Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 4-8 January

To compile this list, not only do we consider the week’s most read stories and the news that matters to you, but we curate it to include stories from our sister brands that also have an impact on the Australian property landscape. 

2021 predictions from the mortgages industry

The Adviser spoke to various players in the mortgages industry including brokers, brokerages, lenders, aggregators, and broker industry associations and compiled their predictions for the year 2021, and what they think could be the most important issues and challenges awaiting brokers and the mortgages industry.

ASIC bans Sydney mortgage broker

The corporate regulator has banned a Sydney-based mortgage broker for allowing her father who was already banned to engage in credit activities.

Shareholders vote on The Agency ownership

This Monday’s annual general meeting (AGM) has seen shareholders of The Agency Group vote on the real estate network’s future.

As well as looking to adopt the company’s remuneration report, shareholders were asked to vote on the re-election of director Matthew Lahood, and on the ratification of all aspects of the Peters Proposal.

See also: Magnolia reacts to The Agency AGM outcome

Why a big brand isn’t the be-all and end-all of property management

While franchises do offer up some perks, they aren’t the only way property managers and sales agents can find success, according to this boutique business owner.

While touting the benefits of going it alone, in conversation with REB, the founder and principal of Brisbane’s Junction Estate Agents, Jeremy Paikaew, has acknowledged that it’s always a good idea to have some sort of an experience with a franchise and how they work.

Happy New Year: Our property experts give their 2021 forecasts

As we bid farewell to 2020 – joyously waving goodbye with one hand and clinging to a champers in the other – our property investment experts share their predictions for the next 12 months.

Rent arrears to be returned to WA landlords

The government of Western Australia will be expanding the application of its Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme to incentivise landlords who maintain tenancies and avoid evictions post-March 2021.

This will enable tenants who are still facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 to pay their rent debt after the eviction and rental increase moratorium does end.

3 COVID trends predicted to stick around for the long-term

As the world adjusts to the “new norm”, property investors who want to outperform the market will need to adapt to new consumer demands, a property expert has said.

5 predictions for Queensland’s property market

The Queensland property market has maintained resilience in spite of the pandemic, and now goes into the new year with an abundance of growth potential, according to a number of experts.

In comparison with other states, most of Queensland has remained in a strong position over the past 12 months.

[Related: Hot Property: The biggest property headlines from the week 14-18 December]