Network & Industry News

AWARDS: WA GEM Award Winners Announced 

Our Western Australia agents were presented with their 2024 General Excellence and Marketing Awards at Perth’s Ritz Carlton, setting a new record with nearly 200 people in attendance.  

During the evening, FN Genesis (Mt. Hawthorn) was declared winner of the Magnificent 7 – No.1 Sales Office of the Year, and FN Hedland (Port Hedland) won Magnificent 7 - No.1 Investor Relations Management Office of the Year, for the seventh consecutive year. 

Topping the individual awards was Naomi Fletcher, FN Kalgoorlie, who took home Magnificent 7 - No.1 Investor Relations Manager of the Year; Amy Doran, FN Hedland (Port Hedland) who won Magnificent 7 - No.1 Business Development Manager of the Year, and Rob Druitt, FN Druitt & Saunders (Doubleview), who achieved Magnificent 7 - No.1 Salesperson of the Year. Danielle Collins of FN Hedland (Port Hedland), achieved the Highest Number of Exclusive Listings and the Highest Number of Settled Sales, and the Highest Gross Sales Commission award went to Rob Druitt, Rob Druitt, FN Druitt & Saunders (Doubleview). 

Head to FN Central for full details of all award winners and a media release template. 

INDUSTRY: Leanne Pilkington Elected President of Industry Peak Body 

After serving on the Board for several years, Leanne Pilkington was elected to the industry’s top job, President of the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA), taking over the reins from Hayden Groves in December 2023. 

In her first communication to the industry, she shared her optimism concerning inflation figures and her expectation that ‘we will hit equilibrium by spring 2024’. Leanne also mentioned her concerns that negative gearing is once again under attack, reiterating her belief that any changes would be bad for rental supply, bad for affordability, and bad for the 2.2 million Australians who rent residential properties. 

MEMBER SERVICE: Helping Principals Keep Profitability Top of Mind 

First National continues to offer the insightful services of its National Performance Manager, Ted Piteo, across all offices.  

It’s defining feature of First National that although there is no pressure from your administration to increase turnover for shareholder benefit, all principals can confidentially access quality guidance on how to achieve greater profitability within their businesses – at no charge. 

First National’s Profit Planner software is an integral part of this process, but nothing exceeds the benefits principals draw from a face-to-face discussion with Ted via Zoom. Ted explains how to better understand profit and loss and there’s no question that can’t be asked with absolute privacy.  

Director of FN Byron Bay’s (NSW) rental division, Lauren King, recently spent time with Ted, following the recommendation of her BGM, Sarah Barton. She had this to say: 

‘Whilst we knew our profitability and processes were good, in business you need to review them on an annual basis. We found Ted easy to talk to as he understands real estate, having owned his own agency, but also has a background in accounting and banking.'

‘After reviewing our figures, Ted developed a plan that worked for us and provided expert advice on ways we could further improve our profitability. It’s definitely forward planning made easy for real estate agents! We highly recommend booking in a session and utilising this great tool that First National provide its members.’ 

Take Lauren’s advice and arrange an appointment with Ted today to see where the opportunities in your business for more profit lie. Contact Ted @ ted.piteo@firstnational.com.au or on 0412 832 555. 

POLICY: Housing Policy Lunch with QLD Opposition 

Queensland BGM, Michael Keith, represented First National Real Estate at an industry luncheon hosted by REIQ CEO, Antonia Mercorella. 

There to speak was QLD Leader of the Opposition, David Crisafulli, Shadow Treasurer David Janetski, Shadow Attorney General, Timothy Nichols, and Shadow Housing Minister, Tim Mander (an ex NRL referee!).  

The opposition’s claims are:  

• It wants to make home ownership more attainable and for all Queenslanders to aspire to home ownership.
• Currently only 64% of Queenslanders own a home, which is the lowest percentage in Australia (this percentage falls to 49% and 34% for people aged 34-30 and 25-29 respectively).
• It will increase the Stamp Duty Concession for First Home buyers from the current $600,000.
• It will make government more accessible and easier to deal with to cut through the red tape of land releases and development.
• It will show more respect and stand behind the real estate industry while promoting ‘the wonderful job the sector does in housing the population.

UPSKILLING: WA Legislation Refresher & Marketing Mastery  

We extend our thanks to REIWA for came together for a huge day of CPD training at Ritz Carlton Perth on Friday 23 February, with REIWA trainer, Jason Rainsford covering off a legislation refresher in the morning, followed by a look at marketing mastery in the afternoon with Cherie Stokic. 

UPSKILLING: Principals Business Sessions Roll Out Nationally 

This year, Principals Business Sessions will provide opportunities for our agency owners to come together to discuss key areas of their businesses and how they are solving myriad different challenges. 

