GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On this day in 1952, Colonel Harland Sanders opened the first KFC franchise in Salt Lake City, Utah, with his friend Pete Harman. The secret recipe was the now-famous 11 herbs and spices, but what really made it work was the ability to scale it through franchising.

Real estate is much the same. A great idea or strong personal brand is powerful, but systems, processes, and partnerships are what turn one success into many.

So whether you’re building a rent roll, expanding an office, or refining your personal playbook, remember, it’s the recipe you can repeat that makes a business last.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 36 seconds

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OPINION

The blueprint to win lifetime clients

Turning clients into lifelong advocates

Harcourts Victoria CEO Adam Fiteni isn't focused on “good customer service.” He wants to raise the bar. Drawing on his roots in Melbourne’s hospitality scene, Adam believes that unforgettable experiences, not just good service, are the key to turning casual buyers and sellers into lifelong clients.

Real estate lessons from restaurant floors

Before leading one of Victoria’s top real estate networks, Adam was a restaurateur. He knows that repeat business hinges on how people feel. “The food matters,” he says, “but it’s the experience that keeps people coming back. Real estate works exactly the same way.” That philosophy isn’t just theoretical. Adam still calls auctions every Saturday, not to fill a calendar, but to stay grounded in the client experience and lead from the front.

The experience economy in real estate

Adam says there is a clear line between service and experience. Service is answering a question. Experience is anticipating that question, making clients feel valued, and following through well after the deal is done. “Service is reactive and transactional,” he says.

“Experience is proactive and emotional.” This mindset shifts how agents and property managers interact with every stakeholder, from prospective buyers to long-time landlords. It’s not about the sale. It’s about the feeling clients carry with them afterward.

Culture is the real strategy

For Adam, creating exceptional experiences isn't a solo act, it’s cultural. From the tone of the first phone call to the handover in property management, every team member plays a role. “It starts with the tone of voice and continues through admin, sales, property management, and marketing,” he explains. “When the whole team is aligned, the experience becomes unforgettable.”

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday we found out why client care outperforms the market cycles.

TOGETHER WITH @REALTY

Spring selling success: more leads and listings this season

Spring is the busiest time of year in real estate, but the agents who succeed are those who plan ahead and make the most of every tool available. The best results come from a combination of smart planning, fresh marketing, and consistent follow-up.

From building high-performing social media funnels and updating collateral, to combining online campaigns with face-to-face prospecting, every touchpoint counts in the busy season. According to the @realty growth team, agents who stick to a clear schedule and use tools that automate their follow-up are the ones who come out on top.

If you want more leads and listings this selling season, check out this step by step guide here.

NO THANKS

Aussies don’t want to live in apartments

Australians are overwhelmingly rejecting apartment living, according to new research by Propertyology. Areas with 70% or more detached houses boast homeownership rates between 70-90%, while apartment-dominated Melbourne CBD has a mere 20% homeownership rate despite cheaper prices. The three-month study reveals Australia's housing strategy has failed by focusing on apartments when families and older Australians consistently prioritise detached housing and green space.

TIGHTENING MARKET

Sydney's premium office space becoming scarce

Sydney's CBD is facing a critical shortage of premium office space, with only three major developments expected by 2029 and 65% already pre-committed. Knight Frank forecasts rental growth of 5% annually as demand continues to outpace supply. While some corporations have reduced their overall footprint, the "flight to quality" trend remains strong, with premium-grade absorption totalling nearly 280,000 square metres since 2020.

MEGA MERGER

$1.6 billion Compass merger creates global giant

US-based Compass is set to become the world's largest residential real estate brokerage after announcing a $1.6 billion acquisition of rival Anywhere. The all-stock deal brings Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, CENTURY 21, Coldwell Banker, Corcoran, ERA, and Sotheby’s International Realty under Compass's umbrella, creating a combined workforce of 340,000 real estate professionals across 120 countries. The merger comes amid a challenging US housing market, with Compass expecting to cut $255 million in annual costs by eliminating redundancies.

CELEBRITY HOMES

J.Lo and Affleck's mansion gets another price cut

The sprawling Beverly Hills estate owned by Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck has just seen its price slashed again to $52M (AUD$78.5M) - down $16M from its initial July listing. The former couple purchased the 38,000-square-metre property for $61M in 2023 before their split. The 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom mansion features an indoor sports complex, theatre, and parking for up to 80 vehicles.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Jackson Rameau launches RWC Pacific Group

The third-generation agent and three-time RWC #1 auction agent is opening his own commercial office on the Gold Coast, servicing from Northern NSW to Queensland. 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

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Wishing you a productive day!

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