Jodie Weir of Harcourts Huon Valley sold a three-bedroom Kettering acreage in seven days by ditching open homes and personally guiding buyers up the property’s steep mountainside driveway during one-on-one inspections — after the listing stalled for four months with another agent.

Fresh photography generates 19 inquiries in week one

The property at 242 Watsons Road, Kettering, had been listed with another agency but failed to convert interest into a successful sale. When Jodie took over the listing, she introduced twilight photography, selected different hero shots from the existing catalogue, and deployed Audience Maximiser to target both social media and her buyer database.

The refresh generated 19 online inquiries in the first week, with seven inspections scheduled.

Steep driveway solved with personal guided inspections

The property’s location high on the mountainside delivered spectacular views across the water to Bruny Island, but the steep, winding driveway put some buyers off.

“They loved the views, but the property did have something that put a lot of people off — it was up the side of a mountain, so it was a steep, windy driveway which did put some buyers off because they were concerned with navigating that themselves,” Jodie says.

The elevation delivered spectacular views, but Jodie recognised the practical challenge would deter some buyers.

Her solution was to abandon traditional open homes and conduct one-on-one inspections, allowing her to guide each buyer up the driveway and explain the best approach to navigation.

Offer structured to avoid inspection failure

The vendors had experienced a previous offer collapse after a building inspection flagged issues with a 50-year-old log cabin on the property. When Jodie secured a new buyer, she negotiated an offer that excluded the cabin from the building inspection scope.

“They were very happy when I was able to bring an offer that did not include that as part of the building inspection,” she says.

30-minutes-to-Hobart sweet spot

Jodie says properties offering a rural feel within 30 minutes of Hobart are attracting strong buyer interest.

Kettering’s median three-bedroom house price sits at $975,500, with 28.7 per cent growth recorded over the past 12 months, according to recent market data.

About the agent

Jodie Weir of Harcourts Huon Valley specialises in lifestyle, residential, and coastal properties across Tasmania’s Huon Valley and Channel regions. With a focus on property presentation and clear communication, she works closely with homeowners to position their property effectively and supports buyers navigating lifestyle change and relocation. Visit the Jodie’s website for more information or call Jodie on 0414058179.

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Mahdi Tawakoli has secured $1.66 million for a four-bedroom French provincial house in Berwick through an off-market sale, matching the unique property with a local buyer after it stalled for 120 days with another agent.

Mahdi Tawakoli secured $1.66 million for a four-bedroom French provincial house in Berwick by matching a stalled listing with a buyer from his active database — proving that sometimes the best marketing strategy happens off the public radar.

The property had been on the market for 120 days without result when Mahdi identified it through PriceFinder data as a candidate for his off-market buyer pool.

The research-led approach

Mahdi had been working with a local buyer who had recently sold their previous property through him and was searching for something distinctive in Berwick. When he noticed the French provincial home had been withdrawn from active marketing, he saw an opportunity.

“I did my research, I saw that this buyer was looking in Berwick and I looked at which properties were on the market for over 90 days,” Mahdi said.

“I saw that this was on the market for 120 days and it came off the market eventually. I got in contact with the vendor, the vendor was still keen to sell.”

The buyer — a local who had attended one of Mahdi’s previous open homes — was immediately drawn to the property’s uniqueness. The French provincial design is rare in Berwick, and the combination of a resort-style pool and top-tier finishes made it a standout.

“It was a very unique property. It was a French provincial in Berwick, where there aren’t many around in the area. It had a very nice pool. It was top-of-the-range quality, it was one of a kind,” Mahdi said.

Managing expectations with data

The vendor’s initial price expectations were higher than market reality, influenced by previous advice. Mahdi took a professional but direct approach, presenting recent comparable sales alongside the buyer’s unconditional offer.

“When I took the offer to the vendor I obviously took some comparables with myself to show that this is a good offer for the property and this is what the market says it’s worth,” he said.

The vendor was hesitant at first, but the combination of hard data and an unconditional offer shifted the conversation.

“Once I showed them the comparables, they understood why this is the offer, and they got to understand slowly, this is realistically what their property is worth,” Mahdi said.

Lifestyle appeal meets strategic positioning

Berwick’s lifestyle subdivisions attract young families and established downsizers, with the suburb’s demographic split showing 53 percent aged 20–39 and strong demand for high-end finishes. Properties in the Centre Road corridor appeal to buyers seeking premium features and modern amenities within established school zones.

The unconditional advantage

What sealed the deal was the buyer’s willingness to proceed without conditions — a factor the vendor had prioritised even over achieving their original price target.

“When I took the offer from the buyer, it was an unconditional offer and I know that the vendor was looking for an unconditional offer even if it’s below what they were expecting,” Mahdi said.

The vendor had already purchased their next property, making certainty more valuable than holding out for a higher figure that might not materialise.

The final result brought relief on both sides — the vendor could move forward with their plans, and the buyer secured a property they genuinely loved.

About the Agent

Mahdi Tawakoli from LJ Hooker Dandenong City | Berlick brings energy and a client-first approach to real estate, with a focus on clear communication and honest advice. He specialises in solving complex situations and going beyond the transactional to deliver genuine value — from styling guidance to strategic negotiation. His work ethic and dedication have quickly built him a reputation as someone clients can trust. Visit Mahdi’s website for more information or call Mahdi on 0480116248.

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Shane Hiscock secured a five-bedroom Indooroopilly home for $3.9 million before its first public open — but only after his client had ruled it out and needed to see five other properties first.

When the opportunity at 18 Graham Street came through on 7 November, it was via a listing agent Shane had known for more than a decade. The property had not yet been launched to the broader market, and the relationship provided early access ahead of the scheduled public campaign.

Shane immediately alerted his client — a medical professional and repeat buyer he had acted for twice before. The response was cautious.

“He didn’t feel he liked that particular part of Indooroopilly,” Shane says.

Rather than press the point, Shane shifted strategy. Over the following days, he arranged inspections at five other off-market properties, allowing the client to test his preferences against what was actually available at the upper end of the market.

With each viewing, the brief became clearer.

The client consistently responded to larger land sizes, higher build quality and premium finishes, along with established, tightly held pockets close to key amenities.

Every box, in Shane’s view, led back to Graham Street.

Walking the client through the decision

By 12 November, the listing agent had softly introduced the property to his database, with a public open scheduled for Saturday 16 November. Shane suggested they attend a private inspection before broader competition formed.

At inspection, the alignment was immediate.

“You could see it,” Shane says. “The location, the scale of the house, the land size — it matched the feedback he’d been giving me all week.”

To support the decision, Shane prepared a short valuation video outlining comparable results within Indooroopilly’s premium pockets, explaining how build quality, positioning and land value differentiated the property from nearby alternatives.

Given this was their third purchase together, much of the discussion occurred by phone.

“There was already a high level of trust,” Shane says. “My role was to show where the value sat and let him assess it clearly.”

Securing the property before the open

With limited quality stock available and a public open looming, timing became critical. The goal was to secure the property before Saturday’s inspection introduced wider competition.

Negotiations progressed quickly, with an additional logistical challenge: the client was heading out to dinner on Friday evening and needed to review and sign documentation beforehand.

Agreement was reached on 14 November 2025, with the property secured off-market for $3.9 million — one day before the scheduled open home.

The listing agent later indicated that interest was building strongly ahead of the scheduled open, reinforcing the benefit of securing the property prior to broader market exposure.

Post-contract, Shane also assisted in negotiating the purchase of selected furniture items from the vendor, further smoothing the transition.

A study in patience and positioning

For Shane, the campaign reinforced a consistent principle in buyer representation: the right property is not always accepted at first glance.

“I almost knew we’d be going back to Graham Street,” he says. “He just needed to see the alternatives and compare them.”

The result marked the third successful purchase Shane had completed for the client — a relationship built not on speed alone, but on guiding decision-making with measured advice and timely access.

In a tightly held Indooroopilly pocket where competition can escalate quickly, that combination proved decisive.

About the Agent

Shane Hiscock focuses on off-market access and strategic negotiation, helping clients secure properties before competition forms. As the founder of Locate Buyers agency and with 15 years experience, Shane evaluates seller motivations and market positioning to find hidden value. His approach prioritises immediate access through network relationships and controlled buying processes that avoid reactive decision-making. Visit Shane’s website for more information or call Shane on 0402024625.

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Jeremy McPherson sold a 1-bedroom apartment at 35/22 Mosman Street for $835,000 off-market in just two weeks, saving his vendor $15,000 in marketing costs while securing a local buyer drawn to harbour and city skyline views.

Database intelligence meets off-market opportunity

Jeremy McPherson had just sold the neighbouring apartment at 16/22 Mosman Street for $820,000 when he identified an opportunity that would save his next vendor thousands while delivering a premium result.

With 20 buyers from that campaign still active in his database — 10 of whom had already taken contracts on other properties — Jeremy approached the owner of apartment 35 with a proposition: go off-market, skip the staging and marketing spend, and target buyers who already knew what the building could offer.

“We had a lot of buyers that were looking for a slightly better view and a larger parking space,” Jeremy said.

“I could identify those that were still interested and migrated them across to the current property that I had for sale.”

The 1-bedroom apartment at 35/22 Mosman Street went under contract on 13 April for $835,000 after just two weeks — exceeding the neighbouring sale by $15,000 and the area’s one-bedroom apartment median price by $12,500.

The buyer who’d been searching for months

The successful buyer was a local who had sold his property to a developer and been actively searching for a light-filled apartment with views. Jeremy had been introduced to him through DiJones’s developments team, and the buyer had already inspected several one-bedroom apartments in the area.

What made this property different was its combination of harbour and city skyline views from the balcony, along with a recently renovated kitchen and bathroom.

“He was really looking for an apartment that was light and bright, which also had views,” Jeremy said.

“Although it was quite a compact apartment, it had everything that they were needing, including a lovely balcony with views.”

Buyers who came through commented on how well the space worked despite its compact footprint, and how the recent renovations elevated the presentation without requiring staging.

The $15,000 saving that sealed the strategy

Jeremy made a deliberate call not to stage the apartment, keeping marketing costs as low as possible while using the neighbouring sale as proof of what could be achieved in the space.

“My focus was getting people through as quickly as possible once we had sold the other apartment so that they were still hot buyers and they hadn’t purchased something already,” he said.

The vendor was particularly pleased with the outcome — achieving a strong result while saving around $15,000 in staging and marketing costs, and avoiding the stress of multiple open homes or an auction day.

Why Mosman appeals

Mosman is an affluent harbourside suburb with a population of 28,470, where 65% of residents are owner-occupiers. The area appeals to families and professionals drawn to its proximity to Sydney CBD, harbour views and catchment for Mosman Public School and Mosman High School. The 1-bedroom apartment market in Mosman has a current median price of $822,500.

What it means for the next Mosman seller

Jeremy’s advice for property owners looking to sell in the current market centres on working with agents who have active buyers in the same price point.

“When we’re in a market like we are now, which is slightly tighter and a little bit harder to sell properties in, I would recommend going with an agent who’s selling a lot in the same price point as they will be working with active buyers,” he said.

“From working with active buyers from previous sales, the agent will be able to know what their true maximum budget is. They’ll also know the timeframe in which that person does need to buy.”

Jeremy emphasised that DiJones’s shared database model across 24 non-franchise offices gives agents access to every buyer who comes through any DiJones open home — a structural advantage that makes off-market campaigns particularly effective.

“We share everything and this is what makes us so strong,” he said.

In addition to its shared database, DiJones also incorporates targeted digital outreach to buyers already engaging with the brand, allowing campaigns to connect with qualified audiences early in the process — an approach that can be effective when a suitable buyer is secured prior to a broader launch.

The strength of the result at 22 Mosman Street has already had a tangible impact within the building, with another owner engaging Jeremy after seeing the outcome and the strategy executed on the sale.

About the Agent

Jeremy McPherson specialises in Cammeray and Mosman, delivering consistent results across Sydney’s Lower North Shore. Over the past 12 months, he has sold more than 20 properties as lead agent, generating over $19 million in total sales while maintaining an average time on market of just over 30 days. With several apartments currently preparing for sale in Cammeray, he continues to focus on connecting active Lower North Shore buyers with well-positioned opportunities. His strategic approach and ability to create buyer competition earned him the 2025 Sales Associate of the Year award. Visit Jeremy’s website for more information or call Jeremy on 0422751941.

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Jean Laterre has sold a four-bedroom dual-living home at 35 Carmel Street in East Innisfail, Queensland, for $450,000 via private treaty after 38 days on market.

The buyer story

Jean Laterre has sold a four-bedroom dual-living home at 35 Carmel Street in East Innisfail, Queensland, for $450,000 via private treaty after 38 days on market.

The property attracted a family from Cairns, about 100 kilometres north, who were searching for a home that could accommodate their extended family with privacy for teenage children.

“They liked the dual living because they have an extended family, which would suit them perfectly,” Jean said.

“Upstairs and downstairs, separate living and privacy for the family and the teenage children. So they had a teenage retreat downstairs, which was ideal.”

The buyers left a five-star Google review praising Jean’s authenticity and professionalism, describing the purchase as “stress-free and seamless” and highlighting his “honest and ethical mannerism” that built trust throughout the process.

The campaign approach

Jean deployed a comprehensive multi-channel strategy, handling professional photography, editing, and virtual furnishing himself before distributing the listing across 11 platforms including realestate.com.au, social media, YouTube, and Gumtree.

The campaign also targeted Australian investors nationally and reached over 100 countries internationally.

“I explained that it was ideal for extended families, dual living buyers, investors or work-from-home professionals,” Jean said.

During inspections, buyers responded to both the dual-living configuration and the property’s solid construction — a double-storey red brick and block home on a corner block with dual access.

“They also liked the fact that the house was a very solid home,” Jean said.

“It was an older style home, but very solid red brick and block home, double storey, very solid home positioned on a corner block, dual access to the block, a large quarter acre block, high set, flood free.”

The location appeal

East Innisfail is a sought-after residential suburb on elevated, flood-free land, appealing to families seeking proximity to schools and town amenities. The property’s elevated corner position and quarter-acre block offered the space and privacy increasingly valued in regional Queensland markets.

The negotiation

The sale progressed smoothly until building and pest inspections revealed some required work on the older home.

Jean negotiated a $20,000 reduction from the original $470,000 contract price to account for the maintenance needs.

“The sellers agreed because they were very motivated and very cooperative to a $20,000 discount on the original contract price,” Jean said.

The sellers expressed delight with the final outcome, impressed by Jean’s professional guidance and constant communication throughout the process.

“They were genuinely happy to see their much-loved home passed on to buyers who would appreciate it as much as they did,” Jean said.

The forward view

For sellers considering the East Innisfail market, Jean emphasises the importance of proper positioning from day one.

“Making sure that we educate the sellers to position the property and pricing to match the market — being competitively priced in the market, that was very, very important,” he said.

“And also being an older property, highlighting the advantages of an older property, built with good quality materials, and a very solid home.”

Jean’s hands-on approach — including being available seven days a week for calls and inspections — ensures buyers can engage with properties on their schedule, a crucial advantage in regional markets.

About the Agent

Jean Laterre from @realty is a top-rated agent on the Cassowary Coast with a 4.9-star rating from over 100 reviews. His proven marketing strategies see properties average just 38 days on market while achieving strong results. Jean specialises in houses, land, and acreage, offering expert guidance and local market knowledge. Visit Jean’s website for more information or call Jean on 0437696969.

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Bilal Elcheikh has sold a five-bedroom house on a 1,227-square-metre block in Condell Park for $2.63 million after four developers competed for the land-rich property.

The challenge was clear from the start. Multiple similar properties had been sitting on the market for four months or longer, some with lower asking prices. Bilal’s strategy centred on positioning this property as an opportunity not to be missed.

“We had to ensure buyers knew the vendors were ready to sell and that this property offered genuine value,” Bilal said.

“What worked was making sure our property was marketed better, opened more often, and that we were available to buyers whenever they were ready to talk.”

Four buyers ready to sign

The land size became the decisive factor. At 1,227 square metres in a prime Condell Park location, the block offered something the competing listings couldn’t match.

Four buyers reached the point of being ready to sign contracts. All were developers who recognised the potential in the land component.

“The moment we knew we were in a position to get the best price was when we noticed the buyers really wanted this specific property because of its land size compared to other properties,” Bilal said.

The negotiation strategy focused on creating urgency. Bilal let the buyers know the property would be sold and that hesitation meant missing out.

The auction pivot

The property initially went to auction and passed in. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Bilal pivoted to private treaty negotiations with the competing buyers still in play.

The vendors had some concerns in the early stages, but Bilal’s approach was to guide them through the process and maintain confidence in the strategy.

The private treaty method delivered exactly what the vendor had set as their expected price: $2.63 million, achieved approximately 40 days after the property went on market.

“Despite the fact the property passed in at auction, we were still able to close the deal for what the vendor had as an expected price,” Bilal said.

“The vendors were very happy and couldn’t have asked for a better service.”

Location and market position

Condell Park sits in Sydney’s Canterbury-Bankstown area, close to Bankstown Station and local shopping centres. The suburb’s family-oriented character and low-density residential zoning make large blocks like this increasingly rare, particularly in locations with established infrastructure and school catchments.

For property owners considering a sale in Condell Park, Bilal’s advice centres on differentiation through service and availability.

“We ensure our properties are marketed better, opened more often, and we’re more available to the buyers at any time,” he said.

“We ensure the vendor gets the best price, no matter which market we’re in, despite interest rate rises.”

The campaign demonstrates how strategic positioning and adaptability can deliver premium results even when similar properties are struggling to attract buyer interest.

About the Agent

Bilal Elcheikh is a sales agent with Pace Property Agents, bringing enthusiasm and local knowledge to Sydney’s Canterbury-Bankstown area. Growing up in Greenacre, Bilal has deep community connections and focuses on guiding clients through major property decisions with a hardworking, motivating approach. Visit Bilal’s website for more information or call Bilal on 0413025466.

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Property managers are under growing pressure to keep up with a steady stream of legislative changes, often relying on manual processes that leave room for inconsistency. Kolmeo’s new AI-powered tool, Sentinel, aims to simplify compliance by tracking regulatory updates in real time and turning them into clear, actionable guidance for agencies.

The launch comes at a time when property managers are facing increasing pressure to keep pace with a rapidly evolving regulatory environment, particularly in states like Victoria, where more than 130 rental reforms have been introduced in recent years.

At the same time, workforce turnover remains high, with many new entrants leaving within 12 months, raising concerns about the sector’s ability to consistently implement complex and changing obligations.

Scott Bateman, CEO and Founder of Kolmeo, said compliance had become one of the most time-intensive and fragmented aspects of property management.

“Property managers and agency leaders are expected to stay across legislative changes coming from multiple sources, interpret what those changes mean, and then implement them across large portfolios.

“In most cases, that process is still manual. It relies on newsletters, fragmented updates and individual interpretation, which increases both workload and the risk of inconsistency,” he said.

Kolmeo Sentinel is designed to address this by continuously scanning official legislation, regulatory bodies and industry publications, identifying relevant changes and providing structured briefings to agencies. These briefings translate complex legislative updates into simple-to-understand summaries that outline what has changed, why it matters, key dates and recommended actions.

The tool also enables agencies to filter updates by jurisdiction and topic, customise notification preferences, and generate implementation checklists that can be exported, shared internally or integrated into business workflows.

While property managers remain responsible for day-to-day portfolio execution, Sentinel is designed primarily for principals, compliance leads and agency leadership teams who oversee regulatory risk and implementation across the business.

The introduction of Sentinel forms part of Kolmeo Labs, a new innovation program focused on developing AI-powered tools for property management workflows. Sentinel is the first standalone product released under the initiative, which is designed to accelerate the development of practical, industry-specific solutions.

Scott said the goal was not to replace professional judgment, but to reduce the time spent gathering and interpreting information.

“The challenge isn’t a lack of information, it’s the volume, fragmentation and speed of change. Tools like this are about giving agencies a clearer starting point, so they can respond more consistently and with greater confidence,” he added.

The development highlights a growing gap between the pace of regulatory change and the workforce’s capacity to absorb it, particularly as agencies manage larger portfolios with fewer experienced staff.

Kolmeo Labs will launch five additional AI-driven tools at the end of this month, focused on areas such as communication, reporting, and task management.

To learn more about Kolmeo, please visit https://kolmeo.com/

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Steve Beattie has set a new benchmark for four-bedroom duplexes in Miranda, NSW, guiding vendors to a $2,482,500 auction result through strategic pre-construction consulting and precision marketing.

Steve Beattie knew the biggest challenge wouldn’t be selling the duplex — it would be making it impossible to overlook in a suburb where new duplexes line almost every street.

“Given Miranda has quite a high level of demand for duplexes, we needed to make sure that ours stood out from the rest,” Steve said.

The strategy began months before the 11 April auction, during the construction phase itself.

Building for buyer appeal

Steve worked closely with the vendors throughout the build, consulting on finishes and inclusions based on what he was seeing buyers respond to in the market. The result was a property with premium Taj Mahal stone in the kitchen, cathedral ceilings, and a level of finish that would separate it from competitors.

“I’ve sold before for this client and have future projects with them,” Steve said. “Communication is probably the main thing — keeping them updated on what buyers are talking about, what recent sales are doing, so they can make commercial decisions based on real information.”

The vendors listened. By the time the property hit the market, it was positioned to attract serious attention.

Timing and presentation

Steve’s marketing plan was built around the property’s north-west facing aspect and the lifestyle it offered. Afternoon viewings became essential.

“We made it very accessible for buyers to have a look at multiple times during the campaign, even over Easter,” he said. “Afternoon viewings were essential to really demonstrate the lifestyle of the alfresco leading from the living areas out to the pool and level yard.”

Even the street presence was tactical. Steve left the lights on throughout the campaign to showcase the quality facade — ensuring anyone driving past outside viewing hours had a lasting impression.

“We needed to make sure that people driving past had a lasting impression,” he said. “It was a cul-de-sac and reasonably popular in Miranda, so that 10 out of 10 streetscape was critical.”

The buyer story

The successful purchasers were from out of the area and had been searching for several months across multiple suburbs. What made them commit wasn’t just the property — it was the realisation that nothing else compared.

“They had a choice of a number of suburbs, but were ultimately drawn to this one because of the level of finishes, the inclusions, and that it was just a league of its own above the other competitors in the duplex market,” Steve said.

At auction, three registered bidders competed, with two buyers driving the price through passionate bidding.

“They were very passionate and recognised that this is probably one of a kind available at the current market,” Steve said. “They really needed to make sure they gave it their best to try and secure it.”

The underbidders were disappointed but understood they’d been up against strong competition for a quality home.

Miranda’s duplex landscape

Miranda is a family-oriented suburb in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, with established amenity including Westfield Miranda, quality schools, and parks. The area has recorded 5.4% suburb growth, with a demographic mix skewing towards families and retirees seeking the lifestyle balance between coastal proximity and urban convenience.

What it means for the market

The $2,482,500 result set a new record for a four-bedroom duplex in Miranda — an outcome Steve attributes to getting involved early and building a product buyers actually wanted.

“If we as an agent get involved during the building process and give a little bit of consulting into how things are finished, and also advise the sellers on what buyers are liking at the moment and what they’re not, it will really help us deliver a product that will be popular,” he said.

“Attracting more buyers and managing it correctly will ultimately get them the best outcome.”

About the Agent

Steve Beattie is a licensed sales agent and auctioneer with deep local knowledge across Sydney’s Sutherland Shire. His involvement spans from site sourcing through construction to final sale, consistently delivering high auction clearance rates and maintaining block, street, and suburb records. Working with McGrath, Steve’s ability to read the market and guide clients through strategic decisions has built a strong referral base and repeat clientele. Visit Steve’s website for more information or call Steve on 0488999087.

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Maaz Goda has secured $1.43 million for a three-bedroom house in Glenwood, guiding a first-home buyer and retiring vendors to a premium result in just 25 days.

The competitive landscape

Maaz Goda faced an unusual challenge when listing 45 Crestview Drive—two identical properties next door were already on the market via private treaty. Rather than follow the same path, Maaz chose auction.

“There were two other properties on the market exactly the same next door to us,” Maaz said.

“They did private treaties so we decided to trust the auction process and we managed to get a buyer who felt the urgency.”

The three-bedroom house at 45 Crestview Drive backed onto the T-Way and a main road, creating traffic noise concerns. The 270-square-metre land parcel was exceptionally small for the area, where typical homes sit on blocks of similar size just for the building footprint alone.

The comprehensive marketing approach

Maaz developed a detailed four-week plan before the property went live, preparing the vendors—an elderly couple at retirement age—for every scenario including potential quiet periods.

The campaign combined premium listings on realestate.com.au and Domain with digital marketing through 23rd Street, a specialist digital firm handling Facebook advertising and website targeting. Maaz also leveraged his personal branding across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn, supplemented by letterbox drops and door-knocking local neighbours.

“During the three to four-week period, we had times where no one came to the inspection at all for an entire week,” Maaz said.

“Inquiries were actually coming from our digital marketing, from our own personal branding which included Facebook and LinkedIn.”

The discipline of sticking to the original plan through quiet periods proved crucial. Properties in the street typically took three months to sell.

The buyer’s journey

The successful buyer was renting in Toongabbie, a 20 to 30-minute drive away in a different region. They had missed out on multiple properties and needed something family-friendly near amenities, particularly for their child’s swimming, tutoring and the catchment zone for a specific public school.

The buyer attended the first open inspection then went silent for weeks, not responding to calls, texts or feedback requests. They re-engaged during the final week before auction—over the long weekend holiday period.

Their initial offer came in $150,000 under the vendor’s asking price.

“When a buyer is interested in a property, obviously, for them, it’s that they want to buy as low as possible,” Maaz said.

“It’s very normal for them to start at a very low price. However, if they’re making an offer or some sort of interest in the property, it means they do want the property.”

The negotiation

Over three days of negotiations, Maaz worked both sides. The buyers were concerned about market conditions and the traffic noise from backing onto the main road. But understanding their family’s educational and lifestyle needs – the child’s curriculum activities and school catchment requirements – provided the key to bridging the gap.

The property’s quality and layout suited their entry-level budget in an area where the area’s premium homes were out of reach.

The final price landed at $100,000 above the vendor’s original asking price—a $250,000 turnaround from the opening offer.

“For the vendor, she was very emotional,” Maaz said.

“They actually started crying. I ended up buying them flowers and chocolates. They were just very grateful and very appreciative that they picked the right agent.”

The buyers, after multiple disappointments with other agents and brands, were equally grateful for the clear communication and transparent process.

About the Agent

Maaz Goda is the Founder and CEO of Maaz Goda Real Estate, bringing a decade of sales experience and international market exposure across London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Australia. His approach blends strategic negotiation with client-focused service, backed by a Bachelor of Property and Master of Commerce from the University of Sydney. Visit Maaz’s website for more information or call Maaz on 0415783924.

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Nick Papas sold a one-bedroom harbour-view apartment in Darlinghurst for $830,000 after bringing the auction forward and conducting it digitally via Zoom in response to overwhelming buyer interest.

Nick Papas faced an unusual challenge three weeks into his Darlinghurst campaign — too much interest arriving too early.

The one-bedroom harbour-view apartment at Unit 71/220-234 Goulburn Street had generated 81 inquiries and 41 inspections by early April, with four separate buyers all wanting to make pre-auction offers. Rather than manage a drawn-out negotiation or risk losing momentum, Nick made a tactical decision: bring the auction forward and conduct it digitally.

“Due to the amount of interest and the offers coming forward prior to auction, we actually called the auction forward on a Monday night and did it digitally over Zoom,” Nick said.

“All the buyers were online registered to bid, the auctioneer was online watching the auction and taking the bids, and myself and my associate agent were online with the buyers assisting them where we needed to.”

The property sold on 13 April for $830,000 after 24 days on market — $80,000 above the $750,000 buyer guide.

The buyer and the competition

A Newcastle-based investor working with a buyer’s agent secured the property, viewing it as both a cashflow investment and a potential Sydney bolt-hole. Three unsuccessful bidders remain active in the area, with Nick referring one to another listing and connecting another with the buyer’s agent who represented the successful purchaser.

“We are very big on providing that service and buyer excellence,” Nick said.

Location and lifestyle appeal

The Darlinghurst property sits in East Sydney’s inner-city fringe, where one-bedroom apartments typically spend 36 days on market. The 11th-floor position in the refurbished Panorama 220 complex offered north-facing harbour views extending toward the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with Crown Street and Oxford Street retail precincts within walking distance.

At inspections, buyers consistently commented on the harbour views and the lifestyle positioning — prestige inner-city living under $1 million.

Behind the scenes preparation

The property had been tenanted for nine years. When the tenant gave notice, Nick’s team assisted with their relocation before commencing presentation work.

“We gave it a nice fresh coat of paint, did the floors, and then went in and got the property styled professionally through Purple Feather Styling,” Nick said.

“They really set the property up right for the buyer that was looking to buy in that area — great for a single person or a couple.”

The marketing strategy combined high-quality photography showcasing the harbour views with video content distributed through social media and the major property portals. Nick also used building ownership data from ID4Me and RPData to target existing apartment owners in the complex, several of whom owned multiple units. One of the underbidders was an investor who also leases property through Nick’s agency.

What drove the result

Nick attributes the competitive outcome to transparency rather than scarcity tactics.

“What’s working really well in the current market conditions is just transparency — buyer guides that are realistic, buyer guides where people are going to make offers at those guides and those offers are going to be accepted or very much considered,” Nick said.

“By being able to have good, honest, transparent conversations with buyers, letting them know that if this is going to be the final offer, we are going to sell, that just really got buyers to understand that they’re dealing with a serious and motivated seller.”

The vendors were delighted with the outcome. “They said to me, ‘Nick, we really had a price in mind and you exceeded that.’ They were just excited that we did everything we could to get the best value for them but remained ethical throughout the process.”

About the Agent

Nick Papas has ranked among Australia’s top 100 agents on multiple occasions across a 20-year career and has been internationally recognised for performance. With his personally trained team, Nick sells over 130 properties annually across values ranging from $100,000 to $10 million. He specialises in development sites, apartment blocks, and off-the-plan projects, providing consulting services to builders and developers. Visit Nick’s website for more information or call Nick on 0414647302.

The post Four competing buyers push Nick Papas to bring harbour-view auction forward appeared first on Elite Agent.

David Sharma has sold a seven-bedroom house at 211 Woods Road, Yagoona for $2,418,000 via auction, leveraging his branch network to attract buyers with capacity for the suburb’s rare high-end market.

The property needed substantial modernisation. But David saw past the immediate work to position it as a value-add opportunity in a market where new builds are costly and large family homes are tightly held.

The database approach

David says his team has sold more homes above $2 million in the Bankstown region than any other agency. That track record gave him access to a database of qualified buyers — and the insight to know Yagoona itself wouldn’t generate enough high-end interest.

“We have access to buyers from outside the area through our system of branch offices in the inner west and St George,” David said.

He contacted more than 100 buyers from those networks, generating 49 enquiries on Domain and 67 on realestate.com.au. The marketing campaign utilised Audience Maximiser and Domain Social Boost to amplify reach beyond the immediate suburb.

Buyers commented most on the 771-square-metre block and the sheer size of the house — seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, multiple living zones, pool, and self-contained studio.

Framing the opportunity

With renovation costs front of mind for every inspection, David reframed the conversation around scarcity and long-term value.

“The opportunity cost with not a lot of newer homes or with the cost of building — buying a house with solid structure or solid bones and modernising it would have better value-add opportunity,” he said.

He asked buyers to consider how long it would take to find this type of land and this type of home again, and what their financial position would be if the market improved while they kept searching.

The successful buyer — a family from outside Yagoona seeking a large family home — understood the property’s scarcity. They also recognised they’d face stronger competition for anything newer.

“The buyer understood that this type of home would be difficult to find,” David said.

“The buyer also understood that he would be competing with a larger pool of buyers for anything that was newer in age. And the property is well positioned. If he’s in a position to buy today, he’s better off buying today because there are cycles in the property market. But ultimately, over a 10-15 year period, it will be insignificant.”

Auction day momentum

David issued 13 contracts. Eight parties registered to bid. Four competed actively on auction day.

The fast momentum signalled early that the campaign had worked. The presence of so many interested parties — both bidders and watchers — created the competitive tension needed.

“Sellers were ecstatic,” David said.

“They put their trust in me being a top performing agent in Yagoona and a strong number of reviews, plus they felt comfort in the knowledge that I was able to provide and my strategy that I was presenting. So they were quite confident.”

The Yagoona market view

Yagoona sits in the Canterbury-Bankstown Council area, a family-oriented suburb where large blocks and spacious homes appeal to multi-generational households. The suburb offers train station access, nearby schools including Birrong Public School catchment, and shopping at Bass Hill Plaza.

For vendors considering a sale in Yagoona, David’s message is clear: accessing buyers from outside the immediate area is the key to unlocking premium results.

“Having access to buyers from outside the area has allowed me to tap into buyers that have deeper pockets,” he said.

“Therefore we’ve got the highest average sale price for properties selling in Yagoona.”

About the Agent

David Sharma from McGrath Canterbury-Bankstown, is known for his enthusiasm, professionalism, and honest communication style. A passionate people person, he stays in constant touch with the evolving local market and is committed to delivering exceptional service across buying, selling, and negotiating. His genuine approach ensures all parties are delighted with both the result and the experience. Visit David’s website for more information or call David on 0468 404 316.

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Antony Doolin has sold a one-bedroom apartment at 57 Carrington Street, Palmyra for $685,000 via private treaty after just eight days on the market—despite Tropical Cyclone Narelle’s approach to Perth.

The challenge wasn’t just speed. The vendors had waited months to list while committing to another property, creating urgency for a quick result. Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Narelle was forecast to hit Perth during the campaign window.

The transparency strategy

Antony’s approach centred on eliminating friction in the buyer journey. Rather than waiting for requests, he loaded the listing with every detail buyers typically ask for: council rates, strata fees, floor plans, and a 3D walkthrough.

“When they came to the apartment, they knew all the essential details, didn’t have to find out more and was there ready to make a buying decision,” Antony said.

