Kick start into 2014 ! FREE webinar for property managers

The start of a new year is a time for many to reflect on the previous year and a time to plan for what goals and achievements you want to achieve both personally and professionally.

When it comes to property management, it is a great time to reflect on goals, achievements and what your business wants to achieve in 2014.

Most (if not all)  businesses aspire to run a property management department based on 'proactive management' as opposed to reactive management. Upon reflection of your agency, the hard but needed question is what category did you mainly fall into in 2013; proactive management or reactive management?

I am a big believer that no matter who you are, property management always has an element of crisis involved; this is due to dealing with people, money and housing.

The questions to ask yourself and your team include;

Are we running a proactive management division?
Are we focused?
Do we all as a team share a common goal and also have goals in place?
Are there set systems and procedures to streamline the tasks?
Do we attend regular training?
Do we understand that our business is all about people? We are a customer service industry and people are not a burden in our business.
Do we have 'time out' during the day so we aren't too available which leads to burn out, stress and quite often mistakes as tasks get half done due to constant interruption?

If you and your team did not answer YES to all of the above, now is a great time to make changes and implement change so that a better proactive year is had by all!

Happy New Year and may your year be full of happiness, laughter, growth, service and kicking goals set!
FREE Webinar - Kick start into the NEW YEAR - 8th January 2014

http://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/stacey-holt-real-estate-excellence-academy-1704917462

(c) Stacey Holt - www.realestateexcellence.com.au

Does your office need assistance with help with systems, procedures training or anything property management?

Call 07 3161 1865 or email Stacey.holt@realestateexcellence.com.au

REINSW voices concerns over possible QLD property guide ban

5 December 2013

REINSW voices concerns over possible Qld property guide ban

Legislation currently before Queensland Parliament, which will prevent agents from
suggesting an appropriate price guide for the sale of a property, has been criticised by
the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales.

REINSW Deputy President John Cunningham said the legislation would take away any
transparency that is left with an auction.

“The new legislation, if passed, puts the onus squarely onto the buyer,” Mr Cunningham
said.

“This is something that buyers will respond very poorly to because they really want
some form of guidance in regard to price. They rightly see us as the market experts and
as such seek our professional expertise on market value. Rather than removing the
option of providing price guidance all together we need to focus on the form and
reliability of the information we offer.

“The process leading up to an auction can vary greatly which means that having a one
size fits all control is fraught with danger and distrust.

“The market is very dynamic and having a solution where the agent gives a comparative
market analysis with their information pack for prospective buyers is going some way to
addressing the issue.

“We also believe that allowing a bidding guide as an option, which outlines an opening
bid price level that the market can follow, may be the solution. This would of course
need to be regulated with specific criteria in relation to the agent’s estimate of value
they provided the seller to comply with current regulations.

“Fundamentally the proposal before Queensland Parliament is turning the clock
backwards,” Mr Cunningham said.

The Property Occupations Bill and the Agents Financial Administration Bill 2013 are
currently before Queensland Parliament and will replace the Property Agents and Motor
Dealers Act 2000 (PAMD Act).

For further information or to arrange an interview with REINSW Deputy President
John Cunningham contact Helen at media@reinsw.com.au or 0419 642 961.

REINSW  Media release

Real Estate Excellence policy position in relation to banning price guides for Auction property in Queensland

I write this submission as Company Director of Real Estate Excellence Academy Pty Ltd and on behalf of my 230 Real Estate Excellence member offices in Queensland.

I have been an industry educator and advisor for over 13 years with prior experience in agency practice.

It is with great concern that the Government have proposed the banning of price guides in clauses 214 and 216 of the Property Occupations Bill.

The concern is for many reasons which include the following;

·        The banning of price guides greatly disadvantages both parties in the real estate transaction; buyer and seller.

·        The buyer is greatly disadvantaged as they are in a position of possible expense and frustration without knowing a price expectation for an auction property.

·        The frustration felt by buyers is commonly targeted at the real estate industry as they feel there is no transparency. This by default may lead to complaints being made against agents in error.

·        The seller as a consumer should have the right as to whether they choose to have price guides exposed to the market place. Given that it is their property they should have freedom of choice as to how they want their property marketed to the marketplace

·        The debate that the banning of price guides will alleviate the allegations of agents under quoting is defunct given that there are provisions in legislation for agents conduct and obligation in relation to misrepresentation.

·        If it is found that agents are in fact misrepresenting through under quoting, then of course appropriate action and enforcement from the Office of Fair Trading should be undertaken

It is believed that total banning of price guides goes against the grain of consumer protection; in fact it appears to have the expected result of the complete opposite.  Transparency in real estate is paramount as is consumer protection.  It is not understood what the actual intent of such as proposed change of legislation such of this is and who is fact is being protected? 

 

Consumers such as buyers should have the right to access information if the seller of the property allows. It is strongly recommended that this provision be removed and the decision of disclosure be with the seller of the property as ultimately they are consumers that should have the choice in relation to disclosure of the price guide for auction property; not the Government taking away their freedom of choice.

Submission from Real Estate Excellence Academy
(c) www.realestateexcellence.com.au