April 2023

You are browsing the site archives for April 2023.

The managing director and I recently celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. Yes, I know. How the hell could she have tolerated me for so long? Surely a mystery for the ages and not one I am keen to shine a light upon. In any event this significant life milestone was cause for both joy and reflection. How do relationships stand the test of time? In our case it’s very simple, I agree with everything she says and when that fails I correct her, seek medical attention for that nasty bump on my head and buy jewellery and fizzy drinks. She, on the other hand, putsRead More →

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is calling out a questionable and concerning move by the State Government to treat rent control separately to stage two rental reforms, without the transparent legislative process that is reasonably expected. The Deputy Premier has stated that a reform to limit rent increases to once-yearly will apply from 1 July 2023 onwards – but the transition arrangements will mean that contractually agreed rent increases after this date will also no longer be valid. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said it was absurd and questioned the legality of the retrospective nature of the new laws. “As a property investor, youRead More →

Contributed By: REIQ on

Obscenely tight rental conditions continue in Queensland according to the latest Residential Vacancy Rate Report released by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ). The REIQ report covers more than a decade of quarterly vacancy rates for 50 local government areas (LGAs) and sub regions in Queensland, with the March 2023 quarter showing sustained historically tight rental conditions and mostly minor fluctuations from the previous quarter. Of the 50 regions, 11 remained at the same rate, 13 grew slightly tighter, while the majority of 26 relaxed slightly, indicating improved but still limited rental options. This saw the state-wide vacancy rate rise marginally from 0.8 perRead More →

Contributed By: REIQ on

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is applauding the Mackay Regional Council for doubling the region’s concession on infrastructure charges for new social housing. The boost takes the discount from 50 per cent to 100 per cent, up to the existing cap of $500,000, in a bid to bring builders to the region to develop much-needed social housing. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella welcomed the incentive as an exemplary way Councils could help attract new private investment in the regions and boost targeted housing supply. “The REIQ commends Mackay Regional Council for making housing diversity a priority for the region,” Ms Mercorella said. “We welcomedRead More →

Contributed By: ARAMA on

ON-SITE building management provides more essential services for a scheme, and they are delivered faster, cheaper and with more of a personal touch than any comparable options provided by off-site service providers. Resident managers save money for unit owners and the body corporate, and they also add great value to a scheme through their work. The industry survey conducted by international accountancy group Deloitte demonstrated better returns for owners from properties managed under the Management & Letting Rights model. The survey responses indicated that a Resident Manager performs the caretaking functions in a more cost-effective manner when compared to other professional outside alternatives. Pool cleanersRead More →

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is calling on the Queensland Government to rescind foreign investor surcharges, in light of the state’s housing crisis. The REIQ has long-opposed both the seven per cent surcharge applied to stamp duty introduced in October 2016, and the additional two per cent surcharge applied to land tax introduced in 2019 on Queensland property held by foreign entities. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella explained that both additional taxes on foreign investors – who are already being taxed at a Federal level – act as a deterrent for capital to be deployed in Queensland. “When the Labor Government introduced additional surchargesRead More →

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) has welcomed the RBA’s decision to leave cash rates on hold this month, an important pause after 10 consecutive rises took it to a near 10-year high of 3.6%. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the pause was a welcome reprieve to homeowners and small businesses who were unfairly carrying the burden of fixing the inflation curse. “Around 650,000 households in Queensland are mortgaged and it’s likely the RBA’s aggressive tightening cycle is already weighing heavily on many mortgage holders,” she said. “A pause in interest rate hikes is an appropriate response at this time, allowing households and businessesRead More →

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is today launching its Best Practice Guidelines – the peak body’s ‘playbook’ for a distinct league of agents with best-practice accountability, professionalism, and integrity at the heart of everything they do. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the REIQ Best Practice Guidelines set the standard of compliance, behaviour and professional conduct for Queensland real estate agents. “Real estate professionals take on a very significant responsibility when they are selling or managing property, or when they are acting for buyers looking for a home or commercial space,” Ms Mercorella said. “As a general rule, property is likely to be mostRead More →

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