Program aims to Tackle Shortage of Women in the Property Industry

The Property Council of Australia’s, 'Girls in Property Program' has kicked off in the Hunter for the first time today. 

Fifty female year nine students from Hunter River High and St Pius X High School in the Hunter, will be exploring the in’s and outs of the property industry, taking part in the program which brings together some of the biggest property companies in NSW. 

The program aims to inspire more young girls to choose property as a career, with currently only 28% of leadership roles within the industry held by women.  

The day hopes to inform young girls about the extremely diverse range of careers and roles available within the property sector. 

"We really want to open up the conversation and talk to these girls about the myriad of different roles that they can access within the property industry," Mrs. Hugo said. 

"It's not just about construction and it's not just about engineering. There are professional services, there's architecture, there's planning, there are so many different areas that they could be looking at and so many more opportunities if they just knew what was available" 

During the day the girls will hear from women leaders in the property industry, develop real-life projects to represent their schools, and learn more about university education options related to property. 

"Relative to other industries there's so much more room to grow in terms of participation in diversity and sometimes its a case of 'you don't know, what you don't know'," Mrs. Hugo said. 

"Today they'll be talking to people about their journey and experiences and they'll start work on some really exciting processes that they need to be involved in." 

                               Image Source: Property Council of Australia 

Newcastle real estate about to be turned on its head

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Newcastle real estate could be turned on its head, with new online real estate agent Purple Bricks starting in the city.

Unlike traditional agencies, the U.K based company ask for a flat fee of $4,500 and offer a dedicated expert to guide you through the sale process until your property is sold. When you sell at auction, the fee goes up to $5,870.

The company is set up in other cities throughout the country offering an alternative to traditional real estate agents, being cheaper and apparently more accessible to vendors.

However, Hunter Chairman of the Real Estate Institute of NSW Wayne Stewart believes the company won't last long at all.

"It's been happening for 20 odd years now from time to time we see start out companies that have a good idea and they come into the marketplace and disrupt the marketplace for a short amount of time and then they go as quickly as what they've come into the marketplace."

He adds that being an online service, you're less likely to have an agent with you every step of the way to guide you through and point you in the best direction.

"You don't get much in the way of marketing, you don't get much in the way of service and in a lot of these situations the vendor actually has to show the buyer themselves. You don't have anybody there to negotiate the sale for you skilfully whereas with a real estate agent it's a very holistic service," said Wayne Stewart.

Carrie's Place to Expand in 2017

BY TANYA DU PREEZ

Maitland's anti-domestic violence service and homeless shelter Carrie's Place plans to expand into the heart of the city next year.

Coordinator Jenny Harland said the soaring statistics of domestic violence in Maitland had necessitated a drastic expansion of the service in the near future.

"We've totally outgrown the resource centre," Ms Harland said.

"We need to increase our space and expand our operations, so we're pursuing somewhere to move in Maitland."

The organisation plans to move to new headquarters which will include a car park, access to public transport and security for people fleeing violence.

CEO Jan McDonald says she hopes the expansion will make Carrie's Place more efficient and welcoming.

"We currently just have the one property, and clients sometimes have to sit out in the garden, in the children's room, in the kitchen where our groceries are - because there's just not enough room at all here," she said.

"We are looking at moving to facilities that allow our clients to feel safer and afford them a bit more dignity."

The move will be funded by money raised by the members of Carrie's Place and the community.