Elite Agent

"Another one done in Kellyville." That post tells nobody anything they couldn't find on Domain in 12 seconds. Elite Agent co-founder Samantha McLean spent months researching what actually makes agents' content perform – studying frameworks from Sharran Srivatsaa, Jimmy Mackin, and Tom Ferry. Her findings: → Show how you handled the sale, not that you sold it → Tell the true story in 70–120 words → Process is the proof, not the price The phrases she says to stop using immediately? "Exceeded expectations" – the buyer who just paid that price is reading your post. "Smashed it" – in a housing crisis, celebrating big numbers might not land how you think. "Humbled" – nobody believes you. It's filler. And the hooks that actually work? Numbers, speed, process, outcomes, local relevance. "Forty-plus buyer groups through one Taroomball home" stops the scroll. "Just sold!" doesn't. What's your top tip for social content that actually performs? elite.ag/nnbwie

20 years in property acquisition – and now a new platform to pair it with. Mark Amos has joined FOUNDIT as its second Eastern Suburbs buyer's agent partner, working alongside founding partner Sabeen Akbani. Mark specialises in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, South Sydney, Inner West, and Lower North Shore – covering acquisition, renovation, development, and investment strategy. FOUNDIT founder Angus Ferguson said the move follows strong demand: "The Eastern Suburbs has been one of our strongest markets over the past 12 months, and appointing Mark is a natural next step." Angus added that Mark's track record in sourcing off-market deals with long-term growth potential was a key factor. Mark sees the combination of deep local knowledge and FOUNDIT's tech-driven research as the differentiator: "The market is competitive, and buyers need an edge." He'll manage the full acquisition process – from sourcing and due diligence through to negotiation and settlement. The appointment is part of FOUNDIT's broader national growth strategy targeting high-demand markets. #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/a7n05w

A suburb that didn't exist before 2012 is now one of regional Victoria's largest master-planned communities. Ray White Ballarat has planted a flag in Lucas – opening a dedicated satellite office in partnership with land developer Integra Group. The office covers buying, selling, leasing and property management across Ballarat's western growth corridor. Principal Will Munro called it "a long-term commitment" to the area – and to the families, investors and developers building their futures there. Integra's Matt McCabe says the partnership extends the developer's philosophy beyond construction: "We can give the Lucas community confidence that their properties will be managed with the same level of care we put into developing them." Ray White Victoria and Tasmania CEO Domenic Belfiore described it as a "generational growth opportunity" – and praised the team for moving decisively. For agents watching regional expansion trends – what signals tell you a growth corridor is ready for a dedicated presence? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/13hcvpr

New Zealand just matched its 2021 market peak – but this time, the energy is completely different. REINZ data shows 7,853 sales in March 2026 – the highest monthly total in over four years. New listings are up 7.3% year-on-year, and buyer enquiries have jumped 14%. Yet prices aren't running away. The national average asking price has held between $840K and $890K for more than three years. That's remarkable stability. The southern regions are telling a different story though. Southland hit an all-time asking price high of $617,879 – up 17.9% in a year. Canterbury cracked its own record at $735,798. West Coast surged 22.1%. Realestate.co.nz CEO Sarah Wood says this recovery feels fundamentally different: "There isn't the urgency of past peaks – this is more sustainable. Buyers have choice, sellers have confidence." Meanwhile, supply is splitting sharply. Auckland new listings jumped 23.1%, but Central North Island dropped 15.1% and Northland fell 14%. A market with volume returning and prices staying steady – that's a rare combination on either side of the Tasman. For agents watching the NZ market closely – what regional trends are you seeing play out on the ground? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1c6t1q2

When a landlord's insurance claim gets declined, the fallout rarely stays between the landlord and the insurer. Property managers end up in the firing line – fielding frustrated calls, explaining exclusions they did not write, and managing emotions on top of an already full workload. EBM RentCover works with more than 1,600 agencies across Australia and sees a common pattern: standard home and contents policies often do not cover tenant damage, loss of rent, pet damage or liability – the very risks rental properties face most. The administrative burden of an uncovered claim escalates fast. Sourcing quotes, clarifying responsibility, liaising with insurers, documenting every step – all while having the same difficult conversation on repeat. Then there is the trust factor. Even when guidance was clear from the start, unmet expectations can reshape how landlords view their agency relationship – and whether they stay. Early expectation-setting around what landlord insurance does and does not cover can significantly reduce that friction. Specialist landlord cover designed for rental-specific risks helps make outcomes more predictable for everyone involved. How does your team handle the insurance conversation at onboarding? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1dmsfdh

