Network and marketplace

Bringing our new brand to life

Priority: Australia, High – National

👓 1 minute read

The rollout of our new brand is moving into its next phase, with the pilot program nearing completion and providing valuable learnings to help shape the broader rollout of our new brand identity.

Over the past few months, our pilot offices have been bringing the new identity to life across key touch points including signage, websites, digital channels and marketing collateral. Their experience has helped us refine the rollout process, tools and support available to members.

We’re now preparing to welcome our first wave of members into the rollout program. Offices will work with the National Support Office (NSO) team through a structured transition to bring the new brand identity to life consistently across their business.

We’ll continue to share updates as more offices begin their transition and the new First National identity starts appearing across the network.

Rate uncertainty clouds the spring market 

Priority: Australia, High – National

👓 1 minute read

The Reserve Bank held the cash rate at 4.35% in August, but its meeting minutes revealed that several board members considered another increase may be needed to contain inflation.

That uncertainty is likely to influence buyer confidence, borrowing capacity and vendor decisions as the spring market gathers pace. Buyers with older finance approvals may need to check that their position remains current, while some vendors may require careful guidance about pricing and campaign timing.

According to the latest data from Cotality, just over 33,000 properties were newly listed in the past four weeks, an 8.2% drop compared to the five-year average and 2% below the same period in 2025.

First National agents should avoid predicting the RBA’s next decision. The more useful conversation is about conditions in the local market, current buyer activity and the evidence supporting a property’s price.

Experience returns to our network

Priority: Member news – National

👓 1 minute read

First National Stone & Associates (Heathmont, Vic) officially opened its doors last Friday, bringing more than a new office to the network. Principal Shane Stone joins with three decades of experience across residential sales, property management, auctions, agency leadership and professional training.

Born and raised in Heathmont, Shane has long wanted to establish an agency in the community he calls home. The new business will provide sales, property management and auction services across Heathmont and the wider Maroondah area.

Shane first became involved with First National while working in Albury-Wodonga through his association with First National Bonnici & Associatesand director Will Bonnici. He was drawn back by the network’s cooperative structure and its support for independent local businesses.

‘First National members share knowledge and help each other, while each agency remains independently owned and closely connected to its local community,’ Shane said.

His experience also brings value beyond his own market. Shane has served on industry committees, taught real estate qualifications at Swinburne University and continues to coach property managers and agency leaders across Australia.

Please join us in welcoming Shane and the FN Stone & Associates team to the network.

New Zealand sales activity loses momentum 

Priority: New Zealand, For information

👓 1 minute read

New Zealand property sales fell for a seventh consecutive month in July as higher mortgage rates and wider economic uncertainty kept buyers and sellers cautious.

Cotality recorded 6,935 transactions, including private and agency sales – 6.4% fewer than a year earlier.

With more properties available and buyers taking their time, realistic pricing remains central to securing a sale. Agents may need to allow for longer decision-making, more conditional interest and closer scrutiny of value.

Clear vendor conversations, current comparable evidence and consistent follow-up with prospective buyers will be particularly important as the market moves into spring.

Market shift training earns 4.8 out of 5

Priority: AU/NZ, For information

👓 1 minute read

Aaron Shiner’s first ‘Mastering a Shifting Market’ session delivered the practical, market-relevant guidance agents were looking for.

The live online session attracted 155 registrations, with 92 members attending from every Australian state and territory represented in the report, as well as New Zealand. Attendees remained online for an average of 55 minutes of the one-hour session, indicating strong engagement throughout.

Post-session feedback was particularly positive. Based on 21 survey responses, Aaron received:

• 4.9 out of five for explaining the material clearly
• 4.9 out of five for practical examples
• 4.7 out of five for relevance to attendees’ roles
• 4.7 out of five for confidence in applying the learning

The overall satisfaction rating was 4.8 out of five.

Members attended for professional development, help adapting to a changing market and better approaches to buyer and vendor conversations. Their requests for future training included objection handling, prospecting, increasing open-home inspections, converting listings into buyers and building stronger teams.

The results confirm that agents want current advice they can apply immediately. Aaron returns on 10 September with the first session in the Sales Accelerator Series, ‘Spring Listing Blitz’.

Kelly Isaacs appointed Property Management Advisor

Priority: For information, National

👓 1 minute read

Kelly Isaacs will join the National Support Office (NSO) on 1 October as First National’s new Property Management Advisor.

The national role has been re-established in response to member feedback seeking dedicated property management support.

Kelly brings a decade-long association with First National. Until recently, she was Principal of First National Wynnum Manly(QLD), before selling her rent roll to Ryan McCann at First National Cleveland(QLD).

Debbie Fletcher, who has balanced her role as State Membership Manager (SMM) for Western Australia with the former National Property Manager role, will continue to assist members and Kelly as required. 

We warmly thank Debbie for her long-term commitment to the support of the network’s property managers, round table expertise sharing events, complaint resolution and property management conference management.

Kelly’s appointment brings an experienced member perspective to the NSO and strengthens the support available to principals and their property management teams.

Members strengthen their auction skills

Priority: For information, National

👓 1 minute read

Victorian State Membership Manager (SMM) and Auctioneer James Bateman recently led auction training at National Support Office (NSO) in Melbourne, attracting a strong turnout of members keen to build their confidence and capability.

Better still, our 17 attendees rated the training 5 out of 5, with many citing the hands-on format as engaging, and that it built their confidence in practical auction skills.

Auctions remain one of real estate’s most visible moments. When the method suits the property and market, a well-run campaign can create competition, give buyers a transparent opportunity to bid and provide vendors with a clear path towards a result.

Successful auctions depend on much more than what happens under the hammer. Agents need to explain the process clearly, prepare vendors and buyers, manage expectations and maintain momentum throughout the campaign.

The turnout demonstrated that members continue to recognise the value of sharpening these skills and learning from experienced practitioners.