What I would like to see in my term as REIWA President 

I am honoured to step into the role of REIWA President, especially at such a critical time for the WA property market.

Real estate touches the lives of so many, whether you’re buying your first home, trying to find a rental, or thinking about investing. My focus as President will be to ensure the market is accessible and fair for everyone.

Housing affordability is a growing concern. For many young families and first home buyers, the idea of owning a home feels like a distant dream. Prices have risen as a result of population growth and the increased demand for housing, and supply hasn’t kept up.

One of my priorities will be to continue working with Government and industry to increase housing development. But not just any development - we need diverse housing options that cater to different needs and budgets. Whether it’s family homes in the outer suburbs or more affordable apartments closer to the city, diverse housing stock can help ease that pressure.

Perth’s rental market is shifting after several years of strong growth and low stock availability. We are now seeing rents stabilise and the vacancy rate starting to rise. While this is a positive shift, the market remains tight, and it’s crucial that we continue to encourage investment in rental properties. Ensuring there’s enough rental stock available is key to providing stability for tenants and addressing long-term rental security.

When it comes to policy, there’s still work to be done. For example, we continue to advocate for stamp duty reforms, which remain a major hurdle for home buyers, particularly first home buyers and downsizers. We’re also focused on encouraging policies that promote new housing supply while reducing red tape, to ensure developments can move forward swiftly and efficiently.

It’s important for Western Australians to feel confident when buying, selling, or renting their home. REIWA agents are highly skilled and bring a wealth of expertise to guide clients through the process with trust and care. We will continue to prioritise training and professional development, ensuring that agents are equipped with the latest industry knowledge to provide the best possible service to their customers.

REIWA’s role in addressing social impact is equally important. Our Community REInvest program, in partnership with The Salvation Army, is dedicated to helping address homelessness. This initiative allows our members to give back and support vulnerable members of our community and I am committed to continuing this work and expanding our efforts to make a real difference.

As I take on this role, I’d like to thank Joe White for his tremendous work, friendship and leadership over the past two years. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Joe and the Presidents before him, continuing their work to strengthen the Institute and our industry.