Realestate.com.au continue to dominate real estate portals in Australia. So much so now, if something does not happen quickly, it will be all over for its rivals.
This is not good news for Agents, however as far as consumers are concerned it makes life easier only having one portal to search for all available properties.
For Agents it will continue to mean price increases, and if News Ltd are successful in their takeover bid for the remaining shares, price increases are something agents will have to get used to.
As for competition, Realestate.com.au are only wary of one rival and that is Domain.com.au. However this site will probably just keep cruising along until media ownership laws change and a possible union with a TV company such as Channel Nine give them the marketing it needs to get the site in the mainstream across Australia.
But News Ltd, can play that game to, and has a history of protecting its turf very well indeed.
So who will be the main challenger to Realestate.com.au? Domain? Just Listed? Homehound?
Well I do not think any of them will, I think it will come from left field and may well be nothing to do with a realestate portal.
Stay tuned!
1 Comment
John (Licensed Land Agent)
I have stated before.
If all the REI Auatralian Professional bodies band together?? If???
Produce their own Nation Wide Portal for its members.
Combining with the other Property/Real Estate/Valuation Bodies eg
Property Council
&
API
Well the sky is the limit.
The point of difference will be cost to Agents.
A model could be produced where a once off per annum fee to be a member of say REI, API or Properyy Council will give you the right to advertise properties on the site.
The business model would be for the benefit of members.
Not an open market business model or shares listed company/model.
Bring it on.