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On 28 November 1582, William Shakespeare made what might be history’s most dramatic pre-settlement move, paying a £40 bond to fast-track his marriage licence to Anne Hathaway in Stratford-upon-Avon. In modern property terms, it was the Tudor version of locking in the deal before anyone else could interfere.

A few years later, a rapidly expanding household meant he needed more space, and soon after, he headed to London in search of bigger prospects, proof that changing circumstances have been driving moves for centuries. It’s a story that shows how quickly plans can shift and how a single decision can shape the entire course of someone’s life, postcode included.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 56 seconds

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FIRST 100 DAYS

Setting the tone

How a 23-year-old property partner found momentum

In his first hundred days as a property partner Cooper Askew has seen his South Illawarra operation move faster than expected. At 23, he stepped into the role with years of groundwork already behind him, and the transition quickly showed whether those foundations could support a sharper pace. What emerged was a period defined not by change for its own sake, but by structure, local trust and a clear understanding of how he wanted to run his part of the business.

Momentum built before day one

Cooper’s first hundred days did not represent a fresh start so much as the point where long-term effort began to pay off. Having worked in the region since he was 16, he entered the property partner role with an existing base of clients who continued to work with him. “Everything we’re doing now came from seeds planted five, six, seven, eight years ago,” he says. The early uplift in activity reflected the strength of those ties rather than a sudden shift in strategy.

Testing structure under more pressure

The property partner role brought higher expectations and a faster rhythm, but Cooper relied on established habits to steady the workload. His approach emphasised routines, clarity around roles, and a team that could handle pace together. “It all comes down to the people in the business,” he says. The first hundred days became a practical test of whether his systems could hold as volume increased — and he found they did.

Leadership without losing focus on clients

Stepping up as a property partner at 23 is unusual, but Cooper is clear that timing matters more than age. He avoided moving too early, choosing instead to wait until he had years of experience and strong guidance from previous mentors. “You need enough time in the industry to understand the pace,” he says. Those first hundred days confirmed that the role suited him: he could lead, support his team and still remain closely involved with clients, which he sees as the core of his work.

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed why agents are now rethinking the first step in a sales campaign.

NEW RULES

APRA to limit high debt-to-income (DTI) home loans

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) will introduce a 20 per cent cap on new home loans with debt-to-income ratios of six times income or more, starting in February. The regulator has acted after observing a lift in riskier borrowing, particularly among investors, as interest rates have fallen and housing credit growth has strengthened. While overall lending standards remain sound, APRA says these trends signal a change in the financial risk cycle and could lead to higher household indebtedness if left untreated.

QLD PROPERTY MARKET

Buyers chase limited stock

Queensland’s property market kept its momentum this quarter, with both house and unit prices stepping higher once again. Houses climbed 4.83 per cent to $895,000, while units rose 3.57 per cent to $725,000, reflecting demand that still far exceeds supply. Regional centres such as Noosa, Rockhampton and Bundaberg continued to record some of the strongest movements. Investor lending jumped 11.9 per cent over the quarter, adding even more competition for limited listings. REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said the latest numbers show the ongoing impact of low housing delivery across the state.

US: AFFORDABLE HOUSING

New homes become surprisingly affordable

Builders across America are making new homes more competitive than ever with record-low price premiums over existing properties. The average mortgage rate for new construction buyers is now 5.27%, nearly a full percentage point below the 6.26% for existing homes. In the South and West regions, new home premiums have dropped to just 6.3% and 0.9% respectively, while requiring less cash upfront with average down payments of 15.7% versus 17.8% for existing homes.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Call of Duty creator sells LA mansion for US$22 million

Call of Duty: Black Ops creator Dave Anthony has sold his luxury Los Angeles home for US$22 million (AUD $34 million). The property sits in Brentwood, an upscale neighbourhood on LA’s Westside known for its high-end housing and celebrity residents. Anthony first listed the home in May 2024 for just under US$27 million before adjusting the price several times.

He originally bought the block for US$3.5 million and later replaced the original 1940s house with a custom build. The seven-bedroom residence includes a hidden server room, sound-treated cinema, entertainment lounge and classic English design influences. Smart-home features run throughout, along with heated kitchen floors and a rare permitted wood-burning fireplace. Anthony has said his approach to designing the property reflected the same detail-driven process he used when creating Call of Duty.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Jacob Caine appointed REIA President.

The former REIV leader will guide the industry through upcoming Anti-Money Laundering reforms with support from Deputy President Hannah Gill and a newly appointed Board. More here.

Ray White Queensland leaders unite for strategic forum.

Over 80 business leaders gathered to align on the 2026 strategy focusing on driving volume, performance and bringing the whole team to every transaction. 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

BYO Band-Aids. Doing a trust fall with the wrong real estate agent just means you hit the floor … and hard. 🤦‍♀️🩹

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Wishing you a productive day!

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