GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Rise and shine! On this day in 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge officially opened, forever changing the city’s skyline. Much like a well-structured sales pipeline, this steel masterpiece took years of planning, teamwork, and a solid foundation to stand the test of time. Today, it remains one of Australia’s most recognisable landmarks; proof that great things come from vision and persistence.

So, whether you're negotiating a deal, hosting an open home, or chasing new listings, remember: strong foundations lead to lasting success.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 50 seconds

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ADVICE

The power of playing the percentages

Success in real estate, like in sport, is all about playing the percentages, aka, small, strategic gains that add up over time.

Mark McLeod, Chief Strategy Officer at Ray White, reveals how agents can sharpen their game by focusing on the right metrics. Ray White’s auction strategy, agent activity levels, and the use of data-driven insights through NurtureCloud all aim to maximise these percentages.

It goes without saying that agents who consistently make more calls, conduct more appraisals, and increase open home activity give themselves a better chance of success. Tracking ‘winning weeks’ shows that sustained effort across key metrics leads to long-term wins. The question every agent should ask themselves is: are you playing the percentages to win your week?

The power of auctions and percentages
Mark shares that Ray White’s auction strategy isn’t just about preference - it’s about results. Conducting one in four auctions nationally, the company believes auctions deliver the best outcomes for sellers while improving clearance rates and reducing days on market.

Offices that embrace this approach consistently outperform competitors by playing the better statistical game. While an occasional sale may happen outside the numbers, over time, the agents who prioritise higher-percentage plays will always come out ahead.

Tracking winning weeks
Data is now key to measuring real estate success, provides insight into agent performance across crucial metrics. The ‘winning week’ concept highlights that success isn’t just about occasional big wins - it’s about consistency in appraisals, stock management, and transactional communication.

Some agents may sell three or four properties and still ‘lose’ the week if they’re not hitting the right numbers. Those who focus on winning a majority of their weeks will ultimately win their quarter, setting them up for sustained success.

Maximising open home opportunities
Saturday open homes are the biggest consumer touchpoint in real estate, yet not all agents capitalise on them. Conducting just one or two opens limits exposure, while those who run multiple sessions or staggered blocks increase their chances of meeting future clients. Just like in sport, the inches, (or in this case, the opportunities), are everywhere.

Small adjustments in activity levels and strategic decision-making compound over time, leading to a stronger business. Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed what Ryan Reynolds and Alex Hormozi can teach us about marketing.

TOGETHER WITH VIEW.RESI

View Media Group’s view.resi drives 27% more buyers to open homes
View Media Group’s view.resi solution has delivered a 27% increase in Open For Inspection attendees, according to results from its partnership with Place Estate Agents. The analysis of 200+ campaigns at Place New Farm showed that combining on-portal and off-portal marketing strategies significantly expanded buyer reach.

“We knew collectively our view.resi solutions were driving results for our partners but this comprehensive analysis allowed us to capture further insights through the full transparency provided by Place,” Trent Casson, Managing Director, Residential at View Media Group, said. ”By analysing each campaign and open for inspection attendees we were able to accurately highlight the positive effect our solutions had on listing campaigns.”

Sarah Hackett, Managing Director, Place Estate Agents, added: “Since partnering with view.resi, we have seen an uplift in key campaign metrics. Our agents have reaped the benefits of the additional reach to attract more attendees at their open for inspections to drive competition and deliver for their vendors.” Read more about the view.resi campaign performance here.

SMART SNIPPETS

Record profits for home sellers, but unit losses pile up
Aussie property sellers cashed in big in the December quarter, with 94.8% turning a profit and a record median gain of $306,000, according to CoreLogic’s latest Pain & Gain report. But not all markets were winners; Sydney and Melbourne units took a hit, making up nearly half (47.2%) of all loss-making sales. Brisbane dominated with a 99.6% profit rate, while Melbourne (89.2%) and Darwin fell below 90%.

Brisbane and Gold Coast property markets hold strong post-cyclone
One week after Cyclone Alfred disrupted open homes and auctions, Brisbane and the Gold Coast property markets have bounced back with strong buyer activity. Real Estate Buyers Agents Association of Australia president Melinda Jennison reported that open home attendance was steady, with most suburbs unaffected.

Trump’s tariffs push up construction costs for US developers
Real estate developers across the US are facing rising costs as President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs increase prices on key building materials, including steel, aluminum, copper, and tiling. Some developers report steel prices up by as much as 20%, forcing them to adjust project budgets or pass costs on to clients.

CELEBRITY HOMES

New York’s historic Woolworth mansion drops price to under US$50 million
A landmark Upper East Side townhouse, known as the Woolworth Mansion, has seen its asking price slashed to $49,950,000 million (AUD $75,920,000). The seven-storey, 20,000-square-foot (1,858 sqm) home was originally listed for $90 million (AUD $137 million) in 2011 but has remained off the market for more than a decade.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Deo family joins RE/MAX network
Jitendra and Sandy Deo have rebranded their successful DEO Realty business to RE/MAX Landmark in Brisbane's Underwood area, marking the third new RE/MAX office this year. More here.

David Coombes opens third Ray White office
The director has expanded to Boorowa after 14 years with the group, bringing the brand back to the farming township in NSW's Hilltops region. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

You think you've really bonded with a client, laughing at the same jokes, swapping weekend plans, only for them to reply with a basic “OK” to a message. Don’t mind me then. 🤷🏻‍♀️🆗

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Wishing you a productive day

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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