Release.Me is a platform that assists Sellers with selling ‘off the plan’ real estate.
While the release is live, you will be able to see the number of participants and number of preferences submitted.
Once the window for allocation submission is closed, you will receive a notice of the results – information on the allocated properties and the individuals that Release.Me has allocated them to. The information will also be easily downloadable using a .CSV file for easy upload into your CRM of choice.
Before a purchaser can secure an allocation, they must fill in the information that will populate the Particulars of Sale. Release.Me will then forward this information to either your Legal Practitioner or your Sales Consultant to prepare the contract for signing.
Absolutely! You are able to add additional fields to the particulars for the buyer to complete.
With Release.Me there is no need for Buyers take time off work to queue for a release, no need for Buyers to be sitting by the computer ready to hit send when the release opens, no need for Buyers to be waiting by the phone to speak to a sales consultant once the application period closes. Buyers can participate in a release using Release.Me from anywhere in the world – and if you are using econtracts, the buyer may never have to physically attend the site in person to complete the purchase. By removing these barriers, Release.Me increases your target market.
Once you create a Seller account, you will be able to create a release. You will be required to select the release type, enter some basic release information. Property details (depth, width, area, orientation, price) are uploaded via a simple .CSV file. All other documents are simply drag and drop. You can customise the release to work exactly the way you want.
Release.Me offers 3 release options:
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- Release – Properties are released & allocated within a time period set by the Seller
- Release & Buy Now – After the release period has closed, properties that do not get allocated or sold during the release become available for purchase at anytime via a ‘buy now’ selection – Sellers can utilise the release URL as a simple ecommerce add-on to their developer or agent website
- Buy Now – Sellers can upload their property listing and utilise the release URL as a simple ecommerce add-on to their developer or agent website, enabling Buyers to purchase available properties at anytime.
Sellers can sit back and watch the activity on the Seller dashboard in real-time. After a release has closed, or an allocation has been accepted, you will receive full details of all applicants and their preferences via a .CSV file that you can use to update your CRM system.
Yes, you will need to create a Seller account to use Release.Me. Once an account is created, you will be able to list releases for prospective Buyers.
Image dimension is 336px wide x 226px wide. Recommended logo area is 256px wide x 128px height. File type must be .jpg or .png only.
Once payment is processed, Release.Me will issue a Tax Receipt to this entity.
Once a set of property is available for potential sale as a release, Sellers will list the details of the properties on Release.Me using the Seller dashboard. Once a release type has been selected and all the details have been entered, a unique URL and a Release.Me code will be generated, which can be shared with prospective buyers. This code and link will navigate users to a page detailing the available properties for a particular release.
Buyers are able to review the properties available and the associated documentation provided by the Seller. The release is open for applications for a fixed period (determined by the Seller), during which potential Buyers can submit allocation preferences (ranking their preferred property in order of preference) for properties they are interested in. Submissions are not time critical (see How does Release.Me benefit Buyers?).
Once the application period closes, the Release.Me algorithm allocates the preferences and Release.Me notifies the Buyers with an offer to accept their allocation.
If the buyer accepts the allocation, they will have 2 hours to complete 3 steps via the platform in order to secure their allocation.
- Fill in particulars. This is the information that will be sent to the Vendors legal practitioner in order to prepare the contract of sale. (see What information must I provide for the particulars of sale)
- Book in a time for contract signing. The seller will advise if this is in person or via video link.
- Pay the holding deposit to the seller’s trust account.
A second round allocation ensures that any rejected allocations or incomplete acceptances are allocated by preference to Buyers who missed out in the first round.
Sellers have three options to release property via Release.Me:
1. Release
- Sellers will list the details of available properties and schedule a release period on Release.Me. Sellers are provided a unique URL and a Release.Me code will be generated, which can be shared with prospective Buyers to participate in the release from anywhere in the world. Release.Me handles buyer preferences, property allocations, acceptances, and holding deposit payments.
2. Release & Buy Now
- Once an initial release has concluded, any properties that remain unallocated will automatically become available via the same URL for purchasers to “Buy Now”. Serving as a simple e-commerce add-on to embed in any developer or agent’s website or send to buyers via EDM. Buyers can purchase property at anytime from anywhere via the platform and the property status is kept up to date on the Seller dashboard in real-time. The link remains active for as long as the properties remain available. (See more in ‘How does Buy Now’ work below?)
