New real estate listing feature makes Open for Inspections more accessible for people with mobility challenges like veterans or parents with prams

Four property industry leaders have come together to advance inclusivity for people with mobility challenges such as veterans, the aged, parents with prams and the physically disabled with the introduction of an easily identifiable mobility friendly filter and wheelchair icons for agencies to add to suitably equipped properties. 

One Agency is the first real estate network to offer the new “Mobility Filter” on eligible property listings, and popular real estate search portal Homely.com.au will carry the mobility icons on properties listed from One Agency for sale & rental properties which went into effect last week.

One Agency, Homely.com.au, Bespoke Media Group and MRI Box+Dice joined forces to create an integrated and scalable way to increase visibility on mobility-friendly properties in the marketplace in response to feedback from aspiring buyers and tenants.

Founder and CEO of One Agency, Paul Davies is urging those who can affect change in the industry to think about how tiring and exclusionary it must feel, and how these updates will make a world of difference. The addition of a ‘Mobility Friendly filter gives One Agency properties a point of difference initially. But it’s my hope this Mobility Friendly filter and other inclusivity features will one day become industry standard. 

One of Australia’s largest residential real estate groups is launching three new divisions as part of their growth plan for 2022, in response to strong demand from potential recruits.

As part of the network’s expansion, One Agency is adding Projects, Commercial and Rural divisions.   

The first Projects Licence approved launched last month, under the leadership of respected business principals, Nigel Napoli & Alex Walker. They have joined One Agency to increase their opportunities from within the 600+ Agency network.

 The One Agency Projects New Property Collection business comes to market with over 160 apartments now available to purchase, across Sydney. 

One Agency Founder and CEO Paul Davies said, projects, commercial and rural Agents who had previously expressed interest in joining the group prior to the creation of these divisions can now apply.

One Agency has been delighted to discover an unofficial network that has grown within its midst, of female business owners who mentor other women thinking of joining the group.

Stephanie Mason, who opened One Agency Stephanie Mason in July 2020, has already spoken to a lot of prospective licensees since joining the group.

“I find it very easy to relate to these women why the move is so great for a female in particular, especially if they are running a one-person business like myself,” she said.

“We discuss the reasons they might be looking to move, the obstacles that might pop up and how best to manage them, the benefits of joining the group, and what it can do for your personal lifestyle and professional goals.”

Annette Pinkerton, who’s owned One Agency Pinkerton Properties for eight years, said it’s important for female real estate professionals to support each other.

“I believe that because women are not greatly represented in our area, that prospective new talent looking for mentors or someone to aspire to might bypass our industry,” she said.

“I try to ascertain what their goals are before dishing out advice. I let them know that I’m here to support them. Sometimes, all they need is the encouragement and belief from another woman to find the courage to take the leap.”

Elizabeth Morris, who opened One Agency Liverpool Plains in October, spoke to a female licensee as part of her due diligence process. She said she would be happy to return the favour, by chatting to other women who were weighing up the pros and cons of starting a business under the One Agency brand.

“Coming from a middle-class family and making the decision to go out on my own was a huge decision and one that I thought I would never be able to accomplish,” she said.

“It’s a very male-dominated industry, and as much as we have progressed in the years, there are still a lot of older males out there who don’t think we can do it. If we listen to that side of the argument, we can become very self-conscious,” she said.

One Agency co-founder Annie Davies, who is the only woman to have founded or co-founded one of Australia’s top 10 real estate groups, said she was delighted to see so many women join One Agency, because real estate is an industry that suits many women.