GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

August 28 is Bow Tie Day - a delightful excuse to trade your usual open collar for something a little more... distinguished. In real estate, first impressions matter, and what better way to show confidence, charisma, and a dash of quirk than with a perfectly tied bow tie?

Whether you're at a listing appointment or hosting a mid-week auction, it’s the kind of unexpected accessory that says, “I’m here to negotiate, and have fun doing it.” Bonus points if your tie has tiny houses or ‘SOLD’ signs on it.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 28 seconds

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CAREER: SUCCESSION

Ownership, leadership, and the long game in real estate

A subtle shift is underway in Australian real estate: more agents are asking, “What’s next?” as principals face retirement and top agents eye leadership roles. Belle Property CEO Nick Boyd believes we’re entering a wave of unprecedented succession as ownership changes hands over the next 5–10 years.

But with ambition rising, one factor trumps all in enabling this transition: capital. It’s not just about wanting the next step, it’s about having the structure, funding, and mindset to make it viable. Whether you’re a million-dollar writer or a business owner with a legacy to protect, the future hinges on long-term planning, people development, and letting go of the old "boss first" mindset.

The hidden hurdle: access to capital

While interest rates often dominate industry chatter, Nick points to credit availability as the true catalyst (or barrier), for succession. “When banks are lending freely, business transfers and acquisitions flow,” he notes. Without capital, transitions stall, leaving businesses vulnerable to stagnation.

That’s why he stresses, don’t wait until retirement’s around the corner. A successful handover takes five to ten years and should be nurtured internally through deliberate investment in future leaders.

Redefining leadership for a new era

The traditional model - hire agents cheaply, extract production - is quite outdated. Today, the path to ownership is about developing people, not just managing them. But here’s the twist: top agents aren’t always natural-born leaders.

Where agents excel through self-discipline and individual results, leaders succeed by lifting others. “You win in leadership when someone else wins first,” Nick says. This emotional pivot, from personal performance to people-first thinking, is where many aspiring leaders stumble.

Redefining leadership for a new era

True succession is a relationship game, not just a strategy session. “It starts with trust … real trust,” says Nick, and that can’t be scripted or KPI-ed. It also means making hard decisions when the needs of the business evolve beyond the strengths of your people. Finding the balance between loyalty and performance is critical. But the payoff? A team that’s loyal, productive, and ready to carry the torch when you step back.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we revealed a four-level framework for valuing your time.

MARKET TRENDS

Capitals edge out regions in the property growth race

After nine months of playing catch-up, Australia’s capital cities have finally nudged ahead of the regions in dwelling value growth. Over the three months to July, capitals gained 1.8%, just outpacing the regions at 1.7%. Economist Kaytlin Ezzy says city markets are more “rate-sensitive,” bouncing quickly after recent cuts.

Still, regional stars like Lismore (+4.5% in the quarter) and Albany (+23.1% annually) continue to shine, while Bowral–Mittagong is cooling off. Sales are heating up in Victoria’s heartland - Shepparton, Ballarat, and Bendigo are leading the charge. And while values favour the capitals for now, it’s the regions that still rule the rental game, with Albany rents jumping $82 a week in a year.

FIRST HOME BUYERS

No more LMI: How a $25k saving could reshape housing

First home buyers are set to save around $25,000 thanks to the Federal Government’s plan to scrap Lenders Mortgage Insurance from October 2025. HIA’s Chief Economist Tim Reardon says the move will let more buyers into the market sooner, though it may nudge prices up in the short term. The real payoff, he argues, comes later: more homes built, fewer renters stuck renting, and a gradual easing of price pressures. Treasury thinks it’ll take six years for supply to catch up, but HIA thinks just over three. Either way, it’s a rare policy aimed at long-term housing outcomes.

BOOM TO BUST

Evergrande’s $459 billion house of cards finally topples

China’s most indebted developer, Evergrande, has been booted from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after years of financial freefall. The company, once worth nearly HK$400 billion (approximately $76 billion AUD) and led by billionaire Hui Ka Yan, collapsed under more than $300 billion USD (around $459 billion AUD) in liabilities.

It’s 2021 default sent shockwaves through global markets and spotlighted the cracks in China’s debt-fuelled property boom. Liquidators have so far scraped together just $255m USD (roughly $390m AUD) in assets, including, oddly enough, a Claude Monet painting. From market darling to liquidation cautionary tale, Evergrande’s delisting closes the book on one of China’s biggest property implosions.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Tim Burton’s not-so-spooky UK country estate up for sale

Tim Burton, the master of gothic cinema, is selling his historic Oxfordshire retreat, and it’s more storybook than spine-chilling. The 18th-century Mill House comes with eight bedrooms, four reception rooms, and sweeping Georgian architecture. Set on 17 acres, the property has rose gardens, specimen trees, and even three private islands linked by wooden and rope bridges.

Forget bats and cobwebs, this estate offers croquet lawns, a pergola terrace, and full fishing rights on the Thames. Inside, you’ll find decorative plasterwork, ornate fireplaces, and a few cheeky nods to Burton’s film career. Listed for £4.5 million (about $9.35 million AUD), the home is equal parts luxury and lore. Looks like even Burton’s houses have a plot twist.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White Richardson and Sinclair opens fourth office.

The group has expanded into Wellington, NSW, with local agent Frank Power leading the rural sales team in this natural progression for the business. More here.

Harcourts Solutions awards $10K to local clients.

The agency's 'Engage & Win' campaign attracted 212 participants who listed, leased or secured loans during July and August, with long-time clients Erin and Chris taking home the prize. 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

Simone Biles went from selling lemonade to becoming the GOAT of gymnastics. Proof there’s hope for all of us; your cold call today could be your gold medal moment tomorrow. 🥇🍋

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Wishing you a productive day!

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