GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Trend alert!

Iceberg houses are the cool new craze, taking luxury living underground with hidden gyms, pools, and even man caves. Even NFL star Travis Kelce is jumping on board, turning his Kansas mansion into a secret retreat. Already big in London, these posh basements are slowly digging their way into high-end homes, though they come with hefty price tags and a bit of eco-side-eye.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 44 seconds.

New to The Brief? Join us for free 🤝

MOTIVATION

Breaking the busyness addiction

In a world that celebrates hustle, agents wear their busyness like a badge of honour.

But as motivational speaker Mel Robbins and Dr Scott Lyons discuss in a recent podcast episode, The Reason You’re Exhausted: How To Gain Control of Your Time & Your Life, this constant need to stay busy is more than a habit - it’s actually an addiction. Fuelled by a craving for validation and avoidance of discomfort, our obsession with productivity comes at the cost of our mental and emotional well-being.

Busyness is a form of avoidance

Dr Lyons describes busyness as an "avoidant technique," explaining how our packed schedules often serve to distract us from deeper issues. “It’s taking up space where we are not being in the space within ourselves,” he says.

This avoidance might stem from discomfort with stillness, says Mel admitting: “The ability to just sit and be is really hard. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m addicted to this feeling like I’ve got to be up to something.” Understanding this link between busyness and avoidance is the first step.

Our connection to stress

Many of us grow up believing that our worth is tied to what we achieve, and this programming carries into adulthood. Mel reflects on how this shows up in her own life: “If I’m busy, then it means I have value. And if I have value, then I’m worth something to someone else.”

This drive to prove ourselves fuels the endless cycle of stress.

Healing starts with awareness

Breaking the addiction to busyness begins with recognising its grip on us. Dr Lyons suggests starting small: “What happens in the pause? What comes up when there isn’t a stimulus to keep us going?” Mel shares a simple yet telling exercise: stand in a queue without looking at your phone.

“You’re going to feel agitation,” she says. “Your body is used to being stressed and busy. You have trained yourself to always be distracted.” This self-awareness, though uncomfortable, is the foundation for reclaiming balance and learning to simply be.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed the untapped power of real estate feedback

TOGETHER WITH CMS PODCAST

What does Justin Nickerson believe is the key to making real estate marketing resonate, even with people who aren’t actively buying or selling?

In this episode of Call Me Successful, Daniel Petch sits down with award-winning auctioneer Justin Nickerson to explore the powerful role of social media in the real estate world. With viral moments and unconventional marketing strategies, Justin offers a fresh perspective on reaching clients authentically.

His insights reveal why he believes in “taking the work seriously, but not ourselves,” and how his team’s approach reshapes traditional industry norms. The conversation taps into Justin’s viral Instagram reel that garnered over half a million views, sparking surprising public reactions and even making headlines. Justin also explains the delicate balance of standing out on social media without crossing into “cringe” territory; a challenge for real estate pros aiming to connect with an often sceptical public.

Listen to the CMS podcast here

SMART SNIPPETS

Housing reforms need clear rules
New South Wales is launching a Housing Delivery Authority to fast-track development, but success hinges on setting clear expectations. The Real Estate Institute of NSW warns that councils should only keep planning powers if they meet performance standards, as current delays are making housing less affordable. The reform aims to streamline a system that many say is broken.

Housing market bounces back
New home sales in Australia surged by 8.8% in October, marking a significant rebound in the housing market. Victoria led the charge with a 26.5% monthly increase, while sales over the past year are up 8% nationally. With unemployment low and interest rates stable, experts predict this uptick will lead to increased house construction in early 2025.

US cities crack down on algorithmic rent-setting
San Francisco and Philadelphia are introducing laws to regulate rent-setting software, targeting systems that use nonpublic data to calculate rents. These measures aim to address tenant concerns and reduce the influence of algorithms that lawmakers argue contribute to inflated housing costs.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

REACH named top PropTech accelerator for 2024
NAR's technology growth program now operates in seven markets and welcomed 55 new companies this year. More here.

Ray White Northern Beaches expands into Elanora Heights
David Walker and Charles Caravousanos acquired Hunter Estate Agents as their ninth office in the network. 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

6 simple tips to combat screen-induced headaches

Headaches from excessive screen time, known as digital eye strain or computer vision syndrome, are increasingly common in our tech-heavy world. In today’s curated listen, a doctor suggests six strategies to alleviate symptoms. 

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

Read the article from The Ladbible here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Being a real estate agent means knowing no boundaries. So yes, you'll answer a client’s call in the middle of a concert. The real star is a potential buyer asking, “Can we do a 7am open house tomorrow?” 🕺🪩

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, Giverny Pringle, 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.