Estate Agents Co-operative From the Boardroom Winter 2013

WINTER EDITION 2013

WINNER

NSW Heat - Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships

Gavin Croft

Bresic Whitney Estate Agents National Licensing of Property Occupations Page 05

7 Essential Real Estate Marketing Tips Page 07

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AFFILIATE MEMBER

FTB Winter Edition 2013

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Contents

1

03

The Chairman’s View - Dale Whittaker

04

In the Pipeline - David Crombie

05

Compliance Matters - Geoff Hunter

07

Brand Marketing Tips - Damien McDonald

09

Marketing Update - Damien McDonald

11

Auctioneering Championships - Damien McDonald

13

Membership Services - Ross Graham

15

Technology Review - Don Harb

17

Forms and Administration News - Maureen Faapito

25

Staff Profile - Damien McDonald

26

Member Profile - Damien McDonald

27

Welcome New Members

28

EAC Contact List

The Chairman’s View Bring On The Election!!

By Dale Whittaker, EAC Chairman

People I talk to are worried, what is going to happen to the global situation, will a change of government really make any difference, is my job safe?

Most parts of the state seem to have a similar issue at this point in time. That is lack of stock.

Recent statistics indicate that the Sydney market is down 30% on listings compared to the same time last year and I suspect last year was down on the year before. This can be seen in publication pages falling, internet updates decreasing to a trickle and appraisals being treated like gold.

Conversely there does not seem to be a shortage of buyers, with interest rates at historic lows, the auction clearance rates in Sydney have never been higher, at over 80% last week.

The state government’s first home buyer policy of only funding new home purchases, while well intentioned to boost the building industry, has certainly not helped the existing home market with many agents almost forgetting what a first home buyer looks like. We all know that they are drivers of the market in many ways and without them things tend to slow down. And so I say, bring on the election Kevin and let’s get at least one thing out of the road.

This to me is indicative of a supply and demand imbalance in much of the state at the moment which will inevitably lead to upward price pressure.

There is no sugar coating it, it is tough times for many agents, and while it is small comfort, you are certainly not alone.

I think there are a number of factors leading to this and one of them is the upcoming election.

I personally can never understand why this has a significant impact on the property market but in over 30 years of experience it has always been the case, election due – market gets quieter.

What can EAC do to help?

Another factor would have to be job security.

Almost weekly we hear on the news of another large company laying off workers and of course there are all the small businesses struggling at the moment that never make the news. People I talk to are worried, what is going to happen to the global situation, will a change of government really make any difference, is my job safe?

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This lack of confidence has shown up in the retail sector over the past year, it is no wonder many people are reluctant to sell their existing home, take on a bigger mortgage and move into something

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better. They are paying down debt to be secure, not taking on more, even if the pressures of a growing family would normally demand it.

Well, be sure that the Board and management are well aware of how tough it is. Some of our industry suppliers have seen fit to dramatically increase one of our major costs recently, that’s what happens when a monopoly is created.

We have instead been working on ways to reduce your costs, improving our products and becoming a one stop shop for all your essential real estate needs. As you read through this edition you will become aware of our totally revamped solutions in forms, mapping, addlist and many other areas.

I urge you to call EAC and discuss the options available to you, I am sure they will be able to assist in the smoother and cheaper running of your business.

The state government’s first home buyer policy of only funding new home purchases.

In the Pipeline

What’s Happening at EAC

By David Crombie, EAC Chief Executive Officer

On the technology front we have recently released updates to Street Maps, Red Square Mobile and the realestateworld.com.au and Agent mobile site functionality.

EAC is conscious of the current market conditions and the effect that they can have on an office’s cash flow, therefore, we are constantly looking at ways to contain the fees for our products and services to Members and Customers while providing a higher level of service. To this end, in the past couple of months we have made several changes including the sending of your statements via email and moving towards payment via Credit Card and Direct Debit for our subscription based services.

These two things alone make a difference. While on the payment of accounts, as a Members only benefit you will receive a 1% prompt payment discount if you pay your current account on or before the 15th of the month.

On the technology front we have recently released updates to Street Maps, Red Square Mobile and the realestateworld.com.au and Agent mobile site functionality.

