GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Forget the endless chatter about interest rates and monthly price swings. Australia’s housing market isn’t just in another cycle—it’s in a super cycle, a massive structural shift that’s been brewing for decades. Demographics, supply woes, and changing lifestyles are rewriting the rules. Here’s what’s really happening in simple language and how you, as real estate agents, can stay ahead.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 49 seconds

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FEATURE

The untapped potential of property management

If you're running a property management division in 2025, you're sitting on untapped potential.

That's the message from industry pioneer Ben White, who, after 20 years in the business and processing transactions for almost 250,000 renters nationwide through Ailo, believes we're on the cusp of property management's biggest transformation yet.

His take? Property management isn't just about collecting rent - it's about to become your agency's relationship hub. And those who adapt will command premium fees while making clients happier (yes, both at once).

Here's how Ben sees the future unfolding (and how to get ahead of it):

1. Are you playing to win, or ‘not to lose’?
"The cost of just sitting there doing nothing has never been higher," Ben warns.

Instead:

• View every landlord, tenant, and owner as a potential long-term customer

• Leverage property management relationships to capture 70-80% of future sales listings

• Transform your division from transaction processor to relationship hub

2. Fix your response times, fix your business
Ailo’s data reveals a game-changing insight:

• Top performers respond to clients within 60 minutes

• Strong performers stay under 90 minutes

• Quick responses (even with emojis) beat formal, delayed emails

• Response time predicts everything from arrears rates to client satisfaction

3. Culture does eat strategy for breakfast
In today's transparent world:

• Good talent won't work for bad bosses anymore

• Growth starts with your team, not marketing spend

• Recruitment costs far exceed retention costs

• Focus on building a workplace where property managers thrive

The bottom line? We're entering property management's third wave of evolution. The key takeaway isn't about working harder - it's about working smarter through better systems, faster responses, and stronger relationships.

As Ben puts it, "If I could wave a magic wand, I'd rename property management to the place where relationships are nurtured and maintained in an agency. That's what it is."

We had an exclusive sit-down with Ben last week to dive deeper into his thoughts on how to get higher fees and happier clients; don’t miss it here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed about Mastering Commission Negotiations.

SMART SNIPPETS

Boosting productivity is key to unlocking more affordable housing
According to a Productivity Commission report, Australia is building homes at half the rate it did in 1995, worsening the housing affordability crisis. While labour productivity in the broader economy has surged by 49%, home construction productivity has dropped by 12%, slowing supply and increasing prices. The report calls for faster approvals, regulatory reform, and innovation in building techniques to boost efficiency.

The viral home that beat the Californian Wildfire
As our climate changes, could the most valuable properties become those designed to withstand environmental challenges? When the devastating wildfires swept through California's Pacific Palisades, one home remained standing - a testament to thoughtful design. This survival wasn't just luck; it resulted from specific choices that homeowners could consider when evaluating properties in bushfire-prone areas.

Find out what made the difference here.

Float, Sting, Win: AI Prompts for Real Estate Negotiation
Did you know today marks 61 years since Muhammad Ali shocked the world and became heavyweight champion by defeating Sonny Liston in 1964? Like Ali, sometimes the biggest victories come when others least expect them. Your next listing could be the one that transforms your business – so float like a butterfly through those open houses and sting like a bee with your deal-making skills. To help you do that, here’s an AI prompt pack (premium subscribers) to turn you into a negotiation ninja.

CELEBRITY HOMES

The ultimate sneakerhead's mansion
A US$23.5M Scottsdale mansion has hit the market featuring what might be the world's most impressive residential sneaker display. The 21,410-square-foot estate includes a $300,000 custom-built "Jordan room" showcasing 290 pairs of Michael Jordan sneakers. The collection has attracted over 60 NBA stars as visitors, including Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White Collective launches commercial division
Isaac Sarra and Neal Orpin will lead RWC Collective alongside owners Haesley Cush and Matt Lancashire to expand their premium service offerings. 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.

SOUNDWAVES

Why real estate agents should pay attention to their coffee habit

For real estate agents running on tight schedules and back-to-back appointments, coffee is more than a beverage … it’s fuel. Research shows that caffeine can boost alertness, reaction time, and cognitive function, making it a valuable tool for agents juggling multiple deals. This curated listen reports that while coffee has health benefits, energy drinks, often loaded with excessive caffeine and stimulants, can cause anxiety, heart issues, and poor sleep. The takeaway? Stick to coffee, avoid energy drinks, and enjoy your caffeine fix guilt-free.

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

Read the article from New Scientist here.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Ask an agent about their weekend? Barely registers. 
Complain about the market? White noise. 
Mumble, "I think I might sell my house…"? BOOM.
Instant eye contact. Notebook out.
It's not selective hearing, it’s highly trained commission detection. 💰😂

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, 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.

Stories marked with * are sponsored, including 'Together With' and the weekday 'Movers & Shakers' sections. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at eliteagent.com/advertise.

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