The strategy worked. Five buyers attended inspections, all arriving with sufficient information to assess the property decisively.

Timing around the cyclone

With Tropical Cyclone Narelle threatening weekend conditions, Antony adapted the campaign schedule rather than postponing.

“We selected a home open time during a low of any predicted rain,” he said.

The vendors supported the approach, and the timing window proved effective—all five buyers attended despite the weather system’s proximity to Perth.

Competing for a modern complex

The buyers who responded were drawn to the development’s contemporary design and amenities. A local first-home buyer ultimately secured the property, attracted to both the apartment and the broader complex.

Offers arrived within 24 hours of the inspections. Negotiations concluded within three days, bringing the total campaign to just over a week from launch to contract.

The Palmyra context

The complex on 57 Carrington Street sits in Palmyra’s central neighbourhood within the Melville local government area, offering a contemporary four-storey development with resort-style design and ground-floor retail amenities. The location provides easy access to the Swan River, Fremantle, and South Beach, with strong public transport links and modern NBN infrastructure—similar accessibility advantages to nearby Applecross and Ardross riverside precincts.

What worked for future sellers

For property owners considering the Palmyra market, Antony’s advice centres on two factors: accurate pricing and transparency.

“To price a property accordingly, advertising a price generates genuine interest from buyers and brings offers that you are expecting quickly,” he said.

The vendors’ satisfaction reflected both the speed and the outcome—a result that met their needs after months of waiting, delivered within the tight timeframe their new commitment required.

About the Agent

Antony Doolin, a joint business owner of EP Real Estate, brings refined negotiation skills and a client-focused approach to every property transaction. His honest, warm dealings and modern marketing strategies have built a reputation for securing strong results through transparent communication and comprehensive campaign preparation. Visit Antony’s website for more information or call Antony on 0409604058.

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Elle Ritson has achieved a record price for a Helensburgh townhouse, with 2/14 Laurina Avenue selling for $1.25 million after multiple offers following a strategic collaboration with the developer during construction.

Working with developers before construction

Elle Ritson has achieved a record price for a Helensburgh townhouse by collaborating with the developer during construction to deliver exactly what local buyers wanted.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse at 2/14 Laurina Avenue sold for $1.25 million via private treaty on 16 February after attracting multiple offers — the highest price recorded for a townhouse in the suburb.

“Just with my experience in Helensburgh I was able to say what works and what doesn’t, and the developer listened and created,” Elle said.

The property formed part of a boutique development of eight contemporary townhouses and villas, where Elle advised on features during the design phase.

Local buyers wanted modern interiors, light-filled spaces, a garage with an additional car spot, and a separate study — all of which were incorporated into the final design.

Multiple offers and a decisive buyer

The strategic approach paid off at inspection, with buyers commenting most on the modern interiors Elle had recommended.

Multiple offers followed, but one buyer stood out immediately.

“The buyer was ready and knew what she needed to do, offered a 66W to waive the cooling-off period and put the offer in as soon as she saw the property,” Elle said.

The 66W clause — which allows buyers to waive the standard cooling-off period — demonstrated the buyer’s confidence and helped secure the property quickly.

Several other buyers missed out, with the competition driving the final price to record territory.

The marketing approach

Elle ran multiple open homes and had the property professionally styled to showcase the modern interiors and light-filled spaces.

The combination of styling and strategic open home scheduling maximised buyer exposure, with the modern aesthetic attracting exactly the demographic Elle had identified during the pre-construction phase.

The vendor was very happy with the outcome, particularly given the record-breaking result.

Helensburgh’s appeal

Helensburgh offers a relaxed, community-oriented lifestyle with easy access to the town centre, parks, cafés and local sporting facilities. The suburb sits within Wollongong Council and provides level, sun-filled blocks with strong northern and western light exposure.

The development’s quick sales across nearly all units demonstrated strong demand for modern townhouses in the area.

Market conditions favouring sellers

Elle’s assessment of current market conditions is clear.

“It’s a really strong market. Sell now. Sell with help,” she said.

For property owners in Helensburgh considering a sale, Elle’s record result demonstrates the value of working with an agent who understands local buyer preferences and can position properties strategically from the outset.

The combination of pre-construction collaboration, targeted marketing, and expert negotiation delivered a result that exceeded expectations and set a new benchmark for townhouses in the suburb.

About the Agent

Elle Ritson has been recognised as the No.6 Regional Sales Agent across NSW and ACT. With psychology qualifications and postgraduate studies in communication and counselling, she brings skilled negotiation and in-depth knowledge of the Sydney and Northern Illawarra markets. Her achievements include 2026 Rate My Agent Agent of the Year for Helensburgh and consistent Elite Performer recognition in the top 3-5% of Ray White agents nationally. Visit Elle’s website for more information or call Elle on 0408512306.

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A Hills District agent will carry NSW’s hopes at the national novice auctioneering championships after winning the REINSW competition this week.

Panal Boustani from Manor Real Estate beat fellow finalists Rebecca Shepheard of Elders Real Estate Batemans Bay and Harrison Double from MMJ Real Estate Wollongong to claim the 2026 title.

The win earns Panal a spot at the REIA Novice Australasian Auctioneering Championships in Melbourne this May.

All three finalists had undergone professional training with Chief Judge Ricky Briggs of Advantage Group before competing in the final at Ray White’s Martin Place headquarters, where they auctioned a five-bedroom Mandalong property in a simulated environment.

Panal said the competition pushed him beyond what he’d experienced on actual auction days.

“There were pressure points that felt very different to the auction floor, which forced me to think in new ways,” he said.

“It helped me identify some weak points I didn’t realise I had, which is a great outcome. Overall, it was very nerve-racking, but I’m super glad I did it.”

He credited the structured training with giving competitors practical tools they could take into real auctions.

“There aren’t many platforms in auctioneering where you can truly learn, grow and get proper training,” Panal said.

“It’s great to see an organisation like REINSW that actually takes the time to nurture people at the beginning of their careers.”

His advice for agents considering next year’s competition was simple.

“Just enrol – you’ll learn from there.”

Ricky said Panal’s performance stood out across all three judges.

“Panal delivered a standout performance – strong on numbers and sequence, with a well-rounded call that saw him take top points across all three judges,” he said.

“The growth we’ve seen from competitors between the heats and the finals has been exceptional, and every one of them will walk away a better auctioneer for the experience.”

In the seniors competition, held the same week, Clarence White of Menck White Auctioneers and Emanuel Comino of McGrath Estate Agents Inner West will both progress to the Australasian stage in Melbourne after strong finals performances alongside independent auctioneer Emma Brown-Garrett.

The judging panel included Ricky Briggs, Peter Matthews from Century 21 UAE & India, Stuart Ritchie from McGrath Estate Agents, and Sam Green from Advantage Buyers Agents.

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Buyers are increasingly turning their attention to affordable regional suburbs, with new realestate.com.au data showing some areas have experienced enquiry growth of more than 300 per cent in the past year.

Woodstock in regional Victoria recorded the biggest increase in buyer enquiries per listing nationally, with demand surging 313 per cent year-on-year to March 2026.

The small suburb near Ballarat was followed by Risdon Vale in Tasmania (up 265 per cent) and Sebastopol, also near Ballarat (up 255 per cent).

The pattern suggests buyers priced out of capital city markets are seeking value in regional areas, with Victoria and Tasmania dominating the list of fastest-growing suburbs for house enquiries.

For units, Portland in Victoria led the way with a 178 per cent increase in enquiries, followed by Ropes Crossing in Sydney’s west (156 per cent) and Howrah in Tasmania (154 per cent).

Queensland suburbs lead on total demand

While regional Victoria dominated growth rates, Queensland suburbs attracted the highest raw volume of enquiries per listing.

Rocklea in Brisbane’s south recorded 162.3 key enquiries per listing over the year – the highest in the country for houses. St Marys in Sydney’s west followed with 158.6 enquiries, and West Tamworth in regional NSW attracted 138.3.

For units, Rochedale South in Brisbane led with 117.8 enquiries per listing, ahead of Spring Hill (116.3) and Girraween in Sydney’s west (115.1).

State-by-state breakdown

In New South Wales, Glenfield Park recorded the highest growth in house enquiries at 212 per cent, while Ropes Crossing led for units.

Victorian regional towns dominated the state’s list, with Woodstock, Sebastopol and Wendouree all recording growth above 250 per cent for houses.

Queensland’s growth was more modest, with Mossman in Far North Queensland leading for houses at 136 per cent and Parkinson in Brisbane’s south topping units at 102 per cent.

Western Australia saw Dampier – a mining town in the Pilbara – surge 166 per cent for house enquiries, while South Australia’s growth was led by established suburbs including Kensington Gardens (94 per cent for houses).

In the ACT, Whitlam led for houses with 64 per cent growth, while Holt topped units at 70 per cent.

REA Group Senior Economist, Angus Moore, said he’s seen solid increases in demand, in terms of enquiries per listing, for homes across Australia.

“That’s been particularly true for more affordable areas, which dominate among the areas seeing the biggest increases in enquiries per listing, as well as regional areas,” Mr Moore said.

“That’s consistent with buyers responding to the very challenging state of housing affordability by looking in more affordable areas.

He said the deterioration in affordability we’ve seen in the past few years has been driven by strong growth in home prices in the smaller states, coupled with rapidly rising interest rates in 2022 and 2023.

“Increased buyer demand in more affordable regions is also consistent with the high level of investor activity we’ve been seeing in the past couple of years, because investors tend to skew towards more affordable homes,” he said.

“The share of loans going to investors is at its highest level since 2017 nationally, and near-record levels in many states”.

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Australia is not short of demand, it is short of coordination.

Australia’s population growth is accelerating, but the national framework to manage it is not keeping pace, according to a new report from the Planning Institute of Australia.

The organisation warns the country is heading towards a population of more than 40 million people by 2065, with more than 14 million additional people expected over the next four decades, but without a coordinated national plan to align housing, infrastructure and population policy.

At the centre of the concern is what the Institute describes as fragmented decision-making across government, with housing, transport and population settings often developed in isolation.

“Right now, decisions about housing, infrastructure and population aren’t joined up, and that’s one of the reasons why people are feeling the pressure in their day-to-day lives,” said Emma Riley, national president of the Planning Institute of Australia.

“When growth isn’t planned well, people pay for it through higher house prices and rents, more time stuck in traffic, and overcrowded services and infrastructure.”

The Institute says this disconnect is contributing to ongoing pressure in major housing markets, particularly Sydney and Melbourne, while also driving increased demand in surrounding regional centres and growth corridors.

It also warns that future population growth will continue to reshape Australia’s cities and regions, with climate risk increasingly influencing where development can safely occur.

“When growth is planned well, it delivers more homes in well-serviced areas, shorter commutes, infrastructure delivered when communities need it, and more choice about where to live and work,” Ms Riley said.

The Planning Institute of Australia is calling on the Federal Government to develop a National Plan for Australia’s Growth to better coordinate long-term housing, infrastructure and population planning.
View the report here.

FACT BOX: Planning Institute of Australia findings

Population outlook

• Australia projected to exceed 40 million people by 2065
• More than 14 million additional people expected over the next 40 years

Core issue identified

• No coordinated national plan for housing, infrastructure and population growth
• Fragmented decision-making across government policy areas

Impacts highlighted

• Rising house prices and rents linked to supply constraints
• Longer commutes and transport congestion
• Infrastructure not keeping pace with population growth
• Increased pressure on urban services

Geographic pressure points

• Sydney and Melbourne identified as key high-growth cities
• Increasing spillover into regional areas and growth corridors

Key risks

• Continued housing affordability pressure if planning remains fragmented
• Infrastructure lag in fast-growing regions
• Climate risk increasingly influencing future development decisions

Planning recommendation

• Development of a National Plan for Australia’s Growth
• Better alignment of housing, infrastructure and population policy

Economic context (as cited by PIA)

• Up to $29 billion potential productivity gains from better-functioning cities (Productivity Commission estimate)

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Noel Jones has opened a renovated office at 313 Middleborough Road, Box Hill South, strengthening its coverage across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

The office sits alongside the group’s established Mitcham location, supporting what Director Mike Muncey describes as a growing rent roll and expanding client base in the region.

“Real estate is, and always has been, about people,” Muncey said.

“This space has been designed to reflect that – somewhere open, approachable and easy to engage with.”

The fit-out prioritises visibility and accessibility, with an open layout intended to encourage connection with walk-in clients.

Muncey said the design reflects the group’s broader philosophy around client relationships.

“The transaction is almost secondary to the relationship,” he said.

“When someone comes to us, they’re navigating one of the most significant decisions of their life. Our job is to make that journey feel supported, informed, and whenever we can, a little less daunting.”

The space includes a boardroom designed for client consultations and a layout intended to support team collaboration.

“Creating a space like this allows us to have better conversations with our clients and better support our team, which ultimately leads to stronger outcomes,” Muncey said.

Noel Jones operates nine offices across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, including Balwyn, Bayswater, Blackburn, Box Hill, Croydon, Doncaster, Mitcham, Ringwood and Wantirna. The group has been operating since 1977.

The Box Hill South office is now open.

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The real estate industry is under pressure from every direction at once. Technology and AI are reshaping how business is done. Anti-money laundering compliance is tightening. Consumer expectations around transparency and professionalism are rising faster than the industry is meeting them. And cost of living is squeezing the small business owners who make up much of its backbone.

Thomas McGlynn has been watching all of it … and he’s decided he can no longer influence it from inside one business.

“Standards rise whether or not you participate,” he says. “Leadership in any industry is generally its biggest problem, but it’s also its biggest solution.”

After six years as CEO and Partner of BresicWhitney, one of Sydney’s most admired independent real estate businesses, Thomas has stepped into a newly created national role at Ray White as CEO of Performance and Value.

His mandate is to lift leadership capability and performance standards across a network of more than 13,000 members in Australia and New Zealand.

“You’ve got technology and AI coming in. You have greater compliance through AML and through industry regulation. You have a greater focus on transparency and consumer sentiment around how real estate agents conduct themselves,” he says.

“And because of that, you have a growing voice for standards to rise.”

He’s well placed to read those signals – as President of the Real Estate Institute of NSW and a board member of the REIA, he has spent years building relationships across every state and territory in Australia.

He has seen the gaps between what consumers expect and what the industry delivers. So, has industry focused too heavily on performance metrics at the expense of people? He doesn’t reach for a diplomatic cover in his answer.

“Doing the right thing, acting with transparency and having a long-term view on how your relationship is with customers is good business practice. It’s good for the bottom line. It’s good for profit. And I do think the industry at times has lost sight of that,” he says.

“That doesn’t mean that high performance is not linked to transparency and high standards. It is. Those that have been doing it well for decades have proven that.”

The new role

The position Thomas is stepping into is deliberately broad. Working across the Ray White network at both corporate and principal level, he will focus on lifting performance, strengthening leadership and driving long-term growth. It’s a big remit and he’s not pretending otherwise.

“My role is to work with all of the leaders across the network in helping drive performance, grow the business, and add value to all of the members.”

For a network of more than 13,000 members, the leverage that kind of role provides is significant and Thomas knows it.

“Over the course of my career, one thing has become clear: leadership is the defining difference between good businesses and great ones. When you lift leadership capability across a network of this scale, the impact goes far beyond one business. It shapes thousands of careers and helps define where the industry goes next.”

In statement announcing his new position, Ray White Group Managing Director Dan White explained why Thomas was fit for the role: “He thinks deeply about leadership, professional standards and what it takes to build a great business. These things are fundamental to our ambition and value offering to our members.”

The relationship between Thomas and the White family is not a new one. He jokes that Ray White agents were trying to recruit him when he was 19 years old, visiting a Sunshine Coast property, but the conversations about this particular move have been building for the better part of a year.

Driving on the ‘wrong side of the road’

There’s a practical reality to this transition that Thomas acknowledges – moving from running a high-performing Sydney business to a national role within Ray White is fundamentally different work.

“It does feel like I’ve moved countries and I’m driving on the wrong side of the road for a little bit,” he laughs.

It will be a slightly different relationship with the customer, one step removed and more focused on enabling others to serve them well. He’s made peace with that by reframing what influence looks like at scale.

“Although I’m probably not as connected directly to the consumer as what I once was, I’m still going to be able to influence the way that consumers are treated. I’m going to have a greater impact on professionalism and raising standards.”

The national role will also require significant travel across Australia and New Zealand, marking a clear shift from his previous Sydney-based position. His wife, Anji, was central to the discussions throughout the decision-making process, as the couple weighed up the demands of the role and what it would mean for their family life.

“If I’ve got a really big goal or a big challenge ahead of me, that’s always something that keeps me focused. I had to really discuss it with Anji, my wife, and think about what it means for us. It keeps me focused and keeps me being a good human being in all areas of my life.”

What’s most interesting perhaps about Thomas’s account of this decision is the internal process behind it. The final call didn’t come from a better offer or a push factor, he says it came from months of deliberate self-examination.

“I’ve really tried to hone back into my own values – the belief that I have in myself, what my purpose is, who am I doing things for? In the last three months, I really honed in on that … and that helped me make the final decision in the end.

“Self-leadership is really important, and not many people talk about that.”

For all the forward momentum, Thomas is disarmingly honest about the cost of this decision to leave his position as CEO of BresicWhitney. It was six years of culture-building, talent development and deep personal investment in the people around him.

“Privately, I have shed a lot of tears. I’m okay with showing that sort of vulnerability. It has been really emotional. A lot of people see these things as simply business, but it’s not for me – and that’s not the leader that I am, and not the leader that I strive to be.”

He says he leaves the business in good hands, that he was a custodian rather than an owner, that his departure creates opportunities for others to step up. But he’s not reaching for easy comfort.

What got him through it, in the end, was a simple question he kept coming back to.

“In five years’ time, if I did not do that, would I be thinking ‘what if’? I truly believe I would have constantly thought about that.”

For someone who has spent two decades telling others that leadership is the defining difference between good and great, staying put while the industry reached a turning point would have been hard to live with.

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Former Bondi Rescue lifeguard Harrison Reid has sold his Sydney apartment for $1.5 million, capping off a 12-year chapter in the eastern suburbs before starting fresh as a Harcourts real estate agent in New Zealand.

The two-bedroom Rose Bay flat sold after a second attempt on the market – Harrison had originally listed it in 2024 but withdrew when it failed to attract a buyer, according to the Daily Mail.

He purchased the top-floor apartment in 2019 for $1 million, making a $500,000 gain over seven years.

His Rose Bay apartment sits in a 1960s-era, three-level block of nine units, approximately 8 km from the CBD.

The property features city skyline views, a balcony off the main bedroom, and an updated kitchen and living area.

The 32-year-old announced his departure from lifeguarding last December, posting on Instagram about the decision to leave.

“Not many people get to say they landed their dream job at 18 and lived it for 12 years,” Harrison said.

“Turning up to work each day with your best mates, never knowing what the day would throw at you, who would knock on the tower door, when the emergency phone would ring, or who would end up in a rip and need help.”

Harrison relocated to Sydney from New Zealand in 2014 and quickly established himself in the eastern suburbs property market. 

He purchased a two-bedroom flat that year for $725,000, converted it into a large one-bedroom unit, and sold it for $745,000 in 2019.

The listing was held by Hamish McMaster from LJ Hooker Bondi Beach.

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The Agency has appointed Ranal Charan and his team to work across Brisbane and Sydney markets.

The five-member team includes Ethan Jamieson, Violetta Tosic, Craig Pratt and Edgar George, who will focus on Brisbane’s inner-city areas – Newstead, Teneriffe, Ascot, Clayfield and New Farm – as well as Sydney’s Pyrmont and outer Sydney City.

Ranal brings eight years of real estate experience to the role.

“The brand’s innovative approach and support give us the platform to continue growing our business while delivering an even higher level of service and results for clients,” Ranal said.

Christian Chaplin, GM of Sales at The Agency Queensland, said the appointment strengthens the brand’s presence in both markets.

“Ranal’s leadership, strategic thinking, and market expertise has seen him and his team build a strong presence across Brisbane and Sydney,” Christian said.

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Recent reporting has raised serious concerns about the security of some digital platforms used by Australian real estate agencies to manage rental applications and tenancy documents.

According to The Guardian, a digital researcher found that several widely used rent-tech platforms allow millions of sensitive documents to be accessed through unsecured hyperlinks – which means they can potentially be viewed without logging in.

You’re probably very familiar with many of these platforms. Designed to streamline documentation management processes (remember when people faxed their rental applications?), these platforms work by allowing agents to upload documents to a cloud-based system and then share them via a link with tenants, landlords or other parties.

This approach makes collaboration and document management quick and convenient. But the research suggests that the way these systems generate and manage links may leave them wide open to data breaches. This has serious consequences for real estate agents.

How are threat actors exploiting these platforms?

Because these platforms are not as secure as they could be, threat actors (and even innocent web crawlers) may be able to view a document simply by modifying numbers in the URL or guessing similar links. Once a valid link is found, the document can often be accessed without any additional authentication or password.

The potential exposure is particularly concerning given the type of information real estate professionals routinely handle as part of the leasing process. These rent-tech platforms can store highly sensitive personal data, including:

• Lease agreements, which may contain full names, addresses, rental amounts and signatures.
• Identity documents, such as driver’s licences or passports used for verification.
• Payslips and financial information used to assess tenant affordability.
• Personal and employment references, including contact details and background information.

The research also revealed that some of the exposed records reportedly dated back years, demonstrating how long sensitive information can remain online when security controls are insufficient.

What this means for agents

For real estate agencies, handling personal information is a normal part of day-to-day operations. From rental applications to tenant screening and lease documentation, agencies routinely collect and store sensitive data belonging to both tenants and landlords.

But the everyday systems used to streamline property management are a vulnerable and very exploitable cybersecurity risk that can leave agencies open to serious consequences.

Australian businesses that collect personal information must take reasonable steps to protect it from misuse, loss or unauthorised access. A breach involving tenant data could potentially trigger regulatory scrutiny or mandatory reporting obligations depending on the circumstances.

Then there is the reputational risk. If clients believe their personal information has been exposed or mishandled, the impact on an agency’s reputation can be significant – especially in a competitive environment.

Operational disruption is another factor. A data incident may require agencies to investigate what happened, notify affected individuals, respond to complaints and cooperate with regulators. This process can be time-consuming and costly, pulling focus away from other business operations.

At the end of the day, digital tools are indispensable in modern property management, but they also introduce new layers of risk. As the industry continues to adopt digital solutions, agencies must remain aware of how client data is handled, stored and shared.

Practical steps agents can take now

Technology risks and cybersecurity management can seem complex. But there are practical steps real estate agencies can take to better protect sensitive data and client information.

Audit your tech stack

The first step is understanding exactly which platforms your agency relies on to manage rental applications, leases and tenant documentation.

Start by reviewing all digital rental and leasing platforms currently in use. Ask key questions such as:

• How are documents stored within the platform?
• Are files protected behind login authentication, or accessible through shared links?
• What security controls are in place to prevent unauthorised access?

It’s also worth speaking directly with your vendors. Ask whether they use encryption for stored data, what authentication measures are required for access, and how permissions are managed across users. If they can’t clearly explain how they protect the personal information stored on their systems, then you may need to reassess the relationship.

Strengthen internal processes

Even the most secure software can be undermined by weak internal practices. That’s why clear processes around document handling are just as important as the technology itself. Practical safeguards include:

• Implementing clear document naming and storage conventions so sensitive files are easy to manage and locate.
• Setting expiry controls or time limits on shared documents where possible.
• Removing outdated documents that are no longer required for operational or compliance purposes.
• Restricting access to sensitive files on a need-to-know basis within your team.
• Avoiding unsecured document sharing methods, such as open links or personal email accounts.
• Providing basic cyber awareness training so staff understand how to handle sensitive client data safely.

Review your insurance coverage

No agency is completely immune to cyber risk, even with strong security practices in place. That’s where insurance may help.

Cyber Liability insurance is designed to help protect you from claims and support your profitability in the event of a cyber breach or attack. Costs associated with defending a cyber claim are also covered.

Professional Indemnity insurance covers you for losses claimed by a third party and defence costs due to alleged or actual negligence in your professional services or advice.

In many cases, it is a legal requirement for real estate agents. However, it’s still a good idea to make sure you have limits that offer adequate cover.

Taking the time to review these protections can provide peace of mind that if something does go wrong, your business has financial and professional support in place to respond effectively. If you’re unsure, speak with an insurance professional to find out more about policies to suit your business needs.

This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording or Product Disclosure Statement (available on our website). Please consider whether the advice is suitable for you before proceeding with any purchase. Target Market Determination document is also available (as applicable).
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The post Is your leasing platform leaving client data exposed? appeared first on Elite Agent.

More than 5,300 property management positions are sitting vacant across Australia, with salaries climbing past $110,000 in some cases – yet agencies still can’t fill the roles.

New analysis of Seek job listings by Kolmeo, a property management software firm, found Victoria accounts for one in five of those vacancies, with 1,100 unfilled positions in the state alone.

Senior property manager roles are now being advertised at up to $120,000 in Victoria, where regulatory changes have been more extensive than anywhere else in the country.

“One of the things that has caught us by surprise was about how much the conversation was shifting towards ‘whatever we do, we can’t lose a property manager’,” Kolmeo chief executive Scott Bateman told News.com.au.

“Wages have increased significantly since 2022; that shows that throwing money at the problem isn’t resolving it.”

The figures point to a significant gap in rental market support. 

With the average property manager overseeing roughly 150 properties, Kolmeo estimates the 5,000-plus vacancies could mean as many as 800,000 rental properties nationally are being managed by stretched teams.

“It appears to be a growing problem and it’s not one we have seen any indication that it’s slowing down,” Mr Bateman said.

“The data for the moment suggests it’s a bad problem that is getting worse.”

Victoria has introduced 130 changes to rental regulations since 2021, requiring property managers to stay across constantly shifting compliance requirements while handling hundreds of tenants and landlords.

Mr Bateman noted that many property managers are renters themselves and support the intent behind the reforms. 

But the cumulative weight of implementation is proving difficult.

“You are trying to handle hundreds of people associated with those homes, and then dealing with the 130 changes since 2021, and that’s creating an effect where there’s so few people to do the work,” he said.

The result has been a dramatic shortening of career timelines in the profession.

“The average career timeline is now about one year,” Scott said.

Entry barriers add to the challenge. 

Becoming an agent’s representative in Victoria now requires completing a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice – a qualification that takes between four weeks and 18 months depending on study mode.

Hayley Mitchell, who works under Podium Property Management and operates Mitchell Property Training, says the training requirements have changed dramatically since she entered the industry 25 years ago.

“You used to be able to go to REIV for a week, and then work as an agent’s rep,” Ms Mitchell said.

“What they’ve now done is almost like you’ve got to do the full license course in order to just start working. 

“A lot of people don’t want to spend the time studying, to actually get and start working in the industry.”

Even those who complete the qualification often struggle once they’re in the role.

“It’s really, really hard for agents to be able to train people,” Ms Mitchell said.

“They’re already short-staffed, and you put someone on in an agency who’s got no experience, they’re going to be dumped and left. 

“A lot of people are burning out and getting out before they’ve even really given it a red hot go because they’re not given the support once they get there.”

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Anna’s Younan’s journey into real estate began unexpectedly in 2007, when she was juggling three jobs, including bookkeeping for a real estate business.

“I got into real estate through an administrative role, and then that progressed over a period of, I don’t know, a year, eighteen months maybe,” Anna said.

What started as administrative work quickly evolved into a comprehensive understanding of the industry from every angle – property management, sales support, and eventually buyer representation.

The turning point came when one of her bosses couldn’t make an appointment and asked her to show a property to a buyer.

“I was like, yes, I can do that. Petrified, but did it. And then it took off from there,” she said.

Anna spent four to five years mastering buyer work and vendor relationships before transitioning to full-time listing and selling around 2014–15.

Her methodical approach to learning each aspect of the business laid the foundation for her future success.

“I just got really good at doing that,” she said.

“People started then calling to list their property. And then that just continued to evolve.”

Partnership and ownership

Today, Anna is a partner in Gilbert and Younan, operating across the Camden, Macarthur and Wollondilly regions, extending down to the borders of Bargo and into Campbelltown.

Her ownership structure evolved naturally, and she now oversees the residential sales division while her business partners manage property management and projects & development.

“I enjoyed the natural progression of making decisions with my business partners and have agency over our own business,” Anna said.

A diverse and growing Camden market

The Macarthur region, particularly Camden and its surrounding areas, offers Anna and her team a diverse portfolio of opportunities, from apartments to large acreage properties.

“We’ve got the full breadth of selling new, old, existing, renovated, built. There’s a range of opportunity here,” she said.

“Between us and the new airport and old suburbs, we literally have everything.”

The unique approach

Her strength lies in how she works with sellers, built on a foundation of responsibility, responsiveness, accountability and transparency.

“I would very rarely lose a listing because I just feel it’s very important to be responsible, responsive, accountable and very transparent with my owners,” Anna said.

She applies the same philosophy to buyer work, often receiving calls from clients a decade or more after their first transaction.

Community commitment

Beyond real estate, Anna dedicates significant time to community causes. For the past ten years, she has served on the committee for a Mater Dei fundraising luncheon, which raises money for children with special needs.

The annual Mother’s Day event attracts 500 women and represents a major commitment for Anna.

“I have an amazing bunch of kids, and they’re all healthy and happy. And I don’t have a need for that resource, but it’s the reason I decided to contribute to it,” she said.

“I think give back even when you don’t need to is important for me.”

The business also supports council initiatives including domestic violence campaigns and other community programs, though Anna prefers to contribute without seeking recognition.

Looking ahead

After six years of operating independently, Anna and her partners are considering their next phase of growth.

“We’re actually in that development and growth stage of our businesses,” she said.

“We’ve really enjoyed the independence, the ability to make our own decisions, decide what we want, how we want to look, who we want to use as suppliers.”

Balancing it all

For Anna, success isn’t just measured in sales figures.

It’s about maintaining balance as a businesswoman, mother, and grandmother while running a professional operation.

“What I’ve struggled with or what I look to always try and be better at is running a business, being a mother, being a grandmother and doing that with an amazing partnership,” she said.

“We’ve got a great business partnership and we’ve all got families and we all run a really good ship where if someone falls behind someone’s at the lead of it.”

After nineteen years in the industry, Anna is focused on continuous improvement.

“I actually think I’m just getting good at real estate now, to be honest,” she said.

“I intend to make good on the nineteen years I’ve already done and just get better at it.”

The post Anna Younan: Building success through transparency and trust in Camden appeared first on Elite Agent.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed a new tax on second homes in New York City valued at $5 million* or more, in a move aimed at closing the city’s widening budget gap.

The tax would target pieds-à-terre – vacation homes and part-time residences owned by wealthy individuals who primarily live outside the city, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“New York City is the greatest city in the world, and the people who call it home should not be left carrying the burden alone,” Ms Hochul said in a statement, as reported by the Journal.

“If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker.”

The proposal is expected to raise $500 million annually and will be formally introduced as part of Ms Hochul’s spring budget.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who campaigned on taxing the wealthy to improve affordability, has thrown his support behind the measure.

“Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul, we are one step closer to balancing our budget by taxing the ultra-wealthy and global elites with a pied-à-terre tax – the first of its kind in our state,” Mr Mamdani said.

City Hall’s press release named specific property owners who could be affected, including Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Miami-based hedge fund Citadel, Reuters reported. Mr Griffin paid $238 million for a penthouse overlooking Central Park in 2019 – a record for a US home sale at the time.

The scale of the issue

According to New York City’s 2021 Housing and Vacancy Survey, an estimated 102,900 units in the city aren’t for rent or sale but sit vacant because they are used for “seasonal, recreational, or occasional use,” the Journal reported.

City Hall described these properties as being used “as a vehicle for wealth storage rather than as homes.”

New York City faces a projected budget gap of up to $12 billion over the next two years. Mr Mamdani had previously proposed a broader tax on wealthy residents and corporations, but that gained little traction.

A later proposal for a 9.5% property tax increase sparked outrage among homeowners.

Industry pushback

The real estate industry has responded with alarm.

Jim Whelan, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, told WSJ the tax would harm rather than help the city.

“This annual tax will weaken the city’s broader economy,” Mr Whelan said.

“It will not raise the amount of revenue expected, but will eliminate thousands of construction jobs, lower property values, and raise costs for New Yorkers.”

New York would not be the first to target non-primary residences, with countries including France, the UK, and Canada already applying various taxes or surcharges on second homes and vacant properties.

*All prices in USD

The post New York proposes tax on luxury second homes over US$5 million appeared first on Elite Agent.

Lizzo has found a buyer for her Beverly Hills home after more than a year on the market and multiple price reductions.

The L-shaped residence went under contract this week with an asking price of $12.5 million (approximately AUD $19.5 million), down from its original listing of just under $16 million (AUD $25 million) when it hit the market in December 2024, according to Mansion Global.

Lizzo, who purchased the property in 2022 for $15 million (AUD $23.4 million) through a trust linked to her businesses, appears set to take a loss on the sale – though the final price won’t be confirmed until the deal closes.

The three-bedroom home spans more than 5,400 square feet and was built in 2018. Its centrepiece is a two-storey atrium filled with foliage, which brings natural light into the main living areas.

A floor-to-ceiling dual-sided fireplace separates the kitchen from the open living room, which connects to an outdoor covered lounge. 

The property also includes a formal dining room, home theatre, gym, office, outdoor kitchen with fire pit, and saltwater infinity pool.

The listing was handled by James Harris of Carolwood Estates, who declined to comment.

The property sits on land that previously held a home reportedly owned by Harry Styles from 2014 to 2016.

The post Lizzo sells her Beverly Hills home at a loss after price cuts appeared first on Elite Agent.

It started, as so many life-changing things do, with a best friend sending something that was technically an insult.

Eneka Burroughs, a salesperson with Ray White Morris & Co in New Zealand, was in bed on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee when a Facebook notification came through. A friend had tagged her in a casting call.

The post was looking for someone who was 148 centimetres tall and, in the casting team’s direct phrasing, large. Her friend’s commentary on why Eneka was the obvious choice was equally direct.

