GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

With Christmas fast approaching sellers are racing to close deals and secure that holiday sale. According to MortgageBroker.com.au, searches for "how to sell my house fast" have surged by 200%, and the fastest-selling homes in Australia can be found in Perth’s suburb of Leda, where properties take just 8 days to sell.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 48 seconds.

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COVER STORY

Hannah Gill: “Do the right thing when no-one is watching”

Hannah Gill, Director of The Property Collective, is reshaping real estate with a people-first approach.

After 15 years in the industry, she’s driven not by profit alone but by fostering a sustainable team culture. “It’s about people first, always,” Hannah says.

Her journey, from a casual job search to leading a fast-growing agency, highlights her commitment to team cohesion, client trust, and smart growth. “We don’t want to lose what makes us special," she said.

Positive culture

Hannah's leadership is rooted in her commitment to building a positive, sustainable team culture. One of her most significant contributions has been the creation of a "Culture Playbook" that sets clear expectations for behaviour, collaboration, and accountability within the team.

As she explains, “I created a document that I called a culture playbook, which basically from my perspective is the leader documenting my expectations of what it looks, sounds, and feels like to be part of the team.” 

This initiative was transformative, improving team dynamics and making employees feel more empowered and engaged in their work. “It gave a foundation for people to celebrate and recognise each other's wins in a much more collaborative way.”

Unexpected career path

Hannah’s entry into real estate was unplanned, yet it proved to be a pivotal moment in her career. “I got into it as a 21-year-old kid who needed a job and I thought property management sounded interesting. I had no idea what it was to be honest.”

Despite not knowing much about the industry at the time, her passion for business development and relationship-building quickly propelled her career forward. Over the years, she took on greater leadership responsibilities, showing that even an unexpected start can lead to success when combined with drive and adaptability.

Facing challenges head-on

As the director of a fast-growing business, Hannah has also had to navigate the challenges of rapid expansion. She candidly discusses the difficulties involved, noting, “The business is still young, all things considered, and we've been growing so rapidly and I think when you grow quickly, you have growing pains.”

Managing growth while ensuring the long-term health of the company has required a careful balance between day-to-day operations and strategic planning. However, Hannah is clear that her focus is on smart, sustainable growth: “We want to grow because we're growing smartly and because it's filling a need and because clients are benefiting from the service.”

Read the full article here

ICYMI, yesterday we covered some tips on how to comply with new privacy laws

Also… cast your vote on long-term (eg 10 year) residential leases. Can it work in Australia?

TOGETHER WITH BESSER + CO

The costly mistakes agents make — and how to avoid them

Why do some agents thrive while others stall despite being in the industry for the same length of time? Dion Besser, co-founder of Besser + Co, dives into the hidden inefficiencies that silently drain energy and productivity from mid-career agents. From excessive admin work to outdated processes, Mr Besser shares how streamlining systems, embracing better tech, and building a supportive culture can reignite passion and lead to sustainable success.

Read more about Besser + Co here*

SMART SNIPPETS

Opposition to scrap Victoria’s 'Airbnb tax'
In a win for investors, the state's Opposition has vowed to scrap the controversial Short Stay Levy Bill if elected, citing concerns over increased holiday costs. The bill, set for debate in the upper house, has already passed the lower house. The rise in taxes in the state has seen prices lag, but there are some positive signs.

Housing confidence on the rise
Consumer confidence is showing signs of improvement, particularly in the housing sector. According to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan data, renters are feeling more positive about the market, with their confidence now just 4.2 points below outright homeowners. Despite ongoing economic challenges, the 'time to buy a major household item' subindex rose by 1.7 points, indicating a boost in consumer spending sentiment.

Struggle with soaring rental prices and short-term rentals
Australia's housing affordability crisis is deepening, with more Australians than ever turning to rentals. A study by Capterra shows that 71% of renters in Australia are priced out of home ownership, far higher than the global average of 55%. The rise of short-term rentals has inflated housing costs, with most renters citing affordability as their biggest concern.

PM splashes $4.3M on clifftop retreat on NSW Central Coast
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has purchased the luxe property with sweeping ocean views with his fiancée, Jodie Haydon. The couple exchanged contracts for the Copacabana home in September, with settlement expected by the end of this month.

This purchase follows Albanese withdrawing his Sydney investment property from auction. The Dulwich Hill townhouse remains on the market with a price guide of $1.9 million.

SOUND WAVES

5 proven real estate motivation tactics for agents

Today’s curated listen is about how to motivate agents to achieve better results. Fortunately, most real estate professionals are already driven and competitive and a small boost is enough to help them stay on top of their game.

Dive straight into the listen below or the deeper dive here.

Read the article from Plecto Here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

"This place has... character.” How else to describe a home that is less than perfect?

"It’s a blank canvas waiting for your personal touch."

"This one’s got good bones, just needs a little TLC."

"The... natural light really makes the place."

Ah, the life of an agent/master storyteller.

@casey.kelley.real

New realtors: What not to say at your listing appointment. 🤣 #funny #realtorhumor #realestateagent #realtor #alabamarealtor® #alabamarealt... See more

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

Wishing you a productive day

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Giverny Pringle, 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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