Many of our members are reporting that this activity is driving an increase to house prices, particularly in the lower to mid-tier market.

Investors are still active in the Top End and are expanding their interest to the unit market as the high activity in recent months has reduced the house market stock.

We will be closely watching the median house and unit prices in the coming months to see if the activity does convert to growth.

Alison Ross, principal at Elders Real Estate Katherine, reports that confidence is returning to the town’s real estate market, driven by the positive long-term economic outlook for the Big Rivers region. Quality homes in good locations are being purchased by local residents and interstate investors, but the cost to build continues to limit vacant land purchases and construction.

The recent interest rate cuts and the extension of the HomeGrown Territory and FreshStart New Home grants are welcomed by industry.

The activity in the industry also creates employment opportunities for Territorians as businesses grow and require more resources to deliver service to buyers, sellers, renters, landlords and tenants.

Our members are constantly on the look out for talent and keen to welcome newcomers to the industry. The real estate industry offers a diverse range of career pathways, which can cater to various interests and skill sets, including sales, property management, sales support, administration, receptionist, auctioneer, property management, leasing agents, buyers’ agent, accounts manager, training and assessment.

The REINT offers comprehensive training programs to equip aspiring real estate professionals with the local knowledge, skills and support to embark on a successful career.

Training and assessment is not often promoted as a career pathway, but it is a highly valuable qualification in any industry as it equips you with the skills to effectively educate, mentor, and assess competency in your area of expertise.

While REINT does not offer this course at the moment, there are several reputable registered training organisations in the Territory that do and I would encourage anyone who has a passion for passing on knowledge and experience to consider exploring this option.

In the last quarter’s issue, I mentioned the REINT award winners who were invited to enter the REIA National Awards for Excellence (NAFE), which were held in Adelaide in May. This event includes the Australasian Auctioneering Championships, which this year introduced a Novice competition, putting the spotlight on the industry’s rising stars. Special mention to Chris Clarke of Real Estate Central who was a strong competitor in this new category and represented the Territory well on the national stage.

The highlight of the 2025 NAFE Awards was seeing Lillian Dobson of Elders Top End Group announced as the national Residential Property Manager of the Year – a fantastic achievement and wonderful example of the career pathways on offer in the real estate industry.

Lillian started in real estate as a receptionist in 2018, progressed to administration assistant, then into a property manager role where she can now boast being a national winner.

There is a lot to celebrate in the real estate industry, and I welcome anyone who is considering their career options to reach out to the REINT team or any of our members.

JO FITZPATRICK
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE REAL ESTATE INSTITUTE OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY