by Peter Mericka B.A., LL.B Real Estate Lawyer and Qualified Practising Conveyancer Victoria Lawyers Real Estate

Our last posting dealt with a stoush between APM and the REIV regarding the accuracy of sale statistics. We had hoped that the matter would result in a positive outcome for consumers. However, according to Crikey.com.au it would appear that the outcome for the journalist concerned may not be too good.

“Has Fairfax kicked out a fearless commentator for doing his job?

Date: Monday, 11 September 2006

Sophie Black writes:

As a rule, real estate agents are not to be trifled with. So it was always going to be risky for property commentator Louis Christopher when he decided to publicly attack the all-powerful membership body Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV). So risky that it may have cost him his job.

Last Thursday, in the Fairfax-owned Australian Property Monitor’s Home Price Guide newsletter, Christopher accused the REIV and “some of its inner circle of crooked agents” of “grossly unethical behaviour”. But the commentator may have underestimated the wrath of real estate agents and their influence on Fairfax as huge advertisers.”