GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Agents in Sydney’s northwest are probably dusting off their fanciest suits and sharpening their negotiation skills for a major win if they can snag a property on a mega 20,000sq m. With a potential $60 million payday, convincing the family to sell is like finding the real estate equivalent of Willy Wonka’s golden ticket.

In the past, The Zammit family had received offers of up to $50m to sell their home to complete the new development called The Ponds, but turned them down - so the development was built around them.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 45 seconds.

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BUSINESS

Fiona Blayney: Do the math!

If you’re in the business of real estate, you need to learn to love numbers.

Fiona Blayney, founder and director of Real+, took the stage at Elite Retreat to emphasise the importance of understanding numbers in property management and encouraged industry professionals to use data as a powerful tool for growth and efficiency.

“Numbers are everything,” she said, as they reveal both hidden challenges and opportunities. By analysing costs and performance, Fiona has helped businesses make informed decisions, improving productivity and profitability. She stresses that when businesses track and interpret their data correctly, they can uncover potential growth areas and streamline operations.

Data reveals hidden opportunities

Through her work, Fiona has discovered that data analysis often uncovers surprising issues. For example, a client with eight Business Development Managers (BDMs) was struggling to hit targets. After digging into the data, Fiona found that "nine key referrers hadn’t referred a single property all year."

This revelation helped redirect efforts and dramatically improved results. The message is clear: you can’t fix what you don’t measure.

The cost of inefficiency is real

She also drives home the importance of understanding the financial implications of inefficiencies. She demonstrates this with a concrete example: "Do you know how much it costs for your staff to stand around chatting? I do. It’s $1.63 per minute."

By knowing these costs, property managers can better allocate resources and identify where productivity is slipping, allowing them to make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Smart investments drive growth

Growth doesn’t happen by accident, and Fiona said quite simply, that you must be willing to invest strategically. “Growth is not free," she explains. "But when you understand your return on investment, it becomes a no-brainer." For instance, by investing roughly $80,000, a business can target specific properties in desired locations.

The strategy involves being visible and known in the market, building trust with clients, and leveraging data to ensure the right clients are chosen. This deliberate approach is designed to maximise cash flow while minimising costs, showcasing how understanding the numbers can lead to efficient and profitable business growth in property management.

ICYMI, yesterday we covered some tips on turning your inner dialogue into your biggest asset

TOGETHER WITH SquareBySquare

SquareBySquare is revolutionising real estate by blending conservation with property sales. For as little as $50, clients can own a square metre of protected rainforest alongside their home purchase, creating a memorable and impactful closing gift.

This initiative allows real estate agents to demonstrate environmental responsibility while offering clients a stake in conservation efforts. Founded by Henk Kleynhans, SquareBySquare’s mission to protect native forests aims to counter Australia's deforestation, positioning agents as leaders in eco-conscious property transactions.

Read more about SquareBySquare here*

SMART SNIPPETS

Is the rental boom finally over?
There's finally some good news for tenants, with Australia's rental market reaching a turning point and growth rates slowing in all capital cities. Domain's latest report shows the weakest September quarter since 2019 for houses and 2020 for units. While weekly rents remain at record highs in many cities, experts predict the era of explosive rental growth may be ending.

REA launches personalised service model
REA Group has introduced a new service model designed to provide more personalised support for its customers. From November, dedicated Relationship Managers will serve as the main point of contact, offering tailored insights and guidance to help clients maximise their REA subscriptions.*

Housing targets under threat
Australia's ambitious housing goals are facing a setback as new building approvals plummet. Recent data shows a 6.1 per cent drop in total new home approvals, with high-density housing taking a 17.5 per cent hit. At the current rate, the country could fall short of its 1.2 million new home target by over 365,000 units.

Sean "Diddy" Combs lists mansion as he faces criminal charges
From behind bars, Sean "Diddy" Combs has listed his Beverly Hills mansion for US$61.5 million - it was the same house that was raided by Homeland Security earlier this year. The 17,000-square-foot estate includes 10 bedrooms, a 35-seat theatre, and extensive outdoor amenities like a pool, grotto, and basketball court. Federal prosecutors have indicted Combs on sex-trafficking and racketeering charges, accusing him of running a prostitution ring for over a decade.

SOUND WAVES

The most dramatic moments from Selling Sunset season 8 

*SPOILER ALERT Today’s curated listed is a recap on season 8 Selling Sunset hi-jinx.

The new season has just dropped and if you devoured all 11 episodes in one go, you’re not alone. From unexpected alliances to jaw-dropping deals, the luxury real estate world just got spicier. Buckle up for more mansion tours and of course, dramatic showdowns.

Dive straight into the listen below or the deeper dive here.

Read the article from the PS Celebrity here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Being a real estate agent alone in the office feels like starring in a one-person circus act. You’re answering calls with one hand, signing contracts with the other, while also wrestling the printer into submission. You feel like a multitasking ninja … until you realise the phone is ringing, and you’ve lost it somewhere under that pile of paperwork. 📎🤳

@shan_realtor_lady

#QuakerPregrain #realtoroftiktok #realestate #mylifebelike #ruralrealestate #phones

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

Wishing you a productive day

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Giverny Pringle, 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.

If you see a * beside a story, it means it’s a sponsored post. To enquire about advertising with us, visit eliteagent.com/advertise.

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