The agent had the motivated seller, the beautiful property, and the local demand. He walked away anyway. Adrian Knowles recently shared a story about one of his agents who chose to leave a listing on the table – not because they couldn't win it, but because the seller's price expectations sat well beyond what market evidence supported. The seller wanted a cheerleader. The agent chose honesty instead. They walked through comparable sales, explained how today's informed buyers behave in a shifting market, and outlined the real risks of overpricing – lost momentum, diminished competition, a result that falls short. When alignment wasn't there, the agent respectfully stepped back. It's a move that stings in the short term. But as Adrian puts it, the best agent isn't the one who simply agrees with you – it's the one who cares enough to be honest. Overpromising might win a quick signature. It rarely delivers a result worth being proud of. And sellers remember honesty. They come back when the time is right, and they refer their friends and family. Have you ever walked away from a listing because the price expectation just wasn't there – and what happened next? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/bn4a3d

Anna Spiro bought this Ascot Queenslander for $2.5 million in 2023. Now the celebrated designer is ready to hand it over – interiors and all. The circa-1920 three-bedroom home on Kidston Street still has its original pressed metal ceilings, hoop pine floors and sash windows, but Anna has added fresh paint inside and out, new cabinetry, air conditioning and her signature window coverings. "This house was always a temporary house for us," Anna told realestate.com.au. "We've decided we need something bigger and maybe a new project for me." (That next project? Refurbishing the 304-room Rydges South Bank ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.) The designer – whose portfolio includes Halcyon House, collaborations with Anthropologie and two published books – says she's open to negotiating on some of her interiors with the buyer. Matt Lancashire and Will Blewitt of Ray White Collective are taking the property to auction on 16 May. When a home has genuine design pedigree, how much does that influence the way you market it? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/bn17hd

Three acquisitions. One new 300sqm office. And a footprint stretching from Noosa to the northern Gold Coast. Harcourts Property Centre is making a serious play across South East Queensland. On 1 May, the agency will absorb two Redlands-area businesses – bringing Pamela Nielson and Dave Hardman into the fold – and open a new inner-city hub at 15 Malt Street, New Farm. That New Farm office will house their commercial division, prestige sales team, and a new project marketing arm led by Gary Thompson. Co-Managing Director Nathan O'Neill says the moves are "fundamental to the vision of creating a comprehensive South East Queensland servicing agency" – covering property management, residential and prestige sales, commercial, and project marketing. It follows what the agency called a "landmark 2025," which included new offices in Tewantin and Birkdale. They're now recruiting across eleven locations, with further Sunshine Coast expansion planned for 2026. Co-Managing Director Aaron Brooks credits the growth to a people-first approach: "The business is built on empowering great people, providing a robust platform that supports continuous learning, and retaining top-tier talent." What's your approach to scaling a real estate business across multiple locations without losing culture? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1fr0qw

93 inspections in 24 days – for a house most buyers would overlook because of its narrow frontage. Matthew Blackmore from Strathfield Partners didn't see a constraint. He saw a price advantage that would open the door for upgraders ready to move from units into house ownership. His move: go straight to the database of local clients selling or searching in the unit and townhouse bracket, and position the house on Baker Street as their entry point into Enfield. Five bidders registered. Three went hard on auction day. The hammer fell at $2,285,000 – $135,000 above reserve. The underbidder admitted they never expected the price to reach that level given the compact size and narrow frontage. But strategic buyer profiling created competition that generic marketing wouldn't have. What's a property trait you've repositioned from perceived weakness into a selling advantage? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1bcxbs1

$1.8 billion in career sales. Suburb records in Wahroonga and Turramurra. And 60% of all $10M-plus sales between the two. Now Tim Fraser is making his biggest move yet. After more than 20 years running his own agencies – starting at just 21 – Tim has joined Ray White Upper North Shore. He holds record prices across more than 29 individual streets and set the highest auction price ever recorded on the Upper North Shore. "This move is about aligning with a business that is not only high-performing, but forward-thinking," Tim said. Managing director Charles Caravousanos noted Tim ranks 14th nationally for highest average sale price. Director David Walker pointed to Tim's consistency in the $10 million-plus space as a strong fit with the office's high-performance culture. #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1h9jec

"Under offer" feels like the finish line – but it's actually where most deals are won or lost. It's one of the most misunderstood phrases in real estate, and the gap between what it signals and what it means legally can cost agents dearly. Melissa Chaddock from RE/MAX Hinterland puts it simply: "A contract has been drawn up and agreed – but until those conditions are met, the property is not sold." Finance can fall through. Building and pest results can trigger renegotiation. Cooling-off rights can unwind everything. And here's what catches newer agents off guard – the property isn't necessarily off the market either. "You don't want to lose momentum," Melissa says. Open homes stop, but private inspections with qualified backup buyers continue. Not to resell – to protect. Demo Foufas from RE/MAX Extreme highlights how WA differs entirely. There, an accepted offer becomes a legally binding contract immediately – yet even then, it's "only as strong as the conditions still attached to it." Across every state, the operational truth is the same: "under offer" creates a sense of closure where none exists. The conditional window – whether seven days or fourteen – is when experienced agents are most active, not least. How do you manage buyer communication and momentum during that conditional phase? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1mgz5gc

