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Elite Agent
World-class service: Lisa Totaro
When Lisa Totaro first started in real estate fresh out of high school, she knew sales was the place she wanted to be. Now, just eight years after becoming an agent, Lisa is at the top of her game. Last year she was the only female to rank amongst SQM’s top 10 agents Australia-wide. This year she’ll share the stage…
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Elite Agent
Mindset, marketing and knowledge the key to Steve Koerber’s success
In 2018, Ray White Remuera’s Steve Koerber reached a career milestone, clocking up a GCI of more than $2 million and ranking 7th internationally in the Ray White Group. It is a success that Steve attributes to a shift in thinking, pure hard work, and an unfailing passion for what he does. Now he’ll share his story at AREC, offering…
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EPM
In too deep: How to manage property through natural disaster
Cassandra Charlesworth spoke to principals in Townsville and the Whitsundays to find out what that experience is like, and to understand the most effective strategies they implemented when dealing with these defining moments. Townsville Flooding: Ben Kingsberry, Harcourts As the rain continued to fall in Townsville on 31 January, Harcourts Kingsberry Principal Ben Kingsberry knew this would be a weather…
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EPM
‘Taylor-made’ service
Overlooking the azure blue of the Coral Sea and encompassing residential, rural and island communities, the Whitsundays is one of those laid-back lifestyle destinations where time tends to march at its own pace. Here the property market ebbs and flows in step with tourism highs and lows, construction ups and downs, and the on-again, off-again influx of investors brought in…
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Elite Agent
Real estate’s finest ready for the Ride to Provide
The challenge will see these real estate professionals cycle 500km across the rural countryside of Thailand, raising funds for Hands Across the Water. We caught up with just a few of the many agents taking part… What do you do in real estate when you hit the target you’ve been aiming for? You make the next one bigger. That’s exactly…
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Online auction sees the industry’s finest coaching talent up for bids
Never one to shy away from a challenge, REA Director of Industry Relations and Digital Live founder Steve Carroll has upped the ante in his efforts to raise funds for disadvantaged children, with his eye now firmly fixed on a $100,000 fundraising target that will go to the charity Hands Across the Water. Last year, Steve joined forces with some…
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Elite Agent
What are your agents worth? Andrew Acton
In 2017, the Macquarie Residential Real Estate Benchmarking Report found the national average commission had slid from 2.6 per cent in 2009 to 2.18 per cent in 2016. Meanwhile, agencies were ‘looking to get more value from their investment in salespeople’. How can I help you? As a second-generation real estate agent who has experience building both franchise agencies and…
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
On her own terms: Michelle Kerr
From her newly opened agency in Nedlands, WA, Michelle Kerr says she never expected to become a real estate agent. Rather, it was a career she fell into that ultimately saw her thrive. “I had a long history of property development and renovations,” Michelle explains. “I enjoyed 15 years of buying and selling, and saw the best and the worst…
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Elite Agent
Welcome to California: Glen Coutinho
Glen Coutinho recently sat down and penned a quick letter. It was a short note to his first ever client in real estate, thanking him for his support. “I hope you’re enjoying your home,” he wrote. “Just letting you know I’ve been in real estate for 30 years now, but I wanted to remind you that you were my first…
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Elite Agent
Smart screens that can double up as splashbacks: the latest tech release from CES
This year’s CES was the biggest and brightest in the event’s history, with 180,000 people in attendance as 4,500 exhibitors showcased their wares. Among those leading the charge were innovators in the smart home, with a range of new gadgets and new technology set to hit the market this year. So what are the major trends emerging, and which smart…
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TECH + SOCIAL
Conquering the digital frontier: Mary Meeker
Each year venture capitalist and former Wall Street analyst Mary Meeker trawls the deepest, darkest depths of internet data to examine the state of play. The result is her seminal Internet Trends Report, and it informs the decision-making of small and big business alike. This year Meeker’s insight confirms a series of big-ticket trends that digital experts have long foretold…
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TECH + SOCIAL
UK’s Goodlord platform seeks to streamline the rental process
A UK company is working to simplify the rental process, digitising everything from document signing to tenancy history checks with the aim to better cater to “Generation Rent”. Goodlord was founded in 2014 in a bid to make renting as efficient as making a purchase online or ordering a takeaway. Its services include automatic contract generation, referencing, rent and deposit…
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TECH + SOCIAL
Google and iRobot team up to improve the smart home
