Expand grant, says peak body
REAL Estate Institute Queensland‘ s election wish list calls for the First Home Owners’ Grant to include established properties, stamp duty to be abolished and mandatory continuing professional development to be introduced for real estate agents.
The REIQ wants candidates to consider the needs of the real estate industry, which is one of the biggest employers in North Queensland.
CEO Antonia Mercorella said the election offered voters an opportunity to elect a candidate who recognised the importance of the sector to the economy.
“Real estate employs around 50,000 Queenslanders and this makes it of huge significance to the future fortunes of Queensland,” she said. “Improving the health of the sector is at stake and voters should keep this in mind when casting their votes on November 25.”
The institute wants stamp duty to be abolished to stimulate the property market and encourage buyers who have been put off by the additional expenses associated with buying a home.
The REIQ wants mandatory continuing property development because currently, once agents are qualified, there are no requirements for them to stay up to date with changing regulations and legislations.
The REIQ says mandatory development would ensure real estate agents are suitably qualified and educated, similar to other professionals who handle people’s wealth, such as solicitors and accountants. A LOT OF THE FIRST HOMEBUYERS IN THE NEW MARKET ARE HAVING TO SPEND $ 340,000 OR $ 350,000 SO A LOT OF THAT TIME THAT GRANT JUST ENDS UP FUNDING GRANITE BENCHTOPS OR FLAT- SCREEN TVS WHEN THAT GRANT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TO HELP PEOPLE THAT HAVE SOME CHALLENGES