In May, our new Addlist module went into beta testing. We have been working with a group of agents who have been assisting with the testing program; I thank them for their assistance and feedback. As part of the beta testing program these agents have also been provided with access to the new realestateworld.com.au website. The new Addlist and realestateworld.com.au sites have been redesigned from scratch and they will both be released at the same time. If you would like to take a look at either of these developments and assist by providing your feedback please let me know.

The NSW Heat of the Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships was held on the 25th June.

The Heat was contested by fifteen of the state’s leading Auctioneers all competing to progress onto the National championships to join contestants from around Australia & New Zealand at the final event which is being held at Crown Perth on the 23rd-25th of September.

After a fiercely contested competition the winner was Gavin Croft from Bresic Whitney Estate Agents and the runner up was Edward Riley also from Bresic Whitney Estate Agents.

Both Gavin and Edward will be going through to the finals where they will be representing NSW and hopefully bring back the title which was last won by a NSW Auctioneer in 2006, Scott Kennedy Green from McGrath, who was one of our judges on the day.

On the 4th of July, I attended REIA Affiliates’ Council meeting; items on the agenda included an update on National Licencing, First Home Owners Grant, Franchising Code of Review, the Fair Work Amendment Bill and an update on the national approach to Work, Health and Safety Legislation.

Our Affiliate Membership of REIA is proving to be beneficial as we have now attended several meetings between State and Federal Government bodies and the REIA. Our membership also provides us with another level of resource in Practice Support and the ability to participate in ongoing policy discussions and updates on issues and submissions REIA is preparing on behalf of the industry to ensure that the interests of the Members are protected.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) National Licensing Steering Committee has now released the Decision Regulation Impact Statements (RIS) for the first wave of national licensing occupations. The Decision RIS for the Property occupations can be found here.

The states and territories will all be consulting with industry and stakeholders in a variety of different forms until the end of August 2013. NSW Fair Trading has posted a survey form for NSW which can be found here. We feel this approach leaves a little to be desired as it only allows for limited feedback as there are only six questions on the survey with limited space for responses. This will probably be one of the last opportunities we have to get our message across with National Licensing proposed to commence in December 2014 at this stage.

Comments close on the 13th of August 2013.

In the meantime, if you have any feedback please feel free to call me.

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Here we are already in July with half the year behind us. The shortage of listings that I spoke about in the last edition would seem to be continuing with the market in many areas not having experienced the normal slowdown that occurs at this time of year.

This is reflected in our own listings with numbers being down on average compared to this time last year. This would appear to be causing a bit of a clean out in the Industry with an increased number of office closures and reports of offices going into administration.

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Compliance Matters

National Licensing of Property Occupations

By Geoff Hunter, Industry Liaison and Compliance Advisor

There is obviously a great deal more to be done if an effective and functional national licensing scheme is to be achieved.

WHERE TO FROM HERE? The Council of Australian Governments’ Steering Committee has now released the long awaited Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS) for the property industry.

This was expected to be the final Act in a 2 Act play but it now appears that it could, just perversely, be a continuation in an emerging administrative melodrama with many conflicting opinions and no certainty of agreement.

Members will recall that an initial Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was released some 12 months ago and contained, from both an industry and consumer perspective, some illogical, most impractical and very unfortunate proposals to deregulate some 50% of real estate activities.

Needless to say this evoked responses from industry bodies, practitioners and other stakeholders nationally that were, predictably, overwhelmingly critical.

The next step was for the National Licensing Steering Committee, working through the National Occupational Licensing Authority (NOLA), after considering some 800 plus submissions, to produce the Decision RIS. This document was expected to contain the final recommendation for the scheme which could then be adopted by all jurisdictions for implementation.

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However, on this occasion, this was not to be the process. Probably, given the massive criticism of the initial proposal, it was decided that the States and Territories would conduct a further consultation with stakeholders. This should finalise any input and commentary, allow the States and Territories to finalise their own positions which would then be taken to the final decision making body, the Standing Council for Federal Financial Relations (SCFFR).

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This Council consists of all State and Territory Treasurers and is expected to meet in November 2013 to decide the final outcome. Unfortunately the publicised 3 month period for State consultation has been reduced to 1 month.

SO WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANT PROPOSALS FOR NSW PRACTITIONERS? 1. Real Estate licence to be retained and will include Rural Property and Commercial. The Stock & Station Agents licence is to be abolished.

