Brunswick Blog

To our fellow Northside locals, our loyal clients -landlords, tenants, vendors and buyers and to our loving families and friends whose unwavering support over the past 25 years has allowed us to continually evolve… this message is for you.

If you’re like us, you’re probably finding it difficult to fathom how much the world has changed in the space of a week. These are unprecedented times, events like this occurring only once in a 100 years. From our perspective, the only silver lining is for the very first time in history we are witnessing the whole world come together against a common-enemy. And when the whole world shifts 100% of their focus towards a common goal – the enemy doesn’t stand a chance.

In a bid to curb the spread of Coronavirus in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison extended the list of industries and services to be shutdown last night. Public real estate auctions and open home inspections were among the activities to be shut down.

Consumer Affairs Victoria confirmed that private inspections by appointment can continue for now, although further restrictions are expected in the near future.

HOW WE PREPARED

Four weeks ago my brother Rob and I knew a future lockdown was imminent and our goal was to ensure we would continue to serve our Landlords, Tenants, Vendors and Buyers to the highest standards, as well as keep our incredible team safe and employed through this surreal period.

We had to be flexible and innovative, adopting a proactive business approach. We invested in technology, programs and laptops to enable every member of our team to work remotely. We’re relieved to announce as of 1pm today (25.03.20) we closed the doors to our Brunswick HQ and have our entire team seamlessly working remotely.

From here on out every member of our team from Residential Property Management and Sales to Commercial Property Management and Sales, to our Marketing, Advertising, Admin and Accountants are all available by phone, email or video conference from 9am till 5:30pm, Monday to Friday.

We always embraced the digital technology in our business and this made the transition for our team an easy one. We have served our Northside community for 25 years and we will remain here for you, guiding you through these uncharted waters.

We’ll also continue to turn towards technology to satisfy the high demand in Victorian real-estate, with virtual reality inspections, transactions conducted over the phone and electronic document signing over the internet to become commonplace.

Traditional Public Auctions are now rightfully banned by the Federal Government too meaning many properties will be settled via Private Sale. This does however presents an exciting opportunity for us to explore Online Property Auctions as a new alternative. We’re in conversations with 2 companies who offer this service and are hoping to conduct our first ever Online Auction in the coming months. The obvious challenge here is ensuring buyers can see the property first – but if private inspections remain or we can continue to offer Virtual Tours, then an Online Auction is the next natural progression. Sometimes in life you’re forced to moved in a different direction, and this may very well be the beginning of a new integral way we run Auctions in the future. Of course we’ll guide our Vendors and Buyers every step of the way.

TO OUR TENANTS & LANDLORDS

Our industry as a whole is extremely concerned for the welfare of our tenants. Across Australia there are over three million rental properties housing eight million people. We know that many of our tenants are employed in sectors that have experienced significant job losses, and our Property Managers have been the first to hear your heart breaking stories, we know the significant stress and anxiety you’re feeling at this time. We have a responsibility and duty of care to look after the interests of both our tenants and also that of our property owners. These are unprecedented times and if a tenant is unable to pay their rent due to loss of income, the situation is further exacerbated by the fact they may need to self-isolate for a period of time. Then there is the other problem on the horizon for property owners who therefore cannot afford to make mortgage repayments because their tenants can’t pay rent. And we are extremely concerned for our Landlords who are retirees or pensioners, because we know they rely on the rental money to survive.

The REIV has spoken to the larger banks and financial institutions and Minister to make them aware of these imminent situations.

To our tenants, during this difficult time, which will pass, we will treat you with the care, understanding and respect that you truly deserve, whilst maintaining the highest quality of safe work practices. In return, we ask that you also treat our team in the same manner. We’re all in this together, we’re all doing our absolute best.

Our industry has a whole is now waiting for a government announcement. We’ve been told an assistance package relating to the real estate industry is being finalised. This package will be largely related to our tenants in order for them to be able to continue to pay their rent should they become unemployed. The assistance will be as large as it can be in order to tide people over until the current crisis has passed.

The REIV impressed upon the Minister the importance of keeping rent payments flowing so that estate agents can continue to trade and in so doing our property owners will continue to receive their rent and meet their mortgage repayment commitments.

All Australians need a roof over their heads at this time without the worry of not being able to pay rent. As soon as the government provides us with information we will provide updates.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, as difficult as it is, we are positive about the future. For now, please stay safe at home, eat as healthy as possible in this period to build up your immune systems, maintain your exercise work-outs from home and please continue to follow the government guidelines.

You have supported us over the past two and a half decades and now we want you to know we’re doing absolutely everything within our power to support you too.

Sincerely, Mario and Robert Elezovic – Managing Directors at Raine & Horne, Brunswick