In a match made in tech heaven, Google and iRobot have teamed up in a bid to better map and improve the usability of the smart home. The venture sees iRobot’s latest Roomba i7 robotic vacuum cleaner gather spatial information as it goes about cleaning the home. Ultimately Google and iRobot hope gathering the data will help simplify smart home…
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Brand Editorial
How Dexar Group are capitalising on AI
On 10 August this year, Dexar Group unveiled its first sales project involving artificial intelligence. Launched at The Grounds development in Canberra, the initiative saw a virtual assistant employed to handle initial sales queries and assist in providing real-time information. Within two hours of the site’s launch, the team had its first sales lead. By Wednesday the following week more…
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Elite Agent
10 Essential Takeaways from Digital Live 18
After a packed-to-capacity session in Sydney on 19 August, it was another crowded house in Brisbane on 26 August, with agents tapping into the expertise of some of the brightest minds in the digital industry. Created by REA Director of Industry Relations Steve Carroll, the program sees agents scored on their digital presence, then given the tools and mentoring to improve…
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
Thriving through Boom and Bust: Rick Hockey
It was 2009 when Rick Hockey took the plunge to embrace a lifelong passion for property and enter the real estate game. At the time he had 28 years’ experience working in the Pilbara region as a BHP employee, was running his own successful cleaning business and had a deep connection with the Port Hedland community. The mining boom had afforded him the…
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Real Estate News
McGrath looking to business turnaround
McGrath Real Estate is looking to the positive after a tough financial year, yesterday noting “…the core fundamentals of McGrath are robust” and the company remains “one of Australia’s leading sales agent teams” with “brand, customer service offering and network reach”. The publicly-listed company released its end of financial year results on Monday, reporting the revenue and Earnings Before Interest,…
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INDUSTRY NEWS
Strong financial results for rent.com.au
Rental property website rent.com.au has reported strong results for the 2018 financial year, noting revenue growth of 41 per cent. The company, which specialises in rental property searches and associated products, released their full financial year results yesterday morning, stating revenue for 2017/18 was $2,324,880 – up from $1,654,395 in 2016/17. In their report to shareholders, rent.com.au directors explained that…
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EPM
True North: Michael Love
It's been almost 75 years since Michael Love’s grandfather first opened the doors of Love Real Estate in service of Melbourne's 'North'. Now, as a third-generation agent and director of that company, Michael reflects on the valuable lessons his family’s experience offers him as he sets about “running his own race”. Story by Cassandra Charlesworth.
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
Olympian Anna Meares inspires at Connect 2018
Eleven-times world cycling champion and Olympic Gold medallist Anna Meares offered an inspirational perspective into the mindset and physical stamina required of champions when she presented at Connect 2018 on Tuesday. “My career success has not been defined by being undefeated. It’s been defined by overcoming challenge and adversity along the way,” she said. A coal miner’s daughter, Ms Meares…
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
The Hon John Howard OM AC on leadership at Connect 2018
When it comes to leadership mistakes, former Prime Minister John Howard yesterday joked to Cass Charlesworth, his biggest was a shoddy cricket bowl against the Pakistani army in Kashmir. The infamous 2005 footage of the then PM’s bowling attempt has haunted the cricket tragic ever since; but, according to Mr Howard, the true test of leadership is learning not to…
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Real Estate News
Top takeaways from Day 2 at Connect 2018
Here are my top takeaways from a lineup of prestigious politicians, industry insiders and business experts who took to the stage for Connect Day 2. Mark Schulman – Hacking the Rockstar Attitude Fresh from performing with Pink the previous night, drummer Mark Schulman set the tone for an energetic Day 2 at Connect 2018, telling conference attendees: “Every word you…
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Real Estate News
Top takeaways from Day 1 at Connect 2018
Here are my top takeaways from a lineup of prestigious politicians, industry insiders and business experts who took to the stage for Connect Day 1. Former PM John Howard – The Global Economic Future As Australia’s second longest serving Prime Minister, John Howard OM AC led the country over four terms and 13 years. His achievements in the top job…
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Elite Agent
The First Ladies of First National Byron Bay
When First National Byron Bay principal and director Chris Hanley speaks of his agency, he talks in terms of the “likeable people” who make up his team. “Basically, they’re just good people who happen to be real estate agents,” he reflects. “We have four women who have made a huge contribution to us being named the top sales office of the…
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Elite Agent
Empowering for Growth: Sunil Kumar
Reliance Real Estate CEO Sunil Kumar chose to focus on respect and empowerment when he opened his first office in 2011. That philosophy has seen his agency ranked the eighth fastest growing business in Australia.