No decision as yet on the regulation of Livestock sales, awaiting further advice from States and Territories. Commercial real estate is NOT to be deregulated as initially proposed but will be retained in the general real estate category.

There may be exceptions to commercial transactions that occur between related entities (subsidiaries, some property trusts etc) or which exceed either a prescribed dollar value or floor area. This is yet to be determined.

2.

Real Estate Auctioneer. A separate licence (not an endorsement) is proposed. This will not be linked to any other licence and will only require 3 units of competency. A person so licensed will be able to conduct auctions for all property (Residential, Rural and Commercial) but not permitted to operate a trust account or conduct a business.

3. Business Agents licence to be retained.

4. Strata Managing Agents licence to be retained.

5. Real Estate Representative certificate to be retained.

6. Holiday and Short Term lettings under 90 days to be DEREGULATED. Over 90 days will require a real estate agents licence.

7.

All licences will require personal probity and financial checks an there will be NO age limitation (minimum).

8. Qualification for a Real Estate licence will continue (for NSW) to be Certificate IV. 9. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to be abolished in its present form and replaced with topics nominated by NOLA in consultation with the State and Territory regulators. Unlikely to be on a points/hours basis and related only to issues deemed to be practice relevant.

10. Rules of Conduct

It has been the long held view of all industry bodies that without consistency (harmonisation) of agency practice, rules of conduct and standards, national licensing would only be a token gesture for agents and mean little, if anything, to consumers.

A stated key objective of the national licensing proposal is:

This point has been made continuously to the various regulatory bodies involved in the development process for national licensing and it would seem, unfortunately, without conviction as to necessity.

Clearly without consistent jurisdictional practice rules licensees will not be “able to work anywhere in Australia” as stated, they won’t know what to do when they get there!

The following is an extract from the Decision RIS:

Without harmonisation of rules the cross-border transactions and operational issues already existing (such as dual trust accounts) for agents in these locations will not be solved – again a key issue not achieved.

The regulation of the behaviour and standards (conduct requirements) to be met by licensees following the attainment of a licence would not be within the scope of this reform. A separate reform, which seeks to harmonise conduct requirements commencing with property occupations, is being undertaken initially under the auspices of the Legislative and Governance Forum on Consumer Affairs (formerly the Ministerial Council for Consumer Affairs). THE FULL ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF NATIONAL LICENSING WOULD BE REALISED IF CONDUCT REQUIREMENTS ARE REFORMED TO PROVIDE FOR NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR BEHAVIOUR (emphasis added). However, under national licensing, licensees will be responsible for meeting any jurisdictional requirements for operating in a particular jurisdiction, for example, the way trust accounts are managed.”

There is obviously a great deal more to be done if an effective and functional national licensing scheme is to be achieved. EAC will continue representations to the NSW Minister for Fair Trading and the NSW Treasurer and will be working closely with the Real Estate Institute of Australia and other industry bodies to ensure that the industry voice is heard.

Should members have any questions feel free to call EAC Practice and Support on 1300 137 161 to discuss.

Holiday and Short Term lettings under 90 days to be DEREGULATED. Over 90 days will require a real estate agents licence.

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“ Conduct Requirements

“A licensee would be able to work anywhere in Australia….”

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Brand Marketing Tips

7 Essential Real Estate Marketing Tips

By Damien McDonald, EAC Sales & Marketing Manager

The success of your social media marketing efforts depends on the quality of your network.

I recently received a post from one of the real estate experts I follow on LinkedIn, Peter Fletcher, who had just returned from a research trip to attend the Inman conference in San Francisco. The information was highly relevant to today’s market and I thought of summarising and sharing with our readers how EAC could assist you to take your business to the next level!

1. Be easy to find Prospective clients, even those who come through a referral, are now Googling agents before they request them for a market appraisal. What impression are they forming of you?

To make a good impression, agents should have a personal website and well maintained social profiles – at a minimum. Personal websites continue to be a must-have for agents wanting to convey a professional online message, but there are still a lot of agents in the US not doing this despite it being so important. Unfortunately, the same goes here in Australia.