“She said, ‘This is you. You’re fat,'” Eneka recalls. “Still my best friend. Yeah.”

What followed was a chain of events improbable enough that even Eneka’s husband assumed she was being duped.

“When they asked for photos of me in my undies my husband was sure I was getting scammed,” she says. “But I’d already spoken to a lady from casting on the phone and it seemed legit.”

Two days after the casting call, Eneka was driving to the University of Canterbury. It wasn’t until she was standing in a costume room, being fitted with a nun’s habit, that she thought to ask what exactly she was there for.

“‘You’re going to be the body double for Miriam Margolyes’, they said. I couldn’t believe it,” she recalls. “I love her. She is next level.”

The film was Holy Days, a New Zealand production set in 1974 Christchurch. Miriam stars a Catholic nun – not a role that requires great athleticism, except that at 84, the actress’s mobility had limits. That’s where Eneka came in. Over seven weeks in November and December 2024, she travelled all over the South Island, dressed as a nun, learning to do things she had never done before.

The stunt list was, by any measure, unusual. A stunt coordinator taught her how to fall out of bed face-first without injuring herself. She rehearsed car chase sequences in the back of a vintage Holden with no seatbelts at high speed.

“It was absolutely terrifying,” she says, “but such a cool experience.”

The work nobody sees

Before the stunts, there was the standing around. A lot of it.

Eneka’s primary job on set was one that exists in almost every major film production but that few outside the industry understand. While the crew spend an hour setting up cameras, adjusting lighting rigs and finalising a scene’s composition, it’s not the principal cast who stand in position, that’s what body doubles are for.

Eneka, dressed identically to Miriam, would stand in the frame, say the lines, and hold the position while everything was arranged around her. Then, right at the last moment, she’d exit and Miriam would walk in to shoot the scene.

The days were long and the schedule was unpredictable. Around 10 o’clock each night, cast and crew would receive a run sheet – a call time for the following morning and a location. Many of those locations were remote: Canterbury countryside, the beach at Akaroa, rural spots with no mobile coverage.

“I thought I could still do real estate at the same time,” she says. “There was not a chance. We were rural. There was no Wi-Fi. I never knew when I was coming or going.”

Before signing anything, she called her colleague Tracy, the lead agent she works alongside at Ray White Morris & Co, and gave her the option to say no.

“I said, look, you can say no. I don’t know how much time it’s going to take. If you don’t want to spare me, that’s fine,” Eneka says. “But she said, ‘No. You have to. What a crazy opportunity to do something completely and utterly different.'”

Eighty new friends and one very famous one

There were three body doubles on the production. Early on, the three of them made a pact.

“We decided we were going to get to be friends with every single cast and crew,” Eneka says. “We picked a person every day. You had people that were quite standoffish, people who were over the top. We just broke them down. So we always got to know like 80 new friends, which was amazing.”

The most famous of those friends operated on exactly the same principle, just with considerably more personality.

Miriam is 84 and has been a fixture of British and Australian screen and stage for decades: Harry Potter, Blackadder, and a BAFTA-winning performance in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence. She is, by all accounts, exactly what she appears to be on screen.

“She’s utterly shocking and hilarious.”

One day Miriam asked to see Eneka’s photos on her phone. When she came back from set, she couldn’t find it until someone told her Miriam still had it.

“She was still scrolling through the camera roll, asking about each photo. Who’s this? Why are they important? Why have you got a photo of your daughter but you’ve only got photos of your son in a van? Where’s your husband? Where’s this taken? Where’s that?

“She retains the information as well,” Eneka says. “A few days later she was asking how my daughter was getting on.

“She’s an 84 years old who’s an absolute legend, and she made me realise how important it is to ask the questions and really, really get to know people. Because that’s what real estate is about.”

The sausage incident

The story Eneka tells most often happened over breakfast.

One morning she picked up a plate of food – bacon, pork sausages – and brought it to Miriam forgetting in the moment that she was Jewish. Miriam looked at the plate, then at Eneka.

“She said: ‘I shouldn’t eat those because I’m Jewish, but you shouldn’t eat those because you’re fat,'” Eneka recalls. “Everybody was in stitches, as was I.”

She has thought about why it landed so well, and what she took from it.

“Calling a spade a spade, but phrasing it in a way that doesn’t feel like an attack,” she says. “That’s what I learned from that.”

Eneka returned to real estate with something that is hard to manufacture and impossible to buy: a genuinely extraordinary story.

The Christchurch Press ran a feature and people started recognising her at open homes. One Saturday a buyer walked in, looked at her, and asked if she was the one from the movie.

“I said yes …it was my moonlighting experience,” she says. “I couldn’t have had better profile. And the director and producers have just been so supportive of me putting it out there, because it helps get the word out about the film.”

She has seen Holy Days four times. The first viewing she spent trying to work out which scenes were her. By the second, she could just watch the film.

“It’s a really, really wholesome kiwi movie,” she says. “The whole New Zealand storytelling side of things was just treated so well. Yeah, so proud to be part of it.”

Would she do it again?

“The money’s not as good as real estate,” she says. “But the experience was something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. I’ve got a whole new skill set I didn’t have before … and 80 friends from all around the world.”

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Katie Williams has sold a three-bedroom house at 37 Berowra Waters Road, Berowra, for $1,435,000 prior to auction, navigating a dual-buyer negotiation that culminated in a late-night inspection creating competitive urgency.

The campaign’s first open house drew 21 groups, providing Katie with immediate market intelligence that shaped the strategy ahead.

“We had detailed conversations with all of the buyers to get their thoughts on pricing,” Katie said.

“Once we had their thoughts on pricing, we released a price guide and did have one interested buyer at that time.”

Katie Williams turned strong first-open attendance into real competition between two buyers, securing a sale in 21 days using clear communication and an auction deadline to drive action.

Creating competitive tension

The initial buyer made an offer below the $1.4–1.5 million guide, which Katie negotiated upward into the range. While those discussions progressed, a Saturday open house introduced two additional interested parties.

Katie informed all buyers that an offer sat on the table — a transparency approach that immediately shifted the dynamic.

“Once the buyers knew there was an offer on the table, there was a bit of urgency there,” she said.

One of the new buyers, living 45 minutes from Berowra, needed a second inspection but faced tight timing constraints. Katie arranged a 7.30pm viewing, allowing them to assess the property outside standard hours.

The buyers — first-home purchasers starting a family — had an emotional tie to the area. One had grown up in Berowra and wanted to raise their children in the same neighbourhood.

That late-night inspection proved the tipping point, transforming the negotiation into active competition between two committed parties.

Managing three-way communication

Katie’s parallel management of buyer negotiations and vendor updates became the campaign’s central success factor.

“The key was keeping both buyers engaged at the same time and not letting momentum drop. Once they both knew they were competing, the dynamic changed pretty quickly.”

The vendors worked hard to ensure the property presented perfectly for the evening inspection, trusting Katie’s strategic recommendation despite the unconventional timing.

“The owners really worked hard to get the property presented and ready to go for that late-night inspection,” Katie said.

The three-bedroom home on a 520-square-metre block featured single-level living behind a white picket fence, with the owners’ styling efforts creating strong presentation without professional staging costs.

Location appeal

Berowra is located approximately 30 kilometres north of the Sydney CBD and continues to attract buyers looking for a balance of affordability, space and access to transport. The area is well known for its family-friendly environment, proximity to national parks and convenient train access into the city.

Properties in Berowra, along with neighbouring suburbs such as Mount Colah and Asquith, appeal to a mix of first home buyers, young families and downsizers seeking low-maintenance homes in a well-connected Upper North Shore location.

Reading a cautious market

Katie identified buyer caution driven by rising interest rates as the campaign’s primary challenge, requiring deadline-driven urgency to counter hesitation.

“Buyers are more cautious at the moment, so you can’t just wait and hope. You need to give them a reason to act — whether that’s competition, a deadline, or both.”

The auction deadline provided the necessary framework, giving buyers a clear timeline while allowing Katie to create competitive pressure through transparent communication about competing interest.

Her advice for other Berowra vendors centres on presentation quality, accurate pricing based on genuine market feedback, and consistent buyer follow-up to maintain momentum.

The vendors expressed particular relief at avoiding additional open houses, achieving both a strong price and a quick timeline.

About the Agent

Katie Williams has over 20 years’ experience in real estate, including the past 7 years specialising in Berowra and the Upper North Shore. Known for clear advice, strong negotiation and reading buyer behaviour, she focuses on creating competition and keeping campaigns moving so her clients get a result, not just a listing. Visit Katie’s website for more information or call Katie on 0456896001.

The post Katie Williams secures competitive sale after late-night inspection tips dual-buyer negotiation appeared first on Elite Agent.

The Australasian Real Estate Conference (AREC) has announced its agent speaker lineup for the two-day learning event to be held at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, 24th May and Monday, 25th May.

AREC Founder John McGrath said the 2026 agent line-up represents the very best of the profession.

“AREC has always been about bringing the industry’s top performers together to share what’s really working. This year’s agent speakers reflect the depth of talent we have across Australia – from established leaders dominating their markets to the next generation already pushing boundaries. It’s this exchange of ideas and experience that continues to elevate our industry and benefit Clients across the board.”

Curated to reflect the evolving landscape of the industry, this year’s agent panels will deliver practical insights, high-performance strategies and real-world experiences from agents who are operating at the very top of their markets.

Across two days, AREC will feature a dynamic mix of established performers and rising stars, reinforcing its position as the premier platform for agent-led learning and industry advancement.

Day One: Elite Performance & Market Leadership

The opening day will see powerhouse agents take the stage, including Western Australia’s multi REI award winner and leading luxury specialist Vivien Yap (Ray White), known for her dominance in the Perth market.

Also taking the stage is Nicholas Dunn (McGrath Willoughby), a standout young Sydney performer recognised for his strategic approach to property sales, and Sam Lloyd (McGrath Lane Cove), a consistent high achiever and 2025 recipient of the John McGrath Award. Sam has built a reputation for strong client relationships and results-driven execution across the luxury markets on the upper North Shore.

The day’s headline panel – The Legends of Real Estate features No 1 Queensland agent Alex Jordan (McGrath Brisbane), sharing a discussion with top luxury specialist Michael Kollosche (Gold Coast) and high-performing agent Alexander Phillips (Sydney). Together, they represent a cross-section of Australia’s most competitive markets, bringing deep expertise across prestige sales, brand building and market positioning.

Further elevating the Day 1 program, Alex Ouwens andNathan Casserly (Ouwens Casserly Real Estate Adelaide) will take the stage together, offering a rare insight into building a high-performance business and brand at scale. Will Torres (Torres Property, Coorparoo, QLD) will share his approach to growth, energy and next-generation prospecting.

Day Two: Experience, Performance & The Next Generation

Day two of AREC 2026 delivers a powerful mix of established performance and emerging talent, highlighting the depth and diversity of today’s real estate landscape.

Leading the next-generation conversation is the “Young Emerging Talent” panel, featuring Liam Cromarty (LoveRealty – Lake Macquarie, NSW), Ashley Van Deyk (Ray White Upper North Shore) and Dean Tuffley (Ray White Mt Eden NZ). As three agents who have rapidly accelerated their careers, this session will provide insight into the mindset, habits and modern strategies driving early success in a competitive market.

Complementing this, a series of standalone sessions will see high-performing agents take the stage individually, each bringing their own perspective and proven approach to growth and consistency.

Caroline Brown (Caroline Brown Property QLD)
Ethan He (McGrath VIC)
Chris Nunn (Bresic Whitney NSW)
Jess Smith (Stone ACT)
Daniel Harris (Real Estate Central Darwin, NT)

A Platform for Real Conversations

Izzy Savva, Head of Total Real Estate Training, the organiser of AREC, said the curation of this year’s speakers was intentional in both quality and diversity.

“We’ve been incredibly deliberate in selecting agents who are not only performing at a high level, but who have something meaningful to contribute.

“This line-up represents different markets, different stages of career, and different approaches to success but what unites them is a commitment to excellence and a willingness to share openly. That’s what makes these sessions so powerful.”

With a focus on authenticity and practical value, the AREC 2026 agent sessions will go beyond surface level insights, delivering honest conversations around what it takes to succeed in today’s environment – from prospecting and negotiation to brand building and resilience.

As momentum builds toward the event, the announcement of the agent speaker line-up further cements AREC’s reputation as the must-attend conference for real estate professionals seeking to learn from the best.

AREC26 is organised by Total Real Estate Training (TRET). For further information or registrations for AREC 2026, please visit www.arecconference.com or email tret@tret.com.au

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Ray White has appointed Thomas McGlynn to a newly created position of CEO – Performance and Value, a role designed to strengthen leadership capability and business performance across the network’s Australian and New Zealand membership.

Most recently, he spent six years as CEO and Partner of the Bresic Whitney Group, one of Sydney’s most successful independent real estate businesses.

He is currently President of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales and has worked across most Australian markets with national groups and independents in both corporate and operating roles.

Ray White Group managing director Dan White said the appointment reflects the network’s focus on leadership development.

“He thinks deeply about leadership, professional standards and what it takes to build a great business,” Dan said.

“These things are fundamental to our ambition and value offering to our members.”

For Thomas, the move represents an opportunity to apply his focus on professional standards at network scale.

“Over the course of my career, one thing has become clear: leadership is the defining difference between good businesses and great ones,” he said.

“To have the opportunity to help shape that across the most influential real estate network in Australasia is incredibly compelling.”

Thomas pointed to the broader implications of the role.

“When you lift leadership capability across a network of this scale, the impact goes far beyond one business. It shapes thousands of careers and helps define where the industry goes next.”

The post Ray White taps Thomas McGlynn for new national leadership role appeared first on Elite Agent.

Domi Antalfy started Domination Buyers Agents in February 2023 after a successful career as a selling agent, where she sold over 250 properties across Sydney.

But it was her experience on the selling side that revealed a gap in the market – buyers were being left to navigate the property market alone.

“Selling agent gets paid by the seller. So everything is geared towards helping the seller sell for a really good amount of money that was leaving the buyers hanging,” Domi said.

“They were looking for properties on their own, struggling, missing out, not knowing how to price properties properly or why certain ones sell for cheaper than others.”

From reception to buyer’s advocate

Domi’s journey in real estate began in 2015 as an admin support receptionist before progressing through her certificate, class two and class one licences, and auctioneering qualifications.

She worked across five different offices in Sydney, including Epping, Darlinghurst, Balmain, Castle Hill and Panania, eventually becoming a standalone agent.

Throughout her selling career, she noticed buyers consistently appreciated her approach of asking questions that helped her understand their story and needs.

“The buyers really liked it, and they started bringing up that this is something you should do more of or if there’s a role that caters to the buyers,” she said.

When several selling principals approached her about opening second offices or leading teams, Domi realised she was about to make a decision for the wrong reasons.

“I came home one day and said to my husband, I feel like I’m going to make a decision for the sake of making a decision. I’m just not overly happy where I am, and I want to change,” she said.

She resigned from her role and took two weeks to decide her next move – launching Domination Buyers Agents.

Understanding the full picture

Domi primarily works with owner occupiers and developers, with a smaller focus on investment properties.

Her strength lies in understanding the complete situation and reading the play – skills honed from working on both sides of transactions.

“Because I’ve been on both sides now, I am across how agents operate and the different sales approaches they use, and when to push and pull and when to pause,” she said.

She’s particularly focused on helping clients understand the process, not just the price.

“With a lot of them we’re finding they understand the basics of home buying, but they don’t understand how it all ties in together,” Domi said.

“How do we position them for a stronger offer? Not necessarily on price, but more on the conditions.”

Domi isn’t afraid to tell clients when a deal doesn’t make sense, even if it means extending the search period or reducing her own fee.

“We’re always working towards their best outcome, even if that means that we’re shaving $10,000 off our fee in the end,” she said.

This approach has paid dividends, with 45 per cent of her business generated through previous happy clients and 55 per cent through her professional network of solicitors, conveyancers, accountants and financial planners.

“It’s just a really tightly held network that I work with and, you know, we help each other a lot and what that means for our clients is that they have a strong team of professionals working for them,” she said.

Choosing quality outcomes over volume

Domi is also cautious about off-market opportunities, which she says are often heavily overpriced.

“It’s often highlighted how many off-market purchases someone does, but just because it’s an off-market purchase doesn’t mean it’s a good deal,” she said.

“Even with off-market opportunities, they’re always very heavily assessed. And only if it works for our clients’ price point and situation, we will entertain those.”

Looking ahead, Domi plans to grow her team slowly and deliberately over the next five years, aiming for around 10 team members specialising in different areas including owner occupier purchases, development, commercial and investment.

“I’d love to grow it with people who really genuinely care about the buyers’ outcomes because that’s what we’re really here to do,” she said.

A mother’s perspective

Domi credits her drive and passion for the business to her role as a mother of two daughters, aged 10 and 12.

“I started in real estate when they were both very young. And I think it was just that hunger of not just providing for the family, but also to help those clients move in the right direction that really helped me be the way I am,” she said.

This perspective has shaped her business philosophy – providing the same level of service regardless of the property price.

“Whether that property has one extra or one less zero, the service is always the same,” Domi said.

“For us, it’s not the big clients that we aim for. We’re just here to help people who need help and it doesn’t matter how much they’re purchasing for.”

Domi has recently listed on buyersagent.com.au, which she believes will be beneficial for connecting with potential clients.

“There’s not really too much out in terms of buyer’s agent registries or directories for people to look up,” she said.

“I think it’s a really good step going forward to have something like that, a more of a centralised platform to make it easy for people to make a decision.”

Buyersagents.com.au is proud to support the professional growth of buyer agent Domi Antalfy via a platform to connect them with more buyers. Discover more at Buyersagents.com.au

The post Domi Antalfy: putting buyers first in Sydney appeared first on Elite Agent.

Domain has announced a national rollout of Matterport-powered 3D property experiences supported by a newly established in-house imaging, drone and spatial data team.

The launch embeds drone capture and 3D spatial mapping as core infrastructure within Domain’s platform, positioning it as a major upgrade to how properties are presented and explored online.

Delivered by in-house photographers and licensed drone operators, President, Domain at CoStar Group Inc, Jason Pellegrino, said the initiative is designed to transform how homes are discovered, understood and shortlisted, giving buyers a more immersive view before and after inspections.

“Overall, this is a significant investment by Domain, probably the first material visible investment at scale under CoStar ownership,” he said.

“It is an effort to really raise the standards in the industry, the depth of detail and information we are providing to property seekers.”

From static listings to immersive property experiences

Unlike traditional virtual tours, Domain’s 3D experiences are true to scale and fully navigable, allowing buyers to move through homes, understand layout and flow, and explore properties as if visiting in person.

Features include interactive floorplans and drone captured exteriors, automated point to point room measurements, furniture removal tools, photorealistic 3D visualisation powered by Gaussian splatting, and high resolution 4K photography captured through a single integrated workflow.

Mr Pellegrino said the intention is to extend and enhance the open home experience rather than replace it, allowing buyers to engage more deeply before attending inspections.

He said 3D engagement is helping bring “people to open homes who otherwise wouldn’t have attended,” while still recognising that “the core of it is the open home experience is really important” and that “it doesn’t replace the open home experience.”

He said the shift is also changing how agents approach buyer volume, moving “from an industry to it’s all about volume… towards actually focusing our attention on the people that are the highest intent and the highest engaged.”

In practice, he said this means agents can better identify serious buyers before inspections, with those who deeply engage with digital listings becoming the ones they “want to spend time with at the open home,” describing them as “a high intent buyer.”

The capability will roll out across more than 1,700 suburbs in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and the Gold Coast from 1 July 2026, and will be available through participating estate agents on Domain’s Platinum Edge subscription.

Matterport functionality is included only in eligible residential sale listings in supported metro areas, subject to eligibility criteria and conditions. Listing exclusions apply, and service fees may apply where eligibility is not met or maintained; the Matterport service is not a standalone product and is not sold separately.

To support the rollout, Domain is building a national in-house network of photographers and licensed drone operators, reducing reliance on external providers.

All aerial capture is conducted by licensed remotely piloted aircraft operators in line with CASA regulations, with Domain overseeing compliance and operational standards.

Mr Pellegrino said controlling the full production chain is central to delivering the new capability.

“The hardest thing is not the technology,” Mr Pellegrino said. “Where we are investing significantly is bringing the entire platform to Australia, which includes the technology, but also the ability to take ownership and responsibility for shooting the imagery, hosting the imagery, delivering the imagery on Domain’s platform and also on agents’ websites, and doing that consistently at scale.”

Agents will retain flexibility to use their own photographers or opt into Domain’s bundled capture service, but Mr Pellegrino said expectations around listing quality are shifting across the industry, pointing to ecommerce as a comparison.

“You cannot imagine an ecommerce site selling products today with just a single still photo,” he said.

Domain believes 3D engagement will help identify high intent buyers before inspections based on how users interact with listings. Mr Pellegrino said deeper engagement signals stronger purchase intent.

“That is the person you want to spend time with at the open home,” Mr Pellegrino said. “They are a high intent buyer.”

Mr Pellegrino said the technology goes beyond simple visualisation, giving buyers practical tools to engage more deeply with a property.

He said users will be able to achieve “millimetre perfect measurements within a building” and to “furnish” or reconfigure spaces, helping them understand how a home might work for their own lifestyle.

This is about shifting the experience from passive viewing to active imagination, where buyers are not just looking at a property but testing how they might live in it.

Looking ahead, he said these capabilities form the foundation for a broader evolution in property search, with “a suite of features that allow you to customise the experience even further,” including AI-driven renovation modelling, redesign tools and more advanced spatial analysis that could show not just what a home is, but what it could become.

Building the infrastructure for AI driven property search and intent signals

Looking ahead, Domain says its 3D spatial data infrastructure will underpin a new generation of AI driven property tools, including renovation modelling, furniture simulation and personalised redesigns.

Mr Pellegrino said the platform is being built for future capabilities that extend beyond current listing formats.

“What is coming down the pipe is a suite of features that allow you to customise the experience even further.”

He said owning the end to end capture and distribution pipeline is essential to enabling those future applications.

The long term ambition is to shift from static listings to interactive experiences that show not only what a home is, but what it could become.

“We are not just showcasing what the property is,” Mr Pellegrino said. “We are going to reimagine what the property could be.”

The rollout begins in July 2026, with expansion into regional areas and commercial real estate planned in the following year.

• Matterport listings:
  • 126 Northcote Street, Naremburn NSW 2065
  • 40 Lennox Street, Rockdale NSW 2216
  • 12 Harris Street, Sans Souci NSW 2219

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Australia’s rental market has tightened again, with new data from SQM Research showing the national residential vacancy rate has fallen to 1.0% in March 2026, down from 1.1% the month prior.

For agents on the ground, it confirms what many are already experiencing: demand is still running well ahead of available supply.

The total number of vacant rental properties across the country has now dropped to 31,732 dwellings, reinforcing just how constrained the market has become heading into the autumn leasing period.

A market defined by extreme tightness in key cities
While conditions vary slightly across capitals, most major rental markets remain firmly in shortage territory:

Perth remains one of the tightest of the capital cities at 0.5% vacancy, with fewer than 1,000 homes available
Darwin is even lower at 0.4%, continuing to record some of the most constrained conditions nationally
Hobart also sits at 0.4%, reflecting ongoing supply challenges
Brisbane holds at 0.8%, maintaining sustained pressure on renters
Adelaide has eased slightly to 0.7%, but remains historically tight
Sydney has fallen to 1.1%, down from 1.3%, signalling renewed tightening
Melbourne has eased to 1.4%, remaining comparatively more balanced
Canberra is steady at 1.1%, showing stability after earlier volatility

The data reinforces a continued environment of low turnover, fast leasing cycles, and limited negotiation power for renters in most markets.

Rents still climbing despite short-term pauses
On the pricing side, the picture remains broadly upward. National advertised rents have risen 5.9% year-on-year, with combined rents now averaging $692.45 per week across Australia. Capital city rents are significantly higher, averaging $791.44 per week.

Some markets are still seeing momentum build, particularly in unit markets, while others are showing brief pauses after strong growth phases.

Sydney combined rents are up 7.4% annually, with houses averaging $1,154.05 per week
Melbourne has recorded steady growth of 5.9% year-on-year
Brisbane has flattened slightly month-to-month but remains 6.8% higher annually
Perth continues to climb, up 1.2% monthly and 6.9% annually
Adelaide is rising again, up 1.5% for the month
Canberra has seen a sharper monthly lift of 2.5%
Darwin continues to post strong annual growth of 10.2%
Hobart leads annual growth at 12.5%, reflecting persistent supply constraints

The split between flat short-term movement and strong annual gains highlights a market that is pausing in bursts, but not reversing.

Commenting on the results, managing director of SQM Research, Louis Christopher, said the national vacancy rate reflects a structurally tight rental environment.

“The national vacancy rate dropping to 1.0% highlights just how tight Australia’s rental market has become. We are now seeing vacancy rates at critically low levels in several cities, particularly Perth, Darwin and Hobart.”

He added that while some markets are experiencing short-term fluctuations in rent growth, the broader trend remains firmly upward.

“While some markets are showing brief pauses in rental growth, the overall trend remains upward due to the ongoing imbalance between supply and demand.”

Mr Christopher also warned that without meaningful increases in housing supply, pressure is likely to persist through the year ahead.

“Without a significant increase in new housing supply and/or a stabilisation of population growth rates, it is likely that rental pressures will remain elevated throughout 2026. These accelerated rates of rental increases will no doubt feed through to the CPI at some point this year.”

What this means for PMs right now

For real estate professionals, the message from the data is clear: the leasing market remains highly competitive, but not uniform.

• Well-presented stock is still leasing quickly in most capitals
• Suburban and outer-metro markets are feeling the same pressure as CBD areas
• Tenant demand remains strong enough to sustain rent growth even where monthly figures appear flat
• Investor interest is likely to remain sensitive to yield conditions, particularly in tight markets like Perth, Hobart and Brisbane

With vacancy sitting at just 1%, agents are operating in a market where even small shifts in supply or demand can quickly change leasing dynamics.

The post National vacancy hits 1% as rental market tightens further – what it means for PMs appeared first on Elite Agent.

Australian film producer and writer David Elfick, known for Blackrock and Rabbit-Proof Fence, is selling his Palm Beach property.

LJ Hooker Palm Beach has listed 16 Ocean Road, a 1930s Art Deco former dance hall known as the Palladium, which has since been transformed into a coastal residence and creative retreat.

Originally built in the early 1930s, the Palladium operated as a beachfront social venue and community dance hall overlooking Palm Beach. It was used for dances, surf club events and local gatherings, and formed part of the area’s early social life.

The building has since been adapted into a private home while retaining its original structure, scale and coastal orientation.

The main residence is arranged across a large open-plan living, dining and kitchen area positioned to face the ocean. 

This level includes four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, along with a covered deck, private courtyard and outdoor beach shower.

A separate upper-level studio is fully self-contained and includes a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, second laundry and private deck and has spectacular views across Palm Beach and the Pacific Ocean.

The property sits on 1,151sqm and includes landscaped grounds with native planting, edible gardens and informal coastal vegetation.

The home reflects its transition from a 1930s dance hall into a private coastal residence, while maintaining its connection to the beach environment and its original architectural character.

The post David Elfick puts Palm Beach’s iconic Palladium dance hall residence on the market appeared first on Elite Agent.

For agents new to commercial real estate, “yield” is one of the most important and often misunderstood metrics.

While residential conversations tend to centre on prices, commercial property is driven by income and return.

At its simplest, yield is a measure of performance. As REA Group Senior Economist Anne Flaherty explains, “the underlying yield is rent divided by property value,” and shows how much income a property generates relative to what it is worth.

But yield is not fixed and it moves with the market and Anne explains that “often when the property value goes up, that’s reflected by a lower yield.”

In other words, when investors bid up prices faster than rents grow, returns compress.

That relationship sits at the heart of commercial property valuation. A tightly held asset in a high demand location may deliver a lower yield simply because buyers are willing to pay more for perceived security.

On the other side of the equation, higher yields can look attractive but they often signal higher risk.

“Generally speaking, the more in demand or high value a property is, the lower the yield.”

That inverse relationship is one of the first fundamentals agents need to understand. Yield is not just return, it is also a reflection of demand.

BASIC MATHS:

Essentially, an investment yield is a way of measuring the return an investor earns from a property compared to its value. In commercial real estate, it’s calculated simply as:

annual rental income ÷ property value
So, if a property earns $50,000 a year in rent and is worth $1,000,000, the yield is 5%.

What it tells you

• Higher yield = higher income return relative to price
• Lower yield = lower income return, often because the asset is highly desirable or lower risk

Interest rates and investor behaviour

Yields also shift with broader economic conditions, particularly interest rates.

“When interest rates increase, that can drive yields up because the cost of borrowing and investing goes up,” says Anne.

This matters because Australia’s commercial markets are closely tied to financing conditions. Over the past two years, the Reserve Bank of Australia tightening cycle pushed borrowing costs higher, forcing investors to demand stronger income returns.

As a result, yields in some sectors adjusted upward after a long period of compression.

Not all assets behave the same

Across Australia, yields vary significantly depending on asset type and location.

Industrial property has been one of the strongest performing sectors, supported by e commerce growth, supply chain reconfiguration and historically low vacancy.

Nationally, industrial vacancy in major logistics markets has remained at or near record lows in recent years, helping underpin investor demand.

That demand has kept yields relatively tight but resilient. Even as pricing adjusts to higher interest rates, underlying fundamentals remain strong.

Retail tells a more mixed story. Essential or non discretionary retail such as supermarkets, pharmacies and food services continues to attract strong investor interest due to stable income streams. By contrast, discretionary retail remains more sensitive to cost of living pressures and consumer spending cycles.

Office markets show a different dynamic again. In cities like Melbourne, elevated vacancy at close to 20 percent in the CBD reflects both new supply and structural changes in how people work, with hybrid arrangements continuing to reshape demand. More supply than demand typically places upward pressure on yields.

The risk question behind every yield

Ultimately, yield is not just a number, it is a signal.

Anne highlights the importance of context, asking whether returns actually reflect underlying risk.

“Do those yields actually reflect the risk in the market?”

That question sits at the core of commercial investment decision making. Industrial assets may appear lower risk due to low vacancy and strong demand, while retail and office assets require closer scrutiny of tenant quality, lease terms and long term demand.

Anne explains that investors should be asking practical questions such of agents, such as “Is there a lease in place? Who is it leased to? Is it a quality tenant that’s going to be able to stay in business for a long time and pay their rent?”

Why it matters

For new agents entering commercial real estate, understanding yield is essential because it frames how investors think.

Yield is not just about return, it is a way of pricing risk, interpreting demand and comparing opportunities across very different asset classes.

Or simply put, price tells you what something costs, yield tells you what it earns and how safely it earns it.

And in commercial property, that difference is everything.

The post What is an investment yield? appeared first on Elite Agent.

In an industry still measured by listings, sold stickers and lead volume, Andy Reid believes real estate professionals are misdiagnosing the problem.

It is not a lack of leads, effort or systems.

It is relevance.

The auctioneer, high-performance coach and author argues that real estate has become so obsessed with transaction-based outcomes that it has lost sight of what actually drives them: customer understanding.

“Value is not based on the transaction,” Andy says. “Our job is to list and sell or lease houses. Yet we’ve been treating the transaction as the value we’ve got.”

That mindset, he says, has quietly shaped how the industry operates. Agents are trained to make customers fit systems, scripts and processes, rather than adapting those systems to the customer.

“We’ve been taught and drilled into having the customer fit the process, as opposed to having our processes fit the customer.”

The result is an industry fluent in activity, but less fluent in connection.

And in a market where customers have more access to information than ever before, that gap is becoming harder to ignore.

Andy calls it the “bell of relevance”.

“Until you ring the bell of relevance, you ain’t going to get heard by anyone.”

From knowledge to interpretation

For decades, agents held a simple advantage: they knew more than the customer.

That advantage, Andy says, is disappearing.

“Value is determined by ignorance,” he explains. “The less a customer knows, the easier it is to demonstrate value.”

But that gap has been steadily closing. First through the internet, now through AI and digital platforms. And while many agents see that as a threat, Andy sees something else entirely.

“The value gap is shrinking,” he says. “People think that’s a problem. But actually, it’s where we can make more money if we know how to operate inside it.”

Because the issue is no longer access to information. It is interpretation.

“It’s not about having more information than the client anymore,” he says. “It’s about helping them understand what it means.”

That shift demands a different skill set. Not scripts. Not automation. But perspective.

“We were trying to get humans to follow our process,” Andy says. “Now we’ve got automation doing the same thing.”

Yet automation alone does not solve relevance. If anything, it makes it more urgent.

Because customers are not short on information. They are short on clarity.

To bridge that gap, Andy brings the conversation back to something far more basic: how people actually search for property online.

“You put a suburb in, you hit search, you filter, you scroll, then something catches your eye.”

He says this is where modern real estate really begins, not at listing, but at attention.

But the process is not random. Buyers behave in patterns.

They skim quickly. Then slow down when something stands out. Then begin to test it: does the photo feel right, does the price make sense, does it match expectation.

“That’s why first impressions matter so much, online and in person,” he says. “That’s what makes people stop.”

And in a market defined by speed and volume, stopping power is everything.

Andy links this behaviour to a broader shift in how people consume information. Buyers, he argues, are not patient searchers anymore. They are scanners, eliminating what does not immediately feel relevant.

He also draws a parallel with search behaviour more broadly, where most users never move beyond the first page of results.

For him, this is not a digital trend. It is the foundation of value creation in modern real estate.

Because once attention is captured, everything else follows.

More visibility leads to more enquiry. More enquiry leads to more competition. And competition ultimately drives price.

“More eyeballs equals more enquiries, more inspections, more offers, and ultimately more money.”

When framed this way, marketing is no longer about exposure. It is about engineering attention at the exact point a decision is made.

“When you connect exposure to their money,” he says, “it becomes undeniable.”

But Andy believes most agents fail to get here because they assume too much knowledge on the customer’s side.

