GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

Fifty-two years ago, on 20 October 1973, the Sydney Opera House officially opened its gleaming sails to the world and changed the skyline (and Australia’s property prices) forever. What started as a daring architectural dream became one of the country’s most valuable pieces of real estate, proving that location, design and vision really do matter, even when your “listing” happens to sit on Bennelong Point.

Back then, the Opera House cost around $102 million to build (a modest A$1.2 billion in today’s money), but it’s now valued at more than A$7 billion, which is not bad capital growth for a property that no one can actually live in.

Still, it set the tone for Sydney’s global appeal: water views, striking architecture, and the idea that sometimes the most unconventional designs deliver the greatest return. Whether you’re selling a penthouse in Circular Quay or a Federation classic in the suburbs, that mix of ambition and beauty remains as relevant as ever.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 37 seconds

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LEADERSHIP

How to delegate effectively

Why great real estate leaders know when to step back

Real estate leaders often struggle with delegation, caught between a desire for control and the need to grow. Leadership expert Dr Kirstin Ferguson says the key lies in leading with both “head and heart” - combining clarity with humility and acknowledging what you don’t yet know.

Delegation begins with self-awareness

Dr Ferguson says great leadership starts with recognising your “blind spots”, which are the areas where your experience or ego may be holding others back. By being honest about what you don’t know and trusting your team’s expertise, you create an environment where innovation can thrive and your people can perform at their best.

Avoid ‘image-driven’ delegation

Research by Victor Maas and Bei Shi from the University of Amsterdam shows that under pressure, many managers delegate difficult tasks to avoid blame, while keeping easier ones to claim success. In real estate, that might mean pushing a complex vendor to a junior agent but holding onto straightforward listings. True leadership requires transparency and accountability, not self-protection..

Clarity builds confidence

Jeff Bezos describes decisions as either “one-way doors” or “two-way doors.” One-way doors are big, irreversible choices that need careful consideration and senior oversight, such as restructuring a commission model or opening a new office. Two-way doors, on the other hand, are reversible and ideal for delegation, like testing a new ad platform or trialling a different marketing approach. By understanding which is which, leaders can make smarter, faster decisions without losing control.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week we reported on how to recognise disengagement early.

TOGETHER WITH iD4me

iD4me brings verified homeowner data to New Zealand agents

Australian data intelligence platform iD4me has officially launched in New Zealand, offering agents access to more than 3.3 million verified mobile numbers and email addresses to streamline prospecting and improve accuracy.

The expansion follows strong demand from Kiwi agents seeking a faster, more reliable alternative to door knocking and outdated records. “Agents told me they were still door knocking and often in the dark about who owns what,” said iD4me CEO Rahul Grover. “We saw a real opportunity to close that gap and help them build stronger, more meaningful connections using verified information.”

Built with privacy and compliance at its core, the platform ensures every record is date-stamped and IP-logged, meeting New Zealand’s data protection standards. Its simple, Google-style search interface allows users to find homeowner details in seconds, cutting prospecting time by half.

”A good system shouldn’t need a demo. You log in, start typing, and it just makes sense,” Mr Grover said. Major brands including Bayleys, Barfoot & Thompson, and Harcourts are already trialling the platform ahead of wider rollout. “For us, the agent is the hero,” he said. “Everything we build revolves around making their work easier and more effective.”

Read more about iD4me here.

THOUGHT LEADERS

The Apartment Specialist: How Luke Saville Sold 26 Properties Using Only Social Media

Luke Saville transformed his real estate business by making one brutal decision – saying no to everything except apartments. In 12 months, this strategic focus combined with authentic social media storytelling generated 26 direct sales from social platforms with no advertising, proving that specialisation beats generalisation every time. Check out the interview here

LABOUR FORCE SURVEY 

Surprise unemployment jump may speed up rate cuts

Australia's unemployment rate has unexpectedly risen to 4.5% in September, its highest level in nearly four years. The jump is putting pressure on the Reserve Bank of Australia to reconsider its timeline for interest rate cuts, with November and December reductions now back on the table. Despite the increase, economists note the rate remains historically low and the property market is expected to continue its recovery, with potential affordability improvements on the horizon.

BUILD COSTS

Construction cost growth hits 20+ year low

National construction costs continue to climb but at their slowest annual pace in over two decades. While the September quarter saw a slight uptick to 0.6% growth, annual increases have fallen to just 2.5% - the lowest rate since 2002. Western Australia bucked the trend with costs rising at 1.3% for the quarter. Despite the slowdown, the industry still grapples with nearly 40% cumulative cost increases since the pandemic and persistent skilled labour shortages.

FOREIGN BUYERS

Qatar fast-tracks property titles and residency for foreign investors

Foreign buyers in Qatar will soon receive property title deeds and residency visas within days of purchasing real estate worth at least US $200,000 (AUD$308,000), under a new initiative aimed at attracting international investors. Announced by Real Estate Regulatory Authority chairman Khalid bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, the scheme simplifies ownership by coordinating efforts across multiple ministries.

Buyers investing US $1 million (AUD$1.54 million) or more will qualify for permanent residency, including access to healthcare, education, and investment benefits. The move comes as Qatar’s property market strengthens, with transactions reaching QAR 8.9 billion in Q2 2025, up nearly 30 per cent year on year. RERA also noted that Qatar ranks first globally for ease of real estate registration, with ownership documents issued within 24 hours.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Sienna Miller's fairytale cottage for sale

Actress Sienna Miller has listed her charming 19th-century thatched-roof cottage in Buckinghamshire for £1.95M (AUD$4.07M). Despite its modest 1,992 square feet, the four-bedroom home features dramatic thatching that drapes almost to the ground, exposed wooden beams, and vibrant interiors recently redesigned by movie director Gaby Dellal. The property includes wildflower meadows and a converted storage shed now serving as a one-bedroom guesthouse.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Alex Gibbon and Dan Clark open Ray White Alstonville

The duo expands their Northern Rivers presence with Alex returning to his hometown while Dan relocates closer to family and the coast. 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

Day 1: The buyers are excited, ready to make an offer, already imagining their housewarming party.

Day 52: They’ve made five offers, been outbid four times, and are now suffering from PTSD (Property Trauma Syndrome Developing) . 🏠😩

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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