EAC has a number of real estate website options and cost effective social media packages that are worth looking into if you find your office is lacking in any of the above suggestions. Click here for details.

2. Embrace mobile Over 76% of Australians have a smartphone, and now Google is planning to punish websites that aren’t mobile friendly. If your site doesn’t cater to mobile devices, chances are it will soon stop surfacing in mobile search results.

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If it wasn’t before, a mobile-friendly website is now a must. For most agencies, mobile apps are too expensive to create and maintain. Focus instead on building a responsive design – that is, one which looks great on both desktops and mobile devices.

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In the near future, look out for a new breed of social CRMs which combine your database with information from social networks. This will allow you to see all the information about a prospect in one place.

EAC Contact CRM is the perfect customer relationship tool that can be accessed anywhere you need it Click here for more information.

4. Invest in long term relationships Repeat and referral business is a lot more valuable than having to constantly search for one-off clients.

The goal, then, is to stay top-of-mind with prospects and past clients without being annoying.

Advanced agents are recognising that sending out property alerts doesn’t help build a meaningful connection with their customers. Instead, they’re creating communications that respect a person’s place in the buying cycle. Whether they’re using social CRMs or a more traditional database, the focus is on deepening the relationship, not on short term sales results.

Bonus tip: When you become the trusted expert and advisor, both you and your customers benefit. Listen for social moments that signal money in motion.

Present yourself as the local expert with EAC Communicate. Create meaningful property newsletters in under 5 minutes! Click here for more information.

5. Create and support communities Developing long term relationships with prospects is all about being an active participant in your community. Great agents look for ways to create and support communities, whether that’s by bringing people together using a Facebook page or by becoming an active supporter of local businesses.

The team at EAC can easily incorporate a mobile platform for your EAC hosted office website from only $99, no more to pay! Click here for more information.

Agents will need to ask if they want to start a new community or support existing ones. In any case, think community first and database second.

3. Connect with customers and prospects

6. Advance your marketing

The success of your social media marketing efforts depends on the quality of your network. Just like in your offline marketing, ensure your online networks are made up of customers and prospects.

More advanced agents are looking at ways to reduce their reliance on properties as a means to market themselves. When creating long term relationships with people in your community, your latest listings are of limited value.

While many agents rely on signboards and listing videos to promote themselves, smart agents are also creating content with a longer shelf-life. For example, create suburb review videos that show why your patch is such a great place to live.

7. Don’t forget the end-game Despite the huge range of technology that agents now have at their fingertips, real estate is still all about connecting with people over the dinner table.

As a keen follower of online real estate blogs and sites, I certainly make a habit of regularly posting the more interesting articles to the EAC social media pages for the benefit of our customers. To keep abreast and view articles daily from all the latest Industry expert tips and developments, simply follow the EAC social networks depending on your social preference. These articles can either easily be retweeted or shared and will go a long way to indeed improving your online presence and positioning you as the local expert.

Repeat and referral business is a lot more valuable than having to constantly search for one-off clients.

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It’s tempting to try out every new online tool that becomes available, but instead put your energy into the tools that work for your business plan. All your online marketing should focus on paving the way for a great face to face relationship.

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Marketing Update

Upcoming EAC Marketing & Promotional Initiatives

By Damien McDonald, EAC Sales & Marketing Manager

I’d suggest ‘Liking’ our EAC Facebook page to ensure that you don’t miss notifications on how to win!

As a result of discussions that took place at the recent EAC Managers and Board Members Planning Day, I am delighted to be able to let you know about a few of the new marketing an promotional initiatives that EAC Board have approved to introduce over the next quarter, which will assist in building the profile of the cooperative and its products, increase membership value to existing customers as well as building consumer awareness for the realestateworld.com.au brand across NSW.

realestateworld.com.au CONSUMER SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN Budget has been allocated to run a campaign with the objective of increasing the consumer traffic on the realestateworld.com.au Facebook Page.

This will be achieved by utilising the paid for Ad campaign service available through the Facebook page administration. Our campaign is designed to specifically target a NSW centric male/female segment that has indicated an interest in real estate, which is determined through their consumer online search history. The end result should see our EAC corporate Facebook site increase followers by at least 200% and will assist in promotion of the site.

