platform for discussion of day-to-day challenges before Alex Haggarty (FN Maitland, NSW) led a fun group activity that brought everybody together to solve problems.

50% discount on NSW mandatory underquoting course

NSW Fair Trading has announced a 50% discount on its $75 ‘Price Representation in Real Estate – Underquoting’ course, but you need to register before 30 October. That’s tomorrow!

This course is part of the 2024-25 CPD requirements for licensed agents working in residential real estate sales and it must be completed by 30 June 2025.

So, don’t miss your chance to brush up on compliance on this important topic and earn your mandatory CPD points.

FN Commercial Conference – Red, Loud & Proud

The FN Commercial Conference is scheduled for 12-13 November at Melbourne’s Pullman on the Park and promises a vibrant agenda. Best of all, your office doesn’t need to be a FN Commercial subscriber to attend; all agents with an interest in commercial real estate are welcome.

Find out more and get registered here.

Download our new Calculator App

First National’s new Calculator App gives agents and customers (including first homebuyers) a set of easy-to-use tools to calculate:

Commissions
Stamp duty
Settlement dates
Loan repayment calculator
Unit converters
Rent vs Buy
Property selling and buying cost

It even takes into account first homebuyer calculations concerning any stamp duty waivers applicable to their property purchase, and we’ve used this additional functionality to add this very useful page to the National Website. You might like to also link to it from your website and promote through your social media.

Link to the app from your website and promote through your social media. Embed the calculator in your website using https://www.visionabacus.net/w/ACalcList/FirstNational

Download and share the FN Calculator app with your customers today.

App Store

Google Play

No-grounds eviction ban passes NSW Parliament

The NSW Government has passed a bill amendment that makes way for the state to outlaw no-grounds evictions.

The legislation also closes a loophole in the state’s law to limit rental increases to once per year, and introduces a new system for approving pets in rental properties, making it easier for tenants to keep a domesticated animal.

The state will also mandate that renters are provided with a fee-free way to pay their rent, and the legislation bans the practice of charging property applicants to conduct a background check.

The restriction on no-grounds evictions and the rules making it easier to have pets in rentals are not yet in effect, as the Residential Tenancies Regulation 2019 has yet to be amended to reflect these changes. This is expected to happen in early 2025.

Under the current laws, NSW landlords have been permitted to end a periodic lease at any time, provided they give the tenant 90 days’ notice. For fixed-term agreements of less than six months, landlords must give 30 days’ notice before terminating a lease. Once the laws have been officially amended, landlords will only be able to issue evictions under set circumstances. These include breaches of the lease, the sale of the property, to conduct significant repairs or renovations, change of use, and change of tenant eligibility.

The alterations allowing pets to be kept in tenancies follows on from similar moves made by states like Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia. Under the changes, a renter will have to put in an application to keep a pet in a rental property, which a landlord can only reject under certain circumstances which are yet to be fleshed out.