Listing portal Homely has marked a record year, with more than 15.5 million enquiries as the platform goes from strength to strength. The Announcement: Homely, one of the most visited portals in Australia, has generated over 15.5 million enquiries (including direct and indirect) for their customers in the 12 months to April 1 2024, up approximately 16 per cent over the same period in 2022. Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Homely.com.au, Jason Spencer, said the result highlights their successful growth strategy, which focuses on both agents and property seekers.  “Enquiries are the lifeblood of an ..read more

What would you do with an extra hour or two each day? Would you prospect more? Spend more time with your clients? Work on your business, not in it? Connect with your team more often? Artificial intelligence can help you achieve all of that and more. In today’s special edition of the Elevate podcast, Elite Agent Managing Editor, Samantha McLean, takes you back to her appearance on Virable Founder Jonathan Creek’s Spring into Action podcast, taking a deep dive into the impact of AI on business, and particularly real estate. Sam explores how AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are redefining communicatio ..read more

Harris Real Estate has joined forces with Tanner Real Estate to expand the reach of the group. The Announcement: Harris Real Estate is excited to announce our merger with Tanner Real Estate as of May 1, 2024.  A respected entity with over two decades of service in the Mitcham council area, this strategic merger broadens our service offerings and signifies the joining of two complementary teams under the Harris brand. The entire Tanner team will transition to Harris, and together, we are committed to providing exceptional service. Leveraging our combined expertise and local market knowledg ..read more

Alexandra Sumovic, Katrina Wise and Darren Richards have joined LJ Hooker as they embark on their next phase of growth. The Announcement: LJ Hooker has made a trio of network-facing appointments to support the continued expansion of the brand and the growth of its network of offices. Alexandra Sumovic has been appointed State Manager to drive the strategy for LJ Hooker’s New South Wales and ACT offices.  With almost 20 years of experience in real estate sales and network support, Mrs Sumovic has rejoined LJ Hooker, where she previously held the role of Network Performance Manager. She’ll ..read more

In the picturesque surroundings of Rancho Santa Fe, a strikingly unique home designed by Wallace E. Cunningham, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, has been listed for sale at US$10.5 million. Known as Wing House, the architectural marvel is nestled on nearly four and a half lush acres, about 40 miles north of downtown San Diego. Wing House was commissioned in the late 1970s by a couple moving from the Midwest, marking Cunningham’s first independent project after studying at Wright’s Taliesin West, according to the Robb Report. The design is a testament to Cunningham’s innovative approach, featur ..read more

Despite the cost of living rising and property prices outpacing wage growth, there are still locations where homes are affordable, according to the latest Herron Todd White (HTW) Month in Review. In the April report, Managing Director HTW Brisbane, Gavin Hulcombe, said population growth had been the big driver of prices and unaffordability over the past few years. However, there are still pockets within each city that are relatively affordable for buyers. “The forces of strong demand and insufficient supply have so far seen property markets withstand the huge cost-of-living pressures being enc ..read more

Every morning, I face off against a familiar foe: the first kilometre of my run. It’s me, my running shoes, and a feeling of dread that hangs as heavy as the morning mist. You’d think after hitting the pavement four to five times a week, I’d be breezing through it like a pro. Nope. Instead, I’m there huffing and puffing, mentally berating myself. Why on Earth doesn’t it get any easier? Am I not, week by week, supposedly turning into some kind of super-runner? Reality check: The only thing I seem to be getting better at is compiling an extensive list of creative expletives with each laboured br ..read more

RE/MAX will expand its presence in greater Perth this week, with the opening of RE/MAX Extreme South in Cannington. Craig Phillips, a widely known and awarded real estate specialist, joined the high-performance team at RE/MAX Extreme to take up the newly created role of branch manager. “Craig has been a familiar name in residential real estate sales south of the Swan River for 23 years and has been an eagerly anticipated addition to the network in Western Australia,” RE/MAX Australia Business Growth Manager, Simon Withers, said. “He’s the consummate professional with an abundance of attributes ..read more

The percentage of rental properties priced under $400 per week has seen a dramatic decline in the past three years, presenting significant challenges for low-income earners. According to Suburbtrends, in Sydney, affordable rentals under $400 have fallen from 21 per cent in 2021 to 3 per cent in 2024,  Melbourne and Perth have similarly seen dramatic decreases, with affordable rentals dropping from 43 per cent to 6 per cent, and 40 per cent to 2 per cent, respectively.  This pattern is consistent across other major cities and regional areas, indicating a widespread escalation in renta ..read more

Rent.com.au has recorded record group revenue of $890,000 for the March quarter of the 2024 financial year. In a statement released on the ASX, the website for Australian renters, said group revenue had jumped 41 per cent on the same quarter last year. Search portal revenue was also up 25 per cent on the same quarter a year ago, while RentPay revenue rose 21 per cent, quarter-on-quarter, or 144 per cent on the same time in 2023. Rent.com.au Chief Executive Officer Greg Bader said the March quarter had traditionally been a busty one for the platform and this year had been no different.  “W ..read more