EAC CORPORATE VIDEO’S

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Work will soon commence to develop and have professionally produced a series of EAC corporate videos for use in marketing the cooperative and our products and services. In association with an external production company, we will be filming the 90 second videos for use on www.eac.com.au as well as EAC social media sites, EAC Events and email marketing campaigns.

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EAC Managers and Board Members Planning Day,

PROMOTIONAL GIVEAWAYS Over the next 12 months, a cycle of EAC customer promotions will take place. EAC customers will have the opportunity to win one of many prizes including large screen tablets. I’d suggest ‘Liking’ our EAC Facebook page to ensure that you don’t miss notifications on how to win.

EAC MEMBER REWARDS Good news for our members is that this year EAC will be introducing an annual gift program for all our member offices. Depending on what membership package you are on and the time frame you have been with the co-operative will determine the value of the gift you receive each year.

realestateworld.com.au REGIONAL TV AND RADIO PROMOTION To increase consumer awareness of the realestateworld.com.au website and to assist positioning the publications, EAC will be implementing a series of ongoing regional radio and TV commercials. Content and format is being developed at this stage with timing to be notified in future communications. The annual Illawarra consumer advertising campaign to promote the realestateworld.com.au website and associated publication is also in its planning stage with details soon to be announced.

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1300 137 161

2013 Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships NSW Heats - Novotel Sydney Olympic Park - 25th June 2013 WINNER

RUNNER UP

Gavin Croft has 12 years in Real Estate. Currently Sales Manager and Auctioneer with Bresic Whitney Estate Agents, Darlinghurst and Glebe.

Also from Bresic Whitney, Edward Riley started his career in real estate at the age of 18 and has since developed his skills over a number of different roles within the industry.

Gavin Croft

Edward Riley

Australasian Real Estate Institutes’ Auctioneering Championships - NSW Heats The event was contested by fifteen of the State’s leading Auctioneers, with the winner and runner up progressing onto the National Championships to join contestants from around Australia & New Zealand at the final event, held at Crown Perth, between 23rd-25th of September 2013.

Geoff Hunter (Industry Liaison EAC) Sam Sharma (Realty Print)

NSW Event Judging Panel

Gavin Croft, Amanda Lynch (REIA CEO) Peter Carmont (EAC Deputy Chairman)

Sam Sharma (Realty Print) Gavin Croft & Bruce McClusky (OAMPS)

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Membership Services Weapons Of Mass Communication

By Ross Graham, Membership Sales & Operation Manager

EAC has developed a communication strategy that uses different media and processes to reach its target - you.

Communicating effectively with a large and diverse audience has never been more challenging. With so many channels and less time even the most important messages can struggle to be heard and the results can be catastrophic.

The “Agency Brief” e-newsletter

So how does EAC get its message to cut through all the noise? Well unfortunately the answer is not a simple one; effective communications to a mass audience requires a great deal of effort and skill.

EAC has developed a communication strategy that uses different media and processes to reach its target - you.

Special Events

Membership Meetings

1.

Managing a high performance sales team

We are currently trialling the meetings in selected areas to gauge support. They have been scheduled to commence at 12.00 noon and conclude at 1.45pm which we trust will fit well into your daily schedule. They consist of “briefings” from EAC executives and special guest to speak on topical items. We have also scheduled an open forum where you can ask questions and discuss matter of importance to you. These member meetings are scheduled to take place once a quarter.

2.

How to build a social media presence

3.

Turning your social media into a marketing tool

4.

5 secrets of a stunning CMA presentation

The “Industry News” e-newsletter

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This newsletter is sent to all EAC members and subscribers each month. In it we have articles relevant to industry, EAC news and important information about EAC products and services.

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Exclusive to EAC members this monthly e-newsletter contains valuable information on agency practice matters, government regulations and EAC initiatives.

EAC Events are an important part of the communications strategy. Conducted both online and at venues across the state, the events will focus on you and your business. We are planning regular events covering such topics as:

All will have content you can use in your business every day.

The annual EAC Roadshow will feature the latest technology and special guest speakers.

Under development are new initiatives from EAC including online “chat” for Red Square Support, enhanced social media and a redesigned eac. com.au that we hope will become your homepage.

EAC Events are an important part of our communications strategy.

Save with EAC Membership Services How will you spend your EAC savings?

