GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On this day in 1926, Agatha Christie pulled off one of her greatest mysteries … not in fiction, but in real life. The queen of crime vanished without a trace for 11 days, sparking one of the most talked-about disappearances in literary history. Was it amnesia? A publicity stunt? A revenge plot? No one ever quite solved it, and perhaps that’s exactly how Christie would have wanted it.

For real estate agents, there’s a lesson in there: sometimes, a little mystery captures attention like nothing else. Whether it’s teasing an upcoming listing, creating intrigue in your marketing, or crafting an unforgettable property story, the best agents know that suspense sells. Just maybe don’t take a leaf out of Agatha’s book and vanish mid-campaign; that’s one mystery your vendors definitely wouldn’t appreciate.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 54 seconds

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LEADERSHIP

Blueprint for organisational unity

One head, many Bodies: How Lisa Pennell built a cohesive business model

When Lisa Pennell took on the CEO role at Barry Plant, she faced a network that was close socially but fragmented in execution. As she puts it, “It’s no secret the group stopped innovating,” and trust needed to be rebuilt from the ground up. Her approach was simple in principle but demanding in practice: “We move as a pack.” The statement is not flair; it reflects a leadership model that rejects ego, spreads responsibility and insists that alignment is created deliberately rather than left to chance.

Cohesion with intent

Lisa’s early priority was structural alignment. She formed the CEO Advisory Group to bring influential operators into key decisions well before implementation. “Most of the time I learn something I didn’t know before,” she says. The goal is not agreement for its own sake, but shared authorship. Once the group has worked through the thinking, the business can move quickly because the direction is already settled.

Standards that support trust

Clear boundaries sit at the centre of Lisa’s model. She rejects the idea that high performance excuses poor behaviour, stating, “Whatever you’re prepared to walk by is the standard you accept.” For her, consistency is non-negotiable. This approach removes the distortions created when a few individuals are treated as exceptions and creates a steadier internal environment where trust can form properly.

The human layer of leadership

Lisa jokes that people are “meatbags full of reactivity,” not to diminish anyone but to underline how shaped we are by circumstance and instinct. This perspective allows her to handle tension without personalising it, and to support leaders in doing the same. By blending structure with this human awareness, she has shaped a network that operates with collective purpose and communicates without unnecessary friction.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we found out what the top 10% in commercial real estate do differently

TOGETHER WITH AMLHUB

Join AMLHUB for a focused 45-minute webinar on Monday, 8th December at 10am AEST covering Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) obligations under the AML/CTF Act in Australia.

This session will help you understand how to confidently identify and verify customers and beneficial owners, apply a risk-based approach, and stay compliant with regulatory expectations.

Whether you manage compliance directly or oversee team processes, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to strengthen your CDD/KYC framework.

This webinar is ideal for compliance officers, business owners, and anyone responsible for AML obligations in real estate or financial services. There will also be an opportunity for live questions answered by AMLHUB’s Head of Audit & Consulting, Tijana Misur.

Register now to secure your spot.

AFFORDABILITY WORRIES

Rate cuts fuel property boom but worsen affordability

Australia's property market ended 2025 with a paradox: interest rate cuts increased borrowing power by up to $73,800 but simultaneously drove prices higher. House prices rose 9% across major capitals, with Sydney leading with a $150,000 annual increase. Adelaide officially joined the million-dollar club, while Brisbane overtook Melbourne as Australia's second-most-expensive capital. Buyers are increasingly searching for "dual living" and "granny flat" options as affordability continues to deteriorate.

REGIONAL STRENGTH

Metro market takes a breather

Australia's housing market has flattened in November, with national prices showing zero growth after months of steady increases. While major east coast capitals like Sydney and Melbourne have cooled, Perth, Adelaide and Darwin continue to post gains between 1.1-1.5%. Regional areas are outperforming capital cities, with house prices outside major cities rising 1.4% compared to 0.9% in capitals. New listings fell 20.4% month-on-month, leaving summer buyers with reduced choice.

PRICE PRESSURE

Southern house prices buck the national trend

House prices in London and southern England have dipped for the first time in 18 months, falling by 0.1-0.2% year-on-year, while the UK average rose by 1.3% to £270,200. Zoopla attributes the southern decline to pre-budget fears of a new property tax on homes over £500,000, which ultimately didn't materialize. With uncertainty now cleared, experts predict a "much needed boost" to market activity in early 2026, particularly benefiting southern sellers.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Richard Simmons' estate gets a price cut

The longtime Los Angeles home of late fitness guru Richard Simmons is flexing its market appeal with a reduced price tag of US$5.89M, down from its initial $6.99M June listing. The 4,000+ square foot property, which Simmons purchased in 1982, features a four-room primary suite complete with its own gym, fitting for the energetic exercise icon who lived there for over four decades. The price reduction reflects broader market weakness, with median home prices in the area dropping nearly 11% in the third quarter.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Scott and Carla Timbrell launch RWC Central West.

The pair have taken over Chris Gryllis's long-standing commercial agency in Orange, bringing corporate expertise to the regional market.

Tina Bligh returns to Highland Double Bay Malouf.

The experienced agent brings over two decades of expertise as Sales Associate to David Malouf, strengthening the agency's position in Sydney's prestige property market.

Shauna Le joins Harcourts SA as Business Operations Manager.

The marketing and operations specialist has risen quickly through the industry ranks over just four years and will oversee key operational functions for the group.

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

How I thought real estate would be: sleek car, smooth deals. How it really is: juggling signs, coffee, and sanity … and usually dropping one. 🚗🤹‍♀️

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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