“The cost of assumption is massive,” he says. “It creates unnecessary friction.”

Instead of assuming understanding, he argues agents should explain the theory behind what they do before introducing the tools.

“Once you understand the theory of the thing, you feel more confident about the tools.”

And it is here, he says, that relevance is actually built. Not through louder messaging, but through translation.

“Our industry is at threat because of how irrelevant we are becoming,” Andy says.

But within that threat lies opportunity.

“The value is still there. It is just more concentrated. Harder to access.”

The agents who succeed, he says, will be those who can take customers beyond information and into understanding.

“We’ve moved from information to understanding,” he says. “That’s where value sits now.”

And in a profession increasingly dominated by systems and speed, he points to something far simpler as the real competitive edge.

Listening.

Why hairdressers, he suggests, often outperform agents in trust and connection.

“Because they’re incredible listeners,” he says.

It is not technology, scripts or volume that creates relevance, he adds. It is attention.

“If you want to become relevant,” Andy says, “start paying a hell of a lot more attention to the customer.”

The post Agents think they have a sales problem. They actually have a ‘relevance problem’ appeared first on Elite Agent.

Harcourts Victoria has opened a new office in Box Hill, led by Michael Wu and Janssen Xiang, who bring more than 35 years of combined real estate experience to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

Michael has spent over 15 years in the industry, handling residential sales above $5 million and commercial transactions exceeding $20 million.

Janssen, who entered the Melbourne market in 2005, is recognised as Melbourne’s first Chinese auctioneer.

Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese, he has sold more than 1,000 properties and conducted hundreds of auctions over nearly two decades.

Adam Fiteni, CEO of Harcourts Victoria, said the pairing represented a strong addition to the network.

“Having Michael and Janssen at the helm of Harcourts Box Hill is a massive win for our network and the local area,” Adam said.

“Their combined track record is undeniably exceptional, but it’s their genuine commitment to their clients and their deep roots in Melbourne’s diverse community that truly set them apart.”

The Box Hill office will focus on serving the area’s multicultural population, with Janssen’s language skills bridging local and international buyers.

Janssen has a history of community involvement, donating his auctioneering services to organisations including Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, and Alex Makes Meals, a food security initiative.

The new office is Harcourts Victoria’s latest expansion in Melbourne’s eastern corridor.

The post Harcourts expands into Box Hill with veteran-led office appeared first on Elite Agent.

Greg Oddy has sold a 1-bedroom unit at 4/22 Brown Street in Newcastle for $546,000 after just six days on the market, navigating multiple offers in a shifting market to deliver a life-changing result for a young vendor.

Greg Oddy knew the market was shifting — buyer sentiment had softened in recent weeks as global economic uncertainty filtered into local headlines. But when a 1-bedroom unit at 4/22 Brown Street in Newcastle came to market, he backed a preview advertising strategy that would test the strength of demand from the first open.

That first inspection delivered exactly what he needed: a buyer who had been searching for months, missed out on previous properties, and wasn’t prepared to let another opportunity slip past.

“The Purchasser said to me that she was very keen on the property and wanted to be kept in the loop,” Greg said.

“The purchaser had missed out on previous properties and really loved the location. She didn’t want to miss out on another one.”

Three offers, one serious buyer

The preview campaign generated three written offers within days. Greg worked openly with all buyers, letting them know there was competition without disclosing specific figures. Two quickly revealed themselves as lowball attempts — buyers testing the market without genuine intent to move.

The third buyer was different. When Greg relayed the vendor’s expectations, she responded immediately, increasing her offer to $546,000 and demonstrating she had pre-approval ready to activate.

“The other buyers weren’t prepared to get serious,” Greg said.

“Whereas the eventual purchaser was able to negotiate up quickly. I could tell straight away she was in a position to move.”

Tight timeline, professional execution

Once the offer was accepted on 24 March 2026, the challenge shifted to settlement mechanics. Loan processing times had stretched across the market due to volume, and Greg needed to guide the buyer through the five-day cooling-off period without delays.

“I worked very closely with the buyer to make them understand that things would move very quickly now,” he said.

“I gave them all the tools and advice to help them get things done in the appropriate time.”

The property went unconditional within the cooling-off window, locking in a result that the vendor — a young nurse planning to travel overseas — described as life-changing.

“He was really delighted with the price we achieved,” Greg said.

“It was an unbelievable event for this young guy to be able to sell the property in a timely manner, move back in with his parents for a short amount of time and then go travelling overseas.”

Market advice for Newcastle sellers

Greg’s advice for other property owners in the area focuses on pricing discipline and database strength, particularly as market conditions evolve.

“We’re still in a housing crisis fundamentally — there’s more buyers than there are properties available,” he said.

“That hasn’t changed just because of a war in the Middle East and because petrol prices have gone up. Getting that pricing strategy correct and having a strong marketing process and swift ability to get things done quickly is really important in this market.”

Newcastle’s CBD location offers residents immediate access to Honeysuckle Drive’s waterfront precinct and Darby Street’s cafe culture. The unit sits within walking distance of Newcastle East Public School and the city’s growing commercial hub, positioning it for owner-occupiers and investors drawn to inner-city convenience.

About the Agent

Greg Oddy brings over 20 years of experience across real estate, technology and franchising to the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Greater Hunter market. His background with major platforms including realestate.com.au and Domain gives him deep insight into strategy and execution. Now with Century 21 Novocastrian, Greg combines national experience with strong local relationships to deliver clear communication and well-informed results. Visit Greg’s website for more information or call Greg on 0400818782.

The post Newcastle unit sells in six days as motivated buyer beats competition appeared first on Elite Agent.

Monét Griffin of Ray White Townsville has delivered a $659,000 sale for a three-bedroom house at 17 Laburnum Street, Cranbrook, just 11 days after launch — attracting multiple offers above the $629,000 asking price from both local buyers and interstate investors.

Preparing an absentee vendor’s property for competitive sale

Monét Griffin of Ray White Townsville knew she had limited time when the vendors of 17 Laburnum Street, Cranbrook, handed her the keys with instructions to sell while they relocated interstate. The three-bedroom house needed work, but the owners had already moved south and couldn’t manage the preparation themselves.

“They were struggling with the chaos of end-of-year job changes and relocation,” Monét says. “They needed someone who could take full control of the pre-listing phase and make it happen without them being physically present.”

Monét organised a bond clean, fixed the pool’s chlorinator, repaired doors, completed yard touch-ups, and staged the home through Ray White Townsville’s PayLater program — allowing all preparation and marketing costs to come out of settlement rather than requiring upfront payment.

“Our main goal with staging is to ensure buyers feel more emotional about the property and can picture themselves living there,” Monét explains. “For this campaign, we wanted to attract both the investor market and first-home buyers chasing that North Queensland lifestyle.”

Dual-track buyer response to offers-over launch

The property launched at offers over $629,000 in mid-January 2026. Monét’s automated response system — providing floor plans, video walkthroughs, and rental estimates — captured investor interest immediately, generating offers before the first physical inspection.

But the staging brought a different buyer segment to the table: local first-home buyers drawn to the property’s lifestyle appeal.

“We had multiple offers all over asking coming from both locals and investors,” Monét says. “The competitive environment developed quickly because we’d positioned it to appeal to two distinct buyer profiles.”

The successful buyers were a local couple purchasing their first home, attracted by the dual-access driveway, inground pool, and space for their dogs.

“The dual access was a big factor for them,” Monét says. “They could see how they could add value and make the property more suitable for their needs over time.”

The vendor perspective

The vendors’ experience of the campaign — particularly given their remote location and time pressure — shaped the final outcome.

“Monét was very efficient and helped with every step of the process at a time when we were struggling with the chaos of end-of-year and changing jobs and locations,” they said in their review.

“Monét was the stability we needed to get the job done. Her work made everything run smoothly and on time. Her knowledge about who and where could help us made repairs so much faster. I truly believe we got such a good result and we sold so fast because of Monét’s knowledge and dedication.”

The property went under contract on 16 January 2026 after just 11 days on market, selling for $659,000 — $30,000 above the offers-over launch price and well above the three-bedroom median home price of $580,000.

About Cranbrook’s family appeal

Cranbrook appeals to families seeking established infrastructure and outdoor living space, positioned between Townsville’s western education and healthcare precinct and the city centre. The suburb’s corner-block properties with pools and dual access attract both young families and downsizers looking for low-maintenance North Queensland lifestyle homes, similar to neighbouring Heatley and Kirwan’s family-focused markets.

About the Agent

Monét Griffin joined Ray White Townsville in September 2022 and has quickly built a reputation for clear communication and empathetic client support. Originally from Whanganui, New Zealand, and raised in Townsville, she brings deep local knowledge and, as a Cranbrook resident herself, a proven track record across premium homes, acreage properties, and first-home buyer campaigns. Visit Monét’s website for more information or call Monét on 0403307623.

The post North Queensland lifestyle property sells in 11 days as first-home couple secures Cranbrook home appeared first on Elite Agent.

Bryce Gibson has negotiated the sale of a 2-bedroom brick home at 26 Ferguson Street, Cessnock for $635,000 after a 16-day private treaty campaign that attracted four competitive offers.

The campaign demonstrated how strategic timing and targeted marketing can create competition even in affordable price brackets. Bryce Gibson listed the property on a Thursday, completed two Saturday inspections leading into a long weekend, and negotiated a sale within that compressed timeframe.

Strategic timing creates momentum

The decision to launch before the long weekend proved effective. Both Saturday inspections drew strong attendance, particularly from first home buyers drawn to the property’s value proposition in a market where Cessnock’s median two-bedroom house value sits at $573,000.

“Well-priced properties will always sell well, particularly when we have a very detailed, curated marketing campaign that ensures maximum information for the buying public,” Bryce said.

The property’s land size, proximity to services, and brick construction resonated with buyers, but the primary driver was its competitive positioning against other properties in the market.

Four-way competition through highest and best

With four offers on the table, Bryce ran an internal highest-and-best process with a set deadline. Each party submitted their final offer, and the vendor selected the successful buyer based on price and terms.

The winning buyer, a local owner-occupier, was excited to secure the property after what became a genuinely competitive process. The vendors were particularly pleased with the outcome, having achieved a result in a shorter timeframe than originally anticipated.

Location appeal

Ferguson Street sits in a sought-after residential pocket 1.3 kilometres from Cessnock’s CBD, offering proximity to essential services, schools, and shopping. The property’s 784-square-metre block and brick construction appealed to buyers seeking solid fundamentals in an established neighbourhood.

Market perspective

For property owners considering selling in Cessnock, Bryce’s approach offers a clear template. Accurate pricing combined with comprehensive marketing that provides maximum information to buyers creates the conditions for competitive campaigns, even at accessible price points.

The 16-day sale timeline reflected both market demand for well-positioned properties and the effectiveness of targeting the right buyer demographic with clear, detailed information from launch.

About the Agent

Bryce Gibson is the owner of LJ Hooker Cessnock and a high-performing sales agent with deep local market knowledge across Cessnock and the Hunter Valley. A Certified Practising Valuer and winner of the 2025 Sir Leslie Hooker Award, Bryce has built a career on strategic preparation, integrity, and results-driven service. His agency has been awarded Small Agency of the Year by the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales in 2022 and 2025. Visit Bryce’s website for more information or call Bryce on 0422 227 668.

The post Local buyer secures Cessnock brick home after competitive four-offer campaign appeared first on Elite Agent.

Rachel Lawrie of Stadium Real Estate secured 12 competing buyer groups for a four-bedroom Clearview new-build by positioning the builder’s reputation and transparency as the primary selling point — achieving $1.2 million prior to auction after 14 days on market.

The property at 55D Robert Avenue, Clearview, attracted 12 buyer groups.

It went under contract on 9 April after 14 days on market.

Differentiation strategy targeted livability and builder trust

The home was the final release in a boutique group of three, with the owners retaining the third property. Rachel positioned it as a premium offering through strategic staging that emphasised space efficiency and livability features not standard in volume new builds.

“We looked in depth at livability features — what makes it efficient, comfortable, healthy and attractive to new home buyers and reduces their running costs,” Rachel said.

“We thought it was very important that people could see that in comparison to other new properties they’d walk into.”

The campaign highlighted the builder’s reputation and commitment to ongoing support, positioning the smaller builder as an advantage rather than a limitation.

Builder relationship emerged as buying decision factor

Buyers responded to both the property’s finishes and the builder relationship.

“They commented on the finishes of the property, but also that they had that understanding that the builder was going to be there legitimately for them,” Rachel said.

“They loved that every room showed great space and that it just had that little bit extra that they don’t usually see in the new builds.”

The 12 unsuccessful buyer groups remain active in Clearview and surrounding areas, indicating sustained demand at this price point.

Quality scrutiny reshaping the new-build market

Rachel identified a significant shift in how buyers approach new-build properties in the area.

“Buyers are looking for quality and they are definitely comparing builder to builder,” she said.

“There’s a lot of comments coming about the different builds and builders that they’ve gone to see. The new-build market is highly competitive, but buyers are scrutinising it heavily.”

Transparency emerged as a key success factor, with buyers providing positive feedback about how Rachel presented the property’s features and answered questions during inspections.

The vendors accepted the prior-to-auction offer, satisfied they had found suitable buyers and achieved their sale objectives.

The sale price exceeded Clearview’s $930,000 median four-bedroom house price, reflecting the premium positioning and strong buyer competition.

About the agent

Rachel Lawrie is Principal of Stadium Real Estate, founding the agency on values of community, connection and integrity. After transitioning to real estate in 2013 from a distinguished career in marine biology, she has built a reputation for professionalism, ongoing development and high service standards. A recipient of the South Australia Community Achievement Award, Rachel leads her team with a strong focus on transparency, accountability and consistent client care. Visit Rachel’s website or call Rachel on 0428882864

The post Final Clearview home attracts 12 buyer groups with livability-first campaign appeared first on Elite Agent.

Mining billionaire Chris Ellison and his wife Tia have listed their sprawling riverfront compound in Perth’s Mosman Park – a property expected to smash the city’s house price record.

Chris paid iron ore heiress Angela Bennett $57.5 million for the estate overlooking the Swan River in 2009, setting what was then a national record, according to the AFR.

That figure remains the highest price ever paid for a Perth home.

Now, 16 years on, local sources tip the property to be worth significantly more.

Selling agent Vivien Yap of Ray White Dalkeith Claremont, who holds the listing, said the Ellisons were downsizing from the Saunders Street estate, which sits on a 7565-square-metre site.

Given the absence of comparable sales, Vivien said the campaign would await buyer feedback before offering any price indication to the market.

“This is a showstopper,” Vivien told the AFR.

“Every day is filled with a kind of lifestyle most people only dream of. 

“Every element of this home has been designed for luxury, comfort and seamless riverside living.”

Strong interest has already been registered from buyers across Asia and Australia since the appointment was confirmed.

The compound comprises three separate buildings: a palatial three-storey main house, a gate house, and a guest house. 

Beyond the tree-lined drive, visitors enter through a triple-height foyer featuring an indoor koi pond beneath a glass-dome ceiling edged with hand-painted acanthus leaves.

A marble staircase with wrought-iron balustrade and a glass lift connects the three levels. 

The property includes an indoor swimming pool pavilion, full-sized tennis court, cinema, and boathouse with direct jetty access.

Other features include solid oak doors, a sauna, a gym, a chef’s kitchen with a walk-in pantry, a cool room, and a dumbwaiter to the pool area.

The home was built by the previous owner, Angela Bennett, and later revamped by the Ellisons. Angela’s wealth traces back to the Pilbara mining ventures of her late father, Peter Wright, and his business partner, Lang Hancock.

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Every agent walks into a vendor appraisal with a marketing schedule. Most of them, as Samantha McLean points out in Episode 8 of The AI Edit, look remarkably similar.

Sam’s argument: the real opportunity isn’t in the marketing schedule itself – it’s in what comes before it. Specifically, buyer personas.

“We want to show our vendor that we really know marketing more than any other agent,” Sam says.

The underlying principle is one Sam has been exploring this week: you don’t have to attract the biggest crowd if you attract the right crowd.

In an industry that has historically defaulted to volume – biggest database, most eyeballs, widest reach – the shift to precision marketing represents a significant change in how agents demonstrate value.

The approach is straightforward. Using AI tools, an agent can feed in the property’s features and the area demographics, which will point you toward a detailed list of customer personas – the types of buyers most likely to purchase the property.

The agent walks into the appraisal having already done the work: not just a schedule of where the property will be advertised, but a clear picture of who it will be marketed to and why.

So, rather than presenting a marketing package, the agent leads with insight: “What we do is we use some sophisticated AI tools and prompts to come up with the personas that are most likely to want to buy this property.”

Then add your own insights and tailor listing copy to the different buyer personas.

“The marketing plan is the new appraisal,” she says. “We don’t start with how. We start with who.”

From there, you can create precision marketing, which can lower your costs, make them feel like they are being spoken to directly and create healthy competition.

Sam also flags that vendors themselves will increasingly have access to AI tools for researching past sales and market data. So you need to demonstrate deeper insights.

The episode’s anchor line: “You need to provide something that is so good they can’t ignore you.”

Key takeaways:

• You don’t have to attract the biggest crowd if you attract the right crowd. Precision beats volume in the vendor conversation.
• AI can generate detailed buyer personas from a property’s features — giving agents a marketing conversation that goes beyond the standard schedule.
• Vendors will increasingly use AI to do their own research. Agents who arrive having already done the work will stand apart.
• The marketing plan is the new appraisal. Start with who, not how.
• The goal is to provide something so good they can’t ignore you — a point of difference that’s visible from the first conversation.

The AI Edit is a weekly series of short clips from the AI First Agent Accelerator.

New episodes weekly.

Want the full system? Visit aiagentcourse.com. Want Samantha to present to your team or at your next event? Get in touch.

The post The AI Edit Ep. 8: You don’t need the biggest crowd you need the right one appeared first on Elite Agent.

Barry Plant has launched a dedicated projects division, appointing Jarrod Farey to lead the new arm of the business.

Jarrod brings his existing business, Farey and Co, into the network after five years of independent operation. He has spent almost 22 years working exclusively in the projects and off-the-plan space.

“I started in off-the-plan and have built my entire career in that space,” he said.

His career began with a cadetship at Metricon Homes, where he trained in drafting, estimating, construction and contract administration. 

He later helped build a projects division at another major network, growing a team from two to 17 people within 15 months.

During that time, he secured major listings including a 101-apartment development in Ringwood and a 200-apartment project in Hawthorn.

“That success really put us on the map and showed what we were capable of,” Jarrod said.

He launched Farey and Co just before COVID – timing that proved unexpectedly favourable.

“They were probably our biggest two years,” he said. “We listed and launched five developments during that period, all at once.”

Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell said the network had been preparing for this move.

“We had been working hard to transform the brand for a couple of years, so it was a real reflection of that progress when Jarrod first reached out to express his interest in potentially joining Barry Plant,” Lisa said.

“Jarrod is a highly experienced projects specialist with a strong track record of success in Melbourne.”

The new division will handle high and medium-density developments, townhouse sites and off-the-plan sales across the network’s approximately 70 offices.

Jarrod said buyer behaviour in the projects space has shifted significantly.

“Buyers are far more informed than they’ve ever been. They have so much information at their fingertips,” he said.

“What used to be a two or three-day journey from lead to sale is now a much longer nurture process.”

He sees Barry Plant’s geographic reach as a strategic advantage, particularly as development activity moves beyond inner Melbourne.

“I can see the market moving further into more regional and outer-metro areas, and that’s where leveraging the strength of the network will be incredibly important,” he said.

A project of between 280 and 330 apartments is already in preparation.

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Brisbane and Perth house prices are forecast to climb by more than $50,000 each by the end of 2026, even as Sydney and Melbourne continue to slide, according to new analysis from Canstar based on ANZ forecasts.

Perth leads the charge with dwelling prices tipped to jump 12.3 per cent this year. 

Applied to houses, that would push the city’s median from $1.06 million to $1.11 million – a gain of $51,569.

Brisbane isn’t far behind, with ANZ forecasting 9.7 per cent growth that could see median house prices hit $1.26 million, up $54,919 from today.

However, ANZ forecasts suggest the boom in Brisbane and Perth will slow sharply next year, with growth dropping to 1.4 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively. 

Meanwhile, Sydney and Melbourne are heading the other way. 

Sydney’s median house price has already dropped 0.6 per cent since January, and ANZ expects modest falls to continue through the year. 

Melbourne is forecast to dip 1.7 per cent.

However, Sydney and Melbourne are tipped to recover modestly, with gains of 2.6 per cent and 2.9 per cent in 2027.

“It’s a tale of two property markets across Australia in a tug-of-war between how much the bank will lend, versus how desperately people need houses,” said Canstar data insights director Sally Tindall.

The divergence comes despite two cash rate hikes already delivered this year, which have cut borrowing power by an estimated $24,800 for a single person earning the average full-time wage.

If Westpac’s forecast of three more rate rises proves accurate, that buyer’s maximum borrowing capacity could shrink by $58,700 in total for 2026.

Yet tight supply is overriding the rate squeeze in Brisbane and Perth.

“Brisbane and Perth property prices are managing to defy the cash rate hikes,” Ms Tindall said.

“Both of these markets are hurtling towards prices that are fast becoming unaffordable for people looking for four walls and a patch of grass.”

For Sydney and Melbourne, the drops offer little relief. Sally noted that borrowing capacity has fallen faster than house prices in those cities.

“News of property price drops will be welcome, but they’re nowhere close to a solve,” she said.

“Already, people’s home buying budgets have dropped by far more than the fall in the median house price in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.”

Ms Tindall warned that buyers stretching to their limits in rising markets face risks if conditions shift.

“The danger is, people will borrow to the limit, banking on prices continuing to climb. If circumstances change – whether that’s interest rates, job security or the economy – it could leave some households overexposed.”

The post Brisbane and Perth booms to come to an end in 2027 appeared first on Elite Agent.

Few industries have evolved as quickly or as visibly as real estate.

Technology has reshaped how properties are marketed, how buyers search, and how agents operate day to day. 

But according to Explore Property founder Andrew Acton, the fundamentals of what makes a great agent have barely changed.

After nearly 25 years in the industry, Andrew has had a front-row seat to that transformation.

“I remember when realestate.com.au was offering you a free spot on the site as they tried to establish themselves,” he said.

“I remember RP Data just getting going. I remember deciding if you wanted black and white or colour ads for the Saturday paper.”

The tools, platforms and processes have all evolved. But the core of the profession, he says, remains unchanged.

“I think great agents are basically as they’ve always been. They are great at building relationships and getting people to go with them and believe in them.”

That perspective sits at the heart of how Andrew views both leadership and long-term success in the industry.

Real estate is a business of decisions

Strip everything back, and Andrew believes real estate is defined by one thing.

Choice.

“Real estate, like all businesses, is a business of decisions,” he said.

It is not just the big, career-defining moments that matter, but the small, consistent decisions made every day. 

How agents respond to challenges, how they handle setbacks, and how they choose to interpret the situations in front of them.

“You decide to accept challenges and meet them as they are. You decide to work through them and rise above them.”

That mindset, he says, is what separates those who endure from those who burn out.

Resilience, courage and consistency are not optional traits. They are the baseline required to stay in the game long enough to succeed.

The reality of mountains and valleys

One of the frameworks Andrew returns to often is what he describes as the law of mountains and valleys.

“If you want to climb mountains, you have to go through valleys to get there,” he said.

It is a simple idea, but one that reframes how agents view adversity.

Too often, people treat difficult periods as exceptions. In reality, Andrew argues, they are the norm.

“As soon as you reach the top of a mountain, you look across to the next one and the only way to get there is through a valley.”

That perspective removes the element of surprise from challenges. Instead of reacting emotionally to setbacks, agents can begin to expect them, prepare for them, and work through them with greater clarity.

“I’ve always wondered why people are so surprised at the difficult situations that arise when in reality they are just the norm. That’s business and that’s life.”

It is a mindset reinforced by a quote he recently came across from Winston Churchill.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”

For Andrew, it is a reminder that progress in real estate is rarely linear.

Cutting through the noise

Despite the increasing complexity of the industry, Andrew believes one of the biggest risks for agents today is overcomplicating things.

“We make things complicated and that’s being forced on us a bit by the world in general,” he said.

Between new technologies, data platforms, and constant demands on attention, it is easy for agents to lose focus on what actually drives results.

His approach is to strip things back.

“We need to believe in ourselves and cut through the jargon and never-ending demands.”

That does not mean ignoring innovation. It means not allowing it to distract from the fundamentals.

At its core, real estate is still about people.

And that is where Andrew believes many agents lose their edge.

Why human connection still wins

With the rapid rise of AI and automation, there has been increasing discussion about how technology will reshape the role of the agent.

Andrew sees it differently.

“I don’t see the threat of AI. I see it pushing people to seek the personal connection even more.”

While technology can enhance efficiency, provide insights, and create opportunities, it cannot replace the human element that underpins every transaction.

“Someone has to have the human conversations,” he said.

And in an industry built on trust, emotion and high-stakes decisions, those conversations matter more than ever.

“You can have data-driven opportunities, but if you can’t talk to and engage at a high level with people, the tech, data, AI is useless.”

It is a point he believes is already playing out across the market.

“The opportunities are created, but then the final piece is the human-to-human contact.”

Without that final step, even the best systems fall short.

People still choose people

Ultimately, Andrew’s philosophy comes back to a simple truth.

“People go with who they like.”

In an industry that often focuses heavily on systems, scripts and strategies, he believes likeability remains one of the most underrated assets an agent can develop.

And it is one that cannot be automated.

“Being likeable is a human trait only,” he said.

That belief has shaped the way Explore Property has been built.

Positioned between large franchise models and independent operators, the group has focused on creating a network that prioritises connection, support and shared values.

“We have a closely connected, boutique-style network that values relationships and support. That’s our point of difference.”

For Andrew, the goal has never been to follow the traditional paths available in the industry, but to create something that reflects how he believes real estate should be done.

Working with good people. Supporting each other. And maintaining a strong focus on the human side of the business.

“That’s what our life here at Explore is about,” he said.

In a market that continues to evolve at pace, Andrew’s message is clear.

The tools will change. The platforms will change. The pace will accelerate.

But the agents who succeed will still be the ones who can connect, communicate, and build trust.

Because in the end, real estate has always been, and will remain, a people business.

The post Why the best agents haven’t changed, even as everything else has appeared first on Elite Agent.

Simone joins the team with more than 30 years’ experience in business and real estate, including roles as a Director and Owner of leading sales agencies across Melbourne.

Known for her integrity, trust and empathetic approach, she guides clients through complex property decisions with calm authority, combining tenacity, meticulous attention to detail and commercially minded advice to consistently deliver outstanding results.

Co-founder Angus Ferguson said the team was thrilled to welcome Simone, noting her alignment with FOUNDIT values and its strategy anchored around research and technology that ultimately drives a fairer market for buyers.

“We’re incredibly excited to have Simone joining the FOUNDIT team,” Mr Ferguson said. 

“Her experience, professionalism and commitment to client success make her a perfect fit for what we’re building.”

Director Tom Georgiou echoed the sentiment, highlighting the impact Simone is expected to have across key markets.

“Simone brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for helping clients achieve great results,” Tom said. 

“She will be a fantastic addition to the team, particularly for those looking to buy in Bayside and Stonnington.”

Having personally renovated and built multiple homes, Simone brings a practical, end-to-end understanding of property to every client journey, along with a trusted network of industry contacts. 

Her strong relationships with selling agents provide access to premium on- and off-market opportunities, offering clients a distinct advantage in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In her role at FOUNDIT, Simone will work closely with buyers across Bayside and Stonnington, applying her strategic approach and depth of experience to help clients navigate the market with confidence. 

Her appointment reflects FOUNDIT’s continued focus on attracting high-calibre talent and delivering a considered, results-driven advisory service.

For more information, please visit FOUNDIT

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Mike Beardsley, ranked number one agent across his former 45-office network for five consecutive years, has launched Ray White Hawthorn on Glenferrie Road.

The move marks a significant play for Ray White in Melbourne’s premium inner-eastern corridor, bringing one of the city’s top performers into the fold at a purpose-built office in the heart of Hawthorn’s main retail strip.

Mike’s decision to partner with Ray White was driven by the group’s luxury market position and interstate buyer reach.

“Ray White gives me national and international reach that simply wasn’t available to me before,” Mike said.

Mike brings more than a decade of local market expertise to the new office.

Before real estate, he held a senior role at a global company focused on sales management, marketing and negotiation.

“I’ve always had the vision since coming into real estate to run my office, and when the right people to partner with came up, it was a no brainer,” Mike said.

“Dan White is an incredibly successful and humble individual, as is Domenic Belfiore. They are driven, strategic and genuine people, making this venture something I want to be a part of.”

Ray White’s international offices in Hong Kong and the UAE also open direct channels to overseas buyers and expat investors returning to Melbourne – a demographic increasingly drawn to Boroondara’s combination of prestige, schools and city proximity.

Ray White Group Managing Director Dan White said Mike’s decision to partner with the group signalled his intent to bring something different to the market.

“This is a market that demands absolute excellence – in service, in technology, in reach – and that is precisely what we will deliver together,” Dan said.

Ray White Victoria CEO Domenic Belfiore was equally direct.

“Mike Beardsley is one of the finest real estate minds in the country. Full stop,” Domenic said.

“His opening Ray White Hawthorn is a win for buyers and sellers across Melbourne’s inner east, and a natural fit for our brand that has built its reputation at the premium end of the market.”

The office features a refreshed visual identity – lighter and more refined than traditional Ray White branding – designed to reflect the Hawthorn market while maintaining the group’s core recognition.

Ray White Hawthorn is open now at 713 Glenferrie Road.

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Gregory Kolyvas has secured $851,000 for a two-bedroom Rockdale apartment, setting a new building record through a database-driven campaign that generated five offers and exceeded vendor expectations by more than $50,000.

Gregory Kolyvas knew the double lock-up garage would be the circuit-breaker. When he listed a two-bedroom apartment at 29/8-16 Aboukir Street, Rockdale, the rare parking feature immediately set it apart in a suburb where single garages are standard.

What followed was a carefully orchestrated campaign that combined database intelligence with high-quality marketing to deliver $851,000 — a new building record and more than $50,000 above what the vendors had hoped to achieve.

The database advantage

Gregory’s strategy centred on buyers who had previously inspected or enquired on similar properties he’d sold in Aboukir Street and surrounding streets over the past six to 12 months.

“We’ve sold quite a few properties in this area recently, and we utilised our database of buyers from those campaigns,” Gregory said.

“Getting buyers through the door from realestate.com.au and Domain is easy — they’re actively searching. But having our database buyers at the same open homes made it look a lot fuller. There was a genuine sense of fear of missing out among buyers, which helped us generate higher offers.”

The approach worked. Five offers came through, representing a mix of local investors, downsizers helping their children enter the market, and buyers from the Eastern Suburbs and Inner West seeking an affordable entry point.

The rare features that mattered

The double lock-up garage proved to be the standout feature, with buyers repeatedly commenting on its rarity in the surrounding suburbs. Combined with the apartment’s construction quality and north-facing aspect, it created a compelling package.

As the campaign progressed, some of the initial buyers dropped away, extending the marketing period beyond Gregory’s initial expectations. But two serious contenders remained, and the negotiation turned into a back-and-forth contest.

“We had two buyers competing right to the end, and we pushed them to get the best possible result for our vendor,” Gregory said.

“It came down to the final details — settlement terms and other specifics — but ultimately we were focused on getting the best possible price. That’s the job.”

Exceeding expectations in uncertain times

The vendors had entered the market hoping for somewhere in the low $800,000s. The final result of $851,000 not only exceeded that figure but also set the highest sale price the building had ever achieved.

“They were absolutely over the moon,” Gregory said.

“When they found out we’d got the building record, they were super impressed. The property rightly deserved it.”

Local context

Rockdale offers practical apartment living with easy access to Rockdale Station, shopping precincts, and Brighton-Le-Sands beach. The suburb appeals to buyers priced out of neighbouring areas like Kogarah and Hurstville, where comparable two-bedroom units typically command higher median prices.

Market perspective

For Gregory, the result stands as evidence against the prevailing market pessimism dominating news headlines.

“While the market’s been slower than expected, this result shows what strong negotiation and the right strategy can achieve,” he said.

“There are many buyers out and about looking for good property. If you’re a seller watching the news and feeling deterred, have a look at recent sales in your area. With the right strategy and negotiation skills, you can achieve a premium result no matter which market we’re facing.”

The campaign’s success came down to persistence and refusing to settle for an easier sale at a lower price.

“We could have easily sold the property for a lot cheaper, but we wanted to ensure we got the best possible price no matter the market,” Gregory said.

“That’s why the owners are so over the moon — we delivered a record price in a market where there’s so much uncertainty.”

About the Agent

Gregory Kolyvas from Chase Property Group operates with transparency and integrity, bringing deep local insight and broader Sydney market knowledge to every campaign. Known for measured advice and clear communication, Gregory builds long-term client relationships grounded in trust and discretion. His active community involvement strengthens the networks that benefit his clients, while his strategic focus consistently delivers strong results. Visit Gregory’s website for more information or call Gregory on 0412357849.

The post Rockdale apartment sets building record as database strategy delivers $851,000 result appeared first on Elite Agent.

Jazz Singh has sold a three-bedroom house in Point Cook for $762,000 after guiding the vendors through $13,000 in targeted pre-sale renovations that delivered an $80,000-$90,000 uplift and attracted an interstate buyer who purchased sight unseen.

Jazz Singh knew the three-bedroom house at 9 Sandra Court had challenges. The property sat on a irregular-shaped block with the house pushed to the rear, leaving vacant land at the front that would make buyers pause. Most unrenovated homes in the area were selling for $650,000-$680,000, and this one needed work.

But Jazz saw potential where others might have seen problems.

The renovation strategy

Using what Jazz calls his 21-step maximisation process, he sat down with the vendors and mapped out exactly where to spend — and where not to.

