GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

August 5 is National Blogger Day, and while you might not be penning beauty reviews or travel tips, every great real estate agent already has the makings of a brilliant blogger. Think about it, you’ve got insider knowledge, great local stories, and advice buyers and sellers are actually searching for.

Whether it’s “Top 5 Mistakes Sellers Make” or “What’s Really Happening in Your Suburb,” a blog can boost your profile, build trust, and quietly attract listings while you sleep (or door knock). So if you’ve got wisdom to share, today’s a great day to hit “publish.”

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 40 seconds

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OPINION

Real estate rules

Lisa Pennell on compliance, context, and fairness in Victoria’s market

Lisa Pennell, CEO of Barry Plant, is raising a red flag on Victoria’s real estate regulatory climate, describing it as uniquely difficult and damaging to agent morale. “In Victoria, the compliance environment is like nowhere else in the country,” she says.

“If you've worked nationally, you know the differences between jurisdictions, but in the last few years, it’s become almost unworkable down here.” With underquoting laws at the centre of the storm, Lisa argues the system isn’t keeping up with the pace of the market, and ethical agents are paying the price.

A climate of fear, not fairness

In Lisa’s view, the Victorian regulatory landscape has created a climate of hesitation. She recounts an incident where Barry Plant was fined in excess of $12,500 for a minor, one-hour listing error caused by a CRM glitch - despite the property being correctly listed on all other portals.

“It was a small mistake with a big penalty,” she says. Even after the court questioned the regulator’s handling, Consumer Affairs Victoria publicly claimed the fine as a major win.

This kind of enforcement, Lisa says, fosters a culture where agencies pay fines to avoid becoming targets, even when they’ve done little wrong. “There’s no incentive to challenge decisions - it just invites more scrutiny.”

When market momentum defies the rules

As buyer competition increases, price guides often struggle to keep pace. Lisa explains that agents are being penalised for outcomes that are outside their control. She cites a recent sale where the vendor raised their reserve by $60,000 minutes before the auction after a nearby home sold unexpectedly high.

The property ultimately sold well above the advertised range, but not due to any deliberate underquoting. “Context matters,” Lisa insists. “The vendor had bought during the COVID peak ,and the property condition had declined. We helped with upgrades, and the market moved - fast.”

She believes current laws lump strategic marketing and responsive pricing into the same category as misleading conduct, which only adds confusion.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, we looked at creative sales tactics to turn a “no” into a “yes”.

TOGETHER WITH REALESTATE.COM.AU

Realestate.com.au’s Spring upgrade arms agents with smarter tools to engage buyers

Just ahead of the busy spring selling season, realestate.com.au has released a set of new app features designed to enhance the buyer experience and give agents more impactful ways to present listings.

Among the updates are immersive, agent-led vertical walkthrough videos, allowing buyers to explore layout, lighting and flow from their phones, well before stepping through the door.

AI-powered property highlights now automatically surface standout features from each listing, helping buyers compare and shortlist with ease. Buyers can also access building, pest and strata reports, check NBN availability, and, when ready, submit offers directly through the app with the flexibility to edit or withdraw. The entire process is faster, more secure, and designed to reduce friction.

Post-sale, vendors can track monthly market trends, local sales and demand indicators, keeping them engaged and informed ahead of their next move. REA Group Executive GM Jonathan Swift says the tools are built to accelerate decisions and give agents more control in presenting properties at their best. Internal research backs that up, with 7 in 10 buyers saying access to better information speeds up negotiations.

Read more about REA’s new Spring Launch features here.

ASX: DOMAIN

Domain shareholders approve CoStar takeover, court decision next

Domain Holdings Australia shareholders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the company’s proposed acquisition by CoStar Group, Inc. via its subsidiary Andromeda Australia SubCo Pty Ltd. At the Scheme Meeting held yesterday, 99.98% of votes cast and 91.22% of shareholders present or voting supported the resolution. The scheme proposes that CoStar will acquire all remaining Domain shares at $4.43 per share, subject to adjustments, valuing the company at approximately A$3.0 billion.

PRICE GROWTH

Property values rise across all capitals

Australia's housing market continues to strengthen with national dwelling values increasing for the sixth consecutive month. Every capital city recorded growth in July, with Darwin leading at 2.2% followed by Perth at 0.9%. The positive trend is supported by persistently low inventory levels, with national listings approximately 19% below the five-year average. Despite affordability constraints, experts expect modest price rises to continue through the rest of the year.

BUYING PROPERTY WITH CRYPTO

Christie’s: you can now buy a mansion with Bitcoin

Christie’s International Real Estate has jumped headfirst into the world of digital money, launching a crypto-only property division with more than AUD$1.48 billion in luxury homes up for grabs. The new division, led by LA-based Aaron Kirman, is already closing high-end deals with zero banks and maximum anonymity.

With backing from the Trump administration and new US laws making crypto more mortgage-friendly, real estate is getting a digital shake-up. Aaron says crypto deals could make up a third of the market within five years.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Adam Lambert takes a loss on rockstar retreat

American Idol star Adam Lambert has sold his Hollywood Hills mansion for US$6.2M, absorbing a US$300,000 loss on the property he purchased in 2018. The 5,028-square-foot home features "pure rockstar glam" elements including a primary suite with a black soaking tub, glass-walled shower overlooking the city, and an L-shaped infinity pool. Despite the loss, the listing agent noted it was simply "time for a new chapter" for the 43-year-old singer.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Chris Davies joins Ray White Lower North Shore Group

The leading Crows Nest agent brings his local expertise to strengthen the group's dominance in this key Sydney suburb. More here.

Jane Elvin launches Harcourts All About Property

The Yeronga local brings her family-focused team to the new Annerley office, continuing her commitment to community-based real estate. 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

“Let me find your dream ho-oome…” It’s not a chart-topper (yet), but this little jingle has been stuck in our heads. 🎧✨

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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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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