3. Buy Now
- Sellers can simply list available properties for purchase using the “Buy Now” option. Serving as a simple e-commerce add-on, Sellers are provided a unique URL to embed in any developer or agent’s website or send to buyers via EDM. Buyers can purchase property at anytime from anywhere via the platform and the property status is kept up to date on the Seller dashboard in real-time. (See more in ‘How does Buy Now’ work below?)
The best part? No matter the release type you choose, the price remains a flat once off payment – simply $100 per property listed on Release.Me.
Sellers upload a list of available properties to Release.Me, Sellers are provided a unique URL for their listing. Sellers can use this link to send to Buyers or host on any developer or agents website, allowing purchasers to secure an available property at any time of day from anywhere in the world.
Buyers who click on the URL are directed to Release.Me where they can apply, accept, fill in particulars and pay a holding deposit via Release.Me. The property status is kept up to date in real-time in both the Seller and Buyer dashboards, with a traffic light status of available, on hold or sold.
When a Buyer selects the Buy Now button, the status changes to on hold for any other Buyer to see.
A Buyer will only have 2 minutes to enter their email, phone number and accept the terms before the process times out and the status changes back to available. When the Buyer submits their contact information an email and SMS is sent to the sales consultant advising that the lot is on hold for 15 minutes or until the Buyer completes the following acceptance steps:
- Fill in particulars. This is the information that will be sent to the Vendors legal practitioner in order to prepare the contract of sale. (see What information must I provide for the particulars of sale)
- Pay the holding deposit to the seller’s trust account.
If the Buyer doesn’t complete the acceptance process in 15 minutes the process times out and the status changes back to available.
Fair/transparent/stress free
Every buyer who participates in a release via Release.Me has the same opportunity to secure their property.
Before the invention of Release.Me, most ‘off the plan’ property releases were allocated based on a ‘first come first served’ basis – either via email registration, physical queue or other means. This process disadvantages or excludes those who are unable to attend at the time of the release. In times of high demand, it is not uncommon for Buyers to queue in person for days before a release and online registrations are often oversubscribed in minutes after opening. When you consider that many Buyers are looking for products in multiple developments and may have to apply for many releases before they are successful in securing what they want, the current process is not just unfair, it is incredibly stressful for Buyers who are often making the biggest financial decision of their life. It is a terrible customer experience.
Buyer stress often translates to anger and frustration, which is directed towards the Sales Consultant. Release.Me not only reduces that stress but as the process is truly independent of the sales consultant – any concerns are easily redirected.
The Release.Me process is not first come first served. The Release.Me algorithm allocates products based on preferences. If there are multiple applications with the same preference, the algorithm will assign the allocation randomly. As the allocation of lots is outside of the Seller’s control, the Seller cannot be accused of playing favourites or accepting any inducements to preference one buyer over another.
Releasing new stock to market generates increased demand and increased workload for the sales team – often requiring additional staff and resources to cope. Release.Me eliminates these costs.
Release.Me eliminates camp outs. No camp outs means no security guards, no hire of toilet facilities, no pizza deliveries.
Release.Me handles the increased workload usually associated with a release. From the time the release goes live until contract signing – there is no direct involvement by the Sales Consultant. Property allocation is handled, contract preparation is handled, deposits are collected and contract signing time bookings are all managed by Release.Me. This significantly reduces the workload for the project sales consultant and eliminates the need for temp support or a full time sales associate.
It couldn’t be any easier. You market your release and prepare all of your documentation the same way you always would. All you need to do is create the release (see How do I create a release?) and include a unique URL in your EDM that directs Buyers to the Release.Me site. Release.Me will handle the rest!
Absolutely not. Release.Me handles the peak workload that new releases create. The buyers who participate in a release are ready to buy. It is the Sales Consultants role to get them there. To use a fishing analogy, the sales consultant hooks them and Realease.Me reels them in.
Your personal Seller account can create unique releases – regardless of location / client / project.
By default, ReleaseMe will ask for the following information from prospective buyers;
- Purchaser details (name / email / phone number / address)
- Identification (are you an Aus citizen & either your passport or Australian drivers license)
- Lender information (whether you’re subject to finance / financial institution / loan amount)
- Legal practitioner / conveyancer details (practice name / address / email / phone number / document exchange DX)
Release.Me is designed for Developers/Real Estate agents who are authorised to sell the product they are listing. If you are a developer setting up the account please ask to use the licence number of your real estate agent or project marketing and sales agency engaged on you project.