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On 23 September 1856, Perth officially shifted from town to city status when Queen Victoria issued letters patent. That proclamation wasn’t just a formality; it laid the foundation for Perth’s evolution into one of Australia’s most dynamic property markets. From colonial settlement to a modern capital with a skyline of commercial towers, vibrant suburbs, and record-setting sales, Perth’s real estate story is a direct outcome of that recognition nearly 170 years ago.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 47 seconds

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OPINION

Seasonal thinking won’t sell homes

Why client care outperforms the market cycles

Spring may feel like the industry’s busiest season, but relying on it is short-sighted. As Angela Avgerinos, Head of Network Performance at Laing+Simmons, points out, “it’s not the season that drives business, it’s how they make people feel.” Agents who measure success by seasonal spikes risk missing the bigger picture: sustainable growth comes from consistent connection, accountability, and trust-building that works 12 months of the year.

The limits of the seasonal mindset

“Customers don’t remember our pitch. They remember the way we made them feel walking through the door,” Angela says. The open homes, brochures, and emails fade, but the impression of whether an agent genuinely listened and understood stays. Agents who treat spring as a short-term sprint will fall behind those who commit to a year-round strategy of meaningful human interaction.

Turning momentum into strategy

“This is the time of year when agents need to be planning and forecasting connections and opportunities for next year, not just the upcoming season,” she warns. That means increasing prospecting targets now, auditing pipelines, and pre-scheduling CRM touchpoints through the Christmas period and into 2026. Agents who fail to plan risk losing market share once the spring rush subsides.

Beyond transactions

A spring snapshot is common, but a tailored local update, a quick note, or a small gesture signals value beyond the deal. Angela is blunt: “Summer incentive campaigns which engage your referral pipelines can capture those who may have hesitated to act.” Strategic loyalty-building isn’t about gifts; it’s about cementing relationships that generate repeat business and referrals long after the market slows.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday Justin Long explained why auctions remain the most transparent way to sell.

TOGETHER WITH DIRECT CONNECT AND SNUG

Automation meets utilities: a smarter leasing solution for agencies

Real estate agencies are being offered a new way to cut admin and lift revenue, with utility services provider Direct Connect teaming up with leasing automation platform Snug. The partnership comes with an incentive for new Direct Connect partners, who will be able to access reduced Snug subscription fees for 12 months.

The integrated system is designed to streamline leasing from applications to move-in, while also driving higher volumes of utility sales per property. According to Belinda Seers, Manager - Business Development at Direct Connect, agencies using the Snug integration are achieving stronger conversion rates due to automated referral flows.

”Agencies using Direct Connect’s automated Snug integration generate a significantly higher volume of utility sales per managed property, on average,” she says. “That's why, together with Snug we have delivered value through an offer for new customers to trial this combination for themselves.”

Read more about the partnership here.

NEVER LEAVING

Baby Boomers lock out buyers in ‘forever suburbs’

Australia's housing market features hundreds of suburbs where people simply refuse to leave. In top "forever suburbs" like Kirribilli in Sydney, homeowners are staying put for nearly 24 years on average, more than twice the typical 13-year ownership period. These tightly-held markets, all boasting median values over $1 million, have created locked communities where Baby Boomers who settled decades ago remain anchored by their lifestyle and emotional ties.

HOUSING SQUEEZE

Migration intake the ‘new normal’ as housing costs climb

Australia’s migration intake is running well above pre-pandemic levels, with new ABS data showing 110,062 people arrived in the March quarter of 2025; that’s about 1,223 a day. That’s double the pre-COVID decade average of 55,036 and accounted for 76 per cent of the nation’s population growth over the quarter. The Institute of Public Affairs’ Daniel Wild said the government has “completely failed” to bring migration back to earlier levels, warning the program is “making Australians poorer and housing unaffordable.”

US: BUYERS’ FAVOUR

Housing market shifts

The US housing market is showing signs of a power shift, with buyers gaining leverage for the first time in years. Homes are now sitting on the market for 60 days on average (up from 53), and sellers are cutting prices on about 20% of listings. While not yet a full buyer's market nationwide, cities like Miami, Austin, and Orlando now have over 6 months of housing supply, the traditional benchmark for a buyer's market after nearly a decade of seller dominance.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Timberlake's former penthouse for sale for $40M

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel's former Tribeca duplex has returned to the market with a staggering US$40M price tag, up from the US$29M they sold it for in 2021. The luxury residence spans 5,300 square feet with an additional 2,646-square-foot wraparound terrace and sits in a converted 19th-century bookbinding factory that has attracted numerous celebrity residents. The couple originally purchased the property for US$20.18M, enjoying a significant return on their investment after just four years.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White launches Auction Academy for women

The groundbreaking initiative aims to empower female professionals to enter the traditionally male-dominated auctioneering field, featuring inspiring presentations from industry veterans who shared their journeys. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Lose a listing, keep your dignity. That’s market value. 💸🤝

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Wishing you a productive day!

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