For more info on EAC Membership click here or call us on 1300 137 161

Technology Review

Your new Listing Management Solution

By Don Harb, EAC IT Manager

In the past, users of the Addlist were limited to displaying one class of properties at a time on the stock list screen.

Now you will be able to see all your listings on one screen as soon as you log in.

As times change so do people’s requirements in how they work to meet the marketplace. This means that EAC as a service provider needs to change its services to meet the requirements of the industry and what they want and how they work.

Over the next few months a number of services will be released with updates and changes to keep EAC at the cutting edge of technology as well as meeting the changes in the industry.

First cab off the rank will be the new Listing Management tool known as Addlist. The new version of Addlist will see a number of enhancements to current features as well as the addition of some new features plus a complete change to user interface to streamline the experience using Addlist.

The dashboard has completely changed in the new Addlist. In the past, users of the Addlist were limited to displaying one class of properties at a time on the stock list screen. Now you will be able to see all your listings on one screen as soon as you log in. This can also be changed so users can choose which classes they want to see. The dashboard has also been changed so that users are now able to access more features directly from it in relation to listings.

Social media and listing updates are now able to be performed from the dashboard for listings.

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Adding a listing is now easier with a single page of listing information rather than three tabs of information to be filled out. Changes to the information that is required and collected have been made so that the adding of listings is faster

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and easier. EAC has also incorporated address matching capabilities so that you can make sure that your property always maps correctly on EAC websites. A few of the other features include multiple property types, updated selections and less required fields.

A new feature that has been added to Addlist is the ability to save a listing as Draft. This removes the need to have all information available at the time of entering the listing or having to fill in the information again if you cannot complete the listing at the time you are entering it. Draft listings only require an address to be filled out to be able to be saved and retrieved later. Once a listing is live and no longer in Draft mode users will be able to duplicate the listing with all information being retained and a new listing number being provided by clicking on the Duplicate option.

Although not directly related to listing management, EAC has added the ability to generate QR codes for each listing for use in your marketing. Once the listing is created the QR code will become available for download. QR codes can be used in both online and offline marketing.

All these changes come from research and feedback from clients, so please continue to give us your feedback and watch this space for future developments and updates to EAC’s products and services. It is very exciting times and I cannot wait to share more updates with you in the future.

Now you will be able to see all your listings on one screen.

Can you really have a useful meeting?

Yes you can!

It’s an EAC Members Meeting • F ind out how the planned de-regulation of your industry through National Licensing will impact on your business • Have your say in a special “open-forum” and feedback session • Find out about EAC’s strategy to counter REA’s price increases • S pecial EAC presentation “Discover the missing pieces.” Learn how Red Square now offers a full CRM and internet marketing

Click location below to register!

Coffs Harbour – Tuesday August 13th

Ballina – Thursday August 15th

Lismore – Wednesday August 14th 20

Forms and Administration News

By Maureen Faapito, Administration and Resources Manager

New Factsheet released by Fair Trading Fair Trading has developed a new fact sheet which informs consumers about using Buyer’s agents when they purchase real estate.

The factsheet covers things such as: •

Using a buyer’s agent

•

Benefits of using a buyer’s agent

•

Selecting a buyer’s agent

•

Rules of conduct applying to buyer’s agents

•

Agency Agreements

•

Commission, fees and expenses

The Fact Sheet can be viewed here.

Sticker and Corflute Bundles In addition to the Printed Forms and Factsheet bundles we recently introduced, we are pleased to offer our new Signboard sticker and corflute bundles. Buy in bulk and save! Visit our online store.

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Upcoming Meetings

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The Board dates for the next quarter are: 28 August 2013 – Regional Board Meeting in Wollongong 28 August 2013 – Come meet the Board Members Meeting - Wollongong 25 September 2013 23 October 2013

2014

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Newcastle T: 02 4979 3333 E: newcastle@oamps.com.au

Wagga Wagga T: 02 6933 6600 E: wagga@oamps.com.au

Dubbo T: 02 6884 9800 E: dubbo@oamps.com.au

North Sydney T: 02 9424 1700 E: sydney@oamps.com.au

Wollongong T: 02 4226 8700 E: wollongong@oamps.com.au

Forbes T: 02 6851 1200 E: forbes@oamps.com.au

Parramatta T: 02 8838 5700 E: parramatta@oamps.com.au

Ref: 0552-Apr13

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For more information call us on 1300 137 161

Red Square Custom Reports Want more listings? Show Your Customers How You Can Market Their Property!

