GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On August 26, 1768, Captain James Cook set sail from Plymouth on the HMS Endeavour, unknowingly charting the course for what would become modern Australia. For real estate agents, it’s a cheeky reminder that every great journey starts with a bold departure (and maybe a few uncharted waters).

Whether you're launching a new listing, pivoting your strategy, or sailing into a new market, just remember: you don’t have to discover a continent to make history … sometimes, changing a client’s life is just as epic.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 43 seconds

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RELATIONSHIPS

Why charity matters

How Monika Tu is changing perceptions and elevating purpose

Monika Tu didn’t just set out to sell luxury homes, she set out to transform how people see real estate agents. “The day I chose to become a real estate agent, I wanted to change the perception of people thinking about us as second-hand car salespeople,” she says.

Today, as the founder of Black Diamondz Property Concierge and a standout on Luxe Listings Sydney, Monika is living proof that you can lead with purpose, earn trust, and build a brand that’s both high-profile and deeply human. Her mission? To show that real estate can be a platform for good.

Philanthropy as a team sport

Whether it’s taking on dares, hosting auctions, or chairing million-dollar galas, Monika’s commitment to giving back is as serious as any property deal. This year, she’s once again participating in the Children’s Cancer Institute’s CEO Dare to Cure campaign, trading high heels for heat as she prepares to eat some of the world’s spiciest chillies.

“I love chilli,” she says, “but hopefully it’s not too spicy.” And she’s not doing it alone: Monika has rallied her entire team to join the effort, turning philanthropy into a bonding exercise that brings in funds from vendors, buyers, and the broader community.

Building trust

While Monika’s name is synonymous with prestige property, like the $23 million Cremorne estate of Lisa Wilkinson and Peter FitzSimons, but she insists that real success lies in authenticity. “We cannot guarantee the price, but we can guarantee the trust,” she says.

Community is the brand

Monika’s philanthropic resume is as expansive as her property portfolio. From raising $2.15 million at Sydney’s Lunar New Year Charity Ball to helping the Gold Dinner committee break global fundraising records, she’s brought the same drive to giving as she does to selling. “It’s overwhelming sometimes,” she admits, “but when you see the results, it’s worth it.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we shared highlights from Ready25.

HOUSING COSTS

The gap between buying and building narrows

Australia’s housing market is seeing a shift as the once-wide gap between house prices and construction costs continues to close in 2025. Nationally, construction costs have risen 35 per cent since 2021, while house prices are up 32 per cent - dramatically narrowing the divide from late 2023.

Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane have now tipped the scales, with house price growth outpacing construction costs, making new builds more viable and signalling fresh supply. In contrast, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra remain behind, with house prices lagging well below construction cost growth, keeping new housing starts less attractive.

ECONOMIC ROUNDTABLE RESPONSE

Government pauses building code to boost housing supply

The Albanese Government will pause changes to the National Construction Code until 2029 and fast-track approvals for more than 26,000 homes to boost supply. Housing Minister Clare O’Neil said the reforms would get “builders on site, not filling in forms,” while Environment Minister Murray Watt stressed environmental protections would remain in place.

Master Builders welcomed the move as a “big win” but warned delivery was the real test. Oliver Hume backed the reforms but said “the housing crisis is a supply crisis” that needs faster planning and land release to ease pressure.

BATTLE OF ITALY’S BEST

Puglia challenges Tuscany as Italy's luxury property hotspot

Italy's heel is stepping into the spotlight with international property buyers, with inquiries in Puglia surging 62% last year compared to just 1.2% in Tuscany. Property prices have jumped 20% since 2021, though they remain more affordable than Tuscany's Chianti region. The area's distinctive trulli houses, dramatic coastlines, and favourable tax regimes are drawing Americans, French, and Germans to the €1million-plus market, while a new direct flight from New York to Bari is making access easier.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Fashion designer lists stunning $18M home

Australian fashion mogul Bridget Yorston, co-founder of Bec + Bridge, has put her Mosman property on the market with an $18 million price guide. The Queen Anne Federation house, built around 1910, features heated limestone flooring, a 13-metre heated swimming pool, and a 500-bottle wine cellar. Bridget purchased the home in 2022 for $14.05 million, potentially netting a tidy profit on the sale.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Adrian Wood returns to The Agency in dual role

He'll serve as both Property Partner and Head of Recruitment while continuing as a selling agent in Melbourne's Port Philip market. More here.

Ray White unites five offices in Shoalhaven

The new Shoalhaven Central Group brings together 30 professionals under partners Craig Hadfield and Julie Gauci, covering the entire region from Bomaderry to Sussex Inlet. 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

Everyone’s always asking, “How’s the real estate market?” but never, “How’s the real estate agent?” We’re out here surviving interest rates, juggling open homes, and pretending we enjoy small talk at auctions. Send snacks. Or referrals. Preferably both. 😎📞

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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