The Unconditional Blog

The impartial voice of the industry

 

Archive for the ‘Real Estate Industry News’ Category

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Plain English Forms – REINZ Agreement for Buying and Selling Real Estate

Posted on: June 29th, 2009 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

REINZ have drafted new forms for the sale and purchase of real estate in New Zealand. I recently attended a seminar in Thames where Tim Jones of Glaister Ennor presented and explained the new agreements to local real estate agents and salespeople. Anyone who is already familiar with the current forms for sale and purchase, will appreciate that they are NOT written in plain English. Aside from the actual content, the design and layout is not conducive to faxing. By the time an offer has gone back and forth a few times through the facsimile machine, the agreement is barely legible – fortunately more and more people have access to email, as a scanned agreement maintains far more of its original clarity.

At this stage the new forms include the following three: (more…)

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Motel video goes live on the blog

Posted on: November 24th, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

In an effort to keep abreast with the constantly evolving online environment I have introduced video to my blog.  Whilst considering my current listings, I decided that the Coromandel Court Motel which I have chosen to showcase was ideally suited to this new format. Having already featured the motel on You Tube with links directly to the video from our own Century 21 website and Realestate.co.nz   it was a ‘simple’ matter of embedding the link directly into this blog.

Thanks must go to Deon Swiggs and his very useful article; how to put video on your blog, which demonstrates graphically the “how to”. Following Deon’s instructions I was able to make the necessary adjustments and then go live. It will be interesting to see the number of viewings this video receives over the next couple of weeks and correspondently how it affects the enquiry level. My blog has received more than 70,000 hits since starting back in January 2008 and I continue to find it intriguing as to which articles generate the most interest. 

Related: Tips on Buying a Motel, Buying an existing business – Going Concern, Buying a NZ Motel Freehold Going Concern 

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The best NZ Real Estate Blog (2)

Posted on: November 24th, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

In August this year I wrote a blog entitled the best New Zealand real estate blog wherein I highlighted several blogs which I felt at the time were worthy of mention.

As an update to that original posting I am pleased to see that Deon Swigg’s New Plymouth Real Estate blog continues to go from strength to strength. Deon won the prize for September Blogger of the Month, with over 100 articles relating to the New Plymouth real estate scene one can easily understand why Deon has attracted over 10,000 unique visitors to his site.

A more recent addition to the Voices Platform is David Leggot writing from sunny Nelson. David was the November Blogger of the Month showing that consistency in writing and adding regular and interesting content to his site pays off. David also makes very good use of graphs and photographic images.

There are many other salespeople using the Voices Platform to showcase their area, themselves and their unique set of real estate skills. Make sure you have a look as there is probably someone writing about your district.

I applaud the new breed of real estate salesperson in New Zealand, those that are embracing technology in order to provide their clients, present and future, with the best possible service. These salespeople appreciate that by speaking regularly to their audience, whilst gradually revealing their enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge earns them their audiences trust and in time perhaps that person’s business. Compare these blogs to the old fashioned static website, wherein the agent in a few lines told you they were “passionate about real estate” and “have integrity” – you’ll quickly see that the difference is quite staggering. It brings to mind a quote “learning is not compulsory, but neither is survival” by W.E Deming

Whilst blogging may not be suitable for every salesperson or agent, those that do utilize this form of online marketing have demonstrated a willingness to adapt to the changing market. I know from talking to Deon and David that both have gained business directly from having a blog – and good luck to them.

Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumbleupon | Reddit | Blinklist | Twitter | Technorati | Furl | Newsvine

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Growth in New Zealand Property Values

Posted on: October 13th, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

The guest speaker at the recent 2008 NZ Real Estate Institute AGM was Joan Withers , Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax Media Ltd, New Zealand’s largest media company and major sponsor of the AGM. 

The real estate industry and the media do not always agree however for obvious reasons we are reliant on each other and I was interested to hear Ms Withers point of view on the current state of the market as perceived by the media.  (more…)

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Reflections on the 2008 REINZ Conference and AGM

Posted on: September 24th, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

Last week the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand held its 2008 Annual General Meeting and conferences in Rotorua. While I was unable to attend every event I did make time to be present at the AGM and Business Brokers Conference – aside from these two events there were also specific seminars for the Commercial & Industrial, the Residential, and the Property Manager’s groups.

A variety of topics were presented at the Business Broker’s Conference including a presentation given by Niamh McMahon, Partner with McMahon Butterwort Thompson Lawyers. Niamh spoke of the changes to the Property Law Act (2007) and gave particular reference to how these changes will impact on business and commercial sales. (more…)

5

REINZ AGM and Conference Reminder

Posted on: September 8th, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

The REINZ Annual Conference and AGM are being held on 18th and 19th September in Rotorua – registrations for the REINZ Conference close on 10 September. 