17 years of combined experience, deep local roots and a new shingle on the door. Josh Froud and Ricky Cavarra have launched Belle Property Blue Bay on the Central Coast – both born and raised in the area and previously part of one of the region's leading sales teams. Their timing lines up with a shifting buyer profile. Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay and Bateau Bay are drawing downsizers, retirees and families relocating from metro areas, attracted by coastal lifestyle and relative value compared with neighbouring markets. The pair say they see themselves as trusted advisors rather than traditional agents. "We always put ourselves in the client's shoes to understand their goals and circumstances," Ricky said. "We also ensure buyers are treated with respect and care throughout the process." Belle Property's Head of NSW/ACT Andrew Robinson said Josh and Ricky's local knowledge and client focus made them a natural fit for the brand. If you've built a business in your own backyard – what's the biggest advantage of selling where you grew up? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/12em0o2

83% of Australians say renting is an essential service. But here's the number that should really get property managers talking – 80% of landlords agree. The Essential Homes report, released by Anika Legal, Better Renting, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre, surveyed 1,011 Australians and found surprising alignment across the landlord-renter divide. Among landlords surveyed, 74% agreed they should be required to provide safe and secure homes. And 65% supported government regulation of rent increases. The policy recommendations cover stability, affordability, property quality, and accountability – including prohibiting no-grounds evictions nationally and rent stabilisation at state level. One finding worth sitting with: the report flags that percentage-based fees plus reletting charges can create incentives misaligned with tenant stability. Not misconduct – a structural issue. For PMs already building their business around long-term retention, strong maintenance, and transparent communication, the regulatory direction may represent opportunity as much as challenge. With 77% of respondents believing an entire generation may never afford to buy, the conversation around renting as infrastructure (not just investment) is only getting louder. How is your business positioning for this shift? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1pgx5cj

REA Group's Ignite platform started as a hackday project. Now 50,000 agents use it daily. This September, REA is doing something it hasn't done before – opening its flagship Hackdays event to customers. The four-day sprint pairs real estate professionals with REA's technical specialists and AI capability to co-build working prototypes from real business problems. Gerard Connell, REA's Executive Manager – Sales, says the logic is simple: "Our customers are on the ground every day, and they know better than anyone where technology, particularly AI, can be used to remove friction and improve client experience." Customers submit an innovation-focused idea or challenge for the chance to have it selected as a dedicated project. From there, it's rapid prototyping alongside REA's engineering and data teams. The initiative sits within REA's broader Advantage AI program, which includes an on-demand hub of practical AI guides and tools already live on the realestate.com.au Customer Marketing Centre. It's open to Residential, Commercial, New Homes and Media customers, with registrations of interest open now. If you had four days with REA's tech team to solve one real estate problem – what would you put on the table? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/brxqeo

She went from writing press releases to winning Rising Star of the Year – then she bought the whole agency. Sarah Broad has officially acquired Kelly & Co Property in Brisbane, stepping into what The Courier Mail believes is one of the only female-owned commercial real estate agencies in Australia. Her path was anything but traditional. Sarah started as Pat Kelly's external PR consultant in 2016. Five years later, she told him she was thinking about getting her real estate licence to move into residential. His response: "No, just come work for us." She got her licence, hit the ground running in 2021, and by 2022 had won the REIQ Rising Star Salesperson of the Year for Queensland. (She was nearly 40 at the time, walking up to collect an award alongside agents half her age.) Sarah says her PR background translates more directly than people expect – business development, pitching, negotiations, writing her own information memorandums and marketing pieces. Her take on what sets her apart is refreshingly simple: "I always answer my phone. I always get back to people. It's amazing how many people say, 'I never hear back from agents.'" She's purchased the business with her husband Ryan, whose data analytics background has helped them build a custom tech platform for commercial operations – a space she says is underserviced compared to residential. The portfolio spans Queensland from Mount Isa to the Sunshine Coast, with national and international clients. What skills from a previous career have you found surprisingly useful in real estate? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/jq8nui

A US$150 million contract, a World Series hero – and a property listed for almost exactly what he paid for it. Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer has put his Georgian colonial home in Lawrence Park on the market for C$6.445 million (roughly AUD$7.2 million). Springer and his wife Charlise bought the five-bedroom property in January 2022 for C$6.43 million – meaning they're asking just C$15,000 more than their purchase price after three years of ownership. The 5,300-square-foot home was built in 2005 and extensively renovated in 2019 with bold marble and stone accents throughout. The primary suite has its own wing, vaulted ceilings over 12 feet and a custom dressing room. (There's also a lower-level movie room that the agents suggest would suit a home gym – because of course a four-time All-Star needs one of those.) Springer was instrumental in the Blue Jays' World Series appearance last year, hitting a three-run homer in Game 7 of the ALCS. He previously won a World Series title and MVP with the Houston Astros. Jason and Krystle Fata of SAGE Real Estate are handling the listing. What's the most memorable celebrity or athlete property you've come across in your market? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/11wpoya

