President’s report
Leah Calnan REIV President
Throughout the pandemic we have seen the strength of the Victorian market. That combined with several government incentives and the lowest ever interest rates, consumers have looked for different living arrangements and different locations across the state. Agents, agency offices and property managers have been able to demonstrate their ability to pivot, change and continue to embrace technology (although Zoom meetings are still entertained by “you are on mute”). I have thoroughly enjoyed my travels across regional Victoria, meeting members and visiting their offices,
Who would have thought as I come close to finishing my second term as President that we would still be in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and experiencing statewide lockdowns. 2020 was such a difficult year for so many and we truly thought 2021 would see us in a different place. hearing on-the-ground the challenges they experience along with their fantastic achievements. I strongly encourage future presidents to spend time on the road to learn more about regional real estate as I have found that time invaluable. When I look back as I stepped into the role of REIV President I thought my biggest challenge was going to be following in the shoes of past Presidents. Was I going to be good enough? Presidents were usually people with real estate sales backgrounds, and older, and far more polished than I was. I wondered what my legacy would be, as I didn’t
REIV President Leah Calnan talks about the 2021/22 State Budget with Nine News. 4 | THE ESTATE AGENT – AUGUST 2021
want to just be a face or a name on the walls that members saw when they walked the corridors of Camberwell Road. No one could have imagined what was coming my way. A worldwide pandemic, lockdowns totalling 180 days (and still counting), an eviction moratorium, the largest ever legislation changes to residential property management, the normality of working from home, home schooling, a media presence like the REIV has never seen, the metro median house price exceeding $1 million and regional Victoria recording growth greater than metro Melbourne.
