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On this day in 1862, William 'Billy' Hughes, who would go on to become Australia’s 7th Prime Minister, was born in London.

By the time Billy took office in 1915, the median house price in Sydney was around £400, which equates to roughly $40,000 today. Back then, the average weekly wage was less than £3, so affordability was still a hot topic even a century ago.

He may have been leading the country through the First World War, but if he’d been in real estate, he’d have had to manage the same big conversations agents face today: price expectations, affordability, and the value of owning a home.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 05 seconds

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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Why self-leadership is your most underrated superpower

Start with you - the real key to real estate growth

In real estate, the real edge isn't just about knowing your market, it's about knowing yourself. Joel Davoren, Managing Director of REMAX Australia, argues that self-leadership is the foundation for lasting success. Whether you're chasing listings or building a business, how you lead yourself, from your habits, mindset, and use of time, will always set the ceiling for what you can achieve. Scaling up starts from within.

Your internal GPS

Joel offers a practical leadership lens using five questions: Why, Who, Where, What, and When. Why are you in this business? What values guide you? Where are you headed, and What activities truly move the needle? And When will you actually take action? Answering these sharpens your focus, fuels motivation during hard times, and prevents burnout by aligning daily activity with long-term vision. It’s not about being busier, it’s about being better directed.

Cut the dead weight, then audit your time

If your calendar's packed but your growth has stalled, it’s time for a self-audit. Joel says personal leadership means recognising what’s dragging you down - fear of mistakes, clinging to old methods, or simply trying to be everything to everyone. High performers, he argues, are ruthless with their time: they step out of operational quicksand and refocus on strategic work that drives the business forward. And yes, that may mean finally hiring that PA.

Beware the comfort trap

Success can breed stagnation. “Comfort is the thief of evolution,” Joel warns, especially in a fast-moving industry like real estate. When listings flow easily, it’s tempting to relax, but that’s when reinvention is most crucial. He says the best agents don't rest on their laurels, they stretch, grow, train, and adapt. Leadership isn’t a title - it’s taking full ownership, every day, of what happens next in your career. So stop comparing, start acting, and most importantly … lead yourself first.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we brought you lessons from hospitality that can transform client relationships.

SPACE UNLOCKED

Downsizing could be the key to unlocking Australia’s housing supply

A new report from REA Group and GemLife shows 85% of over-55 households live with two or more spare bedrooms, highlighting untapped housing potential. Downsizers are motivated by lower-maintenance living and retirement, yet many are held back by the hassle of moving and limited suitable options. With one-third of Australians set to be over 55 by 2050, experts say purpose-built communities and smarter downsizing could ease pressure on the housing market.

AFFORDABLE ‘UNDERCOVER’ MARKETS

Find out which suburbs are outperforming blue-chip postcodes

Hotspotting has named 10 “undercover” markets delivering standout growth, with Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia leading the charge. Director Terry Ryder says affordable, stigmatised areas have outperformed blue-chip suburbs, citing Geraldton’s Rangeway with 38% annual growth and multiple Playford suburbs topping 20%. Terry argues that affordability and demand, not prestige, drive results, offering buyers cheaper prices, higher yields and stronger growth.

TAXING TEMPTATION

Tax haven for the ultra-wealthy

Italy's flat tax regime for wealthy foreigners is creating a luxury real estate boom across the country. More than 1,500 ultra-rich individuals took advantage of the scheme in 2023 alone, contributing €117.6 million to Italian coffers .By the end of 2025, approximately 3,600 millionaires are expected to relocate to Italy, bringing an estimated €21 billion in wealth and driving luxury property prices up by as much as 57% in Milan's fashion district.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Historic Rainham homestead tied to Raine & Horne legacy heads to auction

Rainham, Bathurst’s Georgian colonial homestead built in 1832 by Captain Thomas Raine, the father of Raine & Horne founder Tom Raine Jr, is set for auction on 6 November. The 80-acre estate has attracted global attention, with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Glenn Murcutt praising its conservation as “best practice.”

Captain Raine, already a celebrated explorer whose name lives on through Raine Island and Raine Passage, built the imposing convict-brick home that went on to host a string of notable figures. Among them were NSW Legislative Council member Andrew Murray and entrepreneur William Tremain of Tremain’s Mill fame. Recognised by the National Trust in 1969, Rainham is now being offered on the public market for only the second time in nearly 200 years, blending heritage, history and celebrity connections.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

GoodNight Tasmania campaign hits target

The Harcourts Foundation initiative has funded 231 Backpack Beds, providing emergency shelter for every identified rough sleeper in Tasmania. More here.

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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

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Wishing you a productive day!

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