AUSTROS winner Luke Banitsiotis, Do interest rates really matter?, Vacancy rates ease, + news and more

Good Morning from Elite Agent

Luke Banitsiotis has taken out this year's Australasian Auctioneering Championships (AUSTROS) in Hobart. This was the Woodards Blackburn agent’s forth finals appearance and he beat out some of the industry's best auctioneers, with the final featuring Alec Brown, Bronte Manuel, Clarence White and Paul Hancock. The event was part of the ANZ REIA 100 Gala, which also saw the industry name its top performers for 2024. Check out all the highlights here.

Today, we are also covering:

• Do rates really matter?

• Jess Lenouvel on digital marketing domination

• Vacancy rates ease

• Byron Bay’s Secret Garden

• And much more!

Let's get to work 🚀

Instant Inspo 💡

DEFINE THE SKILLSET

When recruiting, define the skill set you need first, then find the right person to match. Look for hunger, attention to detail, and a willingness to invest in themselves.

Go Deeper with Gavin Rubinstein here.

On our radar

Do rates really matter?

More than one-third of Aussie homebuyers say interest rates don’t impact their decision on whether to buy or sell property. According to preliminary findings from InfoTrack’s 2024 State of Real Estate Report: Insights from Australian Buyers and Sellers, 37 per cent of respondents don’t view interest rates as a major factor in whether they transact or not. The research also shows 27 per cent of survey respondents list property prices as the main challenge in their buying decisions, followed by 20 per cent who cite market conditions. More here.

AI Powered Agents Custom Guided Learning

Level up immediately

Samantha McLean’s hugely popular AI Powered Agent course is back, only now it’s a self-paced course you can start at any time - even now! The course has all of the updated content from the traditional six-week course, only this time you can move as fast or as leisurely through it as you like. In it, you’ll learn stress-free, AI-driven processes to help you keep your pipeline full and your operations running smoothly. It really will be like you have an ‘extra brain’ and an ‘extra pair of hands’. Find out more and register here.

Today’s Feature

Pipeline perfection: How digital is changing the traditional ‘farm area’ and how you can dominate your niche

In today's digital age, where mastering online presence and client engagement is key, Jess Lenouvel sets herself apart as a real estate marketing visionary. In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, hosted by Samantha McLean, Jess unveils her strategies for turning strangers into loyal clients, connecting with your audience, and reducing the ‘hustle’ while growing your business to new heights. Listen in here.

Today’s Quiz

Fireplace or fakeplace: Can you spot which living room is heating up with an AI twist?

Brekky Browse

Meanwhile in Japan 🇯🇵

Unpacking Akiya: The Empty Houses in Japan

In rural Japan, millions of abandoned homes, known as Akiya, are sold for shockingly low prices, attracting a growing number of American buyers. The homes, often abandoned due to the original owner's death or heirs refusing the inheritance, are part of a government push to revitalise rural areas. Despite the challenges of obtaining mortgages for non-residents, the allure of cheap property and potential renovation projects draws international interest. With the help of firms like Akiya & Inaka, foreigners are navigating the simple yet language-barrier process of investing in these unique opportunities. More here.

Anything else?

Turn KPIs into income

Today is ‘Weights and Measures’ Day, celebrating the order in which units like grams, kilograms, and litres bring to our world.

In real estate, measures that bring order are number of leads, appraisals, and conversions (among other things!). Bill Shields, Managing Director at Inhabit, has some great advice on how to turn these numbers into income and improve profits. Remember, you can only manage what you measure, so don’t forget to check back on ‘mission control’ at regular intervals to see how you're doing against your goals.

Dates for your diary

Find Elite Agent Editor Samantha McLean speaking about real estate and AI at these upcoming events:

May 27 AREC, Gold Coast, Qld
June 3 Harcourts PM Conference, Gold Coast, Qld
July 12 AI Powered Agents Subscriber Masterclass (Virtual)
July 19 Leah Calnan National PM Day, Melbourne, Vic
July 30-Aug 1 Proptech Summit + Workshop, Sydney
August 11-14 Elite Retreat, Hayman Island, Qld
August 25 PPM Conference, Gold Coast, Qld