GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On 2 September 1969, the first ATM went live in New York, giving people access to cash any time of day. For the first time, there was no need to rush to the bank before closing; money was available whenever it suited them. It was a small machine, but it completely reshaped expectations around ease and accessibility.

That shift is not so different from what clients expect of agents today: quick responses, market insights on tap, and help when they need it most. Just as the ATM made banking simpler, the best agents make property decisions feel effortless.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 47 seconds

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LAW

New AI privacy rules just dropped. Is your business ready?

AI just got easier (and safer) for your business to use

If you’ve been unsure how privacy laws apply to AI tools in your real estate business, you’re not alone. Kristen Porter, CEO of O*No Legal reports that until now, many agents and business owners operated in a grey area, using AI without knowing if it risked privacy breaches or compliance issues. But the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) just dropped two new guides to cut through the confusion. The aim? To make it simpler and safer for businesses to embrace AI without landing in legal hot water.

Two guides, one clear message: Know the risks

The OAIC's new guidance offers something many businesses desperately needed: clarity. One guide targets AI users, helping agents and agencies vet the tools they use. The second targets developers, especially those using personal data to train models. For agents integrating AI into client comms, marketing, or CRM tools, this guidance lays out the rules of engagement—finally clarifying what’s acceptable under Australian privacy law.

It’s not “use AI at your own risk” anymore

Gone are the days of crossing your fingers and hoping AI compliance sorted itself out. The OAIC is crystal clear: businesses must take a cautious, proactive approach. That means evaluating tools for privacy risks, securing personal data, being transparent with clients, and ensuring AI-generated outputs don’t breach privacy laws. This isn’t about slowing down innovation, it’s about building trust while you speed things up.

Your next steps: audit, train, protect

Whether you're already using AI or just considering it, now’s the time to get your house in order. Read the OAIC guides, review your tools, and start asking questions like: What data does this tool access? Are my staff trained on AI-related privacy risks? How do I explain this to clients? A little due diligence now could save you major headaches, or fines, later.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday JJ Taylor discussed why local connections drive real estate success.

SPRING RALLY

Home prices hit new record highs nationwide

Australian property continues its relentless climb, with home prices rising 0.5% in August, marking eight consecutive months of growth. National values are now 5.3% higher than last year, adding approximately $47,900 to the median home value. Regional markets are outperforming capital cities with a 6.6% annual increase, while Darwin and Sydney lead the capital cities in monthly growth. The upward trend is expected to continue with constrained housing supply and strong population growth.

NEWBIE AGENTS

High schoolers eyeing property careers

Queensland teenagers are increasingly looking at careers in the real estate industry. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland connected with over 15,000 students at recent career expos, highlighting a program where students can earn their Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice during high school. The qualification contributes to their ATAR ranking and allows graduates to convert it into a real estate license once they turn 18, creating an immediate career pathway for property-obsessed young Australians.

UAE EXPAT HOMEBUYERS

Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi Lead UAE Hotspots

Property Finder has ranked the best areas in the UAE for expat buyers, with affordability pushing many beyond Dubai. Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah took the top spot, followed by Emirates City in Ajman and Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, JLT and Business Bay lead for rental yields, while Downtown offers long-term growth. The findings highlight growing demand in emerging emirates as first-time expats seek value and lifestyle.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Tyson Fury sells seaside pad for a knockout profit

Tyson Fury and wife Paris have sold their old family home in Morecambe, Lancashire, for £700,000 (A$1.45m), which was far less than the £800,000 (A$1.66m) asking price, but still well above what they paid. The Fury’s bought the six-bedroom property back in 2015 for £480,000 (A$996k), meaning they’ve walked away with a tidy £220,000 (A$456k) profit. Known for its bold décor, including chandeliers, marble-style bathrooms and even a portrait of Fury in the hallway, the house also came with sweeping views of Morecambe Bay.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White Victoria & Tasmania celebrates top performers

Ray White Ferntree Gully claimed the No. 1 Office for Settled Commission for the ninth consecutive year, while Vivian Li from Ray White Wantirna was named top salesperson. More here.

Harcourts Marketplace opens second office

Michael Devlin joins founders Sarah Bailey and Chris Mihalopoulos to lead the new Centenary location in Jindalee, reuniting the trio who first worked together 12 years ago. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Agents love to say they’re “standing on business” - which is great, until you realise it means they’ve been on their feet for 12 hours straight, chasing buyers, vendors and a decent coffee. 👠🏡

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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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.

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