GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

As the property market ebbs and flows, World Kindness Day serves as a timely reminder that real estate is still, at its heart, a people business. From handwritten thank-you notes after settlement to an extra call to reassure a nervous vendor, agents across the country are reflecting on the small gestures that build trust in a competitive industry.

In a profession often defined by numbers and negotiations, kindness remains one of the most powerful tools an agent can use; it costs nothing, strengthens relationships, and often makes the biggest impression long after a deal is done.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 59 seconds

New to The Brief? Join us for free. 🤝

PRESTIGE PROPERTY

Sixty-six millions reason to read this story

Inside Matt Lancashire’s $66M weekend auction run that redefined Brisbane’s prestige market

When Ray White New Farm principal Matt Lancashire sold six luxury homes in one weekend for a total of $66.375 million, it marked one of Brisbane’s strongest prestige market performances to date. Four sold under the hammer and two unconditionally on the day, with prices ranging from $7.06 million to $18.5 million.

But for Lancashire, this wasn’t a stroke of luck - it was the outcome of a structured, data-driven process refined over years. His biannual Collective Luxury Auction has become a benchmark for how consistency, precision, and preparation can produce extraordinary results in high-end real estate.

Structured success

Matt’s Collective Luxury Auction is designed exclusively for top-tier listings, each requiring a minimum reserve of $4 million. Every property follows the same process: a three-week campaign and an auction on the fourth Saturday.

Alongside operations manager Mariana Ferrari and sales associate Will Blewitt, Matt reviews every campaign each Monday to assess marketing impact and buyer engagement. This system has delivered an average of just 29 days on market for homes above $5 million and a long-term success rate of 92 per cent. For this auction weekend, however, the result was a clean sweep - 100 per cent sold.

Auction day discipline

Auction day began with a strategy breakfast where the team mapped out bidders, phone lines, and communication plans. Across the day, there was a healthy number of registered bidders, each tracked in a detailed “order of sale” book that listed names, offers, and conditions.

Matt managed multiple negotiations simultaneously, including four phone bidders during the top sale - a New Farm home that sold for $18.5 million. Every decision was deliberate, every role defined, ensuring that the day unfolded exactly as planned, he said.

After the hammer falls

Matt’s focus didn’t end when the final gavel dropped. Several underbidders who missed out had budgets exceeding $17 million, creating instant opportunities for future deals. His team maintains those relationships, presenting new listings that match each buyer’s criteria.

All of the weekend’s buyers were based in South-East Queensland; which is a sure a sign of strong local confidence in the prestige sector. For the team, the equation remains straightforward: structure, preparation, and premium stock. With the next Collective Luxury Auction already scheduled for March, he’s aiming to surpass even this record-breaking weekend.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed who to own the suburb with geo-farming.

TOGETHER WITH BELLE PROPERTY AND HOCKINGSTUART

Belle Property and Hockingstuart launch digital-first ‘First to See’ initiative

Belle Property and Hockingstuart have unveiled First to See, a new digital platform giving high-intent buyers early access to premium properties before they hit the broader market. The initiative connects serious buyers to quality listings via tailored alerts and a pre-qualified audience of more than 515,000 registered users. For sellers, it provides a staged marketing approach that builds early momentum, allowing them to test engagement and adjust strategy before going live more widely.

Listings are showcased in a dedicated section on brand websites and social channels, offering full property details and direct agent contact. “‘First to See’ gives control back to where it belongs - with our agents and vendors,” said CEO Nick Boyd.

“It connects serious buyers with new listings faster, while giving sellers a staged marketing pathway.” Since its launch, the platform has driven nearly 40,000 new buyer registrations, underscoring strong market interest.

Read more about First to See here.

SPRING MARKET

Spring property momentum builds as listings climb and confidence returns

Nationally, the housing market showed renewed activity in October, with new listings reaching their highest level in a year and clearance rates holding firm. Domain’s latest data points to rising seller confidence across Sydney and Melbourne, while tight rental markets and active buyer demand continue to shape conditions heading into summer.

NSW: PLANNING REFORM

New planning reforms to fast-track housing supply

NSW’s planning system is getting a long-overdue refresh, with the Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 now officially law. The Minns Government says the changes will cut red tape, speed up approvals and get more homes out of the ground faster. A new Development Coordination Authority will act as the one-stop shop for major projects, while the Housing Delivery Authority keeps the state’s focus firmly on supply. The overhaul also simplifies consultation and expands faster approval options for low-impact housing, which is a welcome change for developers. Premier Chris Minns says the aim is simple: “build more homes faster, in the right places.”

SPAIN’S SUNNY DEALS

Marbella’s luxury market shines as global property slows

Marbella’s prestige property market continues to thrive despite a slowdown in global real estate activity, with sales volumes in the first half of 2025 surpassing 2024 and prices doubling over the past seven years. The Costa del Sol city remains one of Europe’s most in-demand destinations for high-end homes, driven by strong foreign interest from buyers in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Nordic countries.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Ozzy Osbourne’s West Hollywood apartment lists for AUD $3.7 million

A slice of rock history has hit the LA market, with Ozzy Osbourne’s West Hollywood apartment listed for USD $2.4 million (AUD $3.7 million). The one-bedroom Sierra Towers residence was one of the Osbournes’ last US properties, purchased in 2022 before the couple shifted back to England. The apartment combines LA polish with rock-star flair, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass doors, mirrored walls, blonde timber finishes and a private terrace.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Paige Creedon finds success with @realty.

The Moreton Bay agent established Creedon Property Group through @realty, capitalising on her development expertise and in-house marketing capabilities. More here.

REMAX partners with AMLHUB for AML compliance.

The network is preparing agents for Tranche 2 legislation with specialised training and support ahead of the July 2026 implementation. More here.

EBM Group announces CEO transition.

Founder Alan Bishop steps in as the new chief while Ward Dedman stays on as Non-Executive Director and shareholder after 26 years with the company. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
Get the latest on top agent and agency moves every Sunday with our weekly roundup in Movers & Shakers. Subscribe now.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

The life of a real estate agent is basically one long roller coaster; one minute you’re celebrating a record sale, the next you’re refreshing your inbox wondering if your buyer’s gone missing. No safety harness, just caffeine and blind optimism. 🎢☕

Seen an Agent On Social we should include? Let us know here (email link)

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Charmagne Arrubio and Samantha McLean. We aim to uplift the real estate industry by delivering forward-thinking, hype-free news and education that fosters knowledge and fuels ambition.

Content in the ‘Together With’ section is sponsored. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at advertise.eliteagent.com.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.