Real estate professionals prepare to aid recovery

The natural disaster unfolding in Far North Queensland is having devastating impacts on property and communities, and real estate professionals are preparing to assist affected lessors, tenants, and sellers.

As peak body, the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is reminding real estate professionals in the affected regions that the REIQ’s Disaster Toolkit is a helpful resource freely available to them.

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the unfortunate reality in Queensland was that natural disasters are part and parcel of our landscape.

“In Queensland, we are sadly no stranger to natural disasters and time and time again our communities have rallied together to help displaced residents and businesses,” she said.

“The REIQ developed the Disaster Toolkit in response to the Townsville floods and we have continued to build on it to make it relevant in a variety of events.

“It has served the real estate community well in cyclones, storms, floods and bushfires, and we hope it can be assistance again for real estate professionals in the far north in the wake of this disaster.

“Our thoughts are with you and our hearts go out to you – the timing of this just before Christmas is simply devastating.

“The rental market in Far North Queensland is already experiencing extremely tight vacancy rates, with Cairns sitting at less than one percent.

“We’re concerned about the additional strain this disaster will put on rental supply, as residents are displaced from their homes during essential repairs and in some cases, lengthy rebuilds.”

Real estate professionals can download the REIQ Disaster Toolkit here.

ENDS

Media enquiries: Claire Ryan, Media Manager, REIQ, M: 0417 623 723 E: media@reiq.com.au