2023 Winter ECHO LIVING magazine

Bringing affordable housing to all Australians

EchoRealty’s purpose is to provide high-quality affordable properties for all Australians. Equipped with over 100 years of property expertise, our team is passionate about helping our clients achieve their property goals, whether it be through renting, developing or investing. Our unmatched customer care is embodied by respect, and our team believe that everyone deserves safe, stable and secure housing. We will work tirelessly to ensure our client’s property experience is as smooth, transparent and successful as possible.

Artwork “Land, River, Home” by Sal Lavallee.

New Office

EchoRealty opens in Victoria

EchoRealty is proud to announce the launch of our new office in Victoria.

EchoRealty Vic will assist more Australians on low to moderate incomes with securing a roof over their heads and ease pressure off the housing system. Dedicated EchoRealty Vic workers understand that providing a home is not a simple task, which is why the journey and goal is to help place

more individuals and families in thriving and inclusive communities. Our team’s extraordinary level of support showcases the heartfelt relationships we have with our tenants and we look forward to continuing our work supplying more affordable housing options to all Australians!

2023 Tenant Satisfaction Survey

EchoRealty would like to thank all their tenants for completing the Tenant Satisfaction Survey.

We truly appreciate the time and effort spent by those who gave us feedback. Everything we do as a business is centred around improving the lives of our residents and these responses help us enhance the services we deliver to our residents.

We look forward to further improving our services and growing our relationship in the years to come.

Wentworthville Project

We are excited to announce a new project that we have launched in Wentworthville. These stunning apartments have a variety of units with 1, 2 and 3 bedrooms available for eligible participants at 20% below market rent. EchoRealty is pleased to offer a limited number of modern and high-quality apartments. Take a look at our properties here: www.echorealty.com.au

ECHOREALTY FINALISTS REB AWARDS

EchoRealty is proud to have been announced as a finalist at the Real Estate Business (REB) Awards for the Social and Community Service Program of the Year. The REB Awards is a national program acknowledging and recognising top businesses and professionals in the real estate industry. We would like to thank Real Estate Business Awards for the opportunity and congratulate all other winners.

Safeguard your home THIS winter

5 from mould

As winter brings plummeting temperatures and heavy rainfall, heaters can sometimes induce condensation, creating a perfect environment for mould. Here are some tips to protect your home from this issue.

What is mould?

Mould, a type of fungus, thrives in certain conditions, spreading primarily through airborne spores. These conditions include indoor humidity over 80%, moisture often resulting from condensation, and nutrients found in paint, dust, and cooking fumes. The most common type, sooty mould, leaves dark stains and can spread house-wide if unchecked. Conversely, green furry mould targets organic materials like clothing and footwear.

Here’s how to combat mould:

Ventilation plays a crucial role. Open windows and doors for cross-ventilation when weather allows. Ensure ventilation during the day, particularly on cold nights when the house is closed. Clean room ventilators and exhaust fans regularly as house fluff can obstruct them, impeding proper ventilation. Use exhaust fans, especially during bathing, cooking, and laundry.

Mould growth can be inhibited by dry air circulation, so keep your home well ventilated. Air circulation is particularly important in bathrooms during cool weather. Keep bathroom surfaces dry as much as possible and clean your property routinely. Wipe away moisture on windows and walls.

Maximize sunlight in your home, specifically in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry. Dry damp clothes and shoes outdoors promptly. To prevent green fluffy mould, make sure items are thoroughly dry before storage.

Store fruit and vegetables without plastic wrapping and refrigerate within 27 hours. Dispose of mouldy items and keep fresh food in sealed containers. Clean evaporation trays in air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators regularly.

Avoid running evaporative air condition systems with water during high humidity times (over 65%). When the air feels humid, run the system without water, ensuring windows are open.

Finally, regular carpet and rug cleaning with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaner can prevent mould spores. Most new vacuums include HEPA filters. Ensure footwear are thoroughly dry before storage. Leave the wardrobe doors open where possible.

