Advertising - Not For Profit

After three long years the 'Rau' Real Estate Bill is finally before parliament. The Real Estate
Institute formed part of the Select Committee looking into Real Estate activity in this state, and as
past president of the Real Estate Institute I was involved for two of the three years.
Over that period, the committee gathered submissions from the general public and every sector
of the industry with a vested interest.
I have to say, working with the committee was a real pleasure, and for the most part, the
submissions put forward buy the industry, particularly the Real Estate Institute, was proactive and
provided sensible much needed reforms to the profession.
The main and robust debate this week has been about advertising cost and the rebates of up to
40% which agents receive on the money spent in the print media.
The very large agents and franchise offices sign a contract each year and are given a rebate on
that basis. The more you spend the bigger rebate received.
The problem for these agents is if they can't fill the pages they have bought, they have to pay for
the white space anyway.
As a boutique agent specialising in interactive marketing, our philosophy is simple. We have a
'not for profit' advertising policy. What we are charged after discount is what our vendors pay.
I'm quite comfortable with either scenario as long as it is transparent to the consumer.
As I remember it, the committee agreed that advertising marketing and rebates should be clearly
spelt out - and I'm all for that.
For our part, Magain Real Estate will continue to have a 'not for profit' advertising policy.
The choice to pay more for large glossy advertisements should be a decision left for the
consumer.
Which ever way it goes as long as it is spelt out in large letters to the end. I'm more than
comfortable with that.

Buyers Tip:
Check the alphabetical section in the Advertiser, check the advertisement and if you like the
suburb, type the identification number into the agent's website.
As we say - type, click, your home.