GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Cheers! It’s World Cocktail Day, the perfect excuse to shake, stir, and sip something delicious in honour of the first published definition of a “cocktail” back in 1806. Originally described as a stimulating liquor composed of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters; it’s fair to say the cocktail has come a long way since.

And so has real estate. Really, crafting the perfect cocktail isn’t that different from selling a property. You need the right mix of ingredients: presentation, pricing, timing, and a splash of charm. Too much of one thing and the whole deal can fall flat. Too little? Buyers lose interest. But when it’s balanced just right? That’s when the magic happens.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 6 seconds

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MOTIVATION

Turning promise into performance

Why leadership builds great agents

Great agents aren’t born with “it”, they’re developed through intentional leadership. Laing+Simmons Head of People & Growth Jacqui Barnes challenges the fixed mindset around talent, arguing that what matters more than finding star performers is recognising and cultivating the behavioural traits that signal potential.

With the right coaching, systems, and culture, leaders can turn raw promise into standout results. As she puts it, “We are responsible for turning promise into performance.”

Talent is buildable, not fixed

Jacqui urges leaders to reframe talent as something buildable, not innate. The early signs of a strong agent, independence, initiative, and goal focus, are just the beginning. What follows is up to leadership.

Leaders must invest in coaching, not just tracking outcomes, creating clear expectations and a culture that nurtures growth. “Our job as leaders becomes clearer,” she says. “We are responsible for turning promise into performance.”

How to spot the signs early

Through a profiling study of high-performing agents (those writing $500K–$1M+), Laing+Simmons identified common traits: direct communicators, self-starters, resilient under feedback, and unafraid of numbers.

To spot these early, Jacqui’s team uses interview questions designed to reveal behaviour, like asking, “When you’re unsure what to do next, what’s your first move?” The goal is to find agents who demonstrate initiative before they’re even hired.

Leadership happens in moments

Leadership doesn’t need to be a grand plan, it’s built through consistent, thoughtful interactions. Agents with potential don’t want to be micromanaged; they want a partner in their growth.

“Promising agents don’t want control, they want coaching. They’re not looking for management, they want guidance,” she says. And building that environment? It’s simpler than it sounds: “It’s about consistent, intentional leadership moments.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed why face-to-face interaction is now more important that ever.

ELITE AGENT TV

Motivating Agents: Rewards That Work with Dion Besser

How does a business owner suddenly triple his team and manage to keep everyone energised, productive, and not quietly plotting their escape? That’s exactly what Dion Besser pulled off—and in this week’s episode, he tells us how.

From hiring people for who they are (not what their CV claims) to making sure KPIs actually mean something to each person, Dion shares the systems and small wins that helped keep his Melbourne crew motivated—even as the rules shifted and the market did its usual mood swings.

If you’re growing a team and want some no-nonsense ways to keep people engaged, this one’s a must-listen. Think field-tested ideas, zero fluff. Click here.

DEPT OF GROWTH

Property prices could double by 2030

Agents, if you’ve got buyers sitting on the fence, now’s the time to show them what waiting might really cost. According to PropTrack, if current growth trends continue, property prices could double in many areas by 2030. Sydney’s median house price is forecast to hit $2.4 million, while Adelaide could climb to $1.47 million, that’s off the back of 75% growth since 2020. Muirhead in Darwin is tipped to be the top performer nationally, with a projected 107% jump from $730,000 to $1.51 million.

DEPT OF WHERE THE BUYERS ARE

Why first-home buyers and rentvestors can’t get enough of Liverpool

Liverpool is having a moment, again, topping NSW’s first-home buyer sales for the third quarter running. With apartments still under $400k, it’s no wonder buyers are criss-crossing Sydney to snap up a deal. According to Raine & Horne’s Vince Labbozzetta, even rentvestors are piling in for the 5% yields. Add a future airport and a FAST corridor and it’s boom time in the southwest.

DEPT OF AI

From boring checklist to video gold in just 3 steps

Tired of sending clients or team members another plain old checklist? Say no more. This guide shows real estate agents how to turn those dry bullet points into slick, engaging videos using AI tools like ChatGPT, Synthesia or HeyGen. It’s as easy as: 1) Get your checklist, 2) Let AI script it out, 3) Add a punchy intro and voilà, instant video content. Great for open homes, onboarding, or any moment you want to look like a tech-savvy legend.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Quincy Jones’s mega-mansion hits the market for a cool $91M AUD

Quincy Jones didn’t just produce hits, he lived in one. His Bel-Air mega-mansion, now up for grabs at US$59.995 million (AUD $91.3 million), comes with its own recording studio, wine cellar, and views that stretch from the city to the sea. Designed to impress (and entertain), the 25,000-square-foot pad also features a domed-ceiling lounge, tennis court, and a pool made for sunset lounging. The best part? He built the whole thing from scratch, inspired by a South African palace.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

David Johnson takes over Ray White Rural Woodford

The former mechanic and agent replaces long-time owners Jill and Matt Garth who will remain involved during the transition period. 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

Speed limits don’t apply when a fresh listing hits the market … just ask my GPS and my blood pressure. Also note to self: SLOW DOWN 🏎️ 🏃🏼‍♀️

Seen an Agent On Social we should include? Let us know here (email link)

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

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.

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