Getting To Know EchoRealty

Kelly senior

#MEETECHO gives you, our resident, a better insight into who we are as your support team! In this edition we interview Kelly Senior, EchoRealty’s Customer Experience Officer — someone you may have already chatted to over the phone!

How long have you been working with EchoRealty?

I have been a Customer Experience Officer for 5 months as this is a newly created role. I chose EchoRealty because it is a company that strives to help people and that is what I am passionate about.

I enjoy working with the team, and together we develop new ways to improve the clients experience who are dealing with EchoRealty. I am always willing to take on new tasks and challenges as this is part of my learning experience, this keeps my mind thriving and the role more interesting.

What were you doing before you came to EchoRealty?

I was a Payroll/Accounts Payable and Receivable Officer at a company in St Mary’s for over four years, although I enjoyed my job very much, I decided to move on. That’s when the job at EchoRealty popped up and the rest, as they say, is history!

What made you want to work in the Customer Experience Team?

At the end of the day, it’s all about helping people with all their enquiries. Because the Experience Team

is a new team, I was encouraged by the opportunity to play a part in building this team into a 5-star service that our clients and colleagues can appreciate. There’s also a great opportunity here to grow and learn more about the business through moving around the company as I believe it is important to understand what my colleagues do.

What is a typical day like for you?

A typical day for me involves a lot of phone calls (sometimes about 100 calls a day), accommodating any walk-in clients.

Some of the interactions have been eye-opening because of people’s unfortunate circumstances like desperately needing accommodation and even people experiencing homelessness. This job however is rewarding in the sense that you are helping people find a new place to call home.

Even though I’m mainly answering the phone and helping people with enquiries, this team is the first point of contact, and it is so important to give an attitude that we do care and want to help. Being more helpful, hearing and seeing great outcomes is what keeps me going.

What kind of impact do you think the Customer Experience Team has on residents?

Since I started at EchoRealty, the team and I have made a difference by being able to take calls efficiently and assist clients in any way we can.

We understand that there’s nothing worse than trying to ring and have no response or only to be put on hold for hours. It’s definitely not like that here, as we all do our best to answer all requests and if we can’t then we find someone who can.

What’s your favourite thing about working for EchoRealty?

I really love working at EchoRealty and being a part of the EchoRealty team. Every day is different, we are constantly striving to improve our service and set high standards.

In my current role, it has given me the opportunity to be able to learn all aspects our business has to offer. This allows me to continue to grow my knowledge with the support of my team members. I also enjoy EchoRealty’s team building exercises

What inspires you?

Just to be happy that I have a job. I try to take each day as it comes, and I think every day you just have to appreciate what you have.

I love learning and that inspires me to keep doing what I do best and that is helping our clients. It inspires me when people ask for me personally, as this means I have developed a great rapport with that person. The clients know that they can comfortably reach out and ask for help.

NSW Government launches initiative

The NSW Government has launched a new initiative to get first home buyers into the property market.

The NSW Government’s new initiative, the Shared Equity Home Buyer Helper, aims to help first home buyers enter the property market with just a 2% deposit. The program targets lower income single parents, older singles, and first home buyer workers, enabling them to own a home.

With a 2% deposit and lower monthly repayments, eligible participants can receive up to 40% of the purchase price for new properties or 30% for existing ones from the government, which will retain an equivalent interest in the property. This contribution will be registered as a second mortgage.

No rent or interest repayments are required as long as eligibility is maintained. Voluntary payments can increase one’s share in the property. Eligibility criteria include living in the property and fulfilling ongoing obligations like property maintenance, insurance, periodic reviews, and paying certain fees and taxes.

Eligible groups include single parents with dependents, individuals over 50, and first home buyer key workers such as nurses, midwives, paramedics, teachers, early childhood educators, and police officers. Additional criteria apply.

