Network & Industry News

AWARDS: NSW 2023 GEM Award Winners

Our second GEM Awards night saw First National’s NSW agents presented with their 2023 General Excellence & Marketing Awards at Hilton Sydney.

FN Byron Bay, was announced Magnificent 7 – No.1 Sales Office of the Year (for a third consecutive year), and FN Hills Direct, won Magnificent 7 – No.1 Investor Relations Management Office of the Year.

Topping the individual awards was Rebecca Dean, FN Port Stephens, who achieved Magnificent 7 – No.1 Salesperson of the Year, Jess McKinnon, FN Blacktown, who took home Magnificent 7 – No.1 Investor Relations Manager of the Year; and Donald Rayner, FN Mudgee, who won Magnificent 7 – No.1 Business Development Manager of the Year.

NSW State Chairman, David Doherty, said First National’s leading offices, sales agents and investor relations managers had achieved fantastic results over the previous 12 months.

‘I congratulate New South Wales’s top-performing First National agents. Your hard work, dedication, and exceptional expertise in the industry have truly paid off. Your unwavering commitment to serving your clients with the highest level of professionalism and integrity is an inspiration to us all.’

See all the major award winners here.

CYBER: Have YOU Completed Your FREE cyber security check-up?

First National is committed to ensuring your office is supported in maintaining robust cyber security.

New Performance Partner, Cynch Security, delivered a webinar last week and outlined its FREE, super simple, plain-English, cyber security online check-up for your business. So, if you missed this webinar, it’s vital you catch up now.

2022 was Australia’s worst year on record for cyber breaches, with major companies and small businesses falling victim. Just look at these statistics:

• 76,000 crime reports (+13% from 2021)
• Two in every 5 businesses were affected
• 23 days is the average number of days an affected business is crippled

Cynch’s cyber security product is built specifically for businesses like yours. 

• It takes just 12 minutes to assess your agency’s risk exposure
• There’s no techno-jargon
• Simple step-by-step checklists guide you through the process
• Once Cynch understands your technology, they tell you what to do

What do you need to do?

1. Watch the webinar
2. Sign up with Cynch for FREE at cynch.com.au/first-national and hit ‘Get Started’
3. Answer the questions
4. Select ‘Start a new team’
5. Get started on your FREE Cyber Boot Camp then choose the subscription that works for you

Don’t miss this FREE check-up as well as Australia’s most affordable cyber security partner that’s ideally suited to small business.

Vale John Powell

The network was saddened to learn of the passing of John Powell, last week.

John had battled a long illness, over many years, drawing upon his well-known strength and tenacity each and every day. He was a past Chairman in New Zealand and friend to many throughout that country and Australia as well. 

John's final request was a simple and small ceremony to say farewell at his beloved Baylys Beach. 

John's wife Jill thanks all her fellow members and friends for their wishes, thoughts and prayers, and simply asks that John be remembered as a wonderful man, father , husband and, most importantly, a 'top bloke'.

Thank you, John.

CONNECT: Win more listings with Lee Woodward

You’ve heard about First National’s ground breaking deal with REA on its digital prospecting tool, Connect. Now, industry expert and plain-speaker, Lee Woodward, is going to show you how to get the best results out of it. Don’t miss it!

POLICY: REINSW wants to hear from NSW property managers

If you’re a NSW-based residential property investor or a property manager, the Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) wants to hear from you. With the launch of a new campaign aimed at bringing a balanced discussion to the housing crisis, the REINSW will make sure policy-makers hear your views too.

Head to the REINSW website today to see what steps you can take. Click here…

POLICY: Tens of billions of dollars’ worth of property in the firing line?

Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers has triggered long-held fears that property assets could be caught in a $3 million superannuation limit per individual. And, while such a proposal has not been confirmed, the ALP has announced that it will double the tax rates on super for Australians with balances of more than $3 million – from 15% to 30% (from 2025-26).

The limit to balances that was  under consideration was $5 million, which affected 11,000 Australians. However, lowering the limit to $3 million would mean 80,000 Australians could find their super plans stymied, with tens of billions of dollars’ worth of property in the firing line.

Property experts are concerned that such a policy shift could force sales of property into a falling market as investors try to adjust their retirement strategies. 

While the super cap remains an idea, what is certain is that Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) and property investors would be directly affected by any such change, and it would have the potential to cause major property market shockwaves. 

There are more than 1.1 million Australians with SMSFs holding a total of $47.86 billion in residential real estate and a further $88.74 billion in non-residential real estate. These illiquid assets are more time consuming and expensive to sell than shares, and investors may not have much time to sell their property assets if policy changes suddenly without causing major market disruption. 

A spokesman for the Treasurer says no decision has been taken around superannuation limits but that there is a legitimate question about how much the Australian taxpayer should subsidise retirement savings through tax concessions. For example, on the current trajectory, tax breaks on super cost the budget about $51 billion in foregone revenue, which would cost the budget more than the aged care pension within 30 years.

For now, your  home remains a capital gains tax shelter. 

CONVENTION: 

JOIN 550+ of your colleagues in Hobart

With just 9 weeks remaining until we get together in Hobart for National Convention, time is running out for you to make up your mind. 

C’mon… join your colleagues, see some amazing speakers, catch up on the latest advances in real estate, and have lots of fun in the process. Click the image to find out more and register.

RURAL: Muster in Cromwell, New Zealand

If you liked 2022’s Coffs Harbour Regional & Rural Muster, you’re going to love this year’s event in Cromwell! 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 

Mark Donaldson VC inspires agents

In Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Mark Donaldson VC has shared his experiences from Australian Army deployments in Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq, focusing on:

• Resilience
• Mindset
• Determination
• Motivational
• Communication

And, you loved his presentations.

‘Mark delivered a strong message which we can all relate to on the many similarities between his role and ours as agents - training, teamwork, resilience, and training in simulation and mental strength; all qualities we use every day without realising. A most worthwhile session to attend for all team members.’

Rob Westwood

FN Westwood (Werribbee, Vic)

‘I loved the way that mark presented himself and gave us an insight into his life. As tough as I could imagine it would be for someone that’s been handed the life he has been dealt, he really expressed himself amazingly and showed that there were solutions to his own mindset, and how he was able to find the humour and good in things, and to embrace “the suck”.

I really appreciate you guys for putting this together because it really has helped me in understanding there’s light in the darkest tunnel if you choose to take it into your own hands. I plan on using his tip of having a photo of some sort that’s relevant to your goal and taking it wherever you go. Thanks once again, it was an amazing session.’

Aiden Carroll

FN Westwood (Werribbee, Vic)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 

How to prepare for QCAT

No property manager relishes the idea of going before a tribunal, but Stacey Holt taught our Queensland property managers how to get properly prepared for QCAT. 

It’s all about:

• The processes
• Drafting your counter application
• Understanding the difference at law between urgent and non-urgent applications
• Preparing and understanding paperwork and terminology

Our FN Baxters (Rockhampton, QLD) and FN Biloela (QLD) teams also got together separately to spend time with Stacey and share their experience.