GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

World Mental Health Day is a reminder that wellbeing is essential in every profession, including real estate, where long hours, high-pressure negotiations and unpredictable income can take a toll. Agents often juggle client expectations, competition and constant availability, which can lead to burnout if mental health isn’t prioritised.

Creating boundaries, seeking peer support and having open conversations about stress within agencies can help. Leaders can play a vital role by normalising mental health discussions, providing access to resources, and fostering workplaces where it’s safe to ask for help, ensuring agents stay resilient and perform at their best without sacrificing wellbeing.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 31 seconds

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MINDSET

The power of calm authority

Evy Poumpouras on emotional control, confidence and the real power of presence in real estate

In real estate, where every encounter is public, from listings and auctions to impromptu chats at the supermarket, how agents present themselves shapes trust and authority. Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Evy Poumpouras told Steven Bartlett on The Diary of a CEO that the key isn’t just being authentic, but being your best self.

Drawing on her experience protecting presidents and managing extreme pressure, she shared insights into emotional control, communication, and confidence that translate directly to leadership in real estate.

Authenticity versus professionalism

Evy argues that authenticity doesn’t mean being unfiltered, it means being composed. “If I showed up tired or unprepared because that’s how I felt, I’d fail at my job,” she said. Real estate professionals face similar scrutiny: clients need reassurance, not raw emotion.

Effective leaders regulate their state before stepping into meetings or negotiations. As she puts it, “Your feelings are valid, but they don’t have to run the meeting.” Calm, controlled presence communicates reliability far more than transparency about stress ever could.

Staying calm under pressure

Deals fall apart, emotions run high, and agents are often the stabilising force. Evy advises a “pause before response” approach - slow your breath, control your tone, and refuse to mirror another person’s agitation. She notes that “your energy precedes you,” shaping how clients and colleagues perceive you before you even speak.

This composure projects confidence during auctions, tense appraisals, or when markets turn volatile. It’s not about suppressing emotion but mastering it, turning steadiness into a strategic advantage.

Communicating with confidence

Evy’s lessons on communication echo through every client interaction: don’t rush, own silence, and project certainty. “Powerful people don’t fill silence; they let it sit,” she said. In our business, this means walking into presentations grounded, measured, and prepared and commanding attention through calm assurance rather than bravado.

True confidence, she added, comes from preparation and practice, not personality. Each difficult call or listing presentation builds that skill. For agents and leaders alike, showing up deliberately, poised, clear, and confident, isn’t fake; it’s leadership by design.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we reported on how Compton Green is planning for its next century in business.

TOGETHER WITH @REALTY

Why seller nurturing starts months before the listing

Most homeowners don’t decide to sell overnight; research shows they typically spend four to six months thinking about it before contacting an agent, and stay in their property for nine to eleven years on average. By the time a seller reaches out, they’ve often been quietly weighing up their options for months, which is why agents who stay visible early in the decision cycle have the best conversion rates.

Effective lead nurturing means consistent, valuable contact through emails every 2–3 weeks, social posts three to five times weekly, and retargeting ads that stay front of mind. The most successful agents use tools such as market reports, downloadable guides, drip campaigns, and retargeting ads to educate and engage prospects over time.

Studies show it can take 7–12 touchpoints before a homeowner takes action, so maintaining steady communication is key. Platforms like @realty CRM simplify this process, automating follow-up and keeping agents connected with leads until they’re ready to list.

Read more about @realty CRM here.

INVESTMENT DATA

Property developers target these five Australian growth regions

Investors are actively pursuing small-scale development opportunities in select high-growth regions, with Geelong, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, and Northern New South Wales leading the charge. Agents in these areas are reporting increased enquiry from buyers with budgets between $800,000 and $2 million, targeting sites suitable for duplex projects.

These builds are not only boosting local rental supply but also helping to ease broader housing shortages. Industry analysts are drawing parallels between Ipswich today and Parramatta in the early 2000s, noting comparable infrastructure investment, affordability, and long-term upside - signalling potential for significant value growth ahead.

SMALLER BLOCK SIZES

Aussies trading land for lifestyle as smaller blocks become the norm

Australia’s median block size has fallen from 670sqm in 2015 to 645sqm in 2025, reflecting a steady shift towards smaller lots as population growth and affordability pressures reshape housing trends. Developers are responding to rising land costs and limited supply by building on smaller parcels, particularly in cities where density reforms encourage townhouse and duplex developments.

Search data from realestate.com.au shows buyers are adapting, with 500sqm, four-bedroom homes now the most sought-after configuration since 2021. Larger 600sqm blocks have dropped out of the top searches, replaced by 400sqm homes with similar layouts. Despite shrinking land sizes, new houses remain around 241sqm on average, showing we still value generous indoor living spaces even as backyards get smaller.

EURO GREEN SMART

Green push stalls as property owners wait for better deals

Europe’s commercial property market is under pressure to clean up its carbon footprint, but many owners are dragging their feet. Buildings account for a hefty chunk of global energy use and emissions, yet rules on minimum energy ratings remain uncertain and slow-moving.

Tenants are paying attention though and most say they’ll pay more for greener offices and expect discounts for inefficient ones. Green loans, meant to reward eco-friendly upgrades with cheaper rates, exist but the savings are tiny compared with broader interest rate moves. Many landlords say the paperwork and reporting requirements aren’t worth the hassle.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Hollywood's Australian casting hub hits the market

A commercial property in Adelaide with connections to major films like "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Wolf Creek" is up for sale. The 350sqm office has been home to South Australia Casting Agency for over 30 years and is being sold with a secure lease back arrangement generating $70,000 annually. With no stamp duty in South Australia, the property is expected to attract significant interest from interstate investors looking for stability.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Andrew McCulloch appointed Harcourts NSW CEO

The 20-year industry veteran brings experience from Australia and NZ with a focus on developing tailored partnership plans for business owners. More here.

Toby Balazs appointed REIV Chief Executive Officer

The property tech expert brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role when he starts on November 10, coming from his current position as COO at Empower Wealth. 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

Nothing says ‘stress-free buying’ like a client plummeting out of the sky and touching down on their perfect property. 🪂🏡

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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