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In Memoriam: Honouring Anthony Toop and Michael Brock

The Australian real estate community is mourning the loss of two extraordinary leaders: Anthony Toop and Michael Brock. Each leaves a lasting imprint on the profession and on the many people who worked alongside them.

Anthony Toop, founder of TOOP+TOOP, built more than a business. Over nearly four decades he poured his energy, ideas and care into shaping one of South Australia’s most respected agencies. Anthony believed in doing things differently and his leadership changed the face of South Australian real estate - from pioneering modern property marketing to championing ethics and mentoring generations of agents. The strong foundations and values he established continue to guide TOOP+TOOP, which is now led by his daughters Suzannah and Genevieve Toop, together with Genevieve’s husband Bronte Manuel. In announcing his passing, they wrote: “Anthony wasn’t just our founder, he was a husband, father, Poppa, mentor and friend to so many. For nearly four decades, he poured his energy, ideas and care into this business and the people in it.”

Michael Brock, another giant of South Australian real estate, began his career in 1973 and went on to create Brock Partners Real Estate, which later merged with Harcourts and grew to 36 franchise offices; in 2019 he launched Brock Estates, continuing his passion for property. Twice president of the Real Estate Institute of South Australia and a former board member of the Real Estate Institute of Australia, Michael was also the inaugural winner of the Australasian Auctioneering Championships, and to this day the only South Australian to hold that title.

Known as a charismatic auctioneer, he conducted more than 8,500 auctions and gave generously of his time to charities and community causes. Friends and colleagues remember him as fiercely loyal, driven, and a true showman. His wife, Susan Brock, paid tribute to her late husband, describing him as “a kind, loving and generous man” who was “highly competitive, whether in the sports he loved or in business.” Tributes have been flowing in over the long weekend from colleagues, clients, friends and community members who were touched by their leadership and generosity. If you have a story or a tribute you would like to share, please get in touch with us so we can continue to honour their remarkable contributions.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 34 seconds

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OPINION

Beyond the ribbon

How to set up a new offices for success

Opening a high‑performing real estate office isn’t about the ribbon-cutting, it’s about doing the groundwork months (or even years) in advance. According to Harcourts’ Head of Operations, Kyrstie Nolan, success hinges on planning deeply, building operational resilience, and forging a strong culture before day one.

In practice, that means rigorous business modeling, technology setup, team onboarding, marketing consistency, and a people-first ethos. Get those foundational systems, and your values, in place early so the visible launch is only the beginning, not the test.

Foundational infrastructure before you hire or market

Too many new offices rush to recruit agents or promote themselves before the internal machinery is ready. Kyrstie argues that back-end systems, including CRMs, website integrations, email workflows and data migration, must be solid and tested well in advance. Likewise, your business model, budget forecasts, and growth plan should be mapped out so the structure supports scale, not patchwork fixes once the doors open.

Launch with consistency and credibility

Your first impression matters, both in the physical space and online. Every touchpoint, from signage and shopfront visuals to Google Business listings and launch campaigns, needs to feel professional and cohesive. If your brand presence is inconsistent or half-baked, it erodes trust. Kyrstie emphasises that visibility and design consistency give your new office legitimacy in the eyes of the market.

Get your culture right

An office isn’t defined just by transactions, it’s defined by how it runs and who runs it. From day one, she urges leaders to be deliberate about purpose, values, recognition, and support. Investing in digital tools and training ensures your team isn’t scrambling, and getting culture right early helps attract and retain talent. The result: an organisation built to last, not just to launch.

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday we broke down how to tackle the underquoting stigma.

SALE OF THE WEEK

Strategic marketing delivers 8% premium above suburb median

Grant Matterson of LJ Hooker Narrabeen achieved a $1.575 million sale in just 28 days through a targeted EOI campaign — outperforming local medians and market expectations.

This story was created using Ailsa, our conversational AI tool, which is currently in beta. Agents phone in their sales details and receive professional, SEO-optimised stories within 24 hours, published on Elite Agent and ready to share on your website and across your socials.

Join the Ailsa waitlist: We’re currently accepting a few more beta testers for the service. If you’d like to be considered, join the waitlist here.

REGIONAL REVIVAL

Lifestyle buyers chase affordability

Australia's lifestyle property markets are shifting as premium destinations reach price ceilings. While top-tier areas like Byron Bay and the Mornington Peninsula are cooling with just 0-5% growth, more affordable regions are surging. Queensland's emerging destinations like Airlie-Whitsundays show exceptional post-pandemic growth of 37-39%, while Western Australia's lifestyle markets have dramatically reversed their pre-pandemic decline.

GENTLE DENSITY

The 'missing middle' is finally being found

We’re seeing a significant rise in medium-density housing developments across our capital cities. Western Australia leads the charge with a remarkable 63% increase in townhouses, duplexes, and terrace homes, followed by South Australia (36.7%) and Queensland (26.2%). The Housing Industry Association says these "gentle density" options are crucial for addressing the housing crisis, delivering more affordable homes faster. Despite progress, challenges remain with three-quarters of residential land still zoned exclusively for single houses.

BUBBLE TERRITORY

World's riskiest real estate bubble

Miami has claimed the top spot on UBS's Global Real Estate Bubble Index with a concerning score of 1.73, well above the "high risk" threshold. The once-hot market has cooled dramatically, with median home prices dropping from US$640,000 to US$595,000 in just one year. Skyrocketing insurance premiums, rising HOA fees, and new regulatory requirements for aging condos have created a perfect storm for homeowners, while properties now sit unsold for nearly three months.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Broadway producer's artistic oceanfront haven

The late Tony Award-winning producer Luigi Caiola's Miami Beach condo has hit the market for US$19.39M, complete with its custom furnishings and art collection. Created by merging two units purchased for a combined US$5.45M, the 3,717-square-foot residence features site-specific artworks including a polka-dot resin tunnel and hand-carved botanical ceiling.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Reece Pilgrim joins Ray White Burnside ownership team

The elite performer has officially partnered with his brother Brandon Pilgrim and mentor Jason Spagnuolo after joining Ray White in 2020. More here.

Barry Plant celebrates 11 years with Make-A-Wish

The network's Wishtober campaign raised over $1 million in 2023, with Andrew Koulaouzos now running the Melbourne Marathon to support the cause. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Can’t sing a note … but thankfully, can close a deal. 🎤🏡

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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