“The gardens were like jungles,” Jazz said. “We got a landscaper on site and discussed multiple options for what would be cost-effective. It was all my vision on the property — I guided the tradies on the budget we had and what look we wanted to achieve.”

The front land became the hero. Jazz created a beach-house aesthetic with rocks, privacy fencing on one side, and a barbecue area that turned the awkward block into a lifestyle proposition. Inside, the house was repainted. The total spend: $13,000.

“We added the funds to the areas which would add value and increase the potential of the sale price,” Jazz said. “It was strategically done — not a stock-standard renovation where people get it wrong.”

Jazz also project-managed the entire renovation for the vendors at no additional cost and offered them a pay-later option through Realty Assist, so they didn’t need to spend cash upfront.

The marketing campaign

Once the property was ready, Jazz went all-in on digital. Drone photography captured the lifestyle appeal from angles that made the block work visually. A full video walkthrough and a 360 virtual tour meant interstate buyers could inspect without flying down.

“We used email blasts, SMS to the local community, high-quality photographs, and the virtual tour was sent to interstate buyers as well,” Jazz said.

The strategy worked. Four to five buyers registered interest, but the winning offer came from a buyer’s agent in New South Wales whose client purchased entirely on the virtual tour.

“The buyer’s agent saw the value in the location, and given the renovation was already done, it was a no-brainer for their client,” Jazz said. “They were more confident buying a property which didn’t need work and was in the right location.”

What buyers noticed

Buyers kept coming back to the same theme: the property felt bigger than it was.

“Even though the property is small, it offers a lifestyle and privacy,” Jazz said. “The front garden was completely converted into more of a lifestyle space. The rocky look was giving a full Queensland or beach-house feel. That was the game changer.”

Buyers who might have dismissed the odd-shaped block started seeing how they could actually use the space.

The result

The property went under contract on 17 March after just 17-18 days on market. The vendors, who hadn’t been directly involved in the renovation process, were thrilled.

“When we delivered the offer to them, they were happy they’d achieved way above market,” Jazz said. “They accepted the offer straight away.”

Point Cook outlook

Point Cook is a family-oriented suburb 27 kilometres southwest of Melbourne’s CBD, popular with young families for its proximity to freeways, quality schools, and well-maintained parks. The area’s demographic skews young, with 36 per cent of residents under 20, and the suburb continues to attract strong buyer interest across the $650,000-$800,000 price bracket for three-bedroom homes.

For anyone considering selling in the area, Jazz’s advice is clear.

“The market is still good, depending on the analysis and the property,” he said. “Properties in Point Cook have strong potential of getting a really good outcome. As long as the property is presented well, we can do a full analysis rather than just simply listing it. We can advise on what we can do to maximise the potential growth in the sale value.”

About the Agent

Jazz Singh is the CEO and licensed estate agent at Jazz Real Estate, bringing over 13 years of property industry experience to Point Cook. An award-winning agent with a background in property development, Jazz specialises in strategic property analysis, feasibility assessments, and maximising sale value through targeted pre-sale improvements. He lives in Point Cook with his wife and business partner, Lovejit, and their family. Visit Jazz’s website for more information or call Jazz on 0435468689.

The post Point Cook house sells sight unseen to interstate buyer after strategic renovation lifts value by $80,000 appeared first on Elite Agent.

A four-bedroom house at 47 Lakeside Way, Lake Cathie, has sold for $1.92 million via private treaty after Ally Downing of Stone Real Estate Port Macquarie pivoted her campaign strategy to sharpen buyer focus.

The architecturally designed home on a 2,228-square-metre block attracted 114 prospective buyers and 46 viewings over 65 days, with four active buyers competing by the campaign’s close.

The strategy shift

Ally initially launched the campaign with expressions of interest to gauge market appetite for the property’s architectural merit and lifestyle appeal.

“We wanted to showcase the architectural design of the property and the lifestyle appeal that the property offered,” Ally said.

As buyer interest built, she introduced a price guide to create urgency and convert inspection activity into firm offers.

The strategy shift proved effective. Ally had recently achieved a record of $1.97 million at 19 Fisherman’s Way in the same estate, demonstrating the area’s capacity for premium results.

What drew the buyers

The property’s floor-plan versatility, architectural design, and the privacy the block offered proved to be the decisive factor, with the combination of space and proximity to the coast resonating strongly with buyers seeking the Lake Cathie lifestyle without sacrificing design standards.

The market context

The $1.92 million result sits well above Lake Cathie’s $1.03M median four-bedroom house price. Ally sees continued strength in the area’s appeal.

“It has the lifestyle appeal as well as rural charm and the area has a lot to offer as well as being a growth area on the mid-north coast with high activity in regards to similar property opportunities,” she said.

About the agent

Ally Downing from Stone Real Estate Port Macquarie, brings strong local knowledge across Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills and the wider Mid North Coast region. With a background in corporate sales and service industries, she is known for clear communication, attention to detail and a practical, solutions-focused approach. Ally combines market insight with a genuine commitment to supporting clients through considered and well-managed property decisions. Visit Ally’s website for more information or call Ally on +61417929726.

The post Architectural Lake Cathie home draws four buyers after strategy pivot appeared first on Elite Agent.

Amanda Cepero has secured $2.225 million for a four-bedroom house at 34 Larentia Street, Currumbin Waters, after the original buyers returned to purchase following an earlier contract collapse.

The private treaty campaign began with expressions of interest and a closing date. Amanda achieved a contract at a higher price, but it included a condition the buyers needed to sell their own property first.

When the first deal fell through

When that sale didn’t proceed as planned, Amanda kept both parties informed throughout the waiting period. She maintained weekly contact with the buyers to track their progress while keeping the vendors updated on each stage.

“I just kept the vendors informed with the stages of the buyers selling their property,” Amanda said.

“I stayed in contact with the buyers weekly, just to see how they were going with their sale.”

The property remained actively marketed during this time, generating two additional offers. Neither reached the vendors’ expectations, but Amanda kept those buyers engaged while the original purchasers worked to sell their own home.

Managing multiple offers

Amanda’s approach balanced transparency with discretion. She kept competing buyers aware of ongoing interest without revealing specific price points, and some increased their offers over time.

“I did have that conversation with the sellers given we’d come to a standstill with one of the buyers,” Amanda said.

“But they were pretty adamant with their price and I didn’t pressure them. I just gave them my advice.”

That professional honesty built trust. The vendors understood Amanda’s market assessment but chose to hold their position, and Amanda supported that decision.

The buyer profile

The successful buyers were downsizing from acreage and searching for privacy without compromising on space or income potential. They had lived on dual occupancy previously and were drawn to this property’s configuration allowing them to occupy the upper level while renting the lower.

“The property is elevated and doesn’t have any neighbours encroaching on you which is that’s what they liked,” Amanda said.

Before committing, the buyers inspected six other properties to ensure they were making the right choice. Two unsuccessful buyers remain active in the area, still searching for comparable properties.

The Currumbin Waters appeal

Currumbin Waters sits in the southern Gold Coast, offering elevated properties with privacy and water views. The suburb appeals to buyers seeking a balance between acreage-style space and proximity to beaches, similar to neighbouring Elanora and Palm Beach.

Forward market view

Amanda’s advice for future vendors centres on strategic planning rather than passive listing.

“You just can’t put a property on the market and hope for the best,” she said.

“You do have to put a plan in place, whether that’s auction or expressions of interest with a closing date. There are still plenty of buyers around. There’s a lot more property on the market, so it is competitive, which is why you need to be strategic.”

The vendors’ relief when the original buyers returned for a final inspection and committed demonstrates the value of patience combined with active market management.

About the Agent

Amanda Cepero from Harcourts Property Hub brings over two decades of Southern Gold Coast expertise to every transaction. Having lived and worked across Elanora, Palm Beach and Currumbin Waters, she combines deep local knowledge with tailored marketing strategies and a commitment to making the sales process as stress-free as possible. Visit Amanda’s website for more information or call Amanda on 0419218643.

The post Buyers return after contract collapse to secure elevated Currumbin Waters home for $2.225 million appeared first on Elite Agent.

Lachlan joins Pulse as Sales Associate bringing over six years of industry experience and a strong foundation in property management and sales.

Growing up in a family immersed in real estate, Lachlan has developed a deep understanding of the industry from an early age. 

He is known for his strong communication skills, consistency, and genuine approach, focusing on building trust with clients and ensuring they feel confident and informed throughout every step of the property journey.

“I’ve always believed in doing the basics right; working hard, communicating clearly, and putting the client first,” Lachlan said. 

“Pulse stood out as one of the leading agencies in the Sutherland Shire, with a team of not just great people, but highly respected agents, which makes it the ideal environment for me to continue growing and performing at a high level.” 

Ben Pike, Director at Pulse Property Agents, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Lachlan to our team. 

His values, work ethic, and client-first approach align perfectly with Pulse’s culture.

Continuing to strengthen our team with hardworking, like-minded agents ensures we can deliver the highest level of service to our community while supporting each other to perform at our best. 

Our ongoing focus on training and developing our people remains at the heart of everything we do, enabling both new and experienced agents to grow, excel, and achieve outstanding results for our clients.”

With Lachlan on board, Pulse Property Agents reinforces its commitment to providing a high-performing, collaborative team environment where clients benefit from strong local knowledge, personalised service, and exceptional results.

Find out more about Pulse Property Agents

The post Lachlan McCarthy joins Pulse Property Agents appeared first on Elite Agent.

Two established Cairns real estate businesses have merged to create REMAX Powerhouse, bringing together a newer boutique agency with a decades-old operation in Far North Queensland.

Powerhouse Property owners Kate Fern, Meaghan Confait and Michele Annison have partnered with Tony Williamson of REMAX Real Estate Services to form the combined office.

Kate said the merger allows the boutique firm to maintain its personalised service while accessing the resources of a larger network.

“As a boutique business, being able to continue to offer the individual service and support to our clients that we’ve been recognised for over the years, while being supported in our future growth is essential,” she said.

Tony will shift his focus to sales, training and development under the new structure.

“The level of combined local knowledge in the office is outstanding and coupled with the global reach that only REMAX has, this will be a combination of strengths,” Tony said.

Meaghan pointed to network access and training as key benefits of joining the franchise.

“The training available, the opportunity to use the brand, and ability to connect with the REMAX network will be valuable to our team,” she said.

Michele said the move supports team development alongside business growth.

“The opportunity to work alongside and learn from some of the industry’s best is really about supporting our team’s growth as much as our own as business owners,” Michele said.

REMAX Australia Managing Director Joel Davoren said the merger brings together two businesses with a shared focus on client outcomes.

“The Powerhouse team bring a strong focus on client outcomes and success, rather than just property transactions,” Joel said.

“REMAX was a strong performer in the Cairns market for many years, and we’re excited to see that momentum strengthen as these business leaders come together.”

REMAX Powerhouse operates from 112 Hoare Street, Manunda.

The post Two Cairns agencies merge to form REMAX Powerhouse appeared first on Elite Agent.

Artificial intelligence is already delivering meaningful productivity gains across large parts of the economy. In industries like finance, healthcare and professional services, it is automating routine tasks, improving decision-making and allowing output to scale without a corresponding increase in labour. 

Construction, however, has been slower to follow. The nature of the work – physical, site-based and highly variable – makes the application of AI less direct than in more information-driven sectors. 

Construction’s productivity problem is not new – it is evident in how little progress has been made over time. On a labour productivity basis, the industry has seen only minimal gains over the past three decades, with output per hour barely increasing since the late 1980s. 

This stands in sharp contrast to most other sectors. Across the broader economy, productivity has risen substantially over the same period, with particularly strong gains in financial services, manufacturing and other knowledge-based industries. The result is not simply that construction sits at a lower level of productivity, but that it has fallen further behind over time. 

This reflects the nature of the industry itself: project-based work, fragmented delivery models and constantly changing site conditions make it difficult to embed and scale efficiency improvements in the way other sectors have been able to achieve.

The largest potential productivity gains in construction are still expected to come from robotics and modern methods of construction, such as prefabrication and modular building. By shifting more activity into controlled factory environments, these approaches offer the possibility of standardisation, automation and much higher efficiency. However, they remain some way from being deployed at scale, particularly in Australia, where regulatory, design and industry structures are not yet fully aligned with this model.

While robotics is still some way off being deployed at scale, AI is expected to lift construction productivity in more immediate ways – by reducing downtime between tasks, minimising costly errors, and improving decision-making before and during projects.

Reducing downtime between tasks

A significant share of lost productivity in construction comes not from how work is performed, but from gaps between tasks.

Poor coordination between trades, delays in preceding activities and last-minute schedule changes often leave workers idle. AI can help address this by optimising project schedules, identifying likely bottlenecks in advance and dynamically adjusting sequencing as conditions change. The result is a more continuous workflow, where labour and equipment are used more efficiently across the life of a project.

Minimising costly errors

Rework remains one of the largest sources of inefficiency in construction, often arising from design inconsistencies or miscommunication between stakeholders.

AI is improving this through tools that can automatically detect clashes and inconsistencies in project plans before construction begins. Combined with on-site monitoring technologies that identify defects early, this reduces the need for costly corrections later in the build process, where disruptions are more expensive and time-consuming.

Improving decision-making

Construction projects involve a high degree of uncertainty, from weather disruptions to supply chain delays and cost fluctuations. AI can improve outcomes by analysing large volumes of historical and real-time data to better predict risks, optimise procurement and refine cost estimates.

By enabling more informed decisions earlier – and better adjustments as projects progress – AI helps reduce delays and cost overruns that have traditionally constrained productivity in the sector.

AI is unlikely to solve construction’s productivity problem on its own – but it does address many of the factors that have held the industry back.

Rather than transforming how buildings are physically constructed, its impact will be felt in how projects are organised, coordinated and delivered. In an industry where inefficiencies are often embedded in processes rather than effort, even incremental improvements can compound over time. The result is not a sudden step change in productivity, but a gradual narrowing of the gap between construction and the rest of the economy.

The post Can AI solve the construction industry’s productivity problem? appeared first on Elite Agent.

The AUSTRAC sector-specific guidance has been reviewed, the meetings attended, the highlight reel noted. The harder part – turning all of that into something a real agency can actually operate – is where things tend to stall.

For small and mid-sized agencies, the real hurdle isn’t understanding that compliance is necessary. It’s translating regulatory requirements into something structured, workable and practical – without disrupting settlements, listings or client relationships in the process.

The real estate challenge is different

Lawyers and accountants deal with clients across long engagements. Real estate agencies operate differently – while transaction volumes fluctuate, each deal always involves a complex web of buyers, vendors, solicitors and financiers, all moving under pressure to close.

That context matters for AML compliance. It means onboarding controls need to fit within the rhythm of a transaction, not sit outside it. It means your team needs to know what to do at the point of listing and the point of offer – not just when it’s convenient.

Compliance programs built for other industries don’t transfer cleanly. What works for a professional services firm won’t necessarily work for a busy agency managing twenty active listings.

Where most agencies get stuck

A common misconception in real estate is that AML compliance means verifying a buyer or vendor’s identity and having a written policy to back it up.

In reality, policies and governance structures are essential – but they’re just the foundation.

AUSTRAC is far more interested in what an agency can demonstrate it is doing than what it has written down about what it plans to do. That means being able to show:

• How a buyer or vendor was verified
• Whether your risk assessment genuinely reflects your agency’s exposure
• Who signed off on your AML program
• Whether monitoring and escalation decisions are being documented in a way that stands up to scrutiny

Compliance doesn’t live in a polished PDF. It lives in how your team works every day.

In real estate, that process starts the moment a vendor lists a property or a buyer moves from browsing to genuine interest. If your customer due diligence is inconsistent, manual or spread across inboxes and spreadsheets, the problem won’t be in the language of your policy – it’ll be in how things actually get done on the ground.

What good looks like

An agency that’s genuinely Tranche 2-ready doesn’t have a compliance program sitting in a folder – it has compliance embedded in how it operates.

That means buyer and vendor onboarding that captures what’s needed at the right point in the transaction. It means a risk assessment that actually reflects the types of clients, properties and transactions your agency deals with. It means clear accountability, documented decisions, and records that exist because your team followed a consistent process – not because someone scrambled to pull them together after the fact.

That’s the standard AUSTRAC is working toward. And it’s entirely achievable for agencies of any size with the right tools and structure in place.

Getting past the jargon

Tranche 2 discussions tend to lead into unnecessary jargon quickly. What starts as a concrete conversation about next steps soon dissolves into terms like “risk-based frameworks,” “enhanced due diligence triggers,” and “governance oversight mechanisms” – accurate, but not especially useful when you’re juggling listings, vendor appointments and buyer inquiries.

APLYiD’s Tranche 2 Kickstart Kit cuts through the complexity by breaking AUSTRAC’s Step 1 requirements into clear, actionable components:

• What your risk assessment needs to actually address for your agency
• How to properly assign – and document – AML responsibility
• How to embed buyer and vendor onboarding controls into your existing workflows
• What documentation needs to exist, not just in principle, but in a way that can be evidenced

Built for Tranche 2 entities

APLYiD’s platform is designed to make customer due diligence and AML compliance structured, secure and repeatable for agencies of every size.

The platform enables real estate agencies to:

• Collect what they need from buyers and vendors smoothly and compliantly
• Run the checks required to meet AML compliance obligations
• Manage AML across all clients and transactions in a single place
• Monitor and manage risk proactively across their portfolio
• Verify every vendor and buyer for one flat fee per listing
• Access AML training to keep the whole team across their obligations
• Build tailored AML/CTF policies in minutes
   

Technology doesn’t replace compliance – agencies still own their AML program, their risk assessment and their decisions. The right tools, though, take the guesswork out, reduce manual handling, and make sure the evidence is there when it’s needed.

APLYiD is purpose-built to give smaller and mid-sized agencies the capability to meet regulatory expectations without enterprise-level complexity or cost. Solid compliance, without needing a dedicated compliance team to make it work.

If your AML process is visible, structured and repeatable, you’re already well ahead of the curve. If it’s not, that’s exactly where to start.

Join our free Tranche 2 webinar for real estate

Reading guidance documents is one thing – knowing what to actually do on Monday morning is another.

APLYiD is running webinars designed specifically for Australian real estate: a practical, plain-English breakdown of what Tranche 2 means for your agency and the concrete steps you need to take to become AUSTRAC-ready.

What you’ll walk away with:

• A clear picture of your obligations as a real estate agency under Tranche 2
• Guidance on verifying buyers and vendors in a way that’s compliant and efficient
• Live Q&A with our team – ask the awkward compliance questions

Whether you’re starting from scratch or sense-checking what you already have in place, these sessions are built to give you confidence and clarity.

Reserve your spot → https://aplyid.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ya5hYREuSkWABXv89fiRcQ

Seats are limited. Secure your place today and take the guesswork out of Tranche 2.

The post From guidance to practice: What Tranche 2 means for Australian real estate appeared first on Elite Agent.

Actor and comedian Pete Davidson is selling his Westchester County retreat just three years after buying it, asking US$2.275 million (approximately A$3.6 million).

Pete purchased the North Salem property – about 90 minutes from New York City – for US$1.95 million in 2023, the year after he left Saturday Night Live.

The reason for selling? His daughter, Scottie Rose, born three and a half months ago with partner Elsie Hewitt. 

His extended family lives in Staten Island and New Jersey, and the commute has become too much.

“It’s literally like living in paradise,” Pete told Mansion Global.

“The thing I hated about living in the city all the time was, I would wake up to so much noise, whether it would be garbage being picked up or people fighting or your neighbors or whatever’s going on on the street. In North Salem, I would wake up naturally, and I wouldn’t feel a thing; it was the most special feeling.”

The property spans over 6 acres and includes a 1930s cottage Pete renovated while maintaining its original character.

“I’m not a big fan of modern houses because they all kind of look the same,” he said.

“Just kind of soulless and white. I added little things to it while still keeping its integrity and charm.”

His additions include a guesthouse, movie theatre in the garage, pool, hot tub, cold-plunge pool, screened-in porches and a sauna. 

There’s also a hidden speakeasy behind a sliding wall.

Pete shoots his Netflix podcast from the garage and has filmed commercials there, including his Crocs campaign.

Jaclene Ginnel of Ginnel Real Estate, who listed the property in February (originally for US$2.495 million), said it offers “absolute privacy at the end of a long gated drive, serene pond views from nearly every room, and the intimate charm of a 1930s cottage with every modern amenity reimagined.”

Pete, now living in Brooklyn, is searching for another retreat closer to the city and his family.

The post Pete Davidson lists New York retreat for US$2.27m after three years appeared first on Elite Agent.

The Australian Taxation Office is warning employers – including real estate agencies – not to leave Payday Super preparations until the last minute, with the 1 July 2026 deadline now just three months away.

Under the new rules, employers must pay superannuation each payday rather than quarterly, with funds required to reach employees’ super accounts within seven business days.

For agencies juggling commission cycles, multiple pay runs, and casual staff, the shift demands immediate attention to cash flow planning and payroll systems.

“We want employers to feel prepared heading into 1 July, so we’re taking time now to clear up some common myths doing the rounds about Payday Super,” ATO Deputy Commissioner Emma Rosenzweig said.

The waiting game won’t work

Ms Rosenzweig said nearly half of Australian employers are already paying super more frequently than quarterly – but those still on quarterly payments need to act now.

“While Payday Super doesn’t start until 1 July, don’t wait until the last minute to consider what you need to do to be prepared to start paying super each payday.”

She urged employers to review cash reserves, check payment timing with their clearing house and super funds, and confirm their software supports more frequent reporting.

Your pay cycle stays the same

One misconception the ATO is addressing is that Payday Super changes when super must be paid, not how often you pay wages.

If your agency runs weekly payroll, super payments must now be weekly. Fortnightly payroll means fortnightly super.

“A payment only counts once it is received by the employee’s fund, not when it is submitted,” Ms Rosenzweig said.

“Submitting on day seven may not allow enough time – you don’t get an extension for rejected payments, so make sure there is enough time to correct any errors.”

Small business clearing house closing

Agencies using the ATO’s Small Business Superannuation Clearing House face an additional hurdle: the service closes permanently on 1 July 2026.

All transaction history must be downloaded before then – there will be no read-only access after closure.

The good news, according to Ms Rosenzweig, is that most employers already have super payment functionality in their existing payroll software.

“If you need to go with a new provider, transition early so you can prepare payroll to align with required payment timeframes.”

What happens if you get it wrong?

Super guarantee charges will apply when amounts aren’t received in full, on time, or by the correct fund.

However, the ATO has signalled a soft landing for genuine mistakes.

“Employers who make an honest mistake and take steps to fix it quickly won’t be the focus of ATO compliance action in the first year,” Ms Rosenzweig said.

The post Real estate agencies urged to prepare for the Payday Super countdown appeared first on Elite Agent.

If someone who’s spent 13+ years writing about this industry can be charmed into writing the success story, what chance does an average seller have when that same charm shows up at their kitchen table with a listing agreement?

It’s been a while for me between “serious” editorials, but my word for this year is “values.” Maybe I knew in my gut that it would be tested this year. These are interesting times, and so, well – here we are.

Grab a cuppa and strap yourself in.

The catalyst

Josh Tesolin has been banned from real estate for 10 years. You know this. Everyone knows this. It was front page of the SMH, trending in real estate Reddit threads around the country, and probably discussed at length over at least two thousand or more open home conversations last Saturday.

So I’m not going to rehash the details. NSW Fair Trading did that quite thoroughly.

Tesolin’s response to the ban, via podcast? “I’ve got lots of money, lots of good friends. I’ve got a great legal team as well.”

And, my personal favourite: “Journalists that write erroneous articles… they need Jesus.”

Dear Josh, we do not need Jesus. What we actually need is change and the truth.

My relationship with Josh

I met Josh Tesolin quite a few times. Elite Agent documented his rise. One of our former employees wrote one of the first stories about him, about how he made a million at GCI in his first year.

I thought I’d seen it all before. I reluctantly invited him in for a podcast, and I actually didn’t want to like him. But he somehow won me over. He was charming and funny, with the gift of the gab. What really got me was how he spoke about his mother with such genuine love that you couldn’t help but warm to him.

I feel a bit like an idiot now.

But that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? The charm was always the product. The system just never asked what it was being used for.

We celebrated him

Let’s start with what’s really uncomfortable.

The industry that just watched one of its most celebrated agents get a decade-long ban is the same industry that celebrated him. Repeatedly. Publicly. With trophies, stages, keynotes, and accolades.

Top Agent. Number One. Record-breaker. Six-time this, three-time that.

Every one of those awards was based on volume and revenue. But the unfortunate thing is that real estate awards have never factored in consumer outcomes.

Maybe that’s a big part of the problem.

One suburb, two suspensions

Here’s the detail that should worry everyone as much as, if not more than, the Tesolin ban itself.

After Tesolin was suspended, another agent in the same suburb – Quakers Hill – stepped up to become the area’s top seller. Within months, that agent was also suspended by Fair Trading. Same allegations. Same practices. Same suburb.

Two top-performing agents. One suburb. Both suspended for underquoting.

That’s not a personnel problem. That’s a system problem. And when the person who replaces the person who got caught is doing the same thing? Again, that’s a system, not one person.

NSW Fair Trading has now taken disciplinary action against more than 50 agents in the past 12 months. The “Name and Shame” register is live.

I hate the idea that this thing even has to exist, because it affects all the good people in the industry who spend their lives in these shadows while doing the right thing.

Culture is caught, but these practices are taught

Tesolin did the wrong thing, but he didn’t invent underquoting.

He didn’t invent auction conditioning. He didn’t invent “incentive commissions” or the practice of over-quoting to win a listing and then grinding the seller’s expectations down to meet the market.

They’re in coaching programs around the world. They’re on stages at industry events. They’re framed as “vendor management,” “price conditioning,” and “commercial discipline.”

The language is always clean. The outcome isn’t always. I’ve been vendor conditioned. I literally wanted to throw something at the agent who was doing the conditioning and earnestly delivering scripts I’d heard delivered on various stages over the years.

My point is, these practices did not emerge in isolation. They’ve evolved over time through a mix of training, experience and market pressure. And a lot of remixing of materials over the years.

The situation we’re looking at now isn’t only about Josh Tesolin. You’re looking at a standard set list that gets played at conferences and behind many a closed door. The only real difference is who’s in the DJ booth.

From Agent to Coach

So now we’ve come full circle, and there was a recent event where we’re not seeing anything that’s actually new, just people on stage “operating at a meaningful level within the industry”.

Again, there’s outrage. Everyone I’ve spoken to in the past week has said some version of the same sentence: “It’s not good enough.” “How can they be allowed to coach?”

You can’t be a coach if people don’t listen to you. The industry has to accept some responsibility here as enablers of some of the problems we complain about.

And that’s the bit that grinds me. A lot of the loudest voices right now are calling for cancellations and demanding new MCs at conferences – even though they deeply understand the ecosystem that built the problem. Outrage is easy. A cheap LinkedIn post costs nothing.

But not one of those posts has offered a single macro idea for what comes next. If your contribution to the conversation is calling for individuals to be cancelled and nothing else, it might be worth taking another look at the bigger picture.

The future: You cannot charm an algorithm

So… what’s the industry’s realistic response going to be?

It’s easy to be outraged once it’s safe, and I’m not going to pretend I am above that.

Too hard basket, perhaps? Again, not helpful.

Elite Agent published content featuring Josh Tesolin. We’ve since taken all of it down. Not quietly archived. Removed. And… we are actively reviewing more of our content now.

That’s not a victory lap. That’s a late start. But it’s a start.

In my AI keynotes, I talk about the “messy middle,” which, in terms of the real estate industry, is right now.

When I look at the various governments’ fixes for underquoting – like mandatory price guides and statements of information – through the lens of 2026, it feels a little bit like requiring a man with a smartphone to carry a map just to prove he knows where he’s going.

My crystal ball says that when a 2030 buyer uses their personal AI agent to cross-reference an agent’s quoted price against their historical sales data, any discrepancy will be instantly flagged.

The AI won’t just tell the buyer the house is underquoted; it will put a warning label on the agent.

Looking at the wave of tools in our hands right now, I would think that by 2030, consumers shouldn’t need a government “Name and Shame” register.

By that, I mean if an agent has a verifiable digital history of underquoting, dummy bidding, or shady tactics, buyer AI will simply filter their listings out of the feed.

Shady agents won’t need to be banned by the government; they will be shadowbanned by the market.

But we’re not yet in 2030, and the messy middle is where we live right now.

And it’s going to get messier…

What AI still can’t fix

I can show you how to whip up a spreadsheet of comparables with Google’s AI in about 5 seconds. I can even show you how to research a property to find its hidden value, hidden risks, and more.

But underquoting is not just about the data. It’s a psychological tactic designed to manipulate human behaviour – artificially inflating the crowd size on auction day.

This is the part that deserves more attention than it usually gets.

While AI is moving fast and doing a great job of democratising information, it has not and cannot surface or democratise human intent.

Even if your AI tells you a house is worth $1.5 million, if the agent lists it at $1.2 million, a primal, irrational part of your brain might think, “Maybe the seller is desperate. I should go just in case.”

And then… when 50 people show up hoping for a bargain, the AI’s logical valuation goes out the window. The sheer presence of competition triggers FOMO, driving the final price higher than the AI predicted.

That’s the gap. AI can get close to market value. But it doesn’t know what the vendor needs to move. The agent and the seller still hold a monopoly on that specific piece of information.

And as long as that asymmetry exists, the psychological playbook still works – even on informed buyers.

Closing the gap

So, right now, we have one foot stuck in the 2019 playbook of vendor conditioning and information hoarding, and the other is hovering over a 2030 reality of AI-driven transparency.

And let’s be clear: an agent’s job is to get the highest possible price for their vendor. That is genuinely hard work. But let’s be brutally honest – it’s not just agents who are clinging to an old playbook.

There are plenty of sellers out there who aren’t squeaky clean either.

Every time a seller chooses the “bulldog” agent who promises a massive crowd, knowing full well that crowd is being lured by a fictional price guide, they are complicit, too.

Some vendors out there have historically loved the dark arts of real estate because the agent takes the ethical and regulatory risk, while they cash the cheque.

They want the highest price, and they rarely care if a few dozen buyers get their hearts broken and their wallets drained on building inspections along the way.

So, how do we actually achieve transparency if some sellers resist it and agents are still being trained to fight it?

We cross that bridge if and when the technology flips the financial incentive.

The shift won’t happen because we all suddenly have a collective moral awakening. My best guess is that it will happen because, in an AI-filtered world, hiring a deceptive agent will taint the asset. It will literally cost the seller clicks, leads, and money.

The messy middle ends the day all parties – sellers, buyers and agents – realise that absolute, verifiable truth is the only way to get their property past the algorithmic bouncers.

Trust can shift from a regulatory burden to the ultimate premium feature.

What can we do now?

Of all the people I’ve talked to over the years in this industry, the vast majority agree that trust remains the foundation of this profession.

So in practical terms, what needs to change?

Over the coming months, I will be asking industry captains for their thoughts and ideas. But here are a few from me in the meantime:

Awards need a compliance filter. Volume without integrity is just noise. You shouldn’t be able to win a volume award without a customer outcome metric.

The franchise networks see the numbers before anyone else – they could intervene before someone goes off the rails, not after. Let’s promote radical transparency as a feature, not a flaw.

The portals and other platforms are data companies. They are perfectly positioned to pioneer algorithmic trust, if they choose to.

Coaching needs transparency. Unregulated doesn’t have to mean unaccountable. Choose wisely who you give your attention to.

The trade press – including Elite Agent – needs to be far more circumspect about who we hand the microphone to. I’ll be working hard on that one personally. I’d like to call on REB to do the same.

Conference organisers – rethink who gets the stage and your microphone. Maybe it’s time we invited some consumers up there, too – let’s actually hear what they want.

My point is this: No one micro-fix will solve this. And while the industry debates who to cancel next, the technology will continue to quietly rewrite the scoreboard regardless. The question is whether we work together – or wait until the technology decides for us.

The profession you want to be

Here’s what I keep coming back to.

Real estate agents – the good ones, and there are so many of you – are fiercely proud of what you do. You’ll tell me about the family you helped find their first home. The widow you guided through selling the house she’d lived in for 40 years. The investor who trusted you with a decision that changed their financial future.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of stories about these agents on eliteagent.com.

That pride is legitimate. You are good humans.

And it’s exactly why this moment matters.

Because every time an agent is caught doing the wrong thing, it doesn’t just hurt that agent’s reputation. It hurts yours. It lands on every doorstep conversation, every listing presentation, every auction registration where a buyer looks at you and wonders: Can I trust this person?

To the leaders of our major franchises, the heads of our portals, and the principal advertisers who fund this ecosystem: you are not the target of this frustration; you are the solution to it.

The agencies that survive the next decade will be the ones that adopt verifiable transparency. If an agent’s primary value is “keeping secrets to drive up the price,” AI will replace them. If their value is “managing a highly complex transaction with absolute, verifiable truth,” they will thrive.

What I care about at this moment is whether the industry treats this as a line in the sand – or if change is just too uncomfortable.

But if the industry doesn’t clean house, the technology will do it for us, and it won’t ask for permission.

Note: We don’t have comments on the website to keep the user experience fast, but you can leave a comment here on my LinkedIn post.

The post The mirror has many faces appeared first on Elite Agent.

Antony Catalano’s attempt to disrupt Australia’s property listings market has collapsed, with View.com.au set to close, staff impacted, and the broader venture wound down as part of a restructure of Australian Community Media (ACM), according to reporting in the Australian Financial Review.

The move effectively ends a high-profile push to challenge the dominance of REA Group and Domain Holdings Australia, with View positioned as a third major force in the residential property listings sector after launching in 2023.

The platform – View.com.au and associated agency marketing products – was developed by Mr Catalano and billionaire investor Alex Waislitz through View Media Group, backed by significant external investment and media exposure deals intended to accelerate market penetration.

Australian Community Media management has informed staff that the View brand would be removed from company publications from June, with the platform itself to be shut down and redundancies expected as part of the restructuring.

“Unfortunately, this closure will mean that a number of roles in [View] will be affected, with some redundancies expected,” ACM managing director Tony Kendall told the AFR.