40 agents. One room. Every one of them earning seven figures in commission. RE/MAX Australia brought its Diamond-level performers together in Brisbane for an invitation-only day at The Calile Hotel – and the speaker lineup was deliberately eclectic. Brisbane agent Cayle Blaxland sat down with RE/MAX Managing Director Joel Davoren to unpack the strategies behind his rise as one of the city's top performers. Our own Samantha McLean delivered a session on generative AI and its practical applications for agents. Behavioural profiling specialist Natalie Waters – with a background in law enforcement and international government – closed out the program with a deep focus on performance and resilience. "We curate these sessions intentionally to deliver meaningful and insightful sessions with highly engaging speakers across a range of topics," Joel said. The Diamond Event has become a fixture on the RE/MAX Australia calendar – reserved exclusively for agents who've hit the million-dollar-plus commission tier. What's the one professional development topic you wish more industry events would cover? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/yfi9i6

30+ industry leaders were asked one question about real estate's trust problem. Eight went on the record. Some are still thinking. The rest said nothing. Elite Agent's Samantha McLean followed up her Tesolin investigation by emailing peak body CEOs, franchise heads, coaches and comms directors – not for PR statements, but for real answers on how to build an ecosystem consumers can trust. What came back was pointed – and varied. Leanne Pilkington (Laing+Simmons) on internal flags: "It would be pretty easy to spot an agent doing that consistently." In 30 years, she's acted three times – each time swift removal. Andrew McCann (Jellis Craig) on the GCI obsession: "You don't hear at legal conferences that 'this lawyer took home $2 million' with no context." Caroline Bolderstone on who should coach: "Licensed, minimum five years selling with proven performance, and accredited." Stewart Bunn (First National) challenged the whole premise – arguing consumers also reinforce the tactics now under scrutiny through the outcomes they seek: higher prices, faster sales, competitive tension. And Andy Reid put it bluntly: "He was a product of the current mentality that everyone's too scared to admit." The conversation isn't finished. More leaders are still thinking – and Elite Agent's inbox remains open. What's one structural change you'd make to how we measure success in this industry? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/eusqv2

A 120-year-old real estate business just changed hands in regional NSW. Ron Loiterton Real Estate in Cootamundra has been acquired by McGrath, marking the Pellow family's sixth Riverina office in just three years. The deal brings more than 200 residential properties, 25 commercial spaces, 150 storage units and nine strata complexes into the McGrath network – a sizeable portfolio for a town where the median house price sits at $460,000 and rental yields hit 5.4 per cent. Key staff are staying on, which says something about how the transition was handled. "This transition represents a natural evolution – one built on shared values, long-standing relationships, and a genuine commitment to the region," said principal Lachlan Pellow. McGrath's head of franchise network Chris Mourd framed it as part of a broader regional push: "Regional NSW is our country's heartland – where some of the most loyal, passionate clients live and invest, and they deserve access to the same systems, training and brand strength that McGrath delivers in Sydney or Melbourne." With consistent demand from local upgraders, out-of-area buyers and downsizers choosing to stay in the community, Cootamundra is quietly building a case as a market to watch. What regional areas are you seeing the most momentum in right now? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/1cp4r4h

$83.1 billion collected in property taxes last financial year – and how much went back into housing? LJ Hooker is calling on the Federal Government to reinvest property sector tax revenue directly into housing supply ahead of the 2026/27 Budget. The numbers tell the story: stamp duty alone contributed $34.4 billion, up 81% in five years. Yet Australia is still falling short of the 60,000 homes per quarter needed to meet the National Housing Accord target – with 53,567 commenced in the December quarter. "Australia does not have a shortage of housing policy ideas, it has a shortage of housing delivery," says LJ Hooker Group Head of Research Mathew Tiller. The group's Budget wish list spans six priorities – from lowering building costs through concessional finance for smaller builders, to a Defence Housing Australia-style model providing affordable rentals for essential workers in regional areas. On negative gearing and CGT reform, Mathew urged caution: "The savings should not just disappear into general revenue. They should be directly reinvested into building more social and affordable housing." Other proposals include extending stamp duty relief and pension asset test exemptions for downsizers, noting 77% of Australian households have at least one spare bedroom – significant untapped capacity already sitting in existing stock. With dwelling values up 9.9% over the year and around 184,000 households on social housing waitlists, the pressure is real on both sides. What would be at the top of your Federal Budget wish list for housing? #realestate #eliteagent #eliteagentmag #realestateagent elite.ag/23ltab