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TRUE OR FALSE?

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In today’s edition of The Brief

• Why high performers recover faster when things go wrong

• The RBA hikes rates again, with more increases still possible

• A famous Aussie fashion designer’s Vaucluse mansion hits the market

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 50 seconds

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INSIGHT

Why high performers recover faster

The deal falls apart at the last minute. The video comes back wrong. The client changes their mind.

Real estate coach Caroline Bolderston says the question isn't how to prevent these moments – it's what you do in the seconds after they happen. What she's developed is a four-step framework that interrupts the emotional spiral and gets you back into action.

What you'll learn in the full article:

• The four-step reset: The framework Caroline uses to interrupt emotional spirals in seconds

• The language shift: Why the words you use internally determine how quickly you recover

• The containment question: One question that reveals the actual size of any problem

• The step most agents skip: Why missing this means starting from scratch emotionally every time

In a market that rarely provides certainty, this framework gives you structure when you need it most.

Read the full article

ICYMI, yesterday we found out how agency principals can stop the revolving door of property managers leaving.

TOGETHER WITH HARCOURTS

Harcourts HX 2026 focuses on boosting the performance gap

As a widening performance gap reshapes the real estate industry, the upcoming HX Conference is as a circuit-breaker. An opportuity to bring agents, property managers and business leaders together to focus on what is actually driving results in today’s market. The series kicks off 25–26 May in Christchurch before moving to the Gold Coast on 9–10 June, with sessions on conversion, leadership, and AI tools. Harcourts International Managing Director, Mike Green says, "In this market, average is exposed very quickly."

Find out more about Harcourts HX 2026 here.

RBA RATE RISE

Borrowing capacity falls further as RBA returns rates to 2024 peak

The RBA has pushed the cash rate up to 4.35%, back to its 2024 high, after inflation climbed to 4.6% over the year to March. Housing is still doing most of the heavy lifting on prices, up 6.5% annually, with electricity, new builds and rents leading the way, alongside ongoing pressure from transport and food. Economists say the higher-rate environment is clearly cooling borrowing power and squeezing budgets again. But they also point out that while rates can take the edge off demand, they don’t fix the underlying housing shortages keeping prices and rents stubbornly high.

COMMERCIAL

Retail investment pauses after record run

Australia's retail sector topped all commercial property classes in 2025, delivering 9.2% returns and $14.4 billion in transactions – up 43% on the year before. Knight Frank's latest review shows that momentum stalled in March as Middle East tensions, fuel costs, and rate rises clouded the outlook. Where commercial capital pauses, residential markets often feel the ripple.

HOW IT SOLD

Database strategy delivers record $851k result

A Rockdale apartment set a new building record after a targeted campaign generated strong competition, achieving – $851,000, more than $50,000 above expectations. Gregory Kolyvas of Chase Property Group leveraged database buyers alongside open market interest to create FOMO and drive five offers.

Agents across Australia and New Zealand are turning sales into stories. getailsa.com

CELEBRITY HOMES

Dressed to impress: Fashion designer lists her Vaucluse mansion for $35M

Rebecca Vallance – the Australian designer dressing royals and redesigning Qantas uniforms – is selling her Vaucluse harbour-view mansion. She and husband David Gasan paid $4.45 million in 2018 before transforming it into a four-level Mediterranean estate now listed at $32-35 million. Nine bathrooms, three kitchens, and yes, even an ice bath.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White duo expand with radio legend Marty Haynes

Daniel and Jennifer Norris are launching Ray White Five Islands Group in Illawarra, bringing on local media icon Marty Haynes as brand ambassador and agent after his 22-year breakfast radio career. More here.

Harcourts Ignite opens fifth Wide Bay office

Michael and Julie Vella have expanded from a single location to five offices across the region in just five years, now backed by 48 property professionals. More here.

Barry Plant Coburg expands Lions partnership

The agency has added jersey sponsorship for the 2026 VFL season to its existing five-year deal with Coburg Football Club that saw the ground renamed Barry Plant Park. 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

Who needs nicotine when you can survive a failed listing presentation by stepping outside and aggressively blowing bubbles like your sanity depends on it. 🫧🫧🫧💼

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

TRUE OR FALSE:

We’ve convinced Sam to run a free AI course starting next Tuesday for those of you who want to know only the best bits about AI for real estate.

And the answer is …

IT’S TRUE! (We were surprised too!)

If you didn't have three days to dedicate to Tony Robbins, sixty minutes of something you won't hear anywhere else might be more your speed. Registrations are open here..

Wishing you a productive day!

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