Mr Kendall also sought to reassure staff about the underlying business, stating, “ACM’s core business remains stable and profitable,” and confirming the company’s focus would remain on its regional publishing and advertising operations.

View had been framed internally as a bold attempt to reshape the highly competitive residential real estate listings market, but it ultimately failed to gain enough traction to sustain its position against entrenched incumbents.

The shutdown follows a period of significant disruption across Mr Catalano’s media interests; he stepped back from his executive role last month and issued a public apology.

Separately, the SMH reported increasing speculation around the future of ACM, including whether the regional media group could be placed on the market. According to the SMH, chatter around a potential sale intensified following Mr Catalano’s legal issues, though management publicly denied any such process.

The closure of View marks a sharp reversal for what was positioned as a long-term disruption play in the property classifieds sector, leaving Australia’s established listing duopoly firmly intact.

The post Catalano’s View.com.au collapse ends ambitious challenge to REA and Domain appeared first on Elite Agent.

How well do you actually know the person sitting across the table at a listing presentation?

In the latest episode of The AI Edit, Samantha McLean recounts an experience where an agent dismissed AI-assisted copywriting, referring to ChatGPT as “that chat GDP thing” – without having done any research on the person she was presenting to.

“You can imagine how that might make a potential vendor feel,” Sam says.

It’s a cringe-worthy moment, but the episode quickly moves to the practical fix: AI-powered deep research.

The tool takes minutes. You enter a name, and it pulls together career history, public achievements, interests, and connections – context that can completely change how you approach a conversation.

Key takeaways:

1. Research every vendor before the appointment. AI deep research takes minutes and surfaces context you’d never find manually.
2. Your vendors notice when you haven’t done your homework. The “chat GDP” moment is a cautionary tale about walking in unprepared.
3. Asking questions is a strength. Curiosity signals competence, not weakness.
4. You never know who you’re talking to. An Olympic gold medallist, a media editor, a future referral source — the person across the table always has a story.

About The AI Edit

The AI Edit is a weekly video series by Samantha McLean, co-founder and managing editor of Elite Agent and 3x Mumbrella Business Magazine Editor of the Year. Each episode breaks down one practical way real estate professionals can use AI right now — no jargon, no hype, just what works.

Want your team to hear this? Samantha speaks at conferences, team meetings, and training days on practical AI for real estate. Visit samanthamclean.com for details.

Ready to build the full system? The AI First Agent Accelerator is available at aiagentcourse.com.

The post Do You Actually Know Who You’re Presenting To? appeared first on Elite Agent.

For the past 14 years, Nicholas and his wife Shona have operated Century 21 Armstrong Smith in the heart of Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, growing their business through genuine relationships and community engagement.

Nicholas’s passion for property started early, dragging his parents to open home inspections while still at school.

“I loved property and I used to go around to open for inspections with mum and dad, drag them around and have a look at all these different properties,” Nicholas said.

After finishing school, he pursued PR and marketing, but his heart remained in real estate.

A strong foundation

His first role was at Meriton Apartments, where he spent four years selling apartments off the plan across Sydney.

“It was tremendous and a really good experience and a really good learning ground on how to sell real estate when you’ve got the owner of Meriton breathing down your neck in meetings,” he said.

“As a young 19-year-old, you learn a lot.”

The experience enabled him to purchase his first investment property, something he encourages young people to do today.

“I always say to people, start purchasing when you’re young,” he said.

“The first property might not be perfect, but it can lead from one thing to the next.”

An international perspective

Nicholas then moved to the UK, where he worked for Barnard Marcus for four years. It was there he met Shona, who would become both his wife and business partner.

The couple returned to Australia and worked together at Ray White before taking the leap to purchase their own business 14 years ago, acquiring a long-established agency that had been operating in Bondi Junction for 30 years.

The Bondi Junction market

Nicholas describes Bondi Junction as the centre of the Eastern Suburbs, with a diverse property mix that keeps the work interesting.

“There’s a huge mixture of properties here which is what I like about it,” he said.

“There’s great downsizer apartments in beautiful buildings with tennis courts, older style blocks of four, and then you’ve got semis and terraces and freestanding houses as well with some properties now transacting for 10 plus million dollars.”

The agency has sold everything from car spaces for $160,000 to houses worth many millions, along with many retail and commercial spaces.

“You’re not pigeonholed to just sell in a twenty-million-dollar waterfront house or whatever,” he said.

“You really have a huge mixture of properties.”

A people-first approach

Nicholas attributes his success to effective communication and a genuine desire to help people.

“I like to communicate with people effectively,” he said.

“We’re transacting real estate every day but the average person does it once or twice in their life.”

He rejects the stereotype of the pushy salesperson.

“I’m not a pushy salesperson that needs a flashy car and all that stuff,” he said.

“I think if you just have a good solid business, do the right thing by people and communicate effectively with people then you have a business for the long term.”

Growing the team

The business now employs eight people across sales, property management, marketing and reception, with Shona managing the property management portfolio while Nicholas handles most of the selling and leasing.

The couple continues to see consistent growth each year, with net gains in both property management and sales.

“Real estate’s a long game,” Nicholas said.

“We’re on a great corner here in Bondi Junction with great exposure and we’re growing steadily.”

Recognition and awards

Nicholas has achieved significant recognition within Century 21, recently winning a Century 21 annual award placing him in the top 2% of salespeople worldwide for the sixth time.

“There’s 47,000 Century 21 agents throughout the world, so it’s good to get the award,” he said.

However, he values local recognition even more highly.

“I probably prefer the local awards actually, like the Waverley Council Awards and the Australian small business awards that we’ve won,” he said.

“You get presented them for doing good in the local community.”

He maintains perspective on the accolades: “It’s not about all this plastic, it’s about the relationship really that you have with your clients and the community.”

Community engagement

The Armstrong-Smith team is deeply embedded in the Bondi Junction community. Nicholas is part of the Bondi Chamber of Commerce and the business sponsors events at the local sailing club and soccer activities.

The agency also runs community initiatives, giving out flowers on Valentine’s Day and dressing up to distribute sweets at Halloween.

“You really just integrate yourself as part of the community,” he said.

The Century 21 partnership

Nicholas has remained with Century 21 throughout his 14 years of business ownership, valuing the stability despite acknowledging nothing is perfect.

“I do know that agents chop around and if they’d stay in one spot it’d probably be better for them even if it’s not perfect,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Armstrong-Smiths plan to continue growing their property management portfolio and sales team as their children are educated in the area and their network continues to expand.

“As we continue to know more and more people, it just seems to keep on going,” Nicholas said.

For Nicholas, that ongoing momentum is less about rapid expansion and more about building lasting relationships – the kind that continue to grow, year after year.

The post Nicholas Armstrong-Smith: Building a business on communication and community appeared first on Elite Agent.

From managing cosmetic counters at Pacific Fair to becoming one of Queensland’s top 150 agents, Trina Henry has built a successful real estate career on the Gold Coast spanning 25 years.

Trina Henry’s journey into real estate began when she was looking for a career that would allow her to balance work with raising her children.

“I’m a cosmetician by trade and I worked at Pacific Fair, managed those cosmetic counters for many years and then I wanted to have children,” Trina said.

“I got into real estate because it gave me flexibility to look after my children while still working in the industry and maintaining that connection.”

A people person at heart

Trina said her background in sales and her natural affinity for connecting with people made real estate a natural fit.

“I’ve always been a people person, so I love connecting,” she said.

“That really resonated with me, and the combination felt like a natural step.”

She found that starting in real estate with a young baby actually gave her a unique advantage.

“I could take my baby. I actually found it refreshing because people saw me as a human being, not just a real estate agent, and it gave me a different edge.”

Building expertise across the board

Over her 25-year career, Trina has developed expertise across residential, commercial and industrial real estate.

She worked for Lucy Cole for 12 years, which she credits with helping her gain experience in the prestige real estate market, and also spent time working in commercial real estate.

“I am an agent who works across residential, commercial and industrial,” Trina said.

“I find challenges rewarding.”

Trina has also been working on a major land subdivision in Jacobs Well with the state government.

“I’ve progressed that to a stage where it looks likely to move to the PDA and become a successful development,” she said.

That work has led to further opportunities, with the state government engaging her on other rezoning projects.

Opening Premier Estate Agents GC

About 12 months ago, Trina took the leap and opened her own agency, Premier Estate Agents GC.

“I’m Greek. I have a very strong foundation with family, and I wanted to build something lasting for my family while continuing to grow my own career,” she said.

Trina said working for other agencies had previously left her feeling constrained.

“I often felt limited in being able to achieve both what I wanted and what I needed,” she said.

“That ultimately led me to open my own agency so I could deliver the level of service I felt was sometimes missing elsewhere.”

A focus on customer service

Trina believes strong customer service is central to long-term success in real estate.

“One of the biggest things in real estate is customer service, and not all agents deliver it consistently,” she said.

“They’ll sell you something, you never hear from them again. They disappear.

“The biggest thing about real estate to me is building relationships, maintaining them, and nurturing them so that when people are ready to move, sell, or help their children into the market, they think of you.”

Trina specialises in luxury real estate and places a strong emphasis on presentation to achieve optimal results for her clients.

“I focus on helping prepare and style properties so they can achieve the best possible outcome,” she said.

Her straightforward approach and negotiation skills have also contributed to her results.

“I’m a very straightforward person,” Trina said.

“People value that transparency. I have strong negotiation skills and I focus on closing outcomes that work for my clients.”

Strong start for new business

The new business is already showing early momentum, with Trina reporting four new listings and two new rentals in a single week recently.

“I’m finding it’s going extremely well. I’m starting to get strong traction and awareness of my brand,” she said.

Trina operates using the OASIS model with @realty, which provides back-end support while allowing her to maintain her own branding.

“I have my own logo, I have my own branding, and I value that because it provides a strong platform to focus on the luxury segment of the market,” she said.

“It’s very important to me to have a reliable support team behind me to enable me to do my job properly.”

Award-winning track record

Trina’s work in the industry has been recognised with multiple awards over the years.

She has previously been named among the top 150 agents in Queensland and has received recognition including top listing agent, top selling agent and number one sales agent.

Community involvement

Beyond real estate, Trina is actively involved in the Gold Coast community.

She has recently organised a fundraising page for the Gold Coast Hospital to support cancer and donor patients, which is featured on her Facebook page and website.

Last year, she organised a pooch competition in Paradise Point, partnering with local businesses to drive community engagement.

“I love doing things like that involving the local community and local businesses, all getting behind each other to help each other succeed,” she said.

Looking to the future

Trina has ambitious plans for Premier Estate Agents GC over the next five years.

“I would like to expand my business and have other agents working for me,” she said.

She has already brought on a personal assistant, and her son is working with her part-time in property management.

“Obviously, I’d like to grow both of those areas and build a brand that stands strong with people who value the way I work,” she said.

Ready to create your own unique brand with the support of the @realty team? Learn how our OASIS structure can help you build your business, boost your income, and gain total freedom.

Discover OASIS today

Not sure where to begin building your brand? Book a free 15-minute consultation with Growth Manager Karen Woodworth and take the first step toward your own brand.

The post Trina Henry: Building a family legacy in Gold Coast real estate appeared first on Elite Agent.

More than half of Australians are dipping into their savings just to keep up with everyday costs, highlighting a growing pressure point for the property market.

New research from Finder reveals that 54% of Australians have accessed their savings accounts in the past 12 months.

That equates to almost 12 million people nationwide, with the average withdrawal totalling $7,274 – a staggering $85 billion collectively.

Rent and mortgage payments were a top reason for savings withdrawals, with 13% of respondents citing housing costs as the cause.

Everyday essentials (24%) and emergency expenses (19%) were the other major drains, followed by debt repayments (9%) and school fees (7%).

“Budgets are stretched to the limit and plenty of people are running into trouble and having to turn to their savings,” said Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder.

“With everyday costs climbing again, many households are stuck in a cycle where they’re dipping into savings just to make ends meet, leaving little buffer for future shocks.”

The survey also highlighted a gender disparity, with 60% of women reporting they had withdrawn money from savings for non-planned expenses, compared with 49% of men.

Mr Cooke said achieving savings goals in the current economic climate is increasingly difficult.

“With fuel and borrowing costs blowing out again it’s becoming even more difficult to put away excess cash.”

Survey breakdown of savings withdrawals in the past 12 months:

• Everyday essentials: 24%
• Emergency expenses: 19%
• Rent/mortgage: 13%
• Debt repayment: 9%
• School fees: 7%
• Lending to friends/family: 5%
• Renovations: 4%
• Other: 3%
• Unexpected investment in shares, super, crypto: 2%
• No withdrawals: 46%

Source: Finder survey of 1,011 respondents, February 2026

The post $85 billion savings drain: over half of Aussie raiding cash to cover rent, mortgages, and essentials appeared first on Elite Agent.

Our housing market has split along clear supply-and-demand lines since the start of 2020, with Western Australia (WA) and Queensland (QLD) emerging as the strongest performers.

This is amid a shortfall in new housing construction, according to new analysis from Cotality.

The research, released in its April Housing Chart Pack, shows home values in both states have more than doubled since early 2020, driven by population growth materially outpacing dwelling completions.

Between Q1 2020 and Q3 2025, QLD accounted for more than 25% of Australia’s population growth but less than 20% of national dwelling completions. WA recorded nearly 17% of population growth over the same period, compared with around 10% of completions.

Cotality’s Head of Research Gerard Burg said the imbalance has been a key driver of price pressure in these markets.

“In WA and QLD, the share of dwelling completions fell well behind the share of population growth, with these states seeing home values more than double since 2020,” Mr Burg said.

He also noted Queensland’s ongoing appeal to interstate migrants, although momentum may be easing.

“QLD accounted for over 25% of the total increase in Australia’s population over this period, but less than 20% of the dwellings completed were located in QLD,” he said.

At the other end of the spectrum, Victoria delivered around one-third (33%) of national dwelling completions, outpacing its share of population growth, supported by policy settings and a strong construction pipeline.

South Australia was identified as a notable outlier, with home values rising more than 90% over five years despite dwelling completions broadly tracking population growth.

Cotality said the diverging outcomes highlight how supply constraints translate into market pressure, particularly in Perth and Brisbane, where limited new housing relative to demand has created highly competitive conditions.

“When we see a supply-demand imbalance such as those in Perth or Brisbane, we wind up with a large pool of buyers competing for a small pool of dwellings,” Mr Burg said. “This creates a seller’s market and can rapidly drive up home values.”

Nationally, Australia’s residential real estate market reached $12.6 trillion in March, with dwelling values rising 2.1% over the quarter and 9.9% annually – the fastest annual pace since June 2022.

Cotality estimates around 559,457 sales have been recorded in 2026 year-to-date, 1.9% lower than a year earlier but 5.6% above the five-year average.

Median time on market has tightened to 30 days nationally, with Perth the fastest capital city at nine days, while Darwin and Canberra remain the slowest.

Rental conditions remain extremely tight, with national vacancy rates at 1.6% and gross yields at 3.57%, led by Darwin at 6.0% and Sydney at 3.1%.

The post Two-speed housing market emerges as WA and QLD leave rest of Australia behind appeared first on Elite Agent.

After nearly two decades on the frontlines of Australia’s property management industry, Hannah Gill has seen enough – and she’s ready to rewrite the rules.

She’s taking matters into her own hands with Podium Property Management, a new platform designed to give experienced property managers equity in their portfolios, flexible working arrangements, and a clear pathway to building their own business.

“Starting Podium, I have wanted to do this model for a very long time. It’s been in my mind for ages,” Hannah said. “I’ve been observing the industry; I’m well aware on the front line of the challenges we face as property managers. It’s something I’ve always been really passionate about and I am keen to be part of the solution.”

For Hannah, the frustrations that push property managers to leave the industry are all too familiar: high churn, low pay, and few opportunities for growth.

“There’s a 40% churn rate of PMs. We know, they can get paid a lot more money doing different jobs that are far less stressful.

“When I started in property management eighteen years ago, I was given a phone, console manual and a computer, and I was a property manager. And scarily, that’s still very similar in a lot of businesses across Australia,” she says.

Her response was to reimagine the business model entirely, soft launching Podium last week with more than 20 inquiries in its first day.

The why of a new business

Hannah says the idea came partly from frustration with traditional models and partly from opportunity.

“I just had this vision to just try to help fix it. And as luck or not luck would have it, (cutting ties with Will Honey at The Property Collective) you kind of get a whole new direction in life,” she said.

She admits at the time it felt like a setback. “I mean, I feel like at the time, it was the worst thing ever… But now I look back on it, I’m like, what a blessing.”

For anyone thinking of starting a business, Hannah’s advice is grounded in identifying a real problem and the people affected.

“You need to know the pain points, and you need to care enough to fix them. I think the best part of the industry is that it’s full of people who really, really care. But, the biggest challenge is the industry is so transient.”

A new model for PMs

Podium is built around removing key friction points in property management, particularly remuneration and the gap between wanting to become a business owner and having the capital, knowledge, or confidence to do so.

“They don’t need the capital. They’ve got the support, that will help them learn, and the confidence comes with that security of knowing, hey, I’m getting a salary from day one,” Hannah says.

Under the model, property managers start as employees and begin with zero properties on day one. They are supported to build a hyper-local business presence, including marketing, social media, and fee structures tailored to their market.

As they grow, they unlock equity through set milestones linked to the number of properties under management. The structure caps at 200 managements, at which point a property manager can hold up to 30 per cent equity in their portfolio, creating a sellable asset.

Hannah says the intent is to help property managers build a sustainable business and improve outcomes for both clients and practitioners, with strong emphasis on support, training, and reducing burnout in the industry.

Flexibility is central. PMs can work remotely, structure their schedules around personal commitments, and access mentoring from state leaders like Hayley Mitchell in Victoria.

“With any new model, there’s always curiosity, and there’s always that first follower mentality… Let people watch the first few come in and succeed. It builds confidence,” Hannah says.

Training, culture, and support

For Hannah, culture and training are the backbone of retention. Podium has created a 30-module onboarding app called Properly, covering operational processes, cultural alignment, and day-to-day management tasks.

“Culture’s number one for me. So what does it look, sound, and feel like to succeed culturally at Podium? How can you contribute to that? With the right training, people are set up to succeed,” she said.

Monthly webinars, annual conferences, and access to national training programs are also part of Podium’s plan, fostering a high-performing mindset and mentoring network.

“I’m trying to help property managers grow from an employee mindset to a business owner mindset. We’re not looking to need to handhold or micromanage any of these people. It’s just that there is support for them if they need it,” Hannah said.

Lessons for the industry

Hannah believes the PM sector is due for an overhaul.

“Fundamentally, it can be done better. We can give PMs pathways, autonomy, and ownership, and we can improve the experience for everyone involved. That’s the industry I want to see,” she said.

Her broader advice for those starting a new business is simple: understand your sector, listen to its pain points, and don’t be afraid to flip traditional models on their head.

“If you can get 80 property managers in the Podium model succeeding, growing, learning, and all getting to that 200 management mark, which gives them that 30% equity… that’s what success looks like to me,” she said.

The post How Hannah Gill is re-thinking property management appeared first on Elite Agent.

Sharon Osbourne has listed the Los Angeles mansion she shared with late husband Ozzy Osbourne for US$17 million (approximately A$27 million), nine months after the rock legend’s death in England.

The seven-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom Hancock Park property hit the market on 6 April, listed with Jonah Wilson and Josh Greer of Carolwood Estates.

Sharon and Ozzy purchased the 11,565-square-foot estate in 2015 for US$11.85 million (approximately A$19 million).

This marks the second attempt to sell the property. 

The couple first listed it in 2022 for US$18 million (approximately A$29 million), later reducing the price to US$17.5 million (approximately A$28 million) before withdrawing it from the market.

At the time, the Osbournes were reported to be relocating to their estate in Buckinghamshire, England – where Ozzy passed away at 76 from coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease in July 2025.

While Sharon continues splitting her time between the UK and Los Angeles, she uses an apartment in California during West Coast visits.

The 1930s estate served as the backdrop for the couple’s documentary, “Sharon & Ozzy Osbourne: Coming Home.”

According to Realtor.com, Sharon and Ozzy spent several years restoring the property to its 1920s character. 

The movie theatre retains signatures from visiting Hollywood stars including Elvis Presley, Mel Tormé, and Natalie Wood.

The property features a wood-panelled library, formal dining room, chef’s kitchen opening to outdoor dining with pizza oven and barbecue, and a screening room with fireplace and bar.

The primary suite includes dual bathrooms and a large walk-in wardrobe. An elevator connects all levels.

Outside, the gated estate offers landscaped gardens and a mosaic-tiled pool, plus a self-contained guest apartment above the garage.

The post Sharon Osbourne lists LA mansion nine months after Ozzy’s death appeared first on Elite Agent.

Apollo Auctions Australasia has appointed Jeremy Grobben as its ACT lead, strengthening the auction group’s presence in the nation’s capital.

Jeremy brings more than a decade of real estate experience spanning residential, rural, land, and off-the-plan sales. He has competed at the REIACT Championships for four consecutive years.

“Jeremy understands that balance,” said Greg Brydon, General Manager of Apollo Auctions Australasia.

“He’s composed, process-driven, and has a strong ability to read the room and build momentum when it matters most. We’re pleased to have him leading our presence in the ACT.”

Before entering real estate, Jeremy owned and operated two restaurants for nine years – an experience he credits with shaping his ability to perform under pressure and manage high-stakes decisions.

For Jeremy, the appointment represents alignment with Apollo’s focus on consistency and continuous improvement.

“Auctioneering is a craft you’re always working on,” Jeremy said.

“What stood out to me about Apollo is the consistency of approach and the emphasis on delivering a great experience for agents, sellers, and buyers. I’m looking forward to contributing to the team and supporting the continued growth of auctions across the ACT.”

The appointment is part of Apollo’s broader strategy to invest in key markets across Australia and New Zealand.

The post Apollo Auctions appoints Jeremy Grobben to lead ACT expansion appeared first on Elite Agent.

Knight Frank has bolstered its Healthcare and Life Sciences division in Queensland, appointing Clem Stack as Sales Executive to meet rising demand for healthcare property investment.

Clem joins National Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Sam Biggins, having previously worked in the firm’s Capital Markets team where the pair collaborated on $20 million worth of healthcare transactions.

He is currently advising on more than $35 million in deals spanning primary care, allied health, senior living and Specialist Disability Accommodation across Queensland.

Sam said the expansion reflects sustained demand for healthcare real estate services nationally.

“The demographic shift and consequent long-term demand for healthcare and adjacent services in Australia is unabating,” he said.

“Knight Frank is committed to supporting the development and investment into property infrastructure that will support the delivery of these essential services.”

Clem brings five years of commercial property experience to the role, having started at Knight Frank as a Commercial Valuation Analyst before moving into investment sales.

He said healthcare property continues to attract investors seeking defensive assets amid economic uncertainty.

“Queensland remains a key market, supported by strong population growth and demand for essential services,” Clem said.

“The primary care sector, in particular, remains highly attractive, and coupled with the generational transition underway by owner-occupier GPs creates acquisition opportunities for investors seeking defensive assets.”

The firm’s healthcare clients span investors, developers and owner-occupiers across all segments of the sector.

The post Knight Frank expands healthcare property team in Queensland appeared first on Elite Agent.

After seven years in the industry, the Northern Beaches-based buyer’s agent at Goldman Bros has carved out a unique niche by focusing on quality over quantity, taking on just three to four clients at a time to ensure exceptional service.

“I’ve realised that people come to me for certain reasons,” Monique Treder said.

“I have gotten comfortable in my skin and with my own skill set. And I use that to the benefit of myself and my clients.”

A family affair

Property has always been in Monique’s blood. 

Coming from a family with an “obsession with property,” she grew up surrounded by discussions about boutique hotels, investment properties, and commercial real estate.

After working in periphery companies and spending time in New Zealand working for Wellington Waterfront – the equivalent of Sydney City Council – handling negotiations and contracts, Monique returned to Sydney ready for a change.

“I sat down with my husband and he’s like, ‘Well, what do you love and what are you good at?'” Monique said.

“And I was like, well, I love property and I’m good at the negotiations and I like helping people.”

That conversation led her to complete a three-month stint with a buyer’s agent about seven years ago, in the early days of the industry when there were only four or five buyer’s agencies operating.

Specialising in the Northern Beaches

Based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Monique has developed expertise in helping families relocate to the area, as well as supporting downsizers and people navigating property purchases on their own, including divorcees.

“A lot of the clients that I buy for are on the Northern Beaches or a little bit into the Lower North Shore,” she said.

“I work with a lot of families so buying into the area unknown or new to the area I can give them an insight into what each area is like.”

Her local knowledge extends beyond property fundamentals to the lifestyle aspects that matter to families – which suburbs are best for young children, school catchments, and community feel.

“So not only the actual property side of it, but the reality on what it’s like to live in there because I sort of have contacts in all those different areas,” she said.

For downsizers, many of whom haven’t bought or sold in 40 or 50 years, Monique provides crucial guidance through an unfamiliar process.

“Real estate agents, particularly when you’re on your own can be quite intimidating,” she said.

“So they want someone who is their support person.”

A different approach

As a mother of three boys, Monique brings patience and emotional intelligence to her work – qualities that set her apart in the industry.

“I really get emotionally invested in my clients and what is important to them as far as a home,” she said.

“And then I take that importance and then I go in and rather than being the bulldog with the negotiator, I think I’ve tweaked my skills so that I listen really carefully and see opportunities and negotiate for my client in a good way but not in a very aggressive way.”

She describes her negotiation style as “tactful but still very strategic” – an approach that came after years of trying to emulate more aggressive industry figures.

“When I first started in the industry, I was trying to be like people I had worked for. And I found that that really didn’t stick,” Monique said.

“I thought that that was the only way to be in the industry. And I guess with a little bit of age and a bit more experience, I’ve realised that, people come to me for certain reasons.”

There were moments when she considered leaving the industry altogether, but finding her authentic approach changed everything.

Building on reputation

Rather than chasing rapid growth, Monique’s business strategy centres on maintaining an exceptional reputation and generating repeat business and referrals.

“I only take on about three or four clients at a time, which is a little bit different to most buyer’s agents,” she said.

“But I feel like if I take on less clients and do a really good job for them then that sort of brings its own repeat business.”

The approach is working. 

She regularly receives calls from clients she worked with years ago, now ready for their next property move, and frequently gets referrals to family and friends.

“I just live off my reputation,” she said.

“I just want to keep that good reputation and be someone that my clients in the past or current clients can contact and say, you know, like this is the next stage of life.”

Even her personal time reinforces her professional standing. As a regular presence on the sidelines of her sons’ sporting events, Monique is frequently approached for market insights and property advice.

“Someone said to me the other day, doesn’t it frustrate you because that’s your personal time? And I was like, no, I mean, I see it as a compliment because people come to me and they know that I have a good understanding of the industry,” she said.

Looking ahead, Monique plans to grow her team slowly while maintaining her focus on quality service.

“I don’t want to take on the world. I just want to do a good job by my clients,” she said.

“If you do a good job people will refer you and yeah hopefully I can buy myself a downsized property in the next five or ten years.”

With the buyer’s agency industry experiencing rapid growth, Monique has joined buyersagents.com.au to help prospective buyers navigate an increasingly crowded market.

“It’s a very low barrier to entry into the industry. And sometimes people, prospective buyers don’t know how to choose a buyer’s agent,” she said.

Buyersagents.com.au celebrates the achievements of professionals like Monique Treder, and helps connect trusted buyer’s agents with more buyers across Australia.

The post Monique Treder: Finding an edge in Sydney’s buyer’s agency space appeared first on Elite Agent.

Ray White Inner Brisbane Apartments has rebranded to Ray White Brisbane City, a change principals Colin and Kirsten Walsh say reflects the business’s established position in the 4000 postcode.

The agency claims up to 25 per cent market share across Brisbane’s CBD, where it has operated for close to two decades.

“This change recognises the hard work of the past five years and reflects where our business is heading,” Colin said.

“Ray White Brisbane City is a name we’ve worked towards for a long time, and it represents our position in the market.”

Colin’s connection to Ray White spans most of his real estate career. He worked alongside senior leaders in the network before launching Ray White Inner Brisbane Apartments five years ago.

The rebrand also signals geographic expansion. While Brisbane City remains the core focus, the business is growing into Spring Hill, Fortitude Valley and Bowen Hills, supported by recent acquisitions.

“With this name comes responsibility,” Colin said.

“We’re excited about what’s ahead, while remaining firmly focused on Brisbane City and continuing to grow our market share in the 4000 postcode.”

Colin said the agency’s sales and leasing results consistently outperform the market.

“The data shows we sell more property, at higher values, than anyone else in the CBD, and we also lease more properties than anyone else,” he said.

“We’re constantly raising the benchmark and challenging what’s possible.”

Rental growth has been a standout feature of the Brisbane CBD market in recent years, and Colin said accurate forecasting using economic data is key to investor success.

Looking ahead, he said confidence in the inner Brisbane market remains strong, with prices rising and investor demand solid.

“We’re seeing one-bedroom apartments reach price and rental levels that simply weren’t possible in the past,” Colin said.

He pointed to Brisbane’s infrastructure investment ahead of the 2032 Olympics as a driver of future growth.

“The Brisbane inner city is evolving into one of the world’s most modern and sophisticated urban centres,” Colin said.

“There is just so much happening. Brisbane is going from strength to strength, and when you look towards 2032 and beyond, it’s exciting.”

The post Ray White Inner Brisbane Apartments rebrands as Ray White Brisbane City appeared first on Elite Agent.

OBrien Real Estate has opened a new office in Doreen, expanding its footprint in Melbourne’s northern corridor.

The office will be led by directors Anna Varrica and George Stathakis, who also manage the group’s Mill Park and Preston locations. Anna brings 26 years of industry experience, while George has 16 years.

“Our people are our greatest strength,” said Managing Director Dean O’Brien.

“With Anna and George’s experienced leadership in place, we’re confident in delivering outstanding results for the Doreen community.”

Doreen, located 29km from Melbourne’s CBD, has seen continued residential development and infrastructure investment in recent years.

The suburb attracts interest from families, first-home buyers, and investors.

The new office brings together an existing local team now operating under the OBrien brand and network.

“We’re proud to welcome the Doreen team into the next chapter of our journey and look forward to seeing them thrive,” Dean said.

The post OBrien Real Estate opens Doreen office as northern corridor grows appeared first on Elite Agent.

Brooke Cadd has secured $715,000 for the three-bedroom, two-bathroom coastal home at 8 Harbison Street, Moonta Bay — complete with a single garage and three-bay shed — after a 130-day campaign that tested both market appetite and vendor confidence.

The Ray White Yorke Peninsula sales agent started the October 2025 campaign at $770,000 despite advising the vendors that $740,000 was more realistic — backing their need to maximise proceeds for a move to Woodend, Victoria.

“The vendors had to be able to sell in this market and buy something in Woodend to make it viable for them,” Brooke said.

“So to do that, as well as funding the move, they wanted to get as much as they possibly could. I ended up backing them at $770,000; however, at the end of the day, the market is constantly changing.”

Testing the market and losing momentum

Initial interest at the higher price point came from buyers who appeared close to proceeding around $750,000, but family circumstances forced them to pursue a different property better suited to their needs.

“We held off on reducing the price probably for longer than we should have, holding on to this slight little bit of hope that we may get something come through,” Brooke said.

When a nearby four-bedroom home listed cheaper and went under contract within weeks, feedback turned to concerns about overpricing.

Then another agent approached the vendors directly, and Brooke said she almost lost the listing.

“I had to really fight to make sure that the vendors would trust me through the process.”

Proving value under pressure

Brooke challenged the vendors to identify what the competing agent could deliver that she couldn’t beyond a price reduction — then demonstrated her answer.

She paid for featured banner placement on realestate.com.au from her own pocket, rolled out a vendor-funded, targeted social media campaign to reach genuinely interested buyers, and brought in her principal and colleagues for open inspections.

“They felt more comfortable knowing that we had the manpower of having five offices and seven agents working on the sale,” Brooke said.

“We had to really push our social media presence to show them we could provide the whole team compared to one independent agent.”

The enhanced marketing generated fresh enquiries. The eventual buyers — downsizers from Adelaide’s northern suburbs seeking a sea change — were drawn to the property’s coastal access, three-bay shed for boat storage, and established solar system with a legacy 52-cent-per-kilowatt feed-in tariff.

Coastal appeal on the Yorke Peninsula

Moonta Bay sits on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, offering relaxed seaside living with established gardens and generous allotments. The suburb attracts families and retirees drawn to coastal access and the Copper Coast lifestyle, with the property’s 1105-square-metre block typical of the area’s spacious residential character.

What worked for buyers

The shed and solar remained consistent drawcards throughout the campaign, though Brooke noted buyer reactions were mixed on the three-bedroom layout versus the four-bedroom competition nearby.

“A lot of people want another bedroom, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to finding the perfect buyer, which we definitely did,” she said.

The property went under contract at $715,000 via private treaty on 25 February 2026 after 130 days on market.

Brooke advises vendors in similar positions to maintain open communication and trust the process when market conditions require strategy adjustments. She said both vendor and buyer were able to move forward feeling confident in the outcome.

About the Agent

Brooke Cadd brings eight years of real estate experience to her sales role with Ray White Yorke Peninsula, including more than six years in business development and property management before transitioning to sales. She prioritises client relationships and availability, treating every property as her clients’ most important asset. Visit Brooke’s website for more information or call Brooke on 0478543877

The post Brooke Cadd fights to keep listing and delivers coastal sea change for Adelaide buyers appeared first on Elite Agent.

Century 21 has opened a new office in Killara on Sydney’s North Shore, led by Principal Claire Yan Liu and her team.

Century 21 North Group will service Killara, Gordon, and Lindfield, with Claire bringing more than seven years of real estate experience to the role.

The office marks a return to Century 21 for Claire and her team, who previously worked under the brand before moving to another agency.

“Rejoining Century 21 feels like after a long trip we finally come back home,” Claire said.

“Within a relatively short period of three months, our team successfully completed the transition from the previous agency to establish our own start-up agency, and subsequently joined the Century 21 network.”

