GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Ever sold a property with a “cell block chic” vibe? The Main Bridewell in Liverpool, once a Victorian-era prison, has swapped inmates for students in a creative real estate twist. Built-in 1867, this historic building features 60 former cells, each 7ft x 7ft with heavy wooden doors (but, of course) and stone floors, and is now being offered as a quirky place to live. Who knew Victorian penal architecture could be so … accommodating?

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 30 seconds.

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PROFILE

How can you build client trust?

In real estate, trust is everything. It’s the foundation of long-term relationships, repeat business, and lasting success.

For Gavin Ottaway, building and maintaining trust with his clients has been the cornerstone of his 25-year career.

From selling cars at a Ford dealership to leading Ray White Sutherland, Gavin has maintained long-term connections with clients, including one couple who have completed six property transactions with him since 2000.

From cars to real estate

Gavin’s journey into real estate began unexpectedly when a real estate agent visited his car dealership. “He was looking to buy a car for his daughter, and even though I didn’t sell the car, he offered me a job in real estate,” Gavin recalled.

After years of trying to break into the industry, he seized the opportunity and quickly excelled. In 2009, he partnered with Matt Debrazini to purchase Ray White Sunderland, growing the business from four people to four offices with 50 staff. “We’ve grown about 12 times larger,” he said.

Community focused

Gavin’s focus on community engagement has played a pivotal role in his success. From sponsoring local schools and sporting clubs to hosting a corporate box at Cronulla Sharks games, he ensures his business is deeply connected to the area. “We try to do as much community engagement as we can, whether it’s sporting clubs or schools,” he said. Again, this community-first approach fosters trust and helps build lasting relationships.

Client loyalty

Gavin’s commitment to his clients extends beyond transactions and even years after a property has changed hands. “I keep in contact with all my clients, send Christmas presents every year, scratchies at Easter.” His focus on over-servicing clients has helped him create a loyal customer base.

Reflecting on his business’s future, Gavin remains ambitious: “I really want to find more good people and double our footprint over the next few years. We’re just going to keep on growing and evolving.”

ICYMI, yesterday we covered why self-awareness is key to staying ahead in real estate.

TOGETHER WITH CALL ME SUCCESSFUL

From Car Cleaner to Real Estate Empire Builder

From cleaning cars to building a multimillion-dollar real estate empire, Jordan Strudwick has never followed the conventional path. In this episode of the Call Me Successful Podcast, Jordan shares his relentless journey - from working for free to break into sales, to buying his first property while sleeping on a mattress to save money. Now, as the leader of a 52-person real estate team, he’s redefining success, not just by selling houses but by creating future industry leaders.

What sets Jordan apart isn’t just his rapid rise but his unique approach to growth - flipping properties instead of holding, leveraging sales psychology from his car-selling days, and prioritising leadership over personal sales. He reveals the one trait he looks for in agents, the biggest mistake most real estate professionals make, and why he believes some in the industry are broken. Plus, he drops hints about his next major move that not many saw coming.

So, what’s the mindset shift that separates top agents from the rest? And why did Jordan “retire” from selling at the height of his career?

Listen in to uncover the raw, unfiltered truth about building wealth, leadership, and legacy in real estate. Listen in here.

SMART SNIPPETS

Slow and steady wins the property race
The smart money in property investing is moving away from boom locations to steady performers. New research shows Queensland leading the pack with 29 of Australia's top 50 most consistent markets. With the likes of Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, which has achieved an impressive 13.3% average annual growth over five years, one of the best locations

The ONE Conference lifts up agents in 2025
More than 800 real estate professionals descended on Brisbane's The Star for The One Conference, in a big start to 2025. The event brought together top performers from major franchises to family-run agencies, with speakers saying that success in 2025 will require adaptability and innovation. Industry leaders shared insights on everything from AI integration to the power of consistent action in building successful agencies.

NZ coastal property riding a massive wave
If your clients are dreaming of a beach house in New Zealand, they’d need to act fast. Coastal property values have surged dramatically, with some areas seeing up to 372% growth over five years. The star performer is Te Arai in Auckland, now commanding a median price of $3.8 million, while smaller coastal towns are surprisingly outperforming major cities.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Ellen DeGeneres re-lists Iconic Bel Air home
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have re-listed their historic Bel Air property for $29.99 million (AUD $45.4 million), following their relocation to the UK. Designed by renowned architect Richard Neutra in 1955, the home features five bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, two state-of-the-art kitchens, and sweeping views of Los Angeles.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ben Chick marks 10 years of success with Explore Property
In 2015, Ben Chick opened Explore Property in Mackay during one of the region’s toughest economic downturns, determined to build something meaningful despite the challenges. Ten years on, the agency has grown from a small team of four to 30 staff, achieving over 4,000 property sales and becoming a market leader. 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 future is NOW

AI has changed the game for real estate agents taking the guesswork out of pricing, streamlining operations, and delivering personalised client experiences. This Forbes piece examines how automated valuation models (AVMs) ensure properties are priced right, while AI-powered tools are turning mountains of data into actionable insights.

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

Read the article from Forbes here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Who needs a wedding dress when you’ve got Tamara Hall? The real estate agent has somehow managed to outshine every bride on Married At First Sight this season … without even saying “I do.” From storming out over a pescatarian meal to declaring the nuptials an "abortion" (oops, abomination?), Tamara has officially earned her badge as the show’s biggest wildcard. 👰🏻‍♀️😤

Seen an Agent On Social we 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, 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.

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