REIV: Second term for Blake

THE Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) has declared Youngs & Co Real Estate’s Michael Blake as Director from the Regional Zone for a second three-year term of office.

Michael, who was unopposed for the position, will start his term on October 1 this year.

With a background in finance, Michael segued into real estate through a friend 32 years ago.

Michael is a self-confessed ‘people person’ who was attracted to the flexibility, pace and challenges that the industry offers.

Michael specialises in commercial and industrial real estate in and around Shepparton and, like most country people, loves a good farm clearance sale.

Michael is cognisant of issues that are unique to the regional real estate industry and economy more broadly. With primary producers reliant on their land and the natural environment to make a living coupled with fluctuations in the price of farmers’ wares, such as cattle, milk and grain – real estate is an entirely different concept in Regional Victoria compared with Metropolitan Melbourne. It’s not just the transaction of a house, it’s often central to families’ livelihoods.

During his tenure as a REIV director, Michael has advocated for an increase to REIV training and education available in regional areas as travel to Melbourne is often a challenge for regional agents. Michael’s wide industry knowledge and regional perspective ensure that the views, issues and requirements of Regional Victoria are considered in the development of REIV services and policy.

Michael sees advances in technology, consolidation of businesses and changes to work practices as some of the issues that will affect the future of the real estate industry in Regional Victoria.

The REIV is holding a range of courses throughout regional Victoria over coming months, covering issues such as residential property sales, essential safety measures for commercial property managers and residential property sales documentation.

Courses will be held in Ballarat, Bendigo, Mildura, Traralgon and Wangaratta between now and early December.

To find out more, please email the REIV Learning & Development Team at [email protected].