Claire said the new office aims to build a collaborative platform for experienced agents.

“Our goal is to build a respected brand that stands for integrity, expertise, and long-term success in the North Shore property market.”

The partners at North Group live in Sydney’s North Shore suburbs, which Claire said gives them firsthand knowledge of the local market.

Century 21 Australasia Chairman Charles Tarbey said the team’s return reflected well on the network.

“Their deep-rooted connection to the North Shore community, combined with their decades of collective industry experience, makes them a formidable presence in the market,” Charles said.

“It is always a proud moment when top-tier professionals choose to return home to Century 21.”

Century 21 North Group is located at Shop 8, 651 Pacific Highway, Killara.

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Everyone’s CV looks amazing now. Here’s how to find the actual human behind the prompt.

Thomas McGlynn nailed it a few years back when he said that a job interview has always been the meeting of two lies: The employer exaggerates how great the culture is. The candidate exaggerates how great they are. Ninety days later, everyone finds out.

Now multiply that problem by AI.

Today’s candidates are running their cover letters through ChatGPT. Their CVs have been polished by Gemini. Their LinkedIn summaries read like they were written by a professional copywriter – because, in a way, they were. And here’s the thing: you can’t really blame them. If you had a tool that could make you sound 30% more articulate, you’d use it too.

But it means the old hiring playbook could be a little broken.

Reading cover letters to “get a sense of the person” doesn’t work when the person didn’t actually write them. And dumping those AI-written applications into another AI to summarise them? Congratulations – you’ve just created a game of robot tennis where nobody’s keeping score and the human wandered off to make a coffee.

So what do you do instead?

Change the medium, change the signal

If every candidate can produce a flawless written application, then written applications stop being useful as a filter.

You need to test for things AI can’t fake – yet.

Build a smarter application form

Tools like Jotform or Tally let you go way beyond “upload your CV.” Instead, create situational questions that reveal how someone actually thinks:

• A tenant calls at 4:45 PM on a Friday with a burst pipe. Walk us through exactly what you do in the next 30 minutes.
• A vendor disagrees with your recommended sale price. How do you handle the conversation?
• You’ve got three inspections, a settlement, and a staff meeting all on the same morning. What gets moved?

There’s no ChatGPT template for your specific office scenarios. That’s the point.

Test their AQ, not just their IQ

Adaptability Quotient matters more than ever. Ask candidates to rate how much they enjoy various tasks on a scale of 1 to 10. If someone rates admin a 2 but the role is 80% systems and data entry, you’ve just saved yourself a 90-day disappointment – no matter how polished their application looked.

Think of it as a compatibility test for your office. Tinder for task preferences, minus the awkward ghosting. (Actually, no – realistically there’s probably still ghosting!)

Ask for video

A 60-second selfie video answering one specific question is worth more than a two-page cover letter right now. AI can write a script, but it can’t fake warmth, energy, or the way someone’s face lights up when they talk about something they actually care about.

Keep the question simple: Tell us why this role, at this agency, right now. You’ll know within 15 seconds. Either they light up or they sound like they’re reading a ransom note from a teleprompter.

Ask the questions that actually matter

Once you’ve filtered for real humans, the interview itself needs to evolve too.

The culture question nobody asks:

Most agencies advertise the same role. Same duties, same salary band, same “dynamic team environment.”

Your culture is the differentiator – so test for it.

Ask candidates what they found when they looked at your socials. If they didn’t look, that tells you something. If they did, what they noticed tells you more.

The future question:

If property management shifts from being mostly about maintenance to being mostly about asset advisory and client experience, how would they see their role changing?

This isn’t a trick question: It’s a genuine window into whether someone sees this as a job or a career.

The AI question:

Do you see AI as a collaborator or just useful for checking your emails? There’s no wrong answer here, but the answer tells you a lot about someone’s mindset toward growth, learning, and change. You want people who are curious, not threatened.

Profiling tools still work.

DISC, Kolbe Index, Wealth Dynamics – these aren’t new, but they’re more valuable than ever when the written application has become unreliable. Use them at the shortlist stage to understand whether you’re hiring a Starter when you actually need a Finisher.

Use AI on your side (smartly)

Here’s where it gets fun. AI isn’t just changing how people apply – it can transform how you hire.

Use AI to help you build your application form in the first place. Feed it your role description and ask it to generate situational questions tailored to your agency.

Use it to create scoring criteria so incoming applications get flagged immediately against your shortlist requirements. Connect it to a Calendly link so high-fit candidates can book a meeting straight after they’ve finished the application.

The workflow becomes: application lands → AI flags the best fits → you get a cheat sheet of their responses → you walk into the interview prepared and focused on the human in front of you. You know, the bit you as a leader went into real estate for: talking to people. Not reading 47 variations of ‘I’m a passionate self-starter.’

By the way: That’s not replacing the human decision. That’s giving the human decision-maker better information, faster.

The bit about staying legal

If you’re using AI to help shortlist candidates – even if it’s just a smart spreadsheet that scores responses – you need to know about the Privacy Act reforms landing in December 2026.

The short version: if AI “substantially assists” in deciding who gets an interview, that counts as automated decision-making under the new rules, and you have obligations around transparency.

Best practice right now is a simple three-layer approach:

A clear notice on your application form: “We use AI-assisted shortlisting to help our team process applications faster.”

A brief explanation that AI helps rank candidates on skills and experience, but all final hiring decisions are made by humans.

An updated privacy policy that covers how you use applicant data – including which AI tools are involved.

This isn’t something to panic about. It’s something to get ahead of. And frankly, being upfront about using AI in your hiring process is a good look – it signals that your agency is modern, efficient, and transparent.

We’ll be diving deeper into the compliance side in a follow-up piece. For now, the three-layer approach above will put you well ahead of most agencies.

Stop reading resumes. Start testing for talent

The job interview was always the meeting of two lies. AI has just given both sides a better script. Your job as a hiring manager hasn’t changed – find the right person for your team – but your methods need to catch up.

Change the medium. Test for thinking, not writing. Ask the questions that reveal character, not credentials. And use AI yourself to work smarter on the back end.

The agencies that figure this out first won’t just hire better people. They’ll keep them. And maybe, just maybe, both sides will stop lying by interview two.

Ready to find your next team member? Post your role on Elite Agent Jobs – it’s free to post and you can amplify to reach more real estate professionals who read The Brief.

For more on how to think AI first about other systems in your business, consider doing the AI Accelerator course where you will learn the AI first formula, how to win listings and more.

The post How to find your next hire in the age of AI appeared first on Elite Agent.

The five features showcased in the autumn launch include an intelligent AI search assistant, a map draw feature that allows property seekers to filter results by custom boundaries beyond suburb lines and an energy comparison tool to help homeowners save on energy costs.

New realestate.com.au features to help you search and save:

Search for property in your own words:

Be among the first to discover realestate.com.au’s new AI-powered search assistant – a natural, faster and easier way to search and find property, all in a single conversation. Skip the filters and instead combine budget, suburbs, travel time, lifestyle needs and must-haves into one search.

Take a 3D virtual tour with iGUIDE:

Explore homes with iGUIDE’s immersive 3D virtual tours and view detailed floor plans and site plans, all before you inspect. Understand the layout and jump straight to key rooms like the kitchen, loungeroom or bathroom in just one click.

Draw your search area on the map:

Outline the exact area you want to live in to bring up homes that are on the streets you like and in the suburb pockets you care most about. Follow train lines and pinpoint nearby schools, parks and cafes to find your future home faster.

Get instant answers about your property:

Track your property to unlock realestate.com.au’s AI assistant that explains your property’s value and local market trends. Find out what your home is worth with a realEstimate, ask what’s driving your property’s value and see similar properties.

Find a better energy deal in minutes:

A fast, accurate and free way for homeowners to compare and switch energy plans. Use your real energy usage to compare and find personalised savings. Avoid loyalty tax and make sure you’re not overpaying by following a simple guided process from comparison to switch in just a few steps.

REA Group Chief Product Officer, Jonathan Swift, said: “Our consumer strategy is focused on engaging our audience throughout the property journey and helping them act sooner with confidence.

“New features like iGUIDE are designed to turn initial interest into serious buyer engagement. Highly immersive content drives more views and enquiries², while 1 in 3 buyers agree video or 3D tours

make them more likely to inspect a property³, which underpins the value we provide customers and vendors.

“Our AI-powered search assistant encourages property seekers to take an action, such as saving or sharing a listing, adding it to an inspection plan or submitting an enquiry, and has the potential to broaden search results to help consumers think outside of their set filters. This experience will constantly evolve, becoming smarter and more helpful, as the level of intent data available increases exponentially.

“Supporting and engaging homeowners is just as important for us. We know homeowners regularly engage with realestate.com.au’s My Property owner dashboard to track the value of their property and now they can also reduce household costs by finding a better deal on electricity and gas plans.”

Learn more about realestate.com.au’s autumn launch at realestate.com.au

¹ Ipsos iris Online Audience Measurement Service, Jul 2025 – Dec 2025 (average), P14+, PC/laptop/smartphone/tablets, text only, Homes and Property Category, Brand Group, realestate.com.au, Audience (000’s)
² REA internal data, Jan-Oct 2025
³ realestate.com.au Residential Audience Pulse survey, April 2025

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Nick Dowling has been appointed chairman of FOUNDIT, the national platform connecting property buyers with buyer’s agents.

Nick is the former CEO and current chairman of Jellis Craig, and sits on the REA Group board.

His appointment formalises board-level oversight as the platform expands across Australian markets.

FOUNDIT co-founder Angus Ferguson said the appointment grew out of early conversations about how to scale the business sustainably.

“When we first sat down with Nick, we were seeking advice on growth, positioning and how to build something sustainable,” Angus said.

“It quickly became clear we shared a belief that the buyer side of the industry is entering a more mature phase, and that growth needs to be supported by strong governance and clear standards.”

The platform connects buyers with established buyer’s agents and provides technology for reporting and client management.

Its model focuses on partnering with independent operators rather than building an in-house team.

“Our ambition is to back high-performing agents with the structure and brand presence that allows them to scale confidently,” Angus said.

“We are building a national framework that supports professional operators who want to grow their businesses within a disciplined and well-governed environment.”

Nick said the buyer’s agent segment had reached a point where formal governance structures made sense.

“There is clear momentum in the buyer-focused segment of the market,” he said.

“FOUNDIT is approaching that opportunity with professionalism and intent. The combination of experienced operators, intelligent technology and formal governance creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth.”

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Hundreds of new homes in Pyrmont and Westmead are set to start construction sooner thanks to a $1 billion government-backed pre-sale finance guarantee that gives developers certainty and removes lender risk.

The Minns Labor Government’s Pre-sale Finance Guarantee allows the state to commit to buying up to 50 per cent of homes in a residential development project if pre-sales fall short, with support ranging from $5 million to $50 million per project.

The program is already backing 38 of 280 apartments in Landream’s $900 million Pyrmont Place on Wattle Street, Pyrmont, and 13 of 30 apartments, including six affordable homes, in the Elodie development on Good Street, Westmead.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the initiative was aimed at easing both housing and cost-of-living pressures.

“This is about using the NSW Budget to help the household budget,” he said. “In a dual cost of living and housing crisis, we are pulling every lever to support the delivery of desperately needed new homes. As demand for this program grows, we’re on track to support more building projects that create homes and economic opportunity right across NSW.”

Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the guarantee was breaking down barriers for developers.

“NSW needs new homes sooner. The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee is breaking down barriers and fast-tracking the start of construction for hundreds of much-needed homes for our communities,” Mr Scully said.

Developers say the program provides the certainty needed to move forward; Chris Pratt, Head of Development NSW at Landream, said Pyrmont Place will deliver world-class residences within a mixed-use precinct, creating public amenities and hotel accommodation in the area.

“There has been strong demand for the development which is reflected in the pre-sales achieved to date. This, coupled with the NSW Government Pre-sale Finance Guarantee, will allow us to now accelerate the delivery of 285 new homes,” Pratt said.

Further, John Nehme, director of Gaby Group, said the Elodie project in Westmead benefited directly from the scheme.

“The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has provided much-needed certainty, allowing us to move forward with confidence and accelerate the delivery of new homes in Westmead. Elodie represents our commitment to delivering well-designed, well-located affordable housing that supports the continued growth of the Parramatta and Westmead precinct,” Nehme said.

Since its launch in October, the Pre-sale Finance Guarantee has attracted 45 expressions of interest from developers, with one-third already invited to participate. To date, the program has accelerated construction of more than 540 homes, and further approvals could unlock over 130 homes in regional NSW.

The scheme forms part of a broader effort to speed up housing delivery, alongside landmark planning reforms, the NSW Housing Pattern Book, and the state’s largest-ever rezoning initiative.

The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee explained:

The NSW Pre-sale Finance Guarantee is a government-backed program designed to help developers secure construction finance and accelerate the delivery of new homes. It does this by reducing the risk that lenders face when financing residential developments.

Developers usually need to sell a portion of apartments “off the plan” before construction begins to convince banks to lend them money. This can be risky because:

• Pre-sales may be slower than expected.
• Buyers could pull out before settlement.
• Banks may hesitate to approve loans without sufficient sales.

The Pre-sale Finance Guarantee addresses these risks:

1. Government Commitment: The NSW Government can commit to buying up to 50% of homes in a development if pre-sales are not enough. Each property can be valued up to $2 million.
2. Financial Security for Lenders: By guaranteeing these pre-sales, the program removes lender risk, making banks more willing to lend developers the money needed to start construction.
3. Accelerates Housing Delivery: Developers gain certainty and can begin building sooner, which means new homes reach the market faster.
4. Scale and Scope: The program has a $1 billion revolving fund over five years. Support per project ranges from $5 million to $50 million, depending on need.

The post NSW ‘Pre-sale Finance Guarantee’ set to accelerate hundreds of new homes appeared first on Elite Agent.

The Paddington property that served as the headquarters of Roxy Jacenko’s PR empire is up for sale, marking another step in the entrepreneur’s departure from Sydney.

The corner site at 7–13 Elizabeth Street will go to auction on 12 May, with Colliers handling the campaign.

Roxy acquired the 290 square metre landholding in 2014 as the base for Sweaty Betty PR, her communications and talent management business. 

The property became synonymous with the publicist’s high-profile brand during her decade of ownership.

The sale follows Roxy’s move overseas, with the property now held as an investment rather than an operational base.

“This is a genuinely rare opportunity to acquire a freehold asset in one of Sydney’s most tightly held and socially prominent village precincts,” said James Cowan, Head of New South Wales Investment Services at Colliers.

“We expect strong interest from high-net-worth individuals, boutique developers, private investors and occupiers seeking a premium Eastern Suburbs foothold.”

The building has undergone extensive renovation, with interiors designed by Blainey North. It’s currently leased to Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty until May 2027.

The property sits on a corner site with three street frontages and a north-facing aspect overlooking Strong Memorial Reserve. 

It neighbours Paddington Public School and sits within the village precinct connecting Oxford Street to Centennial Park.

Zoned R1 General Residential with existing commercial use rights, the site has conditional approval for redevelopment into six residential apartments.

The post She’s out! Roxy Jacenko lists Paddington HQ as she exits Sydney appeared first on Elite Agent.

The escalating conflict in the Gulf is reshaping where the world’s ultra-wealthy choose to live – and Milan is emerging as a leading beneficiary.

As Iranian missile strikes on the UAE prompt an exodus of wealthy expatriates, Italy’s financial capital is positioning itself as Europe’s premier destination for high-net-worth individuals seeking tax advantages and lifestyle appeal.

“Italy has the best benefits: a flat tax and good quality of life,” Armand Arton, a consultant who helps multimillionaire and billionaire families relocate through investment citizenship schemes, told the Guardian.

“People leaving the UAE can see themselves living in Rome or Milan quite easily as international, metropolitan centres.”

Under Italy’s flat-tax regime, foreign residents can pay €300,000 (approximately A$520,000) annually on all overseas income – regardless of how much they earn. 

The scheme has attracted around 5,000 participants since launching in 2017.

The arrangement has proved particularly appealing since the UK abolished its non-domicile tax status. 

The Italian rule has earned the nickname “svuota Londra” – meaning “evacuate London” – among Milan’s financial community.

The influx is already affecting Milan’s property market. 

Prices have risen 38 per cent over the past five years, according to Knight Frank research, with the city now Italy’s most expensive at an average €5,171 per square metre.

Premium neighbourhoods including Sant’Ambrogio, Brera and the Cinque Vie near the Duomo are seeing even steeper increases.

The shift is transforming Milan’s luxury landscape. 

Galleries are expanding following a VAT cut on art sales from 22 per cent to 5 per cent. 

Private members’ clubs Casa Cipriani and Soho House have opened new outposts. 

Via Monte Napoleone briefly held the title of world’s most expensive shopping street in 2024, overtaking New York’s Upper Fifth Avenue.

Rome is experiencing similar changes, with Rosewood and Four Seasons hotels scheduled to open in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Whether Milan can permanently displace Dubai as the hub for global wealth remains uncertain. 

Mr Arton expects Dubai to recover its appeal for certain demographics.

“It may no longer check the box for everyone, but there will still be certain groups that find Dubai very attractive because there are simply not many other places in the world that offer the same mix of opportunity and quality of life.”

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One of London’s best‑known luxury estate agencies, Harrods Estates, has shut its doors after 130 years of operation, marking a significant moment in the prime international property market.

The firm, founded in 1897 as a way to market high‑end homes to British aristocrats and wealthy overseas buyers, has closed its last remaining office on Brompton Road in Knightsbridge and is no longer taking new enquiries.

The decision, described internally as “very difficult”, aligns with a strategic shift by the wider Harrods Group to “focus on its core proposition of luxury retail, catering for clients and customers within the Knightsbridge store and online”, residential director Shaun Drummond told The Times.

Industry observers say the closure reflects significant structural changes in London’s ultra‑prime market.

A series of tax and policy shifts, including stamp duty increases of up to 19 per cent for overseas buyers and the abolition of the UK’s non‑dom tax status, have dampened demand from the international buyers who once drove much of the city’s luxury sales.

Prices for homes over £4.5 million (about AUD $8–9 million) fell by roughly 4.8 per cent in 2025, according to broker analysis cited in media reports.

Harrods Estates was once closely associated with London’s elite. In its heyday it expanded beyond Knightsbridge to other prime districts and even appointed high‑profile figures such as Raine Spencer, Princess Diana’s stepmother, as a director – part of an era when, industry peers say, “everyone who was anyone wanted to list with the agency”.

Market experts point to a “triple whammy” hitting the firm: tax‑driven decline in high‑end demand, Knightsbridge losing ground to rival enclaves such as Mayfair and Belgravia, and reputational setbacks linked to controversies surrounding former owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

While Harrods Estates will continue to service existing landlords and clients through a phased wind‑down until March next year, its closure is seen as indicative of wider recalibration in global luxury property markets, with implications for international investors and agencies that have depended on high‑net‑worth buyers in cities such as London.

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The Agency has opened a new office covering Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs of Beaumaris, Black Rock and Sandringham, led by long-time local agent Bert Geraerts.

Bert brings more than 30 years of real estate experience in the Bayside area to the role, with a client base built largely on repeat business and referrals.

He joins The Agency alongside his daughter Eliza, who works as his support partner.

“The opportunity to combine our experience with a strong national network and modern marketing platform allows us to continue delivering exceptional outcomes while maintaining the personal approach,” Bert said.

Michael Wood, General Manager of Sales at The Agency Victoria, said the appointment reflects the brand’s broader growth ambitions in the state.

“We are always on the hunt for real estate professionals who understand our unique model which enables them to retain more of their commissions,” Michael said.

The Agency already operates in Williamstown, Toorak and regional areas across Victoria, with further Bayside expansion planned.

The post The Agency expands Melbourne footprint with Bayside office appeared first on Elite Agent.

Louise Hackmann of Raine & Horne Killarney Vale has secured $1.142 million for a dual-income property at 3 Hume Boulevard, Killarney Vale, after a buyer ranking system sparked 150 offers from nine investors in seven days.

The house features two properties on one title with five bedrooms, two bathrooms and off-street parking.

Louise guided the property around recent sales at $990,000, positioning it to attract investor interest from the outset.

Final five minutes triggered deadline extensions

Louise ran three inspections over seven days—Thursday, Saturday, and the following Thursday—before setting a final bidding deadline for 5.30pm that Thursday evening.

The online system allowed buyers to submit offers up until the deadline, but the competition intensified as the clock wound down. Every time an offer came through in the final five minutes, the deadline extended by another five minutes.

“We sent every offer through to the vendor in real time, allowing them to watch the process unfold,” Louise said.

“They weren’t expecting that result—they thought it was incredible how it was managed.”

Dual-income layout and shop proximity attracted pure investor field

All nine competing buyers were investors attracted by the dual-income potential and location—directly across from shops in Killarney Vale.

Louise said the property’s income return and convenience made it a standout for the investor market.

The transparency of the buyer ranking system resonated with investors who appreciated being able to submit offers at any time and knowing exactly when the final deadline would close.

“The buyers liked the ease of the process—they could put in their offer at any time and we gave them a final time. They just said it was easy,” Louise said.

Supply shortage keeps unsuccessful bidders searching

Eight of the nine competing investors remain active in the Killarney Vale market after missing out on 3 Hume Boulevard.

Louise sees this as a direct reflection of a supply shortage in the area.

“There’s not enough properties like this available, hence the interest in this property,” she said.

“It’s an incredible market at the moment for investors. There’s a lot of people out there looking.”

Louise sees the result as a direct reflection of investor demand outstripping supply in Killarney Vale’s dual-income segment.

About the agent

Louise Hackmann brings over 20 years of property sales experience to the Central Coast, specialising in residential properties, acreages, and lifestyle estates across Killarney Vale, Berkeley Vale, and Tumbi Umbi. With a background in communications and negotiations honed at a multinational company, Louise focuses on delivering exceptional marketing strategies and smooth transitions for her clients. Visit Louise’s website or call Louise on +61413183515.

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Kathryn Parkes and Kirsty Schultz secured $2.6 million for a five-bedroom house on nearly an acre in Narrawallee after pivoting from auction to private treaty when their strongest buyers needed finance certainty.

The pivot that secured the sale

Kathryn Parkes and Kirsty Schultz sensed early that 42 Maclay Street would need a responsive approach. The five-bedroom house sat on just under an acre near Narrawallee Inlet — a rare combination of space and coastal proximity with nothing comparable on the market.

“This was all about communicating with buyers all the way through and being very transparent with everyone that came through the door,” Kathryn said.

Kathryn and Kirsty started with an auction campaign but no rigid price guide. The strategy was to listen to market feedback and adapt accordingly.

When the right buyers couldn’t meet auction terms

Four weeks into the campaign, two serious buyers emerged. Both said they loved the property. However, only one could participate under auction conditions.

“When we realised our buyers weren’t able to participate under auction conditions, we transitioned to ensure that our buyers and our vendors were happy to get a good result,” Kathryn said.

The buyers needed unconditional finance before committing — a common requirement that auction timelines don’t always accommodate. Kathryn and Kirsty recognised that the auction format was working against their vendors’ best interests.

The transition to private treaty was straightforward. The vendors understood the marketplace and trusted their agents’ communication throughout the process. The sale settled at $2.6 million on 2 April 2026.

What drew the buyers

The successful purchasers were local — a couple with farming backgrounds seeking their forever home. The single-level layout, pool, and privacy appealed, but it was the extra land that sealed their commitment.

“They come from a farming background so having that extra bit of land and privacy was very important to them,” Kathryn said.

At inspections, buyers consistently noted the craftsmanship. For a 20-year-old home, the quality of the build stood out — high-end finishes, structural integrity, and an open-plan design that felt both spacious and secure.

Narrawallee’s quiet appeal

Narrawallee’s appeal lies in its coastal charm without the crowds of neighbouring Mollymook. The suburb attracts families seeking beachside living with privacy, particularly properties offering extra land close to Narrawallee Inlet. Buyers familiar with the area recognise it as a quieter alternative to busier South Coast destinations.

“If you know Narrawallee, you know it’s a beautiful place,” Kathryn said. “It’s becoming more popular, but deep down the locals know it’s a secret little gem.”

Advice for future sellers

Kathryn’s counsel for anyone listing in Narrawallee centres on one principle: listen to the market.

“The buyers that want to get into the area are looking for good value and they’re looking for a place that they can call their own,” she said. “It’s all about being very open and listening to what the market is going to pay for a property.”

The vendors were delighted with the outcome — a result Kathryn attributes to transparency, communication, and willingness to adapt when the campaign required it.

About the Agent

Kathryn Parkes grew up in Ulladulla and continues to raise her two boys on the South Coast, staying active in the local RSL Sub-Branch and AFL Junior Club. After careers in the Royal Australian Air Force, Human Resources, and Customer Service, she entered real estate in 2016 and now works as a Sales Professional with One Agency Elite Property Group, combining nearly a decade of property experience with deep local knowledge. Visit Kathryn’s website for more information or call Kathryn on 0474165080.

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Ahmad Basam sold a four-bedroom apartment at 402/3-5 Clydesdale Place, Pymble, for $1,595,000 in 15 days after the property had spent 198 days on market with another agent.

That previous listing had also been on market with another agent before Ahmad achieved a building record. When the owners of 402/3-5 Clydesdale Place saw the result after their own 198-day campaign had stalled, they reached out.

The creative repositioning

The property had originally been marketed as a three-bedroom apartment, however Ahmad identified an opportunity within the existing layout to present the space as a functional fourth bedroom.

The owners had previously installed built-in robes in the room, meaning no structural changes were required — simply styling the space with a bed and side tables allowed buyers to clearly recognise it as an additional bedroom.

“Four-bedroom apartments are typically limited to penthouses, which sit at a very different price point,” Ahmad said.

“If you needed four bedrooms, this presented a rare opportunity within the local apartment market.”

The repositioning broadened the property’s appeal to a different segment of the market — particularly families seeking additional space but priced out of houses in the area.

The database buyer who came back

Ahmad’s database included a local family in West Pymble with three kids who were planning to build their dream home on their current property. They needed somewhere to live during construction — and four bedrooms weren’t negotiable.

The family initially held back when Ahmad approached them pre-market, wanting to see how other buyers responded in the current climate. But when the property went live and a second family showed serious interest, the original buyers committed.

“What triggered it in the end was fear of loss from the other buyer,” Ahmad said.

The competition created the urgency that pre-market engagement alone couldn’t deliver.

The Pymble apartment market

The apartment sits in a quiet, tightly held security complex of 34 full-brick residences in Pymble, a family-oriented suburb where 30 per cent of residents are under 20. The property falls within the catchment for Pymble Public School and St Ives High School, with recent comparable sales including properties in Gordon, Turramurra, Killara and Wahroonga.

The sale marked Ahmad’s second apartment transaction in Pymble — both achieved building records, with this one also setting a street record.

What vendors noticed

After the stress of their previous 198-day campaign, the vendors highlighted Ahmad’s communication style as the standout difference.

“They were quite pleased throughout the campaign with the way I explained the process, meeting in person and going through everything,” Ahmad said.

“When the property sold, they said everything was very smooth and that’s what they really liked.”

The Pymble lesson

For other property owners in the area, Ahmad’s advice centres on avoiding the cookie-cutter approach that dominates apartment marketing.

“Every single property is unique and different,” he said.

“You need to analyse the buyer types for that property and work out how to get the best outcome — sometimes that involves looking at it with a different lens.”

In this case, that different lens turned a space with built-in robes into a fourth bedroom, a 198-day campaign into a 15-day sale, and a standard apartment into a street record.

About the Agent

Ahmad Basam from The Marshall Group RE brings a client-focused, modern perspective to real estate on Sydney’s Upper North Shore. Known for his energetic approach, honest communication and creative problem-solving, Ahmad combines cutting-edge marketing strategies with strong negotiation skills to deliver results for his clients. His track record includes multiple building records in Pymble’s tightly held apartment market. Visit Ahmad’s website for more information or call Ahmad on 0405305795

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Darrell Fernandes of LJ Hooker Liverpool sold 52 Sims Street, Moorebank, for $2.33 million at auction after implementing dual Saturday inspections, midweek opens, and an auction-day barbecue that drew nine registered bidders.

The property had been on the market for four weeks when it went under the hammer on 28 March 2026, with four to five bidders actively competing and an opening bid of $2 million that exceeded expectations given the economic headwinds at the time.

Reading the market and adapting fast

Darrell had planned for auction from the start, but consecutive interest rate hikes, global uncertainty, and soaring petrol prices changed buyer behaviour during the campaign.

“Buyers weren’t driving to open homes as much, especially from a distance,” Darrell says.

His response was to make inspections more accessible — running two Saturday sessions (morning and afternoon) plus midweek viewings, and offering FaceTime walkthroughs for interstate or time-poor buyers.

The vendors had previously sold through Darrell during COVID, reinforcing a trust built over multiple market cycles. That repeat relationship gave him the flexibility to pivot strategy mid-campaign without hesitation.

“She was really positive, trusted the process, and just gave us full control to do what we do best,” Darrell says.

What buyers noticed

The 770-square-metre block with irregular shape stood out in an estate where similar homes had been struggling or going under offer during cooling-off periods.

“This is quite a unique home for the estate,” Darrell says. “The location and land size were key differentiators.”

Buyers responded strongly to the backyard — sparkling pool, spa, outdoor barbecue area, and pergola, which became the auction venue. The auction-day barbecue added a relaxed, community feel that helped build energy among the nine registered bidders.

Bidding opened at $2 million and moved quickly, with buyers recognising the property would sell on the day.

“We weren’t expecting that opening bid,” Darrell says. “It blew us out of the water.”

Darrell observed that underbidders remained interested in the area but were uncertain where prices would settle, signalling ongoing appetite at the premium end of the Moorebank market.

What it means for vendors now

Darrell’s advice for vendors considering a sale in the area is practical.

“Buyers are using a lot more data to research property prices. Vendors need to be flexible with what’s happening if they really want to sell,” he says.

What surprised him most about this campaign was the level of genuine interest and the final result, given the market uncertainty when the campaign began.

The vendors have now sold twice through Darrell during challenging market conditions — once during COVID, and again during this period of rate volatility — reinforcing the value of an agent who adapts strategy to market realities rather than waiting for conditions to improve.

About the agent

Darrell Fernandes from LJ Hooker Liverpool has over 18 years of real estate experience across all property types and market conditions. A long-time local, he and his wife have personally bought, sold, and renovated homes in the area. Clients value his honest advice, practical solutions, and strategic marketing approach. Visit Darrell’s website or call Darrell on +61 411 247 186.

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Property investors across Australia are preparing for a potential shake-up in tax policy, with new research indicating that changes to the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) discount and negative gearing rules could prompt significant adjustments in investor behaviour.

A nationally representative survey conducted by Money.com.au reveals that 39% of property investors would reconsider their real estate holdings if the government reduces the current 50% CGT discount on investment property sales.

An additional 22% said capping negative gearing concessions to a single property would lead them to scale back or sell.

Money.com.au’s Mortgage Expert, Nick Burgess, warns the implications could ripple through the housing market.

“If property investors pull back or consider selling, that has real implications for rental prices, as fewer investment properties means fewer homes available to rent, which can push rents higher. Some investors may also increase rents to offset the impact of these changes on their returns or delay selling or hold out for higher prices to maintain their after-tax returns,” he said.

Mr Burgess added that the reforms may not necessarily improve housing affordability.

“Not every Australian renter is in a position to become a homeowner due to lending serviceability requirements and the ballooning costs of homeownership, including stamp duty, council rates, insurance and maintenance.

“The research suggests some investors may scale back or shift away from property towards other asset classes, but it remains to be seen how material the impact would be in practice.”

Despite these concerns, the survey found that 39% of investors say neither policy would affect their decision to continue investing in real estate. According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), roughly 2.26 million Australians own an investment property, including nearly 640,000 who own two or more properties.

State-by-State investor sensitivity

Investor reactions to potential tax changes differ by state. South Australia and Queensland showed the highest sensitivity to CGT reforms, with 45% and 42% of investors respectively indicating they might scale back investment if the CGT discount is reduced – well above the national average. In comparison, NSW and Victoria registered 38% and 39%, while Western Australia trailed at 33%.

Responses to negative gearing changes were less uniform. Western Australia led with 33% of investors likely to pull back, followed by 25% in NSW, 22% in Victoria, and lower shares in Queensland (16%) and South Australia (11%).

What could be coming

Industry speculation, supported by reporting from The Australian, suggests the federal government is likely to reduce the CGT discount from 50% to 33% and cap negative gearing at two properties per individual.

Independent housing analyst Eliza Owen told The Australian’s The Money Puzzle podcast that “headline inflation over the last decade is up about 33 per cent, and the typical holding period for investment property is considered to be 10 years, so I do wonder if that is the basis on which they come up with the number.”

The changes are expected to be grandfathered, meaning existing investors will continue under current rules until they sell.

But the reforms could reshape investor strategies, particularly as net rental yields in major cities remain low at 2–3%. Analysts suggest the new CGT rules may push investors toward regional markets or outer suburbs where returns are higher.

Industry veteran and commentator Tom Panos also highlighted the potential market impact in an Instagram update, saying:

“It is official. We’re likely to be getting a change to capital gains tax. Of course, it’s not going to be scrapped, but it is going to be trimmed. The 50% discount looks like it’s heading down to 33%. Negative gearing is not going to be abolished, but it will likely be capped at two properties.

“This isn’t a crash switch. It’s more of a slow squeeze on investors – less incentive to hold, less upside on the exit, and more friction in the system.

“If you can only negatively gear two properties, let me tell you what’s going to be hot: blocks of units. Most authorities, including banks, consider a block of units as one property. That’s a way people may get around the two-property negative gearing cap.”

The Australian Government is expected to announce any changes in the 2026–27 Federal Budget on May 12, with Treasury modelling indicating that adjustments to CGT and negative gearing could have a material impact on the national accounts, where CGT currently represents a $32 billion item annually.

As investors and agents prepare for a policy shift, Mr Burgess advises caution.

