Network and industry
2024 First National member survey
As part of First National’s commitment to continuous improvement, your network has commissioned Klein, a leading independent market research company, to conduct a Member Satisfaction Survey.
Principals, expect a phone call imminently
The objective of the survey is to better understand your needs so that we can determine how best to support your business.
Over the coming week, Klein will be contacting members to invite them to participate in a short telephone survey of approximately 15 minutes in duration.
This is an important initiative for First National, and we would value your participation. Your feedback will be combined with that of other members’ so that your responses remain completely anonymous.
Regional & Rural Muster raises $22,000
The network’s regional, rural and even city agents met in Mildura for our annual Regional & Rural Muster, celebrating their get together by raising over $22,000, and $10,000 was donated to C.H.A.I.L.I.S at a fruit-themed Gala Dinner Auction.
Some 70 delegates assured the event was the biggest rural event we’ve hosted in the past 15 years. Members heard from a series of rural property experts, before a member panel discussed their approach to a variety of rural estate agency challenges.
A field day provided the opportunity to visit Jujube Farm, a solar farm, Australian Garlic, Minter Magic Citrus, an almond and asparagus farm, which was capped by a dinner cruise on the Murray River.
New Board convenes to approve strategy
Whilst attending the Regional & Rural Muster, First National’s 2024/25 Board of Directors reviewed and authorised the CEO’s three-year strategy.
The network’s management will now move forward to implement new growth and member services initiatives, amongst the first of which will be to complete the above mentioned independent member satisfaction research. This will enable your National Support Office (NSO) to establish a baseline from which improvements can be made and measured, and to help provide a clear understanding what services you most value.
Celebrating National Property Managers’ Day
Right around the network, First National celebrated its awesome property managers on National Property Managers’ Day. In honour of the occasion, your network put together a Reel showcasing the people who are the backbone of the business.
Major industry changes
Anna Neelagama, Claire O'Neill, Chris Minns
Anna Neelagama, Claire O'Neill, Chris Minns
Last week was a week of major announcements for Australia's real estate sector with news breaking about the industry's peak body, a new Housing Minister, and a ban on no-grounds evictions starting from next year in NSW.
REIA Chief Executive, Anna Neelagama announced that she would be departing her role after four years and taking up the reins at the Master Builders ACT.
Ousted Home Affairs minister Clare O'Neil was announced the new Housing Minister and vowed to make her job about "delivery, delivery, delivery" - amid ongoing building industry warnings over the speed at which the government's $32 billion housing rollout can ease the supply crisis.
NSW Premier Chris Minns announced a ban on no-grounds evictions starting from next year. Currently, NSW landlords are 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.
Landlords will still be able to evict tenants with a reasonable cause.
Permitted causes for eviction will include:
- Breaches of lease by the tenant, including property damage and failure to pay rent.
- Sale of the property.
- Significant repairs or renovations, with the caveat that home owners must not relist the property for sale within the next four weeks.
- Change of use.
- Owner intends to move into the property.
- Change of eligibility, e.g. if the renter is no longer eligible for an affordable housing program, or is no longer a student.
Principals’ Retreats: Save the date!
Farewell Frank Tierney
It was with mixed emotions that First National recently announced the retirement of Frank Tierney, our former National Chairperson (2002-2005) and current Commercial Consultant.
Frank has been an integral part of our network and FN Commercial for many years, contributing significantly to the growth and success of our commercial chapter. Frank his partner Lesley were provided a farewell NSO luncheon.
Queensland Stage Two RTA Reforms
As the Queensland Government grinds its way through a complicated process of RTA reform implementation, First National has provided face-to-face training and support.
For property managers grappling with understanding exactly where they are in the plan's implementation, First National has released a three-page reforms summary. Download a copy here.
Seasoned agents wowed by Stephen Toms
It’s not every day that seasoned sales agents are impressed by trainers but Stephen Toms achieved just that, when he conducted digital training in Ballina recently.
