GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

It’s World Ranger Day, and while we might not wear khaki or wrangle wildlife (most days), real estate agents have a lot in common with rangers. We know the lay of the land, we guide people through unfamiliar territory, and we're pretty good at spotting hidden gems in the wild.

Whether it’s a secret-garden backyard, a prime block of land, or a home with deep roots in the community, we’re here to protect and promote the value of every piece of property. No hiking boots required.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 36 seconds

New to The Brief? Join us for free. 🤝

EXPANSION

Crossing Borders

How William Bonnici scaled smart

Expanding a real estate business across state lines isn’t for the faint of heart. But for William Bonnici, Principal of First National Real Estate Bonnici & Associates, it was a calculated leap driven by geography, not ego.

From a single office in Wodonga, Victoria, his agency now spans three thriving locations across Victoria and New South Wales, each one a testament to the power of local expertise, smart delegation, and rock-solid admin systems.

Go where the clients are

William's first expansion wasn't part of a grand strategy, it was a response to boots-on-the-ground activity. When one of his long-standing agents began generating traction in Beechworth, William didn’t hesitate.

"I just said to Tony (Stockdale), get your license, and I'll open an office for you." That decision now accounts for around 50% of the local market share - proof that trusting your people can yield impressive returns.

Double the states, double the red tape

Operating in a border region comes with a unique headache: navigating two different regulatory regimes. William describes it as “a minefield,” from sales authority variations to audit logistics.

Even regulatory bodies couldn’t answer whether one person could be the officer in effective control for both states (spoiler: you can). To manage it all, his team maintains four separate trust accounts and has built an administration engine that keeps the wheels turning - smoothly and legally.

No silos, no egos

Key to his cross-border success? Team structure and attitude. Agents at Bonnici & Associates aren’t limited to one postcode, they work across offices and markets, supported by transparent systems and shared calendars. William also champions middle management and professional humility.

“The biggest killer in the real estate industry is ego,” he says. “Put it in the back seat.” And when it comes to expansion, he’s clear-eyed: play to your strengths and build the right support around you.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, Grant Turner spoke to us about the upside of adversity.

TOGETHER WITH REAPIT

RAI: AI assistant set to streamline sales, PM and lettings

Reapit has announced the launch of RAI, an AI-powered assistant built directly into its real estate platform to improve efficiency across sales and property management. Unlike bolt-on tools, RAI is embedded into existing workflows and operates within each agency’s secure data environment. It offers automation and insights tailored to each agency’s brand voice, enabling personalised communication and smarter operations. RAI will assist with tasks such as property descriptions, lead scoring, maintenance workflows, and real-time recommendations based on live data.

“RAI is powered by the real operational history of real estate agencies, not scraped web data,” said Matt McGown, Chief Product Officer.

Initial features will include database cleansing, sales follow-ups, and property management support. Reapit is collaborating with select ANZ agencies to refine RAI ahead of its 2026 launch. CEO Mark Armstrong added that RAI represents the next chapter in Reapit’s mission to help agents thrive through integrated, intuitive technology.

Read more about Reapit AI, (RAI) here.

CAREER

Why real estate agents can’t sit still

New ABS data shows nearly 10% of sales workers, including agents, switched jobs last year, outpacing the national average. And here’s the kicker: only half of them stayed in sales, meaning some agents are hanging up the listing kit entirely; young workers are the most likely to jump ship. Queensland and the ACT are leading the charge in career switch-ups, keeping principals on their toes. In short, while other industries are settling down, real estate’s still got commitment issues.

MARKET SENTIMENT

Aussies still love property, even if most aren’t investing

Despite tight budgets and rising living costs, 1 in 4 Australian households still plan to invest in property over the next year, according to new data from Consumer Pulse. While 59% say they’re sitting out of investing entirely, those who are active overwhelmingly favour real estate over shares, super funds or business ventures. The pull toward property spans all groups, but younger Australians are leading the charge, with 40% of 18–34s keen to buy in.

Men are also more likely to invest than women, though two-thirds of women say they’re holding off on all investments for now. Overall, the data shows that while most households are prioritising financial stability, property continues to hold its status as Australia’s most trusted asset.

NZ MORTGAGE TRENDS

Refinancing hits record high

A record number of existing mortgage holders changed lenders in June, according to analysis by CoreLogic NZ’s Kelvin Davidson. More than 3,500 borrowers refinanced, shifting close to $2.5 billion in lending: the highest figures since this data series began in 2017. The rise in refinancing reflects the short-term nature of many mortgage structures and borrowers’ willingness to shift for better terms.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Check out this Texas hideaway rented by Beyoncé

A 2,858-acre Texas retreat where Queen Bey once hula-hooped into viral fame, is on the market for $9.85 million USD (around $14.6 million AUD). Just outside Marfa, this desert dream features six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and views for days. There’s even a private 6,000-foot airstrip … because of course there is.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White On Point Realty Group launches in coastal New Zealand

Debbie Jones, Paul Prouse, and Victoria Turner have established the new office serving Omaha, Matakana and Point Wells communities. More here.

Anna Chen returns to BresicWhitney

The luxury property specialist brings her decade of experience back to the group, focusing on premium Lower North Shore properties with notable $10M+ sales under her belt. 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

“Must be nice, just showing pretty houses and collecting commissions…” Sure. right after juggling ten deals, three pre-settlement panics, and a vendor who’s suddenly not selling anymore. 🏡😅

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.

Content in the ‘Together With’ section is sponsored. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at eliteagent.com/advertise.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.