Red Square hosts agent and consumer based reports as standard, but if you require that extra edge or want to differentiate yourself, our custom reports are the way to go.

Create professional branded listing brochures in minutes.

Print marketing directly from Red Square.

Exclusively designed for your office and only limited by your imagination.

For more info on Red Square Custom Reports click here or call us on 1300 137 161

Property Management

CPD Workshop Commercial and Retail Leasing and Managing

For Agency Principals and Property Managers

4 Hours = 12 CPD Points Presented by Geoff Hunter In his highly regarded, no nonsense approach, Geoff Hunter provides a practical session with helpful tips for principals, property managers and all those involved in the leasing and management of commercial and retail premises or would like to learn how.

Workshop benefits Property owners want experts caring for their investment properties. Attract new managements and retain them for life by ensuring you can deliver on professionalism, attention to detail, superior knowledge and skills.

Workshop will cover: • Specialist practice advice for Commercial and Retail Leasing and Management.

• Critical timing issues • Using the correct disclosure documents • Getting the Leasing and Managing Agency agreements correct • Is it Commercial or Retail? Understanding the difference.

• Four methods of rent reviews including CPI • ”Lockout” for breaches. How and When?

• Recovery of outgoings

Give clients a reason not to look elsewhere, instil total confidence in you and your staff and see your property management career and rent roll flourish.

• Using the correct lease documents.

Have you overlooked potential revenue streams that commercial and retail leasing offer?

• And much more....

• Options and Assignments

Workshop includes a comprehensive 75 page manual !

Click location below to register!

Coffs Harbour - Thursday August 8th

Newcastle - Monday August 26th

Lismore - Friday August 16th

Wollongong - Tuesday August 27th

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Staff Profile

Richard Partington Account Manager

By Damien McDonald, EAC Sales & Marketing Manager

Each edition I like to interview one of our staff members that deal with our customers on a daily basis to give you all a better idea of the personality behind the phone. This edition features Richard Partington, EAC Membership Account Manager. Richard is one of our newest employees whose skills and excellence are not just limited to his customer service.

Q: What are your usual daily tasks as EAC Account Manager?

A: Sourcing new business, following up on new leads and enquiries, as well as assisting our existing customers with their enquiries.

Q: Give an example, without naming names, of an interesting situation you have had to deal with on the phone since appointed to your position.

A: Assisted an up and coming office who had decided to walk away from EAC due to cost cutting but managed to help them and address the issue and convinced them to continue with our services.

Q: What were you doing job wise before working with EAC? A: I worked for Goodlife Health Clubs as their Assistant Club Manager in Parramatta. This position was great as management were flexible with my cricket commitments.

Q: Interesting. Do tell?

A: Well, long story short. I was lucky enough to get a run on as a batsman with a couple of County sides in England and played for a couple of seasons.

Q: Why does that rate?

A: Local, TAB, big Screen TVs to watch sport, good crowd and cold beer.

Q: Cannot argue with that. What’s your favourite movie?

A: Taken, starring Liam Neeson.

Q: Tourist destination?

A: Greek islands, hands down!

Q: What sort of music do you listen to?

A: Anything that sounds good really, I keep up with modern music but I’m pretty open minded as long as it sounds good I’ll listen. I’m a big fan of The Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Green Day, David Guetta and a Scottish band Biffy Clyro, I’ve been lucky to see them all live.

Q: Nice. What motivates you to come to work every day?

A: Looking to improve professionally, learn and make a difference. I work hard to enjoy a lifestyle away from work.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Q: Awesome! What was your best score?

A: Happy and healthy, hopefully 5 years better off than I am now.

A: Umm, best would have to be the time I scored 135 for the Whatsonian’s and holed out with 2 overs left to play.

Q: Good answer. Thanks mate. I’m sure some of our readers will enjoy swapping cricket stories with you next time you are talking to them.

Q: Did you win?

A: Hope so.

A: Unfortunately we fell short by 2 runs but it still rates as a highlight for me.