In view of last week’s passing of the Real Estate Agents Bill by the government and the possible consequential changes that will result from the new Act, the REINZ Annual General Meeting, Conferences and associated social events will be an opportunity for some valuable dialogue between industry members on both a formal and informal basis. 

The new Act is going to have a profound impact on the Real Estate industry and REINZ as the representative body. The Act comes into effect 14 months after Royal assent to allow enough time for the establishment of the new Real Estate Agents Authority and for the industry to supposedly come up to speed with the reforms.

Staying informed and participating in these changes is important to all salespeople, being involved at an early stage means balanced representation is provided. We are all individuals and as such are entitled to our own point of view, diverse representation from within the industry is positive and will enable the industry to move forward and embrace the coming challenges and changes. 

Remain apathetic now, don’t complain later.

4

REINZ 2008 Conference and AGM

Posted on: August 21st, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) National AGM and Conferences are to be held at Rotorua on 17th – 19 September 2008. The programme includes the Business Brokers Conference, the Commercial and Industrial Conference and the Residential Sales Conference.

“Real estate is a dynamic, ever changing industry and with various commentators predicting further transformation, our theme ‘The Future is Now’ is strikingly apt.

With the Real Estate Agents Bill 2007 working its way through the Parliamentary process at the time of writing, REINZ, a positive instigator of change, is currently lobbying for greater consumer protection and security.

But there is no time like the present to adapt your activities to achieve the competitive edge, building on your foundation for success and sharpening up your knowledge of the legal framework within which the industry operates – without waiting for the proposed legislative changes.”

REINZ Registration Pack

Having attended previous conferences provided by REINZ and gained great benefit which I was then able to pass on to the consumer, I encourage all other REINZ members to attend.

11

The best New Zealand real estate blog

Posted on: August 18th, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

Many of my regular readers follow my blog because they are interested in the articles I write relating to the process of buying or selling business in New Zealand.  I am aware that a proportion of these readers are domiciled outside of New Zealand and are planning, however tentatively, to one day return to, or emigrate to New Zealand.

The chances are strong that the readers that do eventually immigrate to New Zealand will be, apart from purchasing a business to provide them with income, looking for a home to buy.

Realestate.co.nz, an industry owned website, provides a free access platform on which New Zealand Real Estate salespeople or agents can have individual blogs and engage directly with their audience online. The site, Voices, has some of the best New Zealand real estate blogs which are contributed to by salespeople from the length and breadth of New Zealand.

Articles on all manner of real estate related topics are provided giving an interesting and accurate insight to the current state of the New Zealand real estate market as seen directly from the coal face; that is, by those Real Estate professionals who work untiringly with buyers and sellers of property no matter what the state of the market.

I particularly recommend you have a look at Ross Brader’s blog written from the view point of an agent working in Point Chevalier, Auckland and Deon Swiggs New Plymouth blog, both Ross and Deon are regular contributors.  A third real estate related blog to check out is Unconditional which is written by Alister Helm. Alister is the CEO of Realestate.co.nz, and along with his colleagues is a great supporter of real estate salespeople starting their own blogs. Because of their support there are at present around 50 salespeople using the Voices platform.

One of the most convenient functions of Blogs is that once you find one that interests you, you can subscribe to it using the RSS function. This way, as soon as the Blog is updated you will know through your ‘feeds’ button, which (if you use internet explorer) is located alongside the ‘favorites’ button. What could be simpler?

1

Australasian Real Estate Conference 2008 Sydney

Posted on: May 31st, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

According to the promotional material: “For over a decade AREC has been renowned as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier business to business residential real estate event – cutting edge content and world class presenters sharing the secrets of their success and the tools, techniques and ideas that have helped them significantly improve sales and increase earnings”.  With over 2500 Real Estate professionals attending this conference promised much – and it delivered.

I have spent three days listening, absorbing information and learning as much as I could take in, and there was plenty.  Very full days from early to late with extra sessions during the lunch break, not even enough time for a quick wander around the delights of Darling Harbour in Sydney where the convention was held.

The top line up of key note speakers included Dr Stephen Covey, US Real Estate Trainer (more…)

2

Century 21 Real Estate, NZ Convention 2008

Posted on: April 20th, 2008 | Filed in Real Estate Industry News

Century 21 held its New Zealand Convention on the 16th and 17th of April at Waipuna in Auckland.

I was pleased to attend and listen to the excellent speakers as well as network with other Century 21 colleagues from around the country and check out the latest and greatest innovations from the sponsors.

We were welcomed to the convention by Murray Cleland, President of the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) as well as the Managing Director of Century 21 New Zealand.  Murray, through his position with REINZ was able to present an informed update on the process of the Real Estate Agents Bill currently before the parliamentary select committee.   At this stage of the process the select committee is hearing submissions and their report is due by 10 June 2008.    (more…)

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