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Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 50 seconds

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LEADERSHIP

Leading from the front

What it really takes to run a real estate business today

Running a real estate business today isn’t just about selling homes, it’s about building a brand, leading people, driving performance, and staying ahead in a market that won’t sit still. According to Aaron Chuah, Director of Sales at Stockdale & Leggo Central, managing a real estate business isn’t about putting out fires or chasing listings, it’s about building a culture, leading with systems, protecting your brand, and creating predictable results in an unpredictable market.

And in that pursuit, adaptability is key.

“The most dangerous phrase in leadership is: ‘That’s the way we’ve always done it,’” he says. Whether it’s reviewing commission models, shifting to video-driven marketing, or rethinking your method of sale, proactive change is now a leadership necessity.

“Adaptability is no longer optional. It’s your edge.”

People first

“No real estate agency can outperform its team,” says Aaron.

Your people are the lifeblood of the business, from agents to admin, marketing support to PMs, and even your external partners.

“Good management isn’t about control, it’s about coaching. It’s about removing obstacles, instilling discipline, and creating a culture where performance and care go hand-in-hand.”

From his experience, culture includes regular sales and skill-building sessions, 1-on-1 coaching, and celebrating wins while still leaning into accountability.

”High culture doesn’t mean ping pong tables and pizza nights. It means standards, structure, and support.”

Systems drive success

Aaron compares running a real estate business to Formula 1: “The talent behind the wheel matters, but so does the engineering.” Essentially, without clear systems for launching listings, managing vendors, or running OFIs, chaos is inevitable.

Well-designed systems, he says, do three things: reduce risk, save time, and ensure consistency in client experience. Whether it's CRM automation, editable PDFs, or scheduled vendor touchpoints, Aaron advice is: “Don’t rely on memory. Build a machine.”

The vendor experience is your brand

Every vendor becomes a reflection of your business.

“Their experience, good or bad, will be shared with family, friends, and neighbours,” Aaron says and that’s why vendor care must go beyond checklists and become a part of agency culture.

“It starts with education, walking vendors through the market, not just quoting a price.” From there, it continues with clear communication and ends with strong negotiation and strategy. “People don’t remember every word you say, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday Dr Nicola Powell wrapped up what the market will look like for rest of 2025.

TOGETHER WITH READY25

Master non-obvious thinking at Ready25

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rohit Bhargava is on a mission to help people see what others miss through "non-obvious" thinking. With nine books on marketing and trends read by over 1 million people, this former advertising executive now teaches at Georgetown University and runs two successful startups. Described as "scary-smart and super engaging," Bhargava has spent 15 years advising global brands before becoming an entrepreneur.

At the upcoming Ready25 event, he'll reveal his four-step method for having better ideas and boosting everyday innovation, drawing from his extensive experience in storytelling, trends, and diversity.

Register for Ready25 while you still can.

INVESTOR GAINS

Affordable suburbs delivering six-figure gains

Investors in some of Australia's affordable suburbs are reaping extraordinary rewards, with some locations delivering up to $170,000 in capital gains over just 12 months. Aitkenvale in Townsville led the pack with a 40% price surge, while the average growth across these affordable hotspots hit 18%, far outpacing the national average of 2-3%. These suburbs are challenging the traditional "growth or yield" investment theory, with many also offering yields above 6%.

BRISBANE BOOM TIMES

Brisbane hits the big league: $1M homes now the norm

Brisbane just levelled up, joining Sydney in Australia’s million-dollar home club. As of May, the city’s median house value cracked $1,006,000, and it’s still climbing. What’s fuelling the boom? A mix of sea-changers, sunshine seekers, and a serious lack of supply.

The city added 235,000 people in just four years, but didn’t build fast enough to keep up. Now, with values soaring and affordability slipping, Brisbane might lose its once “affordable alternative” status. Still, for now, it’s champagne (or maybe XXXX) for Brisbane homeowners..

US/SAUDI BILLIONAIRE CLUB

The Saudi Arabian government is backing a billion-dollar skyscraper in Manhattan, taking a two-thirds stake in a site just one block from Central Park. Partnering with a developer, the proposed 1,200-foot tower marks a shift from an earlier mixed-use plan to a premium office development, driven by strong demand for high-end commercial space.

The Saudis have already invested US$200 million, with the total project expected to cost over US$1 billion. It’s the latest sign that foreign investors are returning to New York’s commercial property market, which has seen over US$2.1 billion in foreign activity in just six months.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Adam Levine lists Montecito mansion for AUD$98m profit play

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and supermodel wife Behati Prinsloo are parting ways with their Montecito hilltop estate, listing it for US$65 million (AUD$98M) just three years after buying in. Set on 3.4 acres, the property features nine bedrooms, 10.5 bathrooms, a gym, home theatre, tennis court, and sweeping ocean views.

If the sale hits the mark, the couple stands to make a tidy US$13 million profit, adding to their string of successful flips, including a previous deal that scored them US$20 million..

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Clay Brodie joins BresicWhitney

The experienced agent brings 15 years of expertise in Sydney's Eastern Beaches and blue-chip suburbs as part of the company's strategic expansion across premium lifestyle markets. More here.

Harcourts The Property People claims fifth consecutive award

The Macarthur region agency has taken home the Outstanding Real Estate Agency Award at the Local Business Awards for 2025, marking their 12th win in 19 years. 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

Wild West meets West Coast in this listing reel; think cacti, cowboy hats, and California dreaming all rolled into one unforgettable open home in Kingsgrove, NSW, no less. 🤠🌴

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 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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