For more information and to find out if you are eligible visit: nsw.gov.au/shared-equity

Be inspired by our amazing EchoRealty resident Lejla who saved enough money to buy her own property! Scan here to read more: https://bit.ly/Lejlas-story

Review our service

Did you know you’re able to review our service online? We encourage you all to take a minute to give us a review or a shoutout to your favourite employee! We’d really appreciate it.

From Ally

“I can’t express how exciting and fulfilling this is going to be for me and my children! I am a victim of DV. It had been impossible to find a place for me and my children in the past five years. No support, not even a chance, no one willing to take me and my little family on. Now with the support and a chance to live independently again and start over. I have Corey and Rose to thank for that. They were so supportive of me and helped me. I’m so grateful.”

From Nic

“Dear Francesco, I just wanted to send you a quick email to sincerely thank you for everything you did to help my daughter and I secure our new home. You went over and beyond and so absolutely kind in a time where I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. You gave me hope to keep pushing through and in the end, it was nothing but amazing! I truly cannot say thank you enough. You are so very appreciative!”

From Jenny

“Dear Stacy, thank you for calling me today! I can’t even begin to tell you how much it meant to get the good news. I was absolutely not expecting to hear this outcome and we are over the moon! I was in total shock. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Can you please thank Damian too. We have had a really hard time over the last five years, and it now feels like things are turning around! It’s amazing how much this will change and improve our lives — thank you! To many people this might be a standard rental but to us its literally life changing!! We are just like many people — a happy family who happened to have quite a lot go wrong. It might sound over the top, but I mean every word when I tell you that this rental opportunity instantly changes all of that. Living in a house you can’t afford means feeling anxious every month when the rent is due, and it also makes planning for the future so utterly overwhelming. Knowing this apartment is very much within our means will give us back our independence and most of all, it gives us hope and so much JOY for what’s to come. Please know that the work you are doing really makes a difference. Thank you again.”

We would love your feedback!

If you would like to share any feedback or simply shoutout any of the EchoRealty team for their services, we encourage you to scan the QR code above.

ACCESS TO YOUR TENANT PORTAL

As a client of EchoRealty, you have access to our Information Management System portal. The portal provides you with 24x7 online access to important information about your tenancy. Features include:

• Secure access to your information

• Accessible 24/7 from anywhere

• Customer-centric with an organized communication system

• Access your tenant portal via web browser or via app

• New maintenance & status requests including image download to support your request

• Access to upcoming events

• Access to your most recent receipts

• Rental information

• Ability to update your personal information

• Ability to retrieve your username and password access, or change your password

Please contact your Property Manager for information and login details to access this online portal, or contact us by phoning 1800 693 246 or emailing info@echorealty.com.au

To visit your tenant portal visit: echorealty.com.au/tenancyinformation/tenant-portal/

HOW TO REQUEST A REPAIR

Do you know how to request repairs or maintenance for your rental property?

For urgent repairs, call your state’s EchoRealty contact center (numbers listed below).

If you’re in NSW, please call 1800 693 246

If you’re located in Victoria, call 1800 324 684

If you’re in the ACT, please call 1800 324 622

REPAIR REQUEST PROCESS

Once received by EchoRealty, your repair request will then be passed along to your landlord or strata manager (if you have one) for their approval. Once approved, the repairs will be arranged. Urgent repairs Examples of urgent repairs include: gas leaks, sewer blockages, hot water not working, complete power failure, electrical danger (such as exposed wires, water leaking through the lights or power points), roof damage that allows water to get into the property, and waterlogged carpet.

If you have an urgent repair request, please call the EchoRealty call centre number for your state (listed above) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please note that if your repair is arranged out of hours but is not deemed urgent by EchoRealty, you could be charged for the repairs. For further information about urgent repairs, please visit: echorealty.com.au

If you, or a family member or friend, are interested in any of the below properties, please contact us by emailing info@echorealty.com.au. Properties available at time of print. You can find more available properties at: echorealty.com.au