Our Victorian session at Hyatt Centric, Melbourne was a demonstration of just how positively such discussions can bring insights about how we can work together to improve your business. With BGM James Bateman as MC, principals engaged in eye-opening discussions about wide ranging issues affecting their operations. 

When your opportunity comes, don’t miss your chance to learn from your fellow members about: 

• Property management structures, roles, meetings and agendas 
• Managing targets, goals and KPIs 
• Software and inspection systems 
• Remuneration, bonuses and incentives, fees and charges 
• Safety protocols and training 
• Sales prospecting, nurturing and what’s working best 
• Sales teams’ ideal weeks and HR structures 
• CRMs, websites and how they interact, and the issues you face 
• Social media 
• Fees 
• Structuring commission for sales from your rent roll 
• Vendor paid advertising and marketing packages 

Save the date for your upcoming events: 

Victoria: 

2 October – Bright (Venue TBA)  

New South Wales:

11 April – Sydney – Hyatt Regency 

16 April - Bowral, Berida Hotel

1 October – Armidale/Wollongong – (Venue TBA)  

31 October – Sydney- Hyatt Regency  

Queensland: 

23 February – The Glen Hotel, Brisbane 

21 March – Townsville, The Ville Resort Casino  

10 April – Gold Coast, (Venue TBA) 

27 August –Location (Venue TBA) 

SA / WA Dates to be announced.  

UPSKILLING: Modern Etiquette & RTA Changes 

Prior to last month’s SA/NT GEM Awards, First National agents undertook a jam-packed day of training at Adelaide Oval.  

Brett Wheatland from Property Management Consultants hosted an in-depth overview of upcoming changes to residential tenancy in the state. Along with Brett, attendees were treated to sessions by modern etiquette expert, Anna Musson, and Females Fighting Forward founder, Carly Gangell.  

AWARDS: Download Your Professional SA/NT GEM Award Photos 

UPSKILLING: ‘Claiming Doors’ for More Listings & More Sales with Lee Woodward 

Industry expert, Lee Woodward, held our sales agents in the palm of his hand as he delivered his Claiming Doors presentation in Melbourne.  

New South Wales, don’t miss your chance to see Lee at one of four sessions this March: 

• 7 March – Sydney 
• 12 March – Wollongong 
• 19 March – Newcastle 
• 26 March - Ballina 

Lee shares all the fresh ideas he has for the industry and you can’t afford to be without his uniquely clear perspectives, if you want maximum success in 2024. 

Here’s an insight Lee shared about the value of the FN Commercial brand as an important ‘identifier’ in your business.  

'This was a great session. First saw Lee about nine years ago. Never misses the mark!'

Tony Stockdale

FN Bonnici & Associates (Beechworth, VIC) 

OUR FABRIC: Far North Coast Lunch with Performance Partners 

Our Far North New South Wales office teams - Byron Bay, Yamba, Iluka, Casino, Ballina & Lismore - got together to enjoy a fabulous Italian banquet at Capiche, enjoying the stunning sea views in the company of our Performance Partners, Luke from realestate.com.au and Naomi from Direct Connect. 

Discussions ranged around the impact of media reports on sales in Byron Bay as well as the current difficulties being experienced by property managers when it comes to the expectations and emotions. FN Wal Murray & Co (Ballina & Lismore) gave really good feedback from the property management training held the day before with Nathan Brett.

Thank you for engaging with your colleagues and joining us for lunch. 

UPSKILLING: Property Management Roadshow with Nathan Brett 

Nathan Brett’s Productive Property Manager teaches time management techniques to make life easier. You'll learn how to set boundaries, create a schedule that works for you, and use productivity tools and technology to get the most out of your day, and become pro-active at tackling some of the big rocks in Property Management. 

With sessions already conducted in Newcastle and Ballina, Sydney and Wollongong, it’s your turn on March 14 and April 9 so get registered quickly. 

Nathan will cover the following topics: 

• An introduction to time management 
• Personal productivity 
• The proactive property manager 
• The 'big rocks' in property management 
• Effective planning 
• Understanding energy management 

‘This was one of the best courses I have attended. Nathan was engaging and spoke well. I really liked that he discussed ideas that we can implement. It’s often hard to make changes with office procedures, but the ideas I took away can be implemented without making any changes within our office procedures; they are things I can change within my daily working activities. This is the first course I have attended that offered ideas with different ways of approaching tasks without changing the entire office. I think it will really have a positive effect on the way I tackle my pile of daily tasks.’ 

Sharon Reid 

FN Coastwide (Wyong, NSW)