GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

🚨 Huge news for us this morning! 🚨

… and it’s a game-changer for how agents build authority online. We know that in 2025, consumers aren't just Googling you; they are asking AI models like ChatGPT who the best agent in their area is. To win that search, you don't need more social media posts; you need citations from trusted sources.

That’s why we built Ailsa. She is an AI journalist designed to interview you about your most recent sale, capture the specific "Experience" (E-E-A-T) part of the transaction and turn it into published news stories on eliteagent.com. Read more about the launch of Ailsa here.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 28 seconds

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FUTURE OF REAL ESTATE

Why leaders must act now to stay ahead of rapid sector change

How Nikki Greenberg sees technology and new workforce trends re-shaping real estate

Futurist and Innovation Strategist, Nikki Greenberg, argues that real estate is moving through a structural shift driven by technology, new expectations in the workforce, and changing patterns in how people use cities. Drawing on her background in architecture and her global advisory work, she highlights that digitisation, evolving urban models, and the values of younger generations are already reshaping the sector. Her core message for leaders is consistent: organisations that adapt early, think digitally, and place people at the centre of decision-making will be better prepared for what is already taking shape.

The Changing shape of cities

Nikki explains that cities are undergoing their most significant transformation in decades, influenced heavily by AI, automation, and digital platforms. Instead of focusing on vehicle movement alone, city planning now revolves around creating places that draw people in and support productivity and wellbeing.

From office-to-residential shifts to new transport models emerging in global centres such as New York, she sees a period of experimentation that is already influencing where and how people choose to live and work.

Real estate’s digital shift

According to Nikki, real estate is reaching the same point banking hit when customers began expecting digital, seamless interactions. She explains that digitisation will touch every part of the property lifecycle, from design and construction to service delivery and building operations. As physical and digital environments become more integrated, she encourages leaders to seek efficiency, improve client experiences, and prepare assets for a future shaped by data and automation.

Gen Z and new workforce expectations

With Gen Z becoming the dominant global demographic, Nikki stresses that employers must rethink how they attract and retain talent. This generation expects workplaces that are digital, flexible, environmentally aware, and responsive to individual needs. She challenges the idea that employees should simply harden themselves, suggesting instead that leaders provide clarity, support, and meaningful motivation. Organisations that recognise human variation and connect daily work to broader purpose will see stronger engagement and performance.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week we explored why leaders need to ask more, and assume less.

TOGETHER WITH DOMAIN

Leading teams through industry change with clarity

Real estate is shifting fast, and Belinda Sinclair, Head of Residential Sales at Domain, believes the best way to support teams through this environment is to set clear goals, rely on solid proof points and lead authentically. She says breaking big objectives into manageable steps helps teams stay focused when conditions feel uncertain.

Belinda highlights Domain’s recent momentum, including 49.3 million visits in October and rapid app growth, supported by tools like the Skylight App that help agents work more efficiently and secure better outcomes. She also stresses the importance of trust, with Domain increasing training support and removing non-property third-party advertising from its homepage and listing pages from 1 December. Belinda encourages leaders to stay steady, communicate clearly and keep their teams aligned as the industry continues to evolve. 

Read Belinda Sinclair’s full column here.

EDGE CASE

Does a happy team matter if the agency can't keep the lights on?

A CEO looks at the P&L sheet. The numbers are down, but the team is happy. There are beanbags in the breakout room and a fully stocked fridge.

Is that a win? Or is it a slow death?

Why do some "toxic" companies dominate the market while "community-first" businesses quietly go bust?

To find out, we brought together Tameka Smith, Founding Director of Key2 Property, and Sophie Lyon, Director at Real+, to go head-to-head and unpack an unpopular question: Is company culture overrated?

VIC UNDERQUOTING RULES

Andy Reid questions fairness of planned Victorian reserve-price rule

Victoria plans to introduce laws next year requiring real estate agents to publish a property’s reserve price at least seven days before an auction or fixed-date sale. Prominent auctioneer and industry coach Andy Reid has taken aim at the proposal, calling it “imbalanced” and politically timed, and noting it was presented as if already settled despite not yet being agreed.

The plan will only be tabled in Parliament in May, but Andy said the announcement shifts all transparency obligations onto owners while giving buyers none of the same expectations. He said the state already lags behind others on basic auction standards, such as bidder registration and limits on vendor bids, which he believes would provide genuine clarity. Any improvements should focus on balanced auction practice, not measures that single out owners and risk distorting the market.

HOUSING CRUNCH

Temporary migrants left out in the housing crisis

Australia's 2.8 million temporary visa holders, representing over 10% of the population, are facing severe housing challenges with minimal government support. Research shows about 20% live in overcrowded conditions, nearly triple the rate of the general population. Despite being blamed for housing pressures, studies indicate temporary migrants have minimal impact on housing costs, with many relying on churches and community groups for assistance as they navigate a system that largely excludes them.

INDUSTRY DATA

Realestate.com.au reaches record 13 million Australians

Realestate.com.au attracted more than 13 million visitors in October, reaching over 60 per cent of Australia’s adult online population. October audience levels also delivered 161.8 million visits, the highest on record for the platform. Logged-in membership reached its highest point to date, driving record buyer listing views and listing shares. Users spent an average of 38 minutes on the site, reflecting strong engagement during the spring property season. The realestate.com.au app also reached new heights, with more than 15 million total downloads and 69.3 million visits in October.

US SEARCH TRENDS

Thanksgiving shapes home-buying priorities

Over half of Americans consider Thanksgiving hosting capabilities when searching for a new home, with Gen Z and Millennials (60%) twice as likely as Baby Boomers (30%) to factor holiday entertaining into their decisions. Space trumps specialty features, with large family rooms and kitchens (92% each) outranking double ovens (61%) as hosting motivators. For year-round guest accommodation, Americans are evenly split between wanting an extra bedroom (44%) or bathroom (45%).

CELEBRITY HOMES

TV newsreader's $6.5 million property windfall

Channel 7 newsreader Mark Ferguson and his wife have sold their Southern Tablelands estate for $8.5M, quadrupling their 2014 investment of $1.95 million. The 777-hectare working livestock farm features a renovated 1880s brick homestead, extensive water resources, and agricultural infrastructure capable of supporting 7650 Dry Sheep Equivalents. Ferguson, a familiar face on Australian television for decades, became an active member of the local community during his ownership.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

When a client finally swaps rent receipts for house keys… that’s definitely time to celebrate. 🏡🎉

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

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

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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