GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

In real estate, it’s not the easy deals that define you, it’s how you handle the tricky ones. Kiss and Make Up Day is a timely reminder that every agent’s reputation rests not only on winning clients, but on how they repair relationships when things don’t go to plan.

From vendor expectations that clash with market realities to the occasional misstep in communication, conflict is inevitable in this business. What separates top performers is their ability to acknowledge the problem quickly, own their part, and work towards resolution without ego. A simple call to check in with a frustrated client, an apology delivered with sincerity, or a proactive update can often diffuse tension and reset the relationship.

We’re also continuing our Ready25 highlights today, sharing more insights and takeaways from some of the event’s standout speakers.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 02 seconds

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READY25

GOLD MEDALLISTS TALK TACTICS

Mental rehearsal, resilience, and the real estate grind

What do Olympic champions know that top-performing agents should steal? A lot, actually. At Ready25, BMX rider Saya Sakakibara and track icon Cathy Freeman shared powerful insights on how elite athletes turn devastating setbacks into growth, and why real estate professionals should adopt the same mindset.

The secret sauce? Mental rehearsal that preps not just your script, but your state of mind under pressure. These champions didn’t just train for success - they rehearsed how they’d feel in high-stakes moments, and how they’d bounce back when things went south.

Fuelling success with mental reps and purpose

Saya’s gold-medal prep included watching a 34-second track video daily; not just to memorise moves, but to embed positive emotional cues. She even picked a telegraph pole mid-course to trigger feelings of gratitude mid-race. That’s not just visualisation—that’s emotional conditioning.

Real estate agents can apply this by rehearsing listing presentations and their mindset: gratitude over nerves, composure over chaos. Cathy, too, pointed to a post-Atlanta slump and the importance of support teams, especially when you’re close to giving up. Her rebound came not from more grind, but from finding belief and clarity of purpose.

Redefining Identity after setbacks

After a traumatic crash in Tokyo, Saya didn’t try to “return” to who she was - she built someone new. That meant new coaches, new systems, and crucially, a mindset shift. Her coach helped her visualise future success as if it were certain: “If you already knew you’d win, how would you handle today?” It’s a game-changer for agents facing market dips or rejection.

Cathy echoed this with her own philosophy: face uncertainty with curiosity and courage. The biggest win? Not the medal, but who you become chasing it. It’s a reminder that your career success isn’t just about listings or GCI—it’s about resilience, leadership, and how you rebuild when things break.

Read Cathy Freeman’s and Saya Sakakibara’s story here.

ICYMI, yesterday gymnastics GOAT, Simone Biles, discussed why “it takes a village” to be successful.

READY25: Johann Hari

The fight to win back our focus

Bestselling author Johann Hari believes the modern world is waging a silent war on our attention; the Stolen Focus writer said the average office worker now lasts just 46 seconds on a task before switching, while children are being raised in a state of perpetual distraction. “Your attention didn’t collapse,” he told the audience, “Your attention has been stolen from you by some really big and powerful forces.” 

Drawing on interviews with more than 200 scientists, Johann pointed to sleeplessness, poor diet, stress and, above all, technology designed to keep us hooked as the main culprits. He argued that while individuals can take steps, (locking away phones, blocking addictive apps), real change will require collective action. “We are the free citizens of democracies,” he said. “And we own our own minds. Together, we can take them back if we want to.”

READY25: Nedd Brockmann

Follow through or fall behind

Ultramarathon runner Nedd Brockmann, who ran 3,953 kilometres across Australia, told a room of real estate professionals that the secret to trust and success is simple: always do what you say you’ll do. “People who I have trusted in my life are those who said they’re going to do something and going through with it,” he said.

For Nedd, making a decision means “to cut off any other alternative,” whether it’s promising to run across the country or committing to a strategy. He urged agents to make fewer promises but keep them absolute, warning that most people hedge with escape routes.

Nedd also spoke about the power of delayed gratification, compounding trust through consistent follow-through, and acting decisively without waiting for perfect conditions. His mantra, “be patient with results, but incredibly impatient with action,” offers agents a blueprint: deliver on commitments, act quickly, and let results build over time.

READY25: Fiona Blayney

Turning PMs into lead machines

Fiona Blayney is flipping the script on how agencies view property management, arguing it’s not just a support function, but a lead-generating powerhouse. In a 1,000-property portfolio, rental turnover alone creates 5,000 in-person interactions a year with future buyers and sellers. That’s a goldmine most agencies overlook.

Fiona’s message: stop “repositioning” PMs and start recognising them as the face of your business. Her playbook calls for making property management not just profitable, but capable of covering the agency’s entire overhead. Invest in your PM team as relationship-builders, not admin staff—and you’ll gain resilience, sustainable revenue, and a pipeline AI can’t replace.

UK MARKET

Summer price cuts spark UK housing market revival

The UK housing market just experienced its busiest July for property sales since 2020, with transactions up 8% compared to last year. Sellers have slashed asking prices by an average of £10,000 over the summer months, creating a "two-speed market" where competitively priced homes sell within 32 days while overpriced properties linger for 99 days. Improved mortgage rates, now averaging 4.49% compared to 5.17% a year ago, have further fuelled buyer interest.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Taylor Swift's early recording studio hits the market

A sprawling 10-acre estate featuring the renowned Dark Horse Recording studio has been listed for $24M. Owner Robin Crow transformed the property from rolling pastures he purchased for just US$175,000 in the 1990s into a music industry landmark. The studio has hosted numerous stars, with Taylor Swift recording songs for her debut album there, along with Neil Diamond, Shawn Mendes, and Faith Hill all creating music within its walls.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Peter Burgin joins Ray White Collective

The veteran auctioneer with 15,000+ auctions under his belt takes on the role of Chief Auctioneer and Head of Performance after 23 years with a local agency.

REMAX returns to Cairns with Tony Williamson

The veteran real estate professional is bringing the global brand back to Far North Queensland after previously operating REMAX franchises from 2004-2006 and 2010-2019.

Romi Sleiman leads charity home sale

The Barry Plant Craigieburn agent returns for his second year heading the 2025 Home For A Cure campaign, with all proceeds supporting My Room Children's Cancer Charity.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

The hardest part of a no-shoes walk-through? Trying to look professional while walking on my hands. 🥿🤸

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Wishing you a productive day!

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