Positive signs amid housing slump

The 2017 Geraldton and Mid West branch of Real Estate Institute of WA held its annual awards night recently to recognise real estate agents for their success, which an industry chief said was important, especially during tough times for the industry.

REIWA chief executive Neville Pozzi said similarly to the metropolitan area, the Mid West had experienced a slump in the industry with the numbers showing exactly that.

Compared to 2004 when total sales transactions peaked in Geraldton Greenough at 1561, this year had just 395 sales transactions. Across the regions WA peaked in 2004 at 29,000 transactions while in 2017 there was a major reduction with just 9500 transactions.

“The facts show it’s been a very difficult period for agencies but we are seeing slight signs of green shoots since increased activity in the mining resources sector,” Mr Pozzi said.

“There have been increased enquiries in the last month so it’s looking promising.”

Geraldton and Mid West branch president for REIWA Mairi Quinn said the past three years had shown a gradual fall in property values and the number of properties sold, but things were beginning to look up.

“A bright note is that from the March quarter when the median house price for Geraldton was $290,000 we have risen slightly to the June quarter being $310,000,” she said.

Geraldton Property Team was named the biggest winners of the night, taking the title of top office by number of properties sold and top in value of listings sold.

Geraldton Property Team director and sales consultant Lara Sadowski said the team was thrilled with the result.

“I watch the weekly sales in Geraldton and keep an eye on our competitors so I knew it was going to be a close race to the finish line between ourselves and Ray White,” she said.

“Geraldton is a great place to live. We just need the rest of Australia to acknowledge this to soak up our supply of houses for sale and change the demand level.”

Activewest Real Estate Sales Consultant Gail Clarkson took out the top unassisted salesperson by number of listings sold and top unassisted salesperson by value of listings sold.

Top assisted salesperson by number of listings sold — working alongside an assistant — was awarded to Ray White Geraldton’s Henry Van Tiel, who just missed out on winning top assisted salesperson by value of listings sold to his colleague Janette Brennan.

Top rookie of the year, awarded to someone working in the industry for at least 12 months, was Geraldton Property Team’s Ricky Cox.

* Top unassisted salesperson by number of properties sold: Gail Clarkson (Activewest Real Estate) with 34 properties sold to the value of $10,886,100.

* Top unassisted salesperson by value of properties sold: Gail Clarkson (Activewest Real Estate) with 34 properties sold to the value of $10,886,100.

* Top assisted salesperson by number of properties sold: Henry Van Tiel (Ray White Geraldton) with 38 properties sold to the value of $11,924,500.

* Top assisted salesperson by value of properties sold: Janette Brennan (Ray White Geraldton) with 37 properties sold to the value of $13,889,000.

Top office by number of properties sold: Geraldton Property Team with 179 properties sold to the value of $52,706,100.

Top office by value of properties sold: Geraldton Property Team with 179 properties sold to the value of $52,706,100.