GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

You’ll be pleased to know that today is National Chocolate Covered Everything Day. Aside from Halloween, it’s the sweetest day of the year (see what I did there) and the ultimate celebration for chocoholics everywhere. It’s your official green light to dunk, drizzle, and smother anything edible in rich, velvety chocolate.

The Elite Agent Influencers and Innovators Awards 2024 are heating up.

You know the drill - our Top 50 list is almost here, but the People’s Choice Top 10? That’s where you come in. Got a favourite changemaker? Don’t let them miss their moment.

Voting’s open now, and every click counts. Let’s make sure the real standouts of 2024 get their time to shine.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 2 seconds.

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LOCATION

How school zones are shaping property markets

Dr Nicola Powell, Chief of Research and Economics at Domain, uncovers how NAPLAN results and school catchment zones are reshaping Australia’s property market.

With soaring living costs and private school fees pushing families towards high-performing public schools, demand is heating up in sought-after areas. School catchment zones now hold the power to influence property prices and shape buying decisions.

Why school zones matter

Families are increasingly focused on securing access to top-performing schools, not just for academic excellence but also for extracurricular opportunities in areas like music and sports. Secondary school years are particularly critical, shaping a child’s future path. According to Dr Powell, some families even rent in desirable zones to ensure eligibility, underscoring the sacrifices people make to secure a quality education.

Navigating the complexity of catchment zones

Catchment zones are not always straightforward, often dividing streets or suburbs, which can confuse buyers. Agents need to be prepared to answer questions about geographic boundaries to help families identify properties within specific zones. For many buyers, this level of precision is crucial. “It’s a pin-drop approach,” Dr Powell says.

The growing influence of top-performing schools

The 2024 NAPLAN results showcase the prominence of certain government schools, such as Oakhill Drive Public School in New South Wales and Sunnybank Hills State School in Queensland. These schools have achieved outstanding results, further boosting demand for homes in their zones. “School zones add another critical layer to property decisions,” said Dr Powell, with location and budget remaining primary considerations.

ICYMI, last week, we discussed why property managers shouldn’t be competing on fees

SMART SNIPPETS

Breaking barriers to boost real estate success
In her exclusive Elite Agent article, Bianca Denham, Ray White’s Head of Recognition and Performance, tackles the widespread challenge of call reluctance in real estate, highlighting how avoidance, rather than time constraints, often prevents agents from engaging with potential clients

Property prices hit new milestones
The housing market continues its upward climb, with the national median house price reaching $1,050,370, which is a 6.2% increase from last year. Perth leads the growth charge with a 4.1% jump in unit values, while Sydney maintains its position as the most expensive city with median house prices at $1,654,668. However, there are growing differences between different locations around the country.

Trump eyes Middle East luxury market
The Trump Organisation is making a significant move into the Middle East luxury real estate market, with plans to develop multiple high-end properties. The centrepiece will be a new Trump Tower in Riyadh, developed through a partnership with Dar Global. This marks the company's first major expansion in the region since the end of Trump's presidency.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

The Agency expands Inner West presence
Sister firms Callagher and Kellys bring over 1500 property managements to the national brand's growing portfolio. 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.

SOUND WAVES

The power of non-profit and business collaboration

Today’s curated listen reports on how strategic nonprofit-corporate partnerships can create impactful, mutually beneficial relationships.

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

Read the report from Forbes.com here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

And Just Like That… Joshua Horner got his very own bus ad. Channeling his inner Carrie Bradshaw, he’s turned a year of savings into a fabulous marketing campaign because real estate should sparkle, too!

ICYMI, Josh appeared on the Courageous Conversations podcast with Leanne Pilkington on Saturday. Check it out here

Seen an Agent On Socialwe 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.

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