GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

On July 9, 1877, the first-ever Wimbledon Championship served up history, with just 22 players, one event, and a single guinea for entry.

They expected it to last five days. Rain delayed it by four more. But in the end, a champion was crowned, and one of the world’s most iconic sporting events was born.

It’s a reminder that every big tradition starts somewhere… often small, messy, and a little bit weather-dependent.

In real estate, that might be your first listing, your first open home, or your first deal that almost fell apart. But with enough grit and follow-through, the things you start today can become the cornerstones of your future.

You never know what legacy you’re building.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 36 seconds

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PERFORMANCE UNDER PRESSURE

How Kate Hansen turned adversity into a standout real estate career

Kate Hansen isn’t your average senior property manager.

The Ray White Altona professional has built a thriving real estate career while battling and beating life-threatening medical odds that would sideline most.

Her story shows just how much grit, purpose, and persistence she really has.

Resilience is her superpower

Kate’s property journey began in 2009, when she quickly moved from receptionist to business development manager. But in 2013, everything changed, with a devastating car crash leaving her in a coma for 12 days. Doctors told her she’d never walk or talk again.

She did both, and more.

A lifelong Type 1 diabetic, Kate also faced kidney and pancreas failure. After 7.5 years on dialysis, she received a double organ transplant in 2019. It wasn’t a cure, but it was a second chance. She grabbed it with both hands.

“I just do my best to maintain what I’ve got and be forever grateful,” she says.

The miracle baby (and diploma) that followed

Kate returned to real estate in 2021, reigniting her passion for helping renters and property owners alike. Her greatest joy was becoming a mum to her son Harley—a “miracle baby” born at just 27 weeks, weighing 800 grams. Harley spent five months in NICU while Kate, recovering from a stroke that impaired her vision, earned her real estate diploma.

“I studied with one eye. The NICU nurses called me ‘pirate mom,’” she says.

That same year, Kate was diagnosed with breast cancer. Another curveball. Another battle won.

Giving back and looking ahead

Now back in action at Ray White Altona, Kate juggles her roles as senior property manager, business development manager, and proud mum. Her office is just 7km from home, ideal for the work-life rhythm she’s worked so hard to reclaim.

“I’m very happy to be a working mom,” she says. “Ray White has been phenomenal with support.”

Kate is also a fierce advocate for organ donation. Her Facebook page, Donate for Kate, is a platform for awareness and connection, especially for young people facing similar diagnoses.

Her long-term dream is opening her own agency or becoming a partner. But for now, she’s focused on making every day count.

“There’s always someone worse off. You’re allowed to have bad days, but you’ve just got to keep pushing forward.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discovered why stepping back from sales helped Ben Kingsberry scale a thriving real estate business.

TOGETHER WITH READY25

Extreme runner Nedd Brockmann to fire up Ready25

Ultramarathoner Nedd Brockmann recently completed an extraordinary 1,000-mile run around Sydney Olympic Park in just 12 days, becoming the second-fastest Australian to achieve this feat. His "Uncomfortable Challenge," streamed to 5 million viewers across 120 countries, inspired 25,000 people worldwide to undertake their own 10-day challenges.

The initiative raised over $4.75 million from 72,000 donations for homelessness charity We Are Mobilise. This isn't his first impressive feat. In 2022, at just 23, he became the fastest Australian at that time to run across the country, covering nearly 4,000 kilometres in 46 days.

Nedd will share his extraordinary journey and motivation as a featured speaker at Ready25, discussing how he pushes himself to extremes for causes bigger than himself.

Register for Ready25 while you still can.

RBA NEWS

Interest rates stay put as inflation cools, but not enough

The Reserve Bank of Australia has held the cash rate steady at 3.85 per cent, despite expectations of a cut. Slowing inflation and weak retail sales weren’t enough to convince the RBA the cost-of-living battle is over. Markets had overwhelmingly predicted a cut, but mortgage holders will now have to wait until August at the earliest to get further interest rate relief.

STATE OF ORIGIN

Queensland trumps NSW in population State of Origin

The State of Origin rivalry has spilled into real estate, with Queensland scoring big in the migration stakes. According to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, the Sunshine State gained nearly 26,000 people through interstate migration last year, while New South Wales lost over 28,000. The REIQ claims that QLD is clearly the top dog now because 18,000 NSW residents crossed the border from NSW. However, the REINSW says QLD might be getting a bit ahead of itself with Sydney still Australia’s premier city.

US HOUSING

Housing market headed for a cooldown

The US housing market is expected to shift in buyers' favour next year, with Zillow forecasting a 1.4% decline in home values for 2025. While existing home sales are projected to increase modestly by 1.9%, affordability remains a significant hurdle for many Americans. Zillow's chief economist notes that "home prices are increasingly untenable to potential homebuyers" as high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty continue to impact the market.

CELEBRITY HOMES

NFL kicker's hurricane-proof beachfront mansion

Former Atlanta Falcons placekicker Matt Bryant has created the ultimate storm-resistant luxury home on Alabama's Gulf Coast. The 8,946-square-foot residence sits on 4.3 acres with 190 feet of private beachfront and features steel-beam construction elevated 20 feet above sea level to withstand category 5 hurricanes. Listed at US$10.9M, the property boasts seven bedrooms, a movie theatre, a 1,400-gallon aquarium, and a resort-style saltwater pool that can be both heated and chilled.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Sabeen Akbani joins FOUNDIT as Sydney expert.

The 17-year industry veteran becomes the property platform's first Sydney-based Partner and second Buyers Agent nationwide. More here.

Daimin Kochi joins Ray White Rural Atherton as Suzey Whitby retires

The experienced local agent brings 19 years of expertise and additional property managements to the office after stepping away from business ownership. 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

Paul Neshausen and his hot wife are basically real estate’s LV power couple. If it’s not Louis, it’s not leaving the house - and if it’s not monogrammed, they’re not interested. 👜🔥

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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