GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

The story that Manhattan was bought for just $24 worth of beads in 1626 isn’t quite accurate. Dutch governor Peter Minuit actually traded goods valued at 60 guilders, closer to about US$1,000 today. These weren’t cheap trinkets either, but practical items like tools, kettles and cloth. And importantly, the Lenape people had a very different understanding of land use than European notions of ownership.

The lesson for agents is that property myths stick around, so it always pays to check the real story.

In today’s edition of The Brief

• Why working harder won’t get you to seven figures, and the three hidden performance destroyers holding agents back

• AI voice cloning now takes 30 seconds, raising new verification risks for agents handling deals

• House hunting named the most stressful part of moving, topping all other relocation tasks

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 20 seconds

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INSIGHT

Why working harder won't get you to seven figures

The hustle-and-grind mentality might be the biggest obstacle standing between you and elite performance. High-performance coach Chris Wilson says the best agents don't just show up and work hard – they plan every single detail of how they're going to hit seven figures in GCI. But the planning he's talking about goes far beyond business strategy.

The strategic roadmap most agents skip

Chris breaks down why "getting out there and making deals happen" isn't strategic enough to grow a business. He outlines a simple framework: Where are we now? Where are we going? How do we get there?

But here's what most agents miss – it's not just about the numbers.

The three performance destroyers

"There are three key things that will destroy high performance," Chris explains.

He identifies the hidden factors that sabotage agents in high-pressure environments – and relationships are one of them. The full article reveals why teams keep falling apart and what to do about it.

Your monster in the night

When agents wonder why they're not selling enough, Chris says the answer often lies somewhere unexpected. He introduces the concept of identifying your "monster in the night" and explains why matching your downtime to your personality matters more than luxury holidays.

What you'll learn in the full article:

• The seven-figure planning framework: How elite agents structurally build out their teams and create the numbers to scale

• The three performance destroyers: What Chris identifies as the hidden factors sabotaging your results

• The automation audit: How to build data that shows exactly where to automate or outsource

• The downtime mismatch: Why what works for high-flying agents might be hurting your performance

If you've been working harder but not seeing results, Chris's approach challenges everything the industry tells you about success.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, we found out why trust is the new currency in real estate

TOGETHER WITH AMLHUB

AML compliance: the cost of cutting corners

Richard Manthel, who has trained more than 10,000 agents and overseen 500,000 transactions through AMLHUB, warns that agencies rushing to meet Australia’s July 2026 anti-money laundering deadline risk embedding costly compliance failures into their businesses. Drawing on New Zealand’s 2019 rollout, he says many agencies that delayed implementation created systemic gaps that only surfaced during audits, forcing them to remediate years of transactions while still trying to run day-to-day operations.

He argues the real danger isn’t the deadline itself but the false confidence that comes from ticking boxes without fully understanding obligations. Agencies starting early by mapping risks, identifying gaps and properly training staff, will be far better placed when AUSTRAC eventually reviews their programs, while those that leave it late may spend years fixing mistakes made in haste.

Read more about AMLHUB here

MOVING HOUSE

House hunting now tops moving stress rankings

Australians buying and selling simultaneously face up to 86 hours of relocation tasks – more than two full working weeks, new research shows. More than half rate finding a home as very or extremely stressful, with renters feeling it most acutely. Worth keeping in mind when your clients seem frazzled mid-transaction.

TECH TOOLS

Free AI tool clones voices in 30 seconds

Samantha McLean cloned her own voice in 30 seconds using a free, browser-based AI tool – and it was uncomfortably convincing. Phone calls still authorise price drops and contract changes, but the assumption that a familiar voice equals a verified caller is now flawed. Three quick safeguards worth discussing with your team.

HOW IT SOLD

$15.1m off-market through 25 years of connections

Albert Sassoon didn't wait for listings. He called agents directly, found three off-market options, and secured a Bellevue Hill development site for his clients without a single public inspection.

Read the full story

A listing lasts weeks. The case study lasts forever. getailsa.com

CELEBRITY HOMES

MLB All-Star lists estate with professional baseball field

Matt Holliday's 136-acre Oklahoma spread is where he trained sons Jackson and Ethan – both went first overall in their respective MLB drafts. The $17 million property comes with a stadium-worthy field, batting cages, and a two-level pool with swim-through grotto. Yes, there's a fire pit right behind home plate.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

First National Real Estate announces 2025 Queensland state award winners

First National Real Estate recognised Queensland’s top performers at its 2025 State Awards in Brisbane, with FN Cleveland named QLD Sales Office of the Year. More here.

REMAX celebrate excellence at annual awards

REMAX Australia honoured outstanding network achievements at its annual awards gala in Brisbane, with The Eagle Award, going to Wes McGregor. More here.

Sean Phuah joins FOUNDIT as Founding Partner Buyer’s Agent

The prestige North Shore specialist strengthens FOUNDIT’s Sydney network, joined by Mai Wegen to support discerning buyers. More here.

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

Great kitchen, fancy finishes… but the dog left a review: 2 stars, would’ve preferred a bigger yard. 🐶 🏡

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

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Charmagne Arrubio, Iris Rebello 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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