Scott Reading of FN Murwillumbah (NSW) reports that Bruce Flynn and Anne Besgrove loved Stephen’s training so much that they registered to attend Sales Power Up 2 in Brisbane last week!
Business by design with FN Profit Planner
First National’s Profit Planner tool has evolved continuously since release, enabling our principals to dial up and down different elements of their business to predict profitability, and thereby make real-world adjustments.
Over the past 10 years, these are the improvements that have been delivered:
- Automatic calculation of Profit Capacity (the max amount of profit a business can generate given the current sales team and their GCI production capacity)
- Gross Profit Implication calculation (additional GCI required to cover additional $10k increase in operational costs)
- Provision for the deduction of sales assistant cost deducted before salespersons earnings
- Calculation of Net Profit to the Agency after accounting for agency paid sales assistants and the salespersons share of operational costs
- Calculation of the salesperson’s break-even point
- Provision of the deduction of a ‘dollar’ amount (as well as % amount) from GCI before calculation of the salespersons ‘split’
- Provision for a bonus payment upon reaching a specified GCI
- Calculation of Prospecting Volume (the number of meaningful communications with past clients, spheres of influence or current buyers who will become sellers in the short term)
- Provision for the cost of sales assistants not specifically costed against a salesperson (cost of sale)
- Option to upload expenses in excel format from an accounting program
- Inclusion of a downloadable cashflow forecast in Excel format
If you’re not using FN Profit Planner in your business, you’re missing out on one of the greatest tools in the First National armoury. Talk to National Performance Manager, Ted Piteo, today about how to get started. Call Ted on 0412 832 555.
‘Ted’s knowledge of agency practice and business principles is second to none. Being able to work through the profit planner together with Ted was brilliant. I encourage all business owners to have a session with Ted as it allows you to check the key financial parameters of your business against what is happening around the country and either customise your forward planning or be content in the knowledge of what you are doing is working.’
Matt Snaddon
FN Busselton (WA)
New England PMs collaborate on NCAT training
In New South Wales, FN Armidale, FN Tamworth and FN Robyn Willis (Glen Innes) property managers got together for some in-depth NCAT training with Trish Rogers.
They took the opportunity afterward to discuss regional challenges, shared scripts and dialogues, and exchanged techniques to avoid tribunal. Great collaboration!
Learning and development
QLD
What: Property Management/BDM Training with Vasili Hadzellis
When: 20 August 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: The Glen Hotel, Brisbane
Register: Click here
What: Property Management/BDM Training with Vasili Hadzellis
When: 21 August 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Mercure Gold Coast
Register: Click here
What: Property Management/BDM Training with Vasili Hadzellis
When: 22 August 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Sebel Marcooydore, Sunshine Coast
Register: Click here
NSW
What: Property Management Training with Kasey McDonald
When: 13 August 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Where: Sage Hotel Wollongong
Register: Click here
What: Sales Training with Kylie Walsh
When: 13 August 9:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Ballina RSL Club
Register: Click here
What: Sales Training with Kylie Walsh
When: 20 August 9:30 am to 2 pm
Where: Novotel Newcastle
Register: Click here
Online
What: The Future of Maintenance & Property Management with Jason Colbey, Tapi
When: 7 August 2 pm to 3 pm AEST
Where: Zoom Webinar – Online
Register: Click here
What: Commercial Webinar 1 with Wendy Thomson & Joel Rauer
When: 8 August 10 am to 12 pm AEST
Where: Zoom Webinar – Online
Register: Click here
What: Workplace Wellbeing Webinar - Financial Wellbeing with Nou Nou Kinnavong, REISuper
When: 21 August 2 pm to 3 pm AEST
Where: Zoom Webinar – Online
Register: Click here
What: CoreLogic Webinar - National Spring Market Update with Tim Lawless
When: 26 August 11:30 am to 12:00 pm AEST
Where: Zoom Webinar – Online
Register: Click here
Commercial with Wendy Thomson and Joel Rauer