GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On October 29, 1960, 18-year-old Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) made his professional debut, defeating Tunney Hunsaker by unanimous decision in six rounds. It was a quiet beginning for a man who would go on to redefine greatness.

In real estate, every elite agent begins somewhere. That first listing, that first open home or that first client meeting. Because greatness isn’t born overnight. It’s built one step at a time.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 36 seconds

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OPINION

AI POWER

Want to be the agent AI recommends?

Jimmy Burgess believes the AI era isn’t coming. It’s here. And if you want to be the first name sellers see when they ask tools like ChatGPT for the “best real estate agent near me,” now’s the time to act.

Jimmy, President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida, calls this shift the most significant in his 31-year career. From AI-assisted search to social-first discovery, the game has changed. Here's how to win it.

Search is no longer just Google’s game

Gartner predicts “traditional search engine volume will drop 25% by 2026” as AI chatbots and virtual agents siphon some queries.

That’s a massive change and Jimmy says agents must respond accordingly. “People are searching in multiple places. That means you must show up everywhere.”

Jimmy believes there are five ways to become AI-visible

1. Optimise your Google Business Profile

   AI loves clean, structured data. Complete every field, ensure consistency, and stack up those reviews. "AI trusts consistency," Burgess notes.

2. Go hyper-local with your content

   Own your niche. Think neighbourhood guides, school reviews, local trail recommendations, anything that shows you’re truly embedded in the community.

3. Match your details across every platform

   Conflicting phone numbers or team names are an AI red flag. Order and uniformity needs to build trust in the algorithm’s eyes.

4. Get featured in the media

   Authority matters. “Your local paper or TV station is always looking for stories,” Jimmy says agents need to share market insights or your results and pitch to industry publications to show your expertise.

5. Leverage YouTube like a local search engine

   Since YouTube is still closely tied to Google, it’s prime real estate. Just title your videos like you’re answering a question: “Best family-friendly suburbs in [your area]?”

Consistency is king, and AI knows it

Posting once a quarter won’t cut it. Jimmy recommends weekly social posts, monthly market updates, and regular testing to see where (and if) you rank in AI outputs. And yes, you can let AI help you here by repurposing captions into blogs, video scripts, or articles.

“The agents who act now, who optimise, stay consistent, and publish conversational, local content, will dominate the next era of search.”

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday, we found out what real mentoring looks like

TOGETHER WITH BUYERS AGENTS

Finding buyers agents just got easier

BuyersAgents.com.au has launched as a national platform to connect Australians with verified buyers agents across residential, commercial, and investment property sectors. The platform states it aims to increase transparency in the market by showcasing independent verified buyers agents.

A key feature is the introduction of the BA Awards, a new quarterly recognition program for buyers’ agents. BuyersAgents.com.au says the awards will be independently judged and focus on verified client outcomes.

The platform also notes that additional features are in development, including AI tools, enhanced search filters, and educational content to help consumers better understand the value of engaging a buyers agent.

BuyersAgents.com.au enters a growing space within the real estate services market, with a stated focus on improving consumer awareness and highlighting professional standards within the buyer representation sector.

Read more about BuyersAgents.com.au here.

CHARITY

REA Group and Bunnings to Match $30,000 in Donations for A Night Without Home

REA Group and Bunnings are rallying behind A Night Without Home, the inaugural campaign from the property industry-led A Home for All Foundation, to help raise vital funds for people experiencing homelessness. Australia and New Zealand’s leading home improvement retailer, Bunnings, will match the first $20,000 in donations made this Wednesday, while REA Group will match an additional $10,000, taking total matched donations to $30,000.

Bunnings Managing Director, Mike Schneider, said the retailer is committed to supporting the communities in which it operates.

"We know homelessness is an increasing problem that impacts thousands of people every night right across the country," he said. “Day to day, our local stores support homelessness services and community groups around Australia. It’s a privilege to extend this helping hand and match donations made to the A Night Without Home Campaign.”

A Home for All Foundation Advisory Committee Chair, Christine Mikhael, said Bunnings’ and REA Group’s contribution would support the Foundation’s goal to build long-term change for people experiencing homelessness.

“Thanks to Bunnings and REA Group, donations made today will go twice as far, up to a total of $30,000. A $10 donation becomes $20, a $100 donation becomes $200, making it the perfect time to donate.”

Read more about the fundraising efforts here.

GOLD COAST SETTING THE BAR

Gold Coast units now pricier than Sydney

The Gold Coast has achieved a remarkable milestone, with unit prices overtaking Sydney for the first time. Median apartment prices have reached $956,000, edging past Sydney's $927,000, driven by population growth, interest rate cuts, and persistent housing shortages. Main Beach leads the city with a staggering median unit price of $1.73 million, following an $880,000 rise over the past decade. Experts believe this position as Australia's most expensive unit market is unlikely to shift soon.

DEPT OF RENT

Rental crisis deepens with record-low vacancies

Australia's rental market is tightening further as national vacancy rates hit a new record low of 1.47%, less than half the pre-COVID average. Capital city median weekly rents have surpassed $700 for the first time, with Sydney topping the charts at $807 per week. Economists warn this renewed momentum in rental growth could push inflation beyond Reserve Bank forecasts, potentially keeping interest rates higher for longer.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Canadians finally see affordable rents

Canadian renters are experiencing the most affordable conditions since 2022, with average asking rents falling 3.2% year-over-year to $2,123 per month. This marks the first annual decline since January 2022, ending 38 consecutive months of rent growth. Experts attribute the cooling to immigration cuts, with decreases in non-permanent resident populations playing a key role as Canada's population growth has slowed dramatically. Vancouver saw the steepest drop at 8.2%.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Fashion icon's castle-like mansion hits the market

Fashion designer Marc Ecko has listed his historic Gilded Age estate for USD$10M. The 20,000-square-foot stone mansion, built in 1886, sits on 30 acres just 40 miles from Manhattan. Despite its 19th-century exterior, Ecko renovated the interiors to blend period details with contemporary design, including Tiffany stained glass and stone rhinoceroses that nod to his streetwear brand's logo.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Petar Krnjeta joins Harcourts

The leading agent brings 12 years of experience and deep knowledge of Melbourne's Western suburbs to his new role after building a reputation for exceptional client service. 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

If talking on the phone was a sport, agents would be Olympic-level. 📞💬

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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