“The research suggests some investors may scale back or shift away from property towards other asset classes, but it remains to be seen how material the impact would be in practice.”

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Forget percentages and market reports – real negotiation is human, not mathematical. Maddie Harris, property consultant at OBrien Real Estate Berwick, has spent 15 years proving it.

“I really think a lot of people use dollars, cents and percentages in their negotiation,” Maddie says.
“I use genuine conversation, and open, honest, full transparency between both sides.”

Many agents assume negotiation begins when an offer lands, but for Maddie, the process starts much earlier.

“The trust has to be earned before you are sitting there with an offer,” she explains. “You cannot suddenly switch on empathy. Vendors need to feel it from the start.”

Her approach guides everything from listing presentations to setting expectations with buyers, so instead of inflating numbers to secure a listing, Maddie relies on facts, comparables, and open discussion.

“A buyer will determine the price,” she says. “Setting a high price at the start can sometimes make your job harder. I will say, ‘Here is what I think it is worth, here is what you think it is worth, let us throw it out there and see what the buyers think.’ It puts the responsibility back on the market, and most people are pretty receptive to that.”

Negotiation is about understanding people

Early in her career, Maddie approached negotiation mathematically, focusing on percentages and the difference between offers. Over time, she realised that was not enough.

“Now, it comes down to understanding the real motive, why someone wants to buy, why someone wants to sell,” she says.

“If you understand their story, you can guide the conversation. Yes, $5,000 might hurt now, but when the kids can walk to school every day, it is going to feel much easier. You have to be relatable and honest.”

She says her years in theatre helped shape the confidence she now brings to client interactions.

“Having self-assurance, learning scripts, and being comfortable speaking to people definitely helped when I was young and starting out.”

One of the strongest lessons Maddie has learned is to prioritise human decisions over financial gain.

“There is a deal happening right now that, if it falls over, could affect another listing and a commission,” she says.

“I have had to remind myself that guiding my clients to make the best human decision is more important than worrying about the money. If you remain a people person first, you can navigate negotiations with integrity.”

She also stresses that every deal is unique and it needs to be treated as such.

“Agents often talk too much about how good they are, ‘I sold this, I got that price.’ But each client and each property is different. You have to treat every deal in isolation.”

Maddie’s journey from receptionist to senior sales agent is a story of adaptability. She started in administration, helped across marketing and rentals, then moved into co-listing before becoming a solo agent.

“I did not aspire to be a real estate agent at first,” she admits. “I had finished high school and was working with an acting agency. I just loved working with people and helping them.”

While she sometimes misses performing, Maddie says real estate offers its own rewards.

“I still love theatre and live music, and I go to everything that comes out,” she says. “I miss dancing, but I feel like I live it through my kids now. That is really special.”

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Karl Gallienne from The Property Culture in Huonville has secured $1.36 million for a four-bedroom country cottage in Cygnet, Tasmania, after just 15 days on market, finding the perfect young family for a property that epitomises the Huon Valley lifestyle.

The 251 Silver Hill Road property wasn’t just another house sale. For the vendors, it was a deeply loved home they’d chosen for the same reasons the new buyers fell for it — the charm-packed cottage, established fruit trees and veggie garden, chicken coop, and 31 acres of native bushland offering genuine self-sufficiency.

Painting the lifestyle picture

Karl knew this style of property would attract quick interest, but the strategy was deliberate.

“The property itself represents the quintessential Huon Valley style country residence that people are looking for,” Karl said.

“We did all the usual marketing plus a bit to ensure we canvassed all of Australia and found the perfect buyers.”

That “plus a bit” involved specialised photography tailored to the property’s character, and video content designed specifically for social media targeting.

“Our videos are tailored mainly to social media marketing. Our social media targeted marketing is very specialised, making sure that we target specific groups and not just randomly anybody,” Karl explained.

“So canvassing the whole of Australia using video and then directing that traffic to the website seems to work very well for our style of properties.”

The self-sufficient appeal

What made the cottage so compelling was its turnkey lifestyle offering. The pretty gardens, well-established fruit trees and vegetable garden out the back, and the chicken coop in the corner painted a picture of country living that resonated powerfully with the right buyers.

“A lot of people want to enjoy and live that life, but rarely give themselves the opportunity,” Karl said.

“Actually painting that picture and giving the buyers the opportunity to visualise themselves in that environment certainly won them over.”

The vendors had styled the property beautifully, understanding what they’d loved about it and presenting that authentically.

“They really understood what it was that they enjoyed about the property and that was transferred through by the way they presented it,” Karl said.

The right buyer emerges

The campaign attracted surprising diversity — single people, older couples, early retirees — but Karl knew exactly who the ideal buyer was.

“We thought there might have been very much just that one style of buyer type, being that young family trying to achieve a self-sufficient lifestyle, but we actually attracted quite a range,” he said.

Despite multiple interested parties, only one buyer was prepared to meet the vendors’ expectations. The young couple with young children fell in love with the property and the opportunity to teach their kids self-sufficiency.

For the attached vendors, finding the right people made letting go easier.

“I think it was the perfect buyers that made it easier for them to let it go,” Karl said.

What’s happening in the Huon Valley

Karl is seeing consistent demand from what he calls “population escapees and climate refugees” alongside traditional lifestyle seekers.

“This style of property really falls into the exact type of reason why people want to move to the valley. It is the reason people move to Tasmania, but also to the valley that we live in,” he said.

His advice for vendors in the area is straightforward: understand your buyer.

“We are in an area that has a huge diversity of property types. So really understanding what the property offers and to what type of buyer is probably the most important thing,” Karl said.

“Having us around and discussing those points really do make a difference to giving confidence to the seller — making them understand that we understand who we’re targeting and why.”

Cygnet’s country appeal

Cygnet sits in the heart of Tasmania’s Huon Valley, known for its peaceful rural character and charming country retreats. The area attracts a balanced demographic and appeals to those seeking an escape from city life while remaining connected to local amenities in nearby Huonville and the broader Huon region.

About the Agent

Karl Gallienne from The Property Culture in Huonville brings over 15 years of real estate experience to the Huon Valley, shaped by a journey from fruit-picking childhood to winemaking in Margaret River before finding home in Tasmania in 2007. Known for his genuine, people-first approach, Karl believes real estate is about listening, understanding, and making the process seamless for clients navigating their property journey. Visit Karl’s website for more information or call Karl on 0400500527.

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Australia’s priciest suburbs are proving to be the hottest property hotspots, with new data showing the strongest buyer demand in high-end markets.

Hotspotting’s Autumn 2026 Price Predictor Index reveals that, despite affordability pressures for many home buyers, some of the nation’s most expensive markets are leading the way in sales activity.

In Greater Sydney, top-tier locations are dominating the figures. The LGAs of Randwick, Sydney, Waverley, Woollahra, and the Northern Beaches are seeing impressive quarterly sales:

• Randwick: 574, 650, 713, 783
• Sydney: 1232, 1604, 1728, 1829
• Waverley: 315, 329, 360, 438
• Woollahra: 404, 420, 475, 509
• Northern Beaches: 1108, 1270, 1283, 1573

“None of those LGAs have a median house price below $1 million and in most circumstances nothing below $2 million,” Hotspotting founder Terry Ryder says.

Among Sydney’s standout suburbs, Maroubra in Randwick LGA recorded 266 house sales over the 12 months to March 2026, with a median price of $3 million. Surry Hills in Sydney LGA had 138 sales at a median of $2.501 million, while North Bondi in Waverley led its market with 78 sales and a median of $4.875 million.

Even Adelaide, historically celebrated as one of Australia’s most affordable housing markets, is now seeing rising demand in its more expensive areas.

“For many years, the biggest news has been huge demand (and price growth) in the cheaper areas of the northern suburbs of Adelaide,” Mr Ryder said.

“But now it’s the upper end of the market that is most buoyant, including the LGAs of Burnside, Charles Sturt, Holdfast Bay and Mitcham.”

Median house prices in Burnside range from $1.35 million to $2.999 million. Charles Sturt’s most popular market is Seaton, with 187 sales and a median of $1.043 million, while Holdfast Bay’s standout is Glenelg North, which recorded 128 sales and a median of $1.36 million.

Regional New South Wales is also seeing top-end strength. Newcastle and Wollongong are among the strongest sales markets, while cheaper surrounding areas, such as the Hunter region, are less buoyant.

Blue Mountains sales are on the rise (quarterly sales 341, 405, 453, 491), led by markets in Leura and Blaxland, where median prices sit well above $1 million.

High-end coastal markets are performing strongly too. Byron Bay has a median house price of $2.5 million, while the Ballina LGA recorded quarterly sales of 235, 245, 286, and 310.

Even in Hobart, it’s the premium suburbs capturing attention. Inner-city Hobart LGA sales rose 16% in the December 2025 quarter, with strong activity in Sandy Bay (median $1.3 million), New Town, and Lenah Valley.

The data paints a clear picture: Australia’s luxury and upper-tier housing markets are the current engines of property activity, showing that even amid affordability pressures, buyers are still willing to pay a premium for prime locations.

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A piece of Old Hollywood history has hit the market in Los Angeles, with the custom-built estate of 1930s screen legend Jean Harlow listed for US$16.8 million (approximately AUD$26.8 million).

The Colonial Revival mansion in the prestigious Holmby Hills neighbourhood was constructed around 1932 specifically for the Hollywood star, who lived there until her death in 1937 at age 26.

Set behind original magnolia trees on 1.32 private acres, the red-brick residence offers 7,367 square feet of living space with four bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

The property retains several original features from Jean’s era, including built-in arched bookcases in the library, boiserie paneling, crown mouldings, and a marble fireplace in the formal living room.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature is a Prohibition-era bar concealed behind a bookcase door – a space where Jean was frequently photographed entertaining guests.

“There are even subtle, personal markings, scratchings in the walls from Jean and her circle, that give the home a rare, intimate connection to its past,” listing agent David Kramer at Compass told People.

The grounds include a large pool with the original diving board and spa, a two-story pool house with balcony and French doors adding 1,320 square feet, a full-size tennis court, koi ponds, waterfalls, greenhouses, and nature paths. A temperature-controlled wine cellar completes the amenity list.

The sellers purchased the property for US$1.1 million in 1979, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The family made significant additions over their decades of ownership, including the tennis court, koi ponds, greenhouses, an expanded kitchen, the wine cellar, and a second story on the pool house.

When they acquired the property, it was reportedly overgrown and required extensive landscaping.

Jean, known for films including Bombshell, Hell’s Angels, and Platinum Blonde, remains one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures.

View the listing here.

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Ray White Rural has promoted Liam Kirkwood to National Livestock Manager, elevating the 2021 National Young Auctioneers Competition winner to lead livestock operations across the network.

Liam began his career at 23 under Kevin Currie, a founding member of Ray White Livestock.

He won the Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition in 2019, then topped 16 finalists at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in 2021 to claim the national title – the largest field the competition had seen.

That same year, he became principal of the Townsville Rural and Livestock business, making him one of the youngest principals in the network.

He later formed a strategic partnership with Charters Towers agency Geaneys, creating Geaney Kirkwood.

The merged business recorded the highest-priced rural property sale at auction in the Ray White Rural network for 2025.

Liam joined the Ray White Rural corporate team as Livestock Associate in 2024 before this latest appointment.

“Liam is exactly the kind of person who makes this industry exciting,” said Matt White, CEO of Ray White Rural & Livestock.

“He’s got the hunger, the skill, and the genuine care for our members that this role demands. Watching him build Geaney Kirkwood told us everything – he doesn’t just grow a business, he elevates everyone around him.”

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Daniel Ferris has opened REMAX’s first office in Queensland’s Western Downs region, marking the network’s expansion into the agricultural heartland.

REMAX Heartland Real Estate officially opened in Dalby this week, with Daniel transitioning from agent to broker-owner after joining the network in late 2024.

“I have a real drive to succeed in whatever I put my energy into,” Daniel said.

“Through connecting with people and the community, real estate came very naturally to me.”

Daniel’s path to business ownership began in property management, where he progressed to supervising more than 700 properties within three years. He moved into sales in early 2024, seeking to broaden his experience.

“I want REMAX Heartland Real Estate to be known as the real estate agency that has the community at its heart,” he said.

The office will operate across both property management and sales, with local agent Donna Cook joining as part of the team.

Donna, who has worked with Daniel previously, said their complementary skills made the partnership a natural fit.

“I always admired his rapport with buyers and sellers,” she said.

“Combining this strong communication and his energy with my attention to detail and local knowledge, we could make a strong team.”

REMAX Australia Managing Director Joel Davoren said the Dalby opening reflects the brand’s continued growth.

“It is always fantastic to see our network members take the opportunity to build their business with the brand,” Joel said.

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Carly Knight from McGrath Newcastle has secured a street record for 60 De Vitre Street, Lambton, selling the four-bedroom Federation house via private treaty after just 12 days on market.

The challenge

Carly Knight faced the classic agent dilemma: how do you create urgency for a standout property without burning through buyer interest too quickly? Her answer was to concentrate all activity into one decisive moment.

“We drove all inspections initially to the very first open home,” Carly explains.

“We didn’t dilute that open home prior with previous inspections and we were able to provide guidance on recent sales in the area to everybody who viewed the property.”

The strategy delivered 75 physical inspections and 208 individual inquiries within the 12-day campaign — serious buyer interest for the fully renovated four-bedroom Federation house with extra living areas, two bathrooms, and two car spaces with internal access.

The buyer connection

After that concentrated first open, Carly identified her most committed buyers and moved to private negotiations. The winning buyers had sold their Sydney home six months earlier and been living with family while searching in Lambton.

They’d missed out on several properties in the area. But this home replicated features from their previous house — touching their heartstrings and making them move quickly.

“They were great buyers,” Carly says.

“They didn’t have a house to sell. They were ready to go. The home was resplendent of features that they had had in their previous property — they could see they could do anything with this property.”

The competition story

The campaign generated multiple offers, with two immediate under-bidders who remain active in the Lambton market. Another eight to 10 serious buyers who weren’t quite at the final price point are also still searching strongly in the area.

That’s powerful intel for future vendors — Carly has at least 10 qualified, motivated buyers looking for their next Lambton home.

What buyers noticed

Inspection feedback centred on the vendors’ attention to detail. The couple had purchased the home when it was original, then completely renovated and extended it with considered design.

“The majority of people who came through the home could see the love and attention to detail that our clients had put into the property,” Carly says.

“Everybody who came through could see the thoughtful process and the care and commitment that they had to maintaining that beautiful property.”

For Lambton, where level blocks with quality Federation renovations are particularly scarce, that level of finish made the property stand out immediately.

The location advantage

Lambton’s appeal lies in its blend of Federation-era charm and modern family amenity — established residential streets with level blocks, top-rated schools within walking distance, and local shops and parks that create a village feel rare in Newcastle’s inner suburbs. Quality renovated Federation stock at this level of finish is particularly scarce in the area.

The result

The final sale price remains confidential, reflecting the discretion expected at this level of the market. But the result set a street record for De Vitre Street and stands as the highest sale in Lambton so far this year.

The vendors were absolutely delighted — particularly knowing the home was going to a family that would appreciate all their hard work on the renovation.

About the Agent

Carly Knight has delivered 20 years of consistent results at McGrath Newcastle, combining numerous street records with a flawless list-to-sell ratio. A longtime Lambton resident herself, Carly values the area’s family-focused atmosphere and vibrant amenities, bringing direct and transparent communication to every client relationship. Visit Carly’s website for more information or call Carly on 0423497775.

The post Sydney couple’s six-month search ends with Lambton street record after 75 inspections appeared first on Elite Agent.

Baraka Leporte has sold a beautifully restored 1940s cottage with detached studio at Macmasters Beach, NSW, for $2.11 million after a targeted video campaign and local networking overcame buyer hesitation about the area’s remoteness.

The five-bedroom, three-bathroom property at 2 Warri Crescent launched on Boxing Day and sold unconditionally on 1 April 2026 after being passed in at auction, with 97 days on market.

Baraka’s challenge was clear from the start: showcase not just the cottage’s character, but the lifestyle that comes with it.

The video that started the journey

“We wanted to showcase the best of the character of the cottage, so we did an engaging and emotively connective video with a family playing hide and seek in all of the different rooms, and then we took them down to the beach to showcase the lifestyle,” Baraka said.

“We geographically targeted places in Sydney where we know a lot of our buyers will come from — the Lower North Shore and the inner west — and ended up with a buyer from Five Dock.”

The video strategy worked immediately. The listing became the most viewed in Macmasters Beach during its opening weeks on realestate.com.au, creating momentum that would eventually pay off months later.

The buyers who needed convincing

The successful buyers, a couple from Sydney’s inner west suburb of Five Dock, saw the property when it first launched but weren’t ready to buy. They sold their own property and returned, but initially felt Macmasters Beach was too isolated.

They explored alternatives — Terrigal and Avoca felt too busy and commercial, while another property in Kilcare Heights seemed disconnected from the beach and community.

What changed their mind was a combination of research and personal connection. The couple had friends with a beach house in Macmasters Beach who spoke about the property over dinner.

“I actually know their friends as well, so I gave them a call and said it would be really lovely for this couple and I think it really suits them,” Baraka said. “It was a bit of a team effort.”

Being able to walk to the surf club and beach — just 600 metres away — and hear the ocean ultimately sealed the decision.

The location advantage

Macmasters Beach is a tightly held coastal pocket on the Central Coast, characterised by restored 1940s cottages blending heritage charm with modern luxury amid bushland and dramatic coastline. Properties in the Warri Crescent area typically feature high ceilings, natural light, and bushland vistas with ocean glimpses, offering a relaxed alternative to busier coastal centres like Terrigal and Avoca further south.

Patient vendors, strong outcome

The property was passed in at auction on a vendor bid with two registered parties, one of whom couldn’t participate and another who developed cold feet. Baraka then worked with the interested buyer through post-auction negotiation over several weeks.

The vendors’ patience was supported by strong holiday rental income during the campaign, with guests drawn to the cottage’s nostalgic appeal.

“There are fewer active buyers pulling the trigger at the moment, so it does take a little bit more to find that right buyer and create the urgency to get the deal across the line,” Baraka said.

“However, this was a great price and still showcased an amazing result. Presentation is key — paying attention to the one percenters and the final detail is what’s going to achieve you the best possible outcome.”

The forward view

Baraka’s advice for anyone considering listing in Macmasters Beach is to look past the headlines.

“Whilst there is a lot of doom and gloom in the marketplace, it’s really important to proactively find willing and keen sellers and willing and keen buyers, because the results are still very strong and there is still very good momentum in this market.”

About the Agent

Baraka Leporte is the director of Leporte Property, a boutique agency passionate about creating a world-class service environment on the Central Coast. Baraka specialises in engaging, emotive marketing campaigns that showcase properties and the lifestyle of coastal communities. Living the Central Coast lifestyle himself, Baraka enjoys sharing the region’s appeal with newcomers. Visit Baraka’s website for more information or call Baraka on 0459996464.

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Tarik Goktas from Saliba has sold a two-bedroom unit at 37/266 Pennant Hills Road, Thornleigh for $765,000 via off-market in just three days, matching a local first-home buyer who’d missed out on an identical property in the same complex weeks earlier.

The perfect second chance

Tarik Goktas from Saliba has sold a two-bedroom unit at 37/266 Pennant Hills Road, Thornleigh for $765,000 via off-market in just three days, matching a local first-home buyer who’d missed out on an identical property in the same complex weeks earlier.

The sale delivered a complex record for a two-bedroom unit and gave the buyer exactly what they’d been searching for after narrowly missing out the first time.

“I had the buyer specifically in mind as he was the underbidder for the other unit I’d sold in the complex,” Tarik said.

“I knew that when I listed this one, it was going to be a perfect match.”

Database knowledge meets buyer opportunity

Tarik’s deep knowledge of the complex came from selling three properties there within three months, building an extensive qualified buyer database focused on the building’s specific appeal.

When the vendors approached him wanting a stress-free, quick sale, he immediately thought of the underbidder who’d come so close on the previous unit.

The match was almost immediate. The unit featured an identical floor plan to the one the buyer had missed out on, with a nice facing aspect that made it an obvious upgrade.

“He was exceptionally excited about the opportunity,” Tarik said.

The buyer, a local first-home buyer, valued the complex’s convenience and accessibility to Thornleigh train station and local shops — exactly the features that had attracted him to the previous property.

Targeted approach delivers quick result

The vendors wanted maximum price with minimum stress. Tarik promised to deliver both through strategic execution rather than lengthy campaigns.

The property was published on the agency’s website and marketed directly to Tarik’s qualified buyer network. One open home confirmed the buyer’s interest, and the deal was done within three days.

“The owners were thrilled with the result and said they never thought this type of speed was possible with these transactions,” Tarik said.

“They said they couldn’t thank me enough and that they would recommend me to all of their friends and other owners in the complex.”

The Thornleigh market advantage

Thornleigh sits 22 kilometres north-west of Sydney’s CBD, attracting families, first-home buyers and downsizers seeking bushland settings with urban convenience. The suburb’s proximity to Thornleigh station and Lane Cove National Park makes it particularly appealing to buyers seeking lifestyle balance, comparable to neighbouring Normanhurst and Pennant Hills.

Tarik sees the Thornleigh market as constantly evolving, offering opportunities across multiple buyer segments.

“The market in Thornleigh is ever evolving. It offers a lot to first-time buyers, investors, upsizers and downsizers,” he said.

“My strategies and tactics are always formulated to the homeowner’s specific situation to maximise the sale price, reduce their stress and make it really easy.”

The complex record price for a two-bedroom unit validates the targeted approach and demonstrates what’s possible when deep local knowledge meets the right buyer at the right time.

About the Agent

Tarik Goktas from Saliba specialises in Thornleigh, Normanhurst, Pennant Hills and surrounding suburbs, working closely with homeowners to maximise sale price through tailored campaigns and strategic presentation. His approach combines deep local knowledge with sharp negotiation skills, focusing on value rather than volume. Visit Tarik’s website for more information or call Tarik on 0474825989.

The post Underbidder becomes buyer in three-day Thornleigh off-market sale appeared first on Elite Agent.

Geraldine Wang has sold a two-bedroom townhouse at 20/6-12 Nursery Street, Hornsby, for $1.01 million via private treaty after just two weeks on the open market, setting a record sale price in the complex.

Geraldine Wang has delivered a $1.01 million sale for a two-bedroom townhouse at 20/6-12 Nursery Street, Hornsby, after a two-week marketing campaign supported by an earlier off-market preview.

The property — a functional two-bedroom, one-bathroom townhouse plus a second downstairs combined toilet/laundry with two car spaces — went under contract on 5 March 2026 following the brief on-market period.

The off-market phase

Geraldine tested the market quietly before launching the formal campaign, allowing her to understand buyer appetite and refine her positioning.

“We ran it off-market first to see where interest sat,” Geraldine said.

That approach meant when the property went public, the campaign was already informed by early feedback, shortening the active listing period to a fortnight.

Attracting the right buyer

The final buyer required a 10-day cooling-off period before proceeding to settlement, with the transaction completing approximately four weeks after the contract was signed.

Geraldine’s track record in the Upper North Shore includes delivering premium results through strategic preparation and targeted marketing. Her connections within the local Chinese community — a significant buyer demographic in the area — provide an additional channel for properties suited to long-term investment buyers.

The $1.01 million result reflects strong demand for well-located townhouses in Hornsby’s sub-$2 million bracket, where transport access and retail amenity drive appeal.

The Hornsby advantage

Hornsby sits in Sydney’s Upper North Shore, offering a blend of local retail, transport links, and family-friendly amenity. The suburb appeals to buyers seeking accessibility to the CBD while maintaining a quieter residential character compared to inner-ring alternatives like North Sydney or Chatswood.

What it signals

The quick sale reinforces buyer appetite for compact, manageable properties within reach of major infrastructure. Geraldine’s approach — combining off-market testing with focused on-market execution — demonstrates how experienced local agents read micro-market conditions and adjust campaign timing accordingly.

For sellers considering similar properties in the Upper North Shore corridor, the lesson is clear: preparation and precise positioning matter more than extended listing periods.

About the Agent

Geraldine Wang from Stone Real Estate Hornsby is an award-winning agent with nine years of residential sales experience across the Upper North Shore and Hornsby areas. She has built a strong reputation within the local Chinese community and consistently achieves premium results through strategic preparation and multi-channel marketing. Visit Geraldine’s website for more information or call Geraldine on 0452562183.

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Anita Wildash has secured a premium result for a 700sqm freestanding house in Curl Curl’s tightly held Brighton Street precinct, selling off-market in just seven days through strategic database targeting.

The Brighton Street property presented in original condition — heavily neglected with no kitchen, no hot water, and a pool reduced to a shell. After months of clean-up, the owners faced a decision point: invest approximately $150,000 to make the property livable and market it as a cottage-style opportunity, or take a different path.

The strategic pivot

Anita recommended bypassing traditional marketing entirely and instead targeting her existing database of buyers actively seeking renovation projects or knockdown-rebuild opportunities.

“Rather than spending on marketing, I leveraged relationships by making direct calls and presenting the property as a rare blank canvas in a blue-chip location,” Anita said.

The response was immediate. In just one week, over a dozen qualified buyer groups inspected the property.

The buyer profile

The successful purchaser was actively seeking exactly this type of opportunity — someone who couldn’t find what they were looking for in the market and wanted to put their own stamp on a property.

The north-facing block’s substantial 700-square-metre footprint in a tightly held street made it particularly appealing to buyers looking for project potential rather than a turnkey home.

“I targeted those people that couldn’t find what they were looking for and wanted to put their own stamp on a property,” Anita said.

The successful buyer was able to act quickly when the opportunity arose, securing the property ahead of other interested parties.

The neighbourhood context

Brighton Street sits in one of Curl Curl’s most tightly held pockets, with comparable four and five-bedroom homes on the street selling between $4.2 million and $5.9 million over recent years. The area’s appeal to families is reinforced by proximity to Harbord Public School and Northern Beaches Secondary College campuses, with many properties held for extended periods reflecting strong long-term owner satisfaction.

The outcome

The owners were thrilled with the result, which was achieved entirely off-market with no advertising spend. In keeping with the vendors’ preference for privacy, the final figure remains confidential, reflecting the discretion expected at this level of the market.

“The owners are looking forward to seeing what the purchasers are going to create on the site,” Anita said.

The campaign demonstrates how the right strategy and buyer alignment can deliver premium results without traditional marketing spend.

“Sometimes the best results don’t come from adding more but from knowing exactly who to take the opportunity to and when,” Anita said.

Qualified buyers who missed out on this opportunity are still seeking similar properties in the area.

About the Agent

Anita Wildash is a Partner at Cunninghams and a highly respected performer in Northern Beaches real estate. Known for her transparent negotiation approach and expert guidance on property presentation, Anita specialises in both discreet off-market transactions and high-profile campaigns. A lifelong Northern Beaches resident, Anita is passionate about connecting buyers to the area she loves. Visit Anita’s website for more information or call Anna on +61 0411 147 796.

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Walter Summons from Belle Property Armadale has secured $1.31 million for a three-bedroom townhouse in Windsor after a presentation-focused campaign delivered three competitive offers in just 26 days.

The preparation strategy

Walter Summons knew exactly what would make 70D Lewisham Road stand out in Windsor’s competitive market. Before the three-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse went live, he recommended a comprehensive refresh — new carpet, fresh paint, kitchen refurbishment, garden works and professional styling.

The investment paid off. After 26 days on market, the property attracted three offers exceeding $1.3 million via private treaty, ultimately selling for $1.31 million.

“We did some pre-sale works to make the home present as best as possible and ended up getting three offers in excess of $1.3 million,” Walter said.

The preparation wasn’t cosmetic window-dressing. It was strategic positioning for a specific buyer profile — professionals who wanted convenience without compromise.

What buyers noticed

At inspections, the living room and rear sliding doors drew consistent attention. The light-filled accommodation resonated with viewers, but the deeper appeal was the turnkey condition.

The eventual buyer worked locally but lived elsewhere, wanting to eliminate their commute without taking on renovation hassle. The comprehensive pre-sale works meant they could move straight in — exactly the selling point Walter had engineered.

“They loved the fact that the property didn’t need any major works done to it, so it was ready to move into,” Walter said.

Creating competition

The campaign generated three serious offers, starting in the high $1.2 million range. Once the first offer crossed $1.3 million — the vendor’s comfort threshold — Walter went back to the other buyers.

“Just making sure the buyers knew there were other people interested created the competition to get the better price,” he said.

The strategy worked. The final figure of $1.31 million represented not just vendor satisfaction, but the premium that competitive tension delivers.

Two unsuccessful buyers remain active in the Windsor market, demonstrating ongoing demand for well-presented properties in the suburb.

The Windsor context

Windsor sits in Melbourne’s inner east within Stonnington City Council, characterised by a mix of period houses and contemporary apartments near Prahran and South Yarra. The suburb appeals to professionals seeking proximity to the CBD while maintaining a village atmosphere.

The forward view

For vendors considering a sale in the area, Walter’s advice is direct: presentation drives competition, and competition drives results.

“If you get your presentation right, you’re far more likely to get multiple buyers interested and a better result,” he said.

The vendors appreciated both the communication throughout the campaign and the multiple interested parties Walter delivered — validation that the pre-sale investment and strategic approach had been worthwhile.

About the Agent

Walter Summons is the principal of Belle Property Armadale, bringing over a decade of experience selling in Melbourne’s inner east. Having grown up locally, his team specialises in extracting maximum market value through transparent communication and strong negotiation. Visit Walter’s website for more information or call Walter on 0438576233.

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A two-bedroom unit at 10/1 May Street in Hornsby sold for $815,000 after Alex Gayl of McGrath Hornsby staged a strategic preparation campaign that generated six offers from 22 inspection groups in the first weekend.

The result came from precise preparation decisions — a targeted kitchen renovation, full styling to showcase the north-facing aspect, and a Friday afternoon listing timed to create urgency ahead of the first Saturday open. The approach worked: the property went under contract after five days, 11% above Hornsby’s $725,000 unit median.

How preparation shaped the campaign

Alex used past case studies to convince the vendor that upfront investment would deliver the best outcome.

“I made some very strategic decisions in terms of the preparation of the property,” Alex said.

“I had the owner do a very quick but precise renovation of the kitchen, paint and clean the carpets, completely remove all their furniture from the unit and had it styled to showcase the size and north-facing nature of the unit and the balcony.”

The property went live on Friday afternoon — deliberate timing to maximise weekend exposure while creating urgency.

What buyers noticed

The 22 groups at the first open commented most on the spacious living area, the renovated kitchen, and the natural light flowing through the unit.

Alex was surprised by two reactions: buyers were less concerned about the single bathroom than expected, and they responded strongly to the single garage rather than a car space.

“I thought that the single bathroom would be something that people would hesitate about,” Alex said.

“So I was a bit surprised that there was so much interest at those levels.”

Six groups placed offers by early in the week.

How the negotiation played out

Alex deliberately suspended the offer decision until the following day, giving every buyer time to arrange second inspections, review the strata report, and consult their solicitor. Several buyers returned for private viewings on Monday and Tuesday.

The successful buyer stood out on two fronts: the strongest price, and a willingness to shorten settlement from 42 days to 30 days.

The faster timeline reduced the vendor’s bridging finance costs — a detail that mattered to them as much as the price.

The vendors had told Alex they would be pleased to accept anything over $750,000 before further opens. The final result came in 8% above that figure.

Alex’s advice for vendors listing in Hornsby today: presentation matters, and there’s strong momentum in the unit market under $900,000.

“The property needs to be presented to appeal to the most buyers possible,” Alex said.

“There is quite a bit of momentum in the unit market in particular, especially properties under about $900,000 to $1 million.”

Every buyer in the process — including those who missed out — appreciated the time Alex gave them to review documentation and put forward their best offer.

That approach builds long-term market reputation.

About the agent

Alex Gayl is a third-generation real estate agent, currently working with McGrath Hornsby, specialising in delivering outstanding results across the Upper North Shore. Drawing on a diverse background and formative years in the family real estate office in Los Angeles, Alex brings strong negotiation skills and confident communication to every transaction. Visit Alex’s website or call Alex on +61 425 280 454.

The post Kitchen refresh and Friday timing deliver six-offer result in Hornsby appeared first on Elite Agent.

After an extended search for connectivity between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, relocating buyers secured a four-bedroom Rochedale South house for $1.705 million within 48 hours after Mandeep Singh matched them through Belle Property’s exclusive buyer database.

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house with two-car accommodation at 3 Greenview Avenue went under contract on 3 March without reaching the open market.

The database strategy

While guiding the owners on how to prepare their property for sale, Mandeep ran a targeted search across Belle Property’s exclusive buyer database, matching the home’s features against requirements already registered in the database.

“We were targeting off-market buyers to ideally sell the property before market,” Mandeep said.

“If we hadn’t achieved the sellers’ expectations, we would have transitioned to a traditional campaign.”

The vendors were seeking discretion and speed. Mandeep identified buyers through text and phone contact after filtering his database for relevant criteria.

The buyer profile

The successful buyers had been searching for an extended period before this property emerged.

They were attracted to the suburb’s connectivity between Brisbane city and the Gold Coast, an advantage that had shaped their entire search.

“It ticked all of their boxes,” Mandeep said.

The property’s location appeal accelerated their decision-making after a long search elsewhere.

Market context

The result sits well above Rochedale South’s current median house price of $1.08 million, reflecting the property’s appeal to buyers prioritising location and space.

The vendors achieved a premium result despite market changes, with the database approach reducing campaign stress.

The vendors were pleased with both the outcome and the compressed timeline.

For vendors considering off-market approaches in the area, Mandeep’s sale demonstrates how database precision can reduce campaign stress when discretion matters — provided the agent has genuine active buyers already engaged.

About the agent

Mandeep Singh, principal and sales agent at Belle Property Rochedale/Cornubia, specialises in residential property sales in Brisbane’s southern suburbs. He combines local market knowledge with firm negotiation and database-led buyer engagement to help clients secure strong sale outcomes. Visit Mandeep’s website or call Mandeep on 0468827027.

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