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
Focused and Fearless: Kelly Tickle
What was your first ever job and what did it teach you? My first job was at Target Brookside when I was in Year 10. It taught me communication skills. You need to be able to deal with all different people from all different walks of life and understand that everyone has a story. After a brief stint on the…
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EPM: Feature Interview
Nurturing the Nature of Property Management: Rae Tolley
Reflecting on a property management career that has spanned over two decades, Beller Property Group’s Rae Tolley says it’s a role that appeals to her nurturing nature. “You need to be caring and have a big-picture approach, because as a property manager you’re a big part of people’s lives.” Rae started her real estate career with an 18-month stint in…
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
How to own your digital space with Colin Anstie
When it comes to standing out in the digital space, Raging Digital CEO Colin Anstie says it’s about three essential steps: creating a ‘killer’ profile, growing your audience and offering amazing content. He’ll be on hand at Digital Live 2018 to offer an in-depth insight into exactly how that’s done. Mr Anstie offers his expertise as an analyst and speaker…
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Elite Agent
Socially minded meets social media at Digital Live 2018
When 200 agents take part in Digital Live 2018 later this year, many will walk away with invaluable skills to improve their standing in a brave new digital age. But far beyond social media, websites and digital literacy, their participation in the program will also make an invaluable difference to real children’s lives. This year proceeds from Digital Live will…
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FEATURE INTERVIEWS
How agents can make the digital shortlist with Valentina Borbone
Long before any consumer picks up the phone, they’re actively researching online, shortlisting the right person for the job. Valentina Borbone is an expert at ensuring businesses make that shortlist, and she’ll be applying this knowledge at Digital Live 2018 as she helps agents tap into best-practice recommendations in the online space. Looking at a host of areas ranging from…
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LEADERSHIP
Agents embrace accountability with BOLD 90
What separates the good agents from the best? Discipline and habits, says coach Caroline Bolderston. And she’s recently launched a coaching series focused on instilling both. A former high-performing agent herself, Caroline is renowned as a productivity and accountability ninja. Now she has designed a 90-day program to offer agents all the skills and accountability they require to achieve their…
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TECH + SOCIAL
Agents put to the test at Digital Live
Last year 100 agents embraced a six-month challenge that would see their online footprint assessed, improved and put to the test. It was a program devised to teach all the essential digital media skills and offer the mentoring of the finest coaches. Known as Digital Live, it’s now back, bigger and better, for a second year. Here’s an insight into…
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EPM: Profile
Greg Taylor: Keeping it in the Family
Featuring a team who have been recognised statewide and nationally for both sales and property management, it boasts a rent roll fast approaching 2,000 properties. Most recently, Stanton & Taylor took out the title of Property Management Department of the Year at the NSW First National awards. Along the way, Stanton & Taylor has witnessed massive change in both the industry and…
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Transform
The six principles of persuasion in real estate
Way back in 1984, at about the time Apple was launching its first Macintosh and Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ was dominating the music charts, psychologist Dr Robert Cialdini penned a literary number entitled ‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion’. In it, he outlined six principles of why people feel compelled to say “yes”. The book would go on to become a universal bestseller…
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Real Estate News
Chatbots take on the human form
Chatbots are about to take on human form, courtesy of FaceMe and their digital assistants who look, sound and interact just like real people. FaceMe is an Artificial Intelligence platform that offers customised digital assistants which embody the most human of personas. It features avatars that can hear, see and remember customers, and “have the capacity to empathise for exceptional…
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