GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

If you’re pitching to high-end clients, wellness is the new must-have in luxury homes. Think full backyard day spas with saunas, plunge pools, and even electromagnetic therapy walls. Turns out, it’s not just about selling homes anymore - it’s about selling the ultimate retreat.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 9 seconds.

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MOTIVATION

Authenticity over tradition: how Josh Horner found joy in real estate

What does a Broadway dancer turned suburban real estate agent have to teach about success? Plenty!

Josh Horner, founder of The Horner Agency, traded stage lights for sold signs, and discovered that true success isn’t about glossy mansions or Instagram-worthy highlight reels - it’s about authenticity. By embracing his theatrical background and focusing on helping everyday families achieve their property dreams, Josh has transformed his career and redefined what it means to find joy in real estate.

Ditch the playbook

“Real magic happens when you stop trying to be what you think a real estate agent should be and start being who you actually are," says Josh. He highlights the monotony of traditional scripts and marketing approaches in real estate, encouraging agents to find their unique voice. For Josh, that meant leaning into his Broadway roots with quirky marketing and "soul dances," making him stand out in his suburban market.

Joy beyond the glossy listings

While social media and shows like Selling Sunset glamorise high-end real estate, Josh finds greater fulfilment in helping young families secure their first home. "The young family stretching every dollar to buy their first home brings me more fulfilment than any luxury listing could," he shares.

Reignite your passion

For agents feeling burnt out, Josh suggests swimming upstream and breaking free from traditional norms.

"Ask yourself: What genuinely excites you about this job? What makes you different? How can you bring more of yourself - your real self - into your work?" After all, he says, as agents we're not just selling properties; we're creating moments that people will remember for the rest of their lives. “And if we can find joy in that process, well, that’s better than any million-dollar listing.”

ICYMI, yesterday we covered how climate risks are re-shaping real estate.

TOGETHER WITH THE ONE CONFERENCE

Bec Turner, Head of the Growth Team at Ray White AKG, has secured over 1,600 properties in just four and a half years. Her standout achievement? Signing 535 managements in a single year - averaging more than two every day.

Bec now focuses on building strong relationships with sales teams and external partners to drive growth. Her leadership has transformed her team, with one member boosting their monthly signings from 3-4 to over 20. More here.

SMART SNIPPETS

Gen X tops property wealth as generational divide grows
Gen X now holds the highest average housing wealth at $1.31 million, slightly ahead of Baby Boomers at $1.30 million, according to new analysis by KPMG. While Boomers lead in cash savings, younger generations like Millennials and Gen Z lag significantly in property and equity ownership.

Key rental reforms: what agents need to know
EBM reports on significant tenancy law reforms that have reshaped Australia’s rental market, enhancing renters’ rights with easier access to pets, permissions for minor property modifications, minimum housing standards, and stronger domestic violence protections.

Opportunities emerge in NZ property market
The New Zealand property market closed 2024 with record December lows, but opportunities remain for buyers and sellers. The national average asking price dropped to NZD $842,476 (approximately AUD $770,000), its lowest level since April 2021.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Joan Rivers' former NYC penthouse re-listed

Joan Rivers’ opulent Upper East Side penthouse is back on the market for AUD$43 million, significantly reduced from its original $58 million asking price. Check out the palatial-inspired digs here.

SOUND WAVES

How pets are helping to sell homes

What makes a purrfect listing? Well, pets are becoming a secret weapon in property marketing, with listings featuring cats curled on furniture or puppies at doorways helping homes stand out.

Dive straight into the listen below or the deeper dive here.

Read the article from UK Financial Times here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Hosting an open for inspection at a vacant property? With no furniture in sight, you’ll be pacing between the kitchen and the empty living room like a lost real estate nomad. Pro tip: bring your own chair … or risk becoming overly acquainted with the floorboards.🪑🚶🏽‍➡️

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

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.

Stories marked with * are sponsored, including 'Together With' and the weekday 'Movers & Shakers' sections. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at eliteagent.com/advertise.

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