GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Before Teslas and turbochargers, there was Henry Ford. Born on 30 July 1863, he didn’t just build cars, he built a system. His moving assembly line changed the game by slashing costs, speeding up production, and setting a new standard for consistency.

Real estate might not have factory floors, but the lesson still stands. Smart systems, from lead pipelines to follow-up workflows, are what turn chaos into momentum and good service into great results.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 47 seconds

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PROFILE

Resilient return

How Grant Turner turned a life-changing diagnosis into a thriving career

In 2019, Grant Turner was preparing for his first Hands Across the Water charity bike ride when everything changed. He had his first epileptic seizure. The episode didn’t just stop him from taking on the ride, it forced him out of sales altogether and upended life for his young family.

What followed was years of uncertainty, as repeated seizures meant Grant couldn’t drive for long stretches, putting immense pressure on his career and home life.

Yet today, he stands as a successful commercial property specialist, working with some of Australia’s biggest retail brands, and he credits adversity for reshaping his priorities and strengths.

From Prestige Homes to REA

Grant’s real estate career began nearly two decades ago, selling prestige homes with one of Ray White’s top agents. After eight years in residential sales, curiosity about the digital evolution of real estate led him to join realestate.com.au, where he gained deep insights into PropTech.

While he thrived in corporate roles, sales kept calling. When it came time to return, a suggestion to try commercial real estate gave Grant the best of both worlds. A thriving career and more time with his young family.

A new outlook

Grant