GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On average, the Empire State Building is struck by lightning more than 25 times a year, and in one wild storm, it was hit eight times in just 24 minutes. Talk about handling multiple offers at once.

Here’s the kicker: it was designed that way. The building acts as a giant lightning rod, with its antenna taking the hits to protect the surrounding skyline. Which, if you think about it, is basically what great real estate agents do every day: absorbing the stress, fielding the shocks, and keeping everyone else calm while the storm passes.

You could call it the world’s tallest surge protector.

In today’s edition of The Brief

• How creating mental boundaries after hours helps agents stay sharper

• Land prices hit record median

• Check out The New York Times family’s $107 million Connecticut estate

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 13 seconds

New to The Brief? Join us for free 🤝

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

The hidden habit stealing 14 hours a week

The biggest drain on real estate agents isn't the long hours – it's what happens after them. When psychologist Guy Winch tracked his own mental patterns, he discovered something that should concern every agent juggling multiple campaigns and client relationships.

The stress you don't see coming

Burnout rarely starts during the busy moments. It starts when you're trying to unwind – commuting home, lying in bed, sitting at dinner while mentally replaying the day. Guy calls this pattern rumination, and in real estate, it's practically an occupational hazard. The full article reveals why agents are uniquely vulnerable to this trap.

When hard work becomes harmful

Here's what makes this tricky: rumination feels responsible. Replaying a vendor meeting feels like preparation. Worrying about tomorrow's negotiation feels proactive. But Guy identifies a critical distinction that changes everything – and it's the difference between productive thinking and mental drain. Most agents can't tell which one they're doing.

Boundaries that build confidence

Counterintuitively, setting strict guardrails often increases client confidence. Agents who appear in control of their schedule signal professionalism. But what do effective boundaries actually look like when offers come in at night and vendors want updates on Sundays? The full article breaks down the specific strategies that work.

What you'll learn in the full article:

• The 14-hour discovery: What Guy found when he tracked his own rumination – and why agents likely lose even more

• The rumination test: How to tell the difference between productive problem-solving and mental replay that drains you

• Transition rituals: Psychological separation techniques when physical separation isn't possible

• The worry-to-action reframe: A simple question that converts anxious thoughts into clear next steps

The most important boundary isn't physical – it's cognitive. And it might be the one thing standing between you and your sharpest performance.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week: Mastering the art of reading the room.

LAND SHORTAGE

Land prices hit record amid supply squeeze

The median residential lot now costs $391,420 nationally – up 10.3% over the year. Worth knowing when clients ask why new homes cost so much: since 2000, land prices have jumped more than 500% while construction costs rose just 150%. The HIA-Cotality report says the bottleneck isn't labour or materials – it's shovel-ready land supply.

TECH

A four-question reset before your next listing

Mental clutter has a way of following you to the front door … the chaotic morning, the unresolved argument, the thoughts that won't quit. This AI prompt uses Byron Katie's "The Work" process to clear them before you knock. Four questions, a few minutes in voice mode, and you walk in focused instead of frazzled.

HOW IT SOLD

Grasmere home sells pre-auction in 20 days

Settlement timing, not competitive tension, sealed this one. Anna Younan matched interstate buyers' relocation deadline with flexible vendors on a five-bedroom property. Ten inspections, no advertised price, and a settlement that worked for everyone.

This story started with a 10-minute phone call. Imagine boosting this on socials to your farm area. getailsa.com

CELEBRITY HOMES

New York Times family estate lists for $107M

The dynasty behind The New York Times built Hillandale in 1900, and now the 268-acre Connecticut estate is on the market for US$75M ($107M AUD). The manor spans 16,000 square feet with eight bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, an Olympic-sized indoor pool with 18th-century French fountains, and a five-acre lake with sandy beach. The hedge maze and life-sized outdoor chess set feel almost understated.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Tony Kwan returns to Barry Plant Eastern Group

The One Real Estate Box Hill joins the network from March 1, strengthening the group's presence across Melbourne's east and adding significant international reach. More here.

Alistair Shearer to lead Belle Property Mornington's PM division

The industry veteran joins as Head of Property Management and equity partner after previously leading Victoria's top-performing PM office. More here.

Cameron Kusher joins The Agency as Insights Partner

The Agency has strengthened its national market intelligence capability, appointing respected property economist Cameron Kusher as its new Insights Partner. 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.

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Wishing you a productive day!

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