GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Coming to you live(ish) from AREC, where the coffee’s strong and the networking is already louder than a Saturday auction. If you're here at the Gold Coast, give us a wave (or a coffee). If you're not, don’t worry, we’ve got all the standout moments, quotable quotes, and 'wait, did they just say that?' insights coming your way. Stay tuned. It’s only day one and the lanyards are already tangled.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 42 seconds

New to The Brief? Join us for free 🤝

AREC 2025

Kamala Harris: “I eat ‘no’ for breakfast”

What the Vice President’s grit can teach real estate agents

At AREC 2025, US Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a powerful keynote that hit home with real estate professionals across the country. Drawing on lessons from her career in public service and law, Kamala unpacked what it really takes to succeed in tough negotiations.

Her no-nonsense approach, “I don’t hear no. I eat no for breakfast”, offered a timely reminder that preparation, empathy, and integrity aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re non-negotiables for agents aiming to thrive in today’s competitive market.

“No” isn’t the end, it’s just the beginning

During the height of the US foreclosure crisis, Kamala rejected a US$4 billion bank settlement she deemed inadequate - an unpopular move at the time. But her persistence paid off, leading to a much stronger deal for homeowners. “I don’t hear no. I eat no for breakfast,” she told a packed crowd at AREC. For agents navigating listing rejections or tough client conversations, her mindset is a playbook for staying the course and negotiating with confidence.

Lead with Empathy

Kamala may be known for her commanding presence, but she told attendees that empathy beats charisma every time: “People want to be heard and understood. They want to know they’re being respected.”

For real estate professionals, this means going deeper than surface-level rapport. Genuinely listening to clients’ concerns, whether they’re buying their first home or downsizing after decades, can be the difference between a deal and a lost lead.

Integrity is the ultimate differentiator

In a relationship-driven industry, Kamala reminded agents that what people say about you when you're not in the room matters more than any marketing campaign. “Your reputation travels faster than you do. Integrity is the foundation.”

It’s a clear call for agents to lead with ethics and play the long game - because in real estate, trust isn’t built overnight, but it can pay dividends for years to come.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week we discussed why real estate is not for the faint-hearted.

AREC DAY 1 WRAP

“Good” is the new “broke”: Robin Banks fires up AREC with a reality check

Motivational speaker Robin Banks didn’t come to AREC to make friends - he came to light a fire. “Good’s gonna get you poor,” he told the crowd, tossing mediocrity straight into the bin. Forget just showing up and being nice; in today’s market, you either stand out or fade out. Comparing agents to Olympians, he pointed out that fourth place gets nothing, while gold gets the glory, the fame, and sometimes a $400 million Nike deal. His fix? Daily affirmations, laser focus, and zero tolerance for average.

How a $2 hot dog beat a bottle of bubbles, and what it means for real estate

Will Guidara once served a $2 hot dog in a fine-dining restaurant, and it changed everything. At AREC, the hospitality guru told agents why unforgettable service isn’t about being fancy, it’s about being thoughtful. The takeaway for agents? Ditch the generic settlement gift and start paying attention to what your client really wants.

Forget prestige, chase progress: Josh Phegan’s real talk on real estate

Josh Phegan didn’t sugar-coat it at AREC: if you’re too good to take smaller listings, you might be too proud to make money. In a world where markets shift weekly and motivation changes daily, Josh urged agents to drop the ego, know their numbers, and recognise which “performance zone” they’re in - before burnout bites. His advice? Get clear, get moving, and execute. Real estate doesn’t reward the most polished, it rewards the most consistent.

From flop to phenom: Steven Bartlett’s straight-talking playbook for business success

Steven Bartlett appeared live via Zoom at AREC and did what most people try to avoid, he led with failure. The Diary of a CEO host and Social Chain founder told a room full of real estate agents how his first business flopped because he cared more about his own vision than what customers actually wanted. That gut-punch turned into the breakthrough: success, he realised, isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about listening, testing, and being brave enough to fail.

“You set goals you didn’t follow through with”: David Walker urges agents to rebuild self-belief

Ray White’s David Walker delivered a blunt message to real estate professionals at the AREC: success isn’t just about market knowledge or client relationships, it starts with the relationship you have with yourself. 

“You set goals that you didn't follow through with. You made promises that you didn't keep. You said tomorrow would be better, but it wasn't,” David said. Arguing that fractured self-belief is at the heart of underperformance in the industry, he outlined the three traits he says separate top agents from the rest: clarity, strong identity, and disciplined resilience.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Emma Stone's $26.5M Austin mansion hits the market

Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone and husband Dave McCary are selling their Georgian-style brick estate in Austin's Terrytown neighbourhood after three years of extensive renovations. The 10,000-square-foot property sits on 1.24 acres and features a four-bedroom main house, two-bedroom guesthouse, and garage with its own screening room. Despite their original plans to relocate their family to the property, the couple has decided to sell what is now one of Austin's most expensive residential listings.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Real estate agents: glamorous on the ‘Gram, knee-deep in mulch five minutes later. If you’ve never staged a bathroom in heels or chased a bin down the street in a blazer, are you even in property?👠 🚽

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.

Stories marked with * are sponsored, including 'Together With' and the weekday 'Movers & Shakers' sections. 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.