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Q: Any advice for the current Australian cricket team?

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A: Don’t get me started! I’d get Simon Katich back and give Brad Haden the Captains role. I know the team needs stability but some wholesale changes are needed if we want to see some good results in the future.

Q: Who would you rate as Australia’s all time best?

A: Easy. Steve Waugh. Legend is all I can say.

Q: Agreed. Where do you head for a night out with the lads?

A: My favourite would have to be the Hillside Tavern in Parramatta.

Richard cracking one to the boundary with Blacktown Cricket Club in 2008.

Member Profile

Robert Henry

Robert Henry Statewide Realty

By Damien McDonald, EAC Sales & Marketing Manager

Robert Henry Statewide Realty is a success story spanning 30 years. With their focus firmly on their clients and backed by a team of talented professionals, Robert Henry believes integrity, trust and sincerity have become the hallmarks for their business. Robert has been a Platinum EAC Member since 1993 utilising Red Square, eForms, website services and listing his properties with the realestateworld.com.au website.

Q: How did you first get started in the real estate industry?

Q: How do you see the Co-operative helping the real estate industry?

A: One of my first positions in the Real Estate Industry was with a company called Compass Real Estate, located in Parramatta in 1972.

A: Providing current and up to date information to our Agency when compiling information for our marketing strategies.

Q: Can you describe the most memorable moment of your career so far?

A: Starting my own business in St Marys in December, 1979.

Q: So we can get to know you better, what are your personal interests or hobbies?

A: I live on a small farm with my family in the Hawkesbury area; I enjoy the freedom, my animals and the community it provides. I especially enjoy playing golf, watching car racing and NRL football.

Q: Who would you rate as your biggest inspiration in your life?

A: My wife, Ursula.

Q: What do you see as the secret to the success of Robert Henry Statewide Realty?

A: The honesty and professionalism that our Agency provides to all our clients and customers and also my wonderful team.

Q: Does your business have a website and e-newsletter and an online presence on social web spaces like: Facebook? Twitter? YouTube? etc. (please supply URLs)

Code of Ethics.

15 years ago, the Co-operative gave Agencies the opportunity to share listings, but with modernisation, selfish Agencies have shied away from this, giving less service to vendors and purchasers in my opinion.

Q: What do you see as the main benefit of being an EAC member?

A: Excellent and up to date information from your Red Square computer system and the opportunity to advertise on realestateworld.com.au

Wonderful team to assist my staff when encountering problems or needing advice!

Providing an excellent website – www.roberthenry.com.au Q: Where do you see yourself and Robert Henry Statewide Realty in 5 years?

A: Continuing to provide superior and honest service to our clients in our local area and community.

A: www.roberthenry.com.au realestateworld.com.au realestate.com.au domain.com.au homesales.com.au plus Facebook and Twitter

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Robert-Henry-Statewide-Realty/283733121727096 Twitter - https://twitter.com/roberthenrys Newsletter is available each Wednesday from our website and is sent to all our clients & customers each week.

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Newsletter http://www.roberthenry.com.au/ article/642/E-Newsletter.aspx

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Welcome New Members

Mid North Coast Realty Pamela Halam - Stuarts Point

Skilled Asset Management Pty Ltd David Hughes - Parkes

Professionals Bishop Real Estate Lisa Waugh - Lismore

Sullivan Property Sales Anthony Sullivan - Moree

City Beach Properties Linda Villella - Wollongong

Right Choice Real Estate Adam Gromek - Albion Park

Ashfield Partners Real Estate

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Jun Ling - Ashfield

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EAC Contact List

Estate Agents Co-operative Ltd. Phone: 1300 137 161 ABN 52 079 055 637 Fax: 1300 789 675 2A/175 James Ruse Drive Email: innovations@eac.com.au Rosehill NSW 2142

Membership Services Email: membership@eac.com.au realestateworld.com.au Publications Email: publications@eac.com.au Red Square & realestateworld.com.au Email: redsquare@eac.com.au Website Support Web Design & Development Email: webservices@eac.com.au Real Estate Forms & Stationery Email: stationery@eac.com.au Compliance & Practice Support Email: practicesupport@eac.com.au Training Services Email: training@eac.com.au

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www.eac.com.au www.realestateworld.com.au

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