GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

It’s International Joke Day: finally, a reason to laugh that’s not your vendor’s price expectation. Today’s the perfect excuse to break out your best one-liners, questionable dad jokes, or that classic about the buyer who brought their parents, three kids and a tape measure "just to have a look."

Whether you’re negotiating offers or updating suburb stats, don’t forget: humour gets you remembered. Need a starter? Q: Why did the real estate agent cross the road? A: To put a sold sticker on the sign before anyone changed their mind.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 26 seconds

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LAW

Australian real estate hits reset

What new reforms mean for you

This month marks a pivotal moment for real estate in Australia, as sweeping legislative changes come into effect across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the federal level. From regulating digital property ads to modernising strata law, these reforms aim to boost transparency, curb overreach, and bring the sector in line with contemporary expectations - on fairness, sustainability, and digital privacy.

At the core: NSW is leading with some of the most robust updates in rentals and strata, while Queensland and Victoria are retooling privacy rules and tax frameworks. Federally, wage increases, superannuation changes, and limits on foreign buyers round out the national picture

New rental rules demand transparency and respect

Gone are the days of glossed-up rental listings. NSW will soon require disclosure of digital edits like AI-generated furniture or altered room dimensions. Agents must walk the line between standout marketing and regulatory risk.

Simultaneously, a standardised rental application form is cracking down on data over-collection, including requesting renters’ photos or social media handles. With breaches carrying fines up to $49,500, agencies need to get serious about privacy compliance.

From May 2025, “no grounds” evictions are out, pet ownership rights are formalised, and all rent payments must now include a free bank transfer option. It’s a new chapter of renter rights, and a clear call for property managers to tighten workflows and revisit templates.

Strata law reimagined for modern living

The Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act 2025 introduces new expectations for NSW's high-density communities. Renovation requests now receive automatic approval if unanswered for 90 days. Strata committees are required to discuss sustainability at every AGM. And aesthetics can no longer block solar panels or EV chargers.

There’s more accountability, too: agents must now report performance biannually, and developers must submit certified maintenance plans ahead of the first AGM. The goal? To future-proof strata communities against environmental challenges and poor governance.

Federal moves and Qld reform

Queensland is stepping up with reforms aimed at improving renter protections and agency transparency. A standardised rental application form is now required, excessive personal data collection is banned, and any financial incentives tied to rent payment platforms must be disclosed. Agents must also provide at least 48 hours' notice before property entry and securely destroy renter data after use.

Nationally, the minimum wage has increased to $24.95/hour, and the superannuation guarantee has reached its final milestone of 12% - a boost for both employees and self-employed professionals. Additionally, the federal government has extended its ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings through March 2027, a move designed to ease pressure on local housing demand.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we reported on why building a passive income is important.

TOGETHER WITH REALESTATE.COM.AU

A more immersive listing is a big deal 

Stand out in front of Australia’s largest and most engaged audience of buyers and renters¹.  Make your realestate.com.au listings more immersive and drive even greater engagement with new Property Walkthrough videos.

Designed to help accelerate the enquiry process by taking property seekers on a quick tour of your property through a portrait, mobile-first experience.  Now live, start uploading your videos today and get even better results on your listings.  Visit realestate.com.au Customer Marketing Centre to learn more.  

 _{¹ Ipsos iris Online Audience Measurement Service, Jan-24 to Dec-24 (average), P14+ in Australia, PC/laptop/smartphone/tablets, text only, Brand Group, Homes & Property Category, Audience (000's).} 

TRILLIONS AND COUNTING

$17.3 trillion and climbing: property still doing the heavy lifting

Australia’s household wealth has hit a jaw-dropping $17.3 trillion, and it’s property leading the charge. In the March quarter alone, rising home and land values added $125.3 billion to the nation’s balance sheet. According to the ABS, house prices have now risen for eight straight quarters (up 0.7% in the latest), even as super balances dipped and borrowing ticked higher

AI SMART

The future of search is here - and real estate needs to catch up

After a mind-opening visit to Google HQ, Avi Khan has a message for the real estate world: search is getting smarter, and if you're not evolving, you're invisible. Forget “3-bed South Brisbane”, today’s buyers are asking long, quirky questions and getting instant, AI-powered answers.

That means portals may no longer be the first stop. He says it’s time to flip the script: publish listings on your own site first, build content that’s genuinely helpful, and start owning your data like a pro.

LEGAL & LISTINGS

Zillow vs Compass: US real estate’s listing wars

Compass, one of America’s top brokerages, has taken Zillow to court, accusing the real estate giant of playing dirty with its new listing rules. As of yesterday, Zillow says any home publicly marketed must hit the MLS, and land on Zillow, within one business day, or it’s booted. Compass isn’t having it, calling the move a monopolistic overreach that limits competition and consumer choice.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Coppola cool: historic Hollywood home with celeb cred up for grabs

Gia Coppola’s former Los Angeles home, a 1920s Spanish Revival stunner, is on the market for USD $2.25M (AUD $3.4M). Once owned by Francis Ford Coppola and later home to granddaughter Gia, the Whitley Heights property oozes old-school glamour with vintage tiles, arched doors, a dipping pool and a celeb guest list that’s included Demi Moore and Leonardo DiCaprio.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Calvin Liu joins REMAX

The ambitious operator has launched REMAX Heritage in Brisbane's southern suburbs to support his rapid business growth. More here.

Samuel Paton tackles 85km mental health trek.

The Ray White Marion director will run from Middleton to Glenelg on July 13 to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute. 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

Ransom cancelled. The kidnappers couldn’t handle another story about how ‘this quarter’s numbers are tracking’. 📉😩

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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