First National

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David Nitschke, the First National chairman, has slammed a Fairfax Media article as "based on rumour, gossip and deliberate falsehoods."
He expressly denied there were any undisclosed conflicts or dodgy deals linked to board members.
"The article has no information of public interest but is designed to cause maximum harm to the network, to divide the membership, and to personally vilify our CEO, former and current Directors and senior staff, and serves no purpose other than to try to cause harm to our brand," he told First National staff today.
He suggested staff must stop interacting with "disaffected former members and employees who have no investment or interest in our success."
He said he was not intending to respond to "the diatribe in detail, the position of successive Boards is well known to members."
"But let me assure you:
1. There is no 'internal upheaval' within the network.
2. Commercially and financially your network is in excellent shape as the forthcoming financial results will testify.
3. There are no undisclosed conflicts or dodgy deals linked to board members. All board members' personal interests are disclosed at the time of appointment and conflicted board members refrain from voting on matters in which they have a personal interest.
4. At no time has the Board threatened legal action, thinly veiled or otherwise, against any members."
His email to staff which was provided on request to Property Observer paid tribute to their CEO, Ray Ellis and management team "who are the ones that have had to bear the brunt of the negativity and salacious allegations."
"Ray and his team have the absolute and unqualified support of the Board," he advised.
"It is improbable that anyone outside the network and those responsible for this indecent campaign would have any interest in the article but it seems we are under attack and so it is imperative that we remain strong and resilient and that we all come together behind the Board, our Regional Councils and our outstanding Management team to maintain our status as Australia's most advanced real estate network."
The Fairfax article suggested the existance of a reform group -  believed to be supported by about 40 agents - who were especially upset over "the value of assets in the balance sheet".  
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First National chairman defends network against Fairfax Media claims

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Purplebricks, an online property platform that claims to have a unique low-cost model, will likely replicate its losses revealed in its home country, Britain, according to a leading Australian property industry executive. 
"Since its August 2016 launch, when more than a quarter of a million properties were listed for sale with Australian agents, Purplebricks has sold little more than 150 properties and currently has just 310 properties listed," said First National Real Estate chief executive Ray Ellis.
“By any measure, that represents a rejection of its ‘low cost’ model and a market share smaller than 0.1 percent,’ he added.
Purplebricks says it is the third biggest agent in Britain by client instructions with a market share of 5 percent. 
The ABC’, however, reported in September 2016 that just one in four UK customers give it a rating of one star out of five on its Facebook page. 
In contrast, First National says 82 percent of its member agents in Australia achieve 5-star reviews.
“Australians have an entirely different view of property ownership and are focused on building wealth through property investment. They understand the extra value that a professional agent brings to the marketing, negotiation and sale of property, and therefore continue to choose agents to maximise their sale price," said Ellis.
In 2016, Canstar Blue researched customer experiences with Australia’s major real real estate brands and announced that First National Real Estate was number one with the most satisfied customers.
It was the only brand to achieve 5 star ratings, doing so in six separate categories, one of which incorporated value for money.
Purplebricks, which opened its <a href="https://www.urban.com.au/expert-insights/investing/60186-purplebricks-arrives-in-sydney" target="_blank">Sydney office late in 2016 </a>after securing a toehold in Victorial and Queensland, is being led by Ryan Dinsdale in Australia, a former marketing director of Virgin Money. It recently selected law firm lawlab as a preferred conveyancing partner in Australia.
The firm made its market debut in London in December 2015 with a valuation of £240 million after being founded only in 2012 by brothers Michael and Kenny Bruce. However, it booked a loss of £12 million in the year to April 30, up from £5.4 million in 2015.
Purplebricks chief executive officer Michael Bruce, however, reckons Australia's "infatuation" with real estate but dislike of the way traditional estate agents operate will fuel the success of his company.
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Purplebricks low-cost model not working in Australia: First National CEO

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First National Real Estate Byron Bay has won the Sales Office of the Year award at the company's General Excellence and Marketing Awards.
The Top 10 sales offices for the network in Australia for 2016 were:
1.    First National Real Estate Byron Bay (NSW) Sales Office of the Year
2.    First National Real Estate Hunters Hill, Gladesville, Ryde (Gladesville, NSW)
3.    First National Real Estate Surfers Paradise (Qld)                      
4.    First National Real Estate Tweed Sutherland (Bendigo, Vic)
5.    First National Real Estate Collie &amp; Tierney (Mildura, Vic)
6.    First National Real Estate Waverley City (Glen Waverley, Vic)
7.    First National Real Estate Rayner (Bacchus Marsh, NSW)
8.    First National Real Estate Port Macquarie (NSW)
9.    First National Real Estate Daystar (Padstow, NSW)
10.    First National Real Estate Epping Central (Epping, NSW)
Queensland office First National Real Estate Brassall won Residential Property Management Department of the Year and First National Real Estate Pope Nitschke (Mt. Barker, SA) won Commercial Property Management Department of the Year.
The Top 10 Salespeople taking home Chairman’s Circle GEM Awards:
1.    George Rafty, First National Real Estate Newcastle City (The Junction, NSW) Salesperson of the Year
2.    Michael Sleiman, First National Real Estate Daystar (Padstow, NSW)
3.    Allison Mifsud, First National Real Estate Epping Central (Epping, NSW)
4.    Ruma Mundi, First National Real Estate Hills Direct (The Ponds, NSW)
5.    Ryan McCann, First National Real Estate Cleveland (QLD)
6.    Catherine Murphy, First National Real Estate Epping Central (Epping, NSW)
7.    Huss Alsalemi, First National Real Estate Macarthur (Minto, NSW)
8.    Michael Alexander, First National Real Estate Michael Alexander (Harrington Park, NSW)
9.    Benjamin Mulae, First National Real Estate Hunters Hill, Gladesville, Ryde (NSW)
10.    Russell Rollington, First National Real Estate Surfers Paradise (QLD)
Kathy Smart of First National Real Estate O’Donoghues (Darwin, NT) was named Property Manager of the Year and Ashleigh Lambert-Bignell of First National Real Estate North Haven (NSW) Property Manager Rookie of the Year. 
Tiago Neves from First National Real Estate Bonnici &amp; Associates (Wodonga, Vic) was named Sales Rookie of the Year.
Kylie Sharp of First National Real Estate Nick van Vliet (Willunga, SA) was named Administrator of the Year and Jessica Atkins of First National Real Estate Cleveland (QLD) was named Receptionist of the Year. 
Russell Burton from First National Real Estate Burton Groves (Tea Tree Gully, SA) received the network’s highest honour, the Kaye Heath Memorial Award.
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