The Mix

OpenAI from October, paying subscribers, get DALL-E 3 thru ChatGPT. 

From October, ChatGPT subscribers can write a blog post within ChatGPT and get it to create an image at the same time. Further, where tools like MidJourney and also previous versions of DALL-E have struggled to produce text in the past, it looks as though this new version has it nailed. 

ChatGPT can now see, hear, and speak

ChatGPT has announced it will soon roll out new voice and image capabilities. It now offers a new, more intuitive type of interface by allowing you to have a voice conversation or show ChatGPT what you’re talking about. You can now use voice to engage in a back-and-forth conversation with your assistant through the app. Speak with it on the go, request a bedtime story for your family, or settle a dinner table debate.

‘Alternative’ real estate listings portal launches with mass media backing

The biggest news last week was the launch of Antony Catalano’s View.com.au listings portal, which offers ‘freemium’ listings and the opportunity for consumers to search for listings that are not on the market. More…

Industry bodies respond to proposed changes to Privacy Act

The federal government has committed to stronger privacy protections in a landmark review of the Privacy Act that brings Australia’s laws in line with international standards. Businesses turning over less than $3 million per annum will be affected. More…

Overseas ownership of farmland falls to seven-year low

Offshore investors taking advantage of sky-high farmland prices to sell down their holdings have sent foreign ownership of agricultural land in Australia tumbling to its lowest level in seven years, Ray White analysis of Foreign Investment Review Board data shows. More…

Ransomware gang posts 30GB of data it claims belongs to a Victorian real estate group

The Ragnar Locker gang is claiming to have breached Network Pacific Real Estate, following a failure in negotiations. The group posted a trove of exfiltrated data – archived into a series of WinRAR files totalling 30.6 gigabytes – on 30 September. Alongside Network Pacific’s address and contact details, the hacking gang also added commentary on the state of negotiations with the Victorian estate agent. More…

What happens when a real estate business makes a cyber-attack claim

For those who still think ‘it will never happen to me’, this edition we share a claim example and really drill down into the value of adequate cyber cover. All First National Real Estate offices should have it. More…

Results from NSW underquoting compliance inspections

NSW Fair Trading inspectors visited 87 agents in the Greater Sydney Metropolitan area in June to check compliance with underquoting rules. The results may surprise you. More…

REIV response to additional Victorian property taxes

A doubling of the vacant land tax came on top of the Victorian Government’s announcement to slug Airbnb owners with a new 7.5% tax. More…

Industry partnership ‘set on fire’ over Victoria’s vacant property tax

Describing it as a “financial incentive” for investors who rent out homes or develop land, the Victorian government has proposed a tax on the owners of long-term vacant properties. More…