Coronavirus: Daniel Andrews ‘frustrating’ estate agents

Thousands of house sales throughout Victoria are in jeopardy as real estate agents plead for certainty over spring buying and selling season.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in Melbourne on Wednesday. Picture: David Crosling

Real estate agents have called on Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to disclose his plans for business and trading activity ahead of the expiry of restrictions next month, describing the in­formation void as “extremely frustrating”.

With just 12 business days until Melbourne’s stage-four restrictions are due to expire, Mr Andrews has invited a backlash from business for refusing to outline a recovery road map, saying it was “a bit early”.

“It will be too early [even] early next week for us, with any certainty, to be talking about what things will look like after the 13th [of September],” he said on Wednesday.

“I wish I could provide you with a series of absolutely definitive dates and trigger points. That‘s not the nature of this thing; that’s one of the most frustrating elements of this fight.”

Real Estate Industry of Victoria president Leah Calnan said the lack of information was frustrating agents’ attempts to plan for the peak selling season, which traditionally kicks off in Spring.

Residential property sales have slumped in the wake of the introduction of state-four restrictions across Melbourne, which ban property inspections.

Last week, there were fewer than 100 auctions across the state, compared with almost 600 this time a year ago.

“There’s been a real lack of communication with our industry — it’s extremely frustrating,” said Ms Calnan. “We need to know what’s going on so agents can start planning, so they can prepare contracts, engage solicitors, organise marketing and photography, plan for inspections. We really just want the government to consult with the industry.”

The REIV’s comments echo those of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which urged the government to come clean on what it proposed to do after the restrictions eased.

The 2200-member Chapel Street Precinct Association has called on the government to “start talking about a way out”. “The Premier needs to adopt a futuristic mindset,” said association general manager Chrissie Maus. “Businesses need some kind of guidance on the when, how and why of the recovery phase.”