Network & Industry News

CEO: Be the Local Area Expert

First National continues to deliver you the trifecta of expertise - Social Express, Information Express and Your Patch - to make you the local area expert in real estate as well as a magnet that attracts new business and employees.

By using these three unique First National advantages, you provide information your customers are searching for that they can't get elsewhere.

Information Express - Timely, topical, professionally written blog posts that pull customers to your website with answers to the questions they are asking. Find out more and how to use this information NOW at this link.

Your Patch - Australian Government Census data made easy to understand by famous demographer, Bernard Salt. Unique to your website, you set the benchmark for how real estate has performed since 2021 and help customers make informed decisions with expertise they can't get elsewhere. To see the Bernard Salt video and the best ways to use YOUR Patch click here.

Social Express - the 24/7 social publishing service that takes the pain out of consistently producing professional content keeps you in front of your customers. To find out how to get the most out of your social media, check out our eBook here.

UPSKILLING: Join Us in New Zealand for Rural Muster - 26-29 July

Rural and Lifestyle Specialists are heading to Cromwell, New Zealand for this year’s Rural Muster. Hosted at the world-renowned Highlands Motorsport Park, an outstanding line-up of speakers have been engaged to build your knowledge and expertise.

• Henry van der Velden – Former FN agent, civil engineer, orchardist, rural development & industrial estates expert
• Paul Croft – Residential, commercial and retail projects developer with over 25 years’ experience in property & finance
• James Dicey – Chair of Otago’s Winegrowers Association, James develops and manages vineyards for people who own a vineyard but lack viticultural skills
• Pete Jamieson – FMCG sales & marketing expert, Pete transitioned from corporate life to greener business pastures in the cherry industry

Enjoy our Wednesday welcome drinks. On Thursday, meet our speakers and enjoy in-house training sessions. Thursday night, don’t miss our splash of pink themed Gala Dinner & Charity Auction and on Friday, we have a fantastic vineyard and cherry orchard tour plus dinner at the iconic ‘Stoaker Room’.

Find out more by contacting Rural & Lifestyle Chapter Chairman, Rob Stephens on 0458 658 566 or Lucia at head office on 1800 653 666.

POLICY: REIA and First National Prepare to Resist Rent Controls

The Albanese Government’s signature housing policy, the Housing Australia Future Fund or HAFF, has been deferred and potentially defeated in the Senate. This increases pressure on the government to bend to Greens demands for the introduction of a rent freeze and/or rent controls, which would likely exacerbate the housing supply crisis.

With a second vote on the HAFF now not taking place until October, the Albanese Government must either:

1. Give ground to Greens demands for a freeze on rents
2. Refuse to give ground and risk the humiliation of its signature policy being defeated for a second time, or 
3. Accept a second defeat in the Senate is inevitable and use Section 57 of the Australian Constitution to dissolve both houses of Parliament and head to an early election

Your industry peak body, the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA) and First National Real Estate continue to work closely to bring influence to the policy making process through strategic communication. Rent controls have failed internationally and our industry must articulate the national interest in resisting such calls. 

The next Information Express  release titled ‘The Global Failure of Rent Controls: A Tale of International Cities’ will help all FN offices to explain why rent freeze proposals might seem well-intentioned, but are destined to fail – hurting those they intend to help the most. 

Please publish the article to your blog when it is sent to you and deploy the social media collateral to get the message out there.

Igniting Success at Epic QLD Sales Power Up

Our Queensland Sales Power Up conference at the Brisbane Sofitel was HUGE! 

With an action-packed agenda delivered by the industry’s most thought-provoking and inspirational speakers, our sales agents were left buzzing with new ideas and strategies to win more business.

‘I really liked the format. The session lengths were good. Lee, Chris and Tom all had really relevant and up-to-date info but were also entertaining so kept everyone engaged.’

Roz Wolfe 

FN Banora Point (NSW)

‘The speakers were top notch and got straight to the important stuff - things that help us improve our listing and selling. Looking forward to the next one.’

Zach Reid 

FN Atherton (Qld)

‘The sales power up was an awesome experience! Great day of learning with the First National family. Taking in plenty of knowledge and listening to many great speakers without overloading myself. Brilliant day! Well done and thanks to the FN team for organising it.’

Silde Canda 

FN By The Bay (Birkdale, Qld)

‘Excellent training day, full of useful, practical information, very motivational! Thanks for providing such valuable training.’

Sarah Reading 

FN Murwillumbah

‘Thank you so much for today, was a great line-up of speakers and well organised! Our staff love a full day 8:00 – 6:00 pm as we travel from the Sunshine Coast. We get more out of that setup than a smaller session. Thanks again!’ 

Mason Hayward

FN Lifestyle Sippy Downs

RISK MANAGEMENT: Copyright Trolls Hunting Real Estate Agents

With PIXSY the latest copyright infringement troll to ‘arrive’ in Australia, it’s timely to remind all offices to audit your websites and remove images of unknown origin. 

PIXSY, Higbee & Associates, CopyCat Legal and Fechner Legal are businesses that make money through opportunistic strategic litigation. They claim to represent the copyright interests of photographers and search the internet for images businesses have published that do not belong to them. Once identified, they commence a campaign of unduly aggressive letters of demand for licensing fees. The letters cause considerable distress and frequently foreshadow an alarming escalation of costs if their demands are not met. 

If you have downloaded and published images sourced from Google Images, there is a significant risk that you will be identified and threatened with legal action. Blockchain and AI will only increase this risk.

Multiple First National offices have experienced copyright infringement notices in the past. Another is currently grappling the demands of PIXSY, with their first demand being in excess of $1,200. 

If you do not know the source of any image, remove it immediately. If you have received a letter of demand, please contact the network’s Chief Communications Officer for advice.

UPSKILLING: Work on Your Business, Not in It

It’s Principals’ Retreat season, which means now’s the time for principals and administrators to step back, take a little time out, connect with colleagues and plan strategically for the next 12 months. 

Don’t miss your chance. Register using these links below.

UPSKILLING: Investor Relations Days

Investor Relations Managers, mark your diaries! Our next round of IR Days is coming up, starting in September. 

Looking after your personal safety and surviving the challenges of the rental supply crisis is critical to your health and happiness. 

We’re here to support you so don’t miss your IR Day.

Save the date and register now.

UPSKILLING: Buyer & Seller Servicing in 2023

Top agent success coach and in-demand industry speaker, Tom Panos, delivered an inspiring training session in Melbourne recently, and, more opportunities are coming up soon.

Tom covered being high-tech but staying high-touch, new ways to get listings, closing sales, buyer and seller servicing in the 2023 marketplace, and what the top 1 per cent at doing to win.

New South Wales agents, we have sessions coming up in Sydney (today), Wollongong, Ballina and Newcastle. Don’t miss out. Register for your nearest session below.

‘Tom’s sales training session was a game-changer for me. His expertise, engaging presentation style and motivational impact combined to create an incredibly valuable experience. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious and our team felt highly engaged right throughout the session!’

Mason Torney 

FN Rayner (Bacchus Marsh, Vic)

‘Tom’s training was high energy, interactive and engaging, relevant to today’s market, and covered issues arising for agents on a daily basis. Highly recommended.’

Harley Maclachlan

FN Bonnici & Associates (Wodonga, Vic)

‘It was an awesome experience as always, having Tom share his wisdom with everyone and really cater his sessions to our individual needs rather than just repeating the same training over and over. I look forward to more sales sessions with Tom and anyone else you have lined up as well.’

Tyla Giles-Watson

FN Avant (Box Hill, Vic)

UPSKILLING: Building a Kick-Arse Social Profile Daily 

Digital and viral keynote speaker, Jonathan Creek, delivered an awesome training session in Sydney when he reminded sales agents, property managers and administrators that investing just 10 minutes a day can build you a kick-arse profile! 

Jonathan explained how to generate endless ideas, develop engaging social profiles, look good using your phone’s camera and all sorts of back-to-basics tools that take your content to the next level.

Victoria and Tasmania, don’t miss Jonathan in on July 18 at Crown Melbourne. Register right now by clicking the button below.

UPSKILLING: Stage 2 Tenancy Reforms in QLD 

Stage 2 tenancy reforms, minimum housing standards and other upcoming changes were the hot topic at Stacey Holt’s recent Queensland training. Stacey also covered best practice, risk management, educating landlords and communicating effectively.

VALE: Fred Neal

First National was saddened to receive news that former member, Fred Neal of FN Myrtleford (Vic), passed away recently. 

Remembered as a true gentleman, Fred joined First National in January 1982 as a foundational member and, with his business partners, operated six offices under the First National flag; Myrtleford, Bright, Beechworth, Wodonga, Albury, and North Albury. 

His membership continued for more than two decades before retirement, following which he was inducted as a First National Advocate. 

He is fondly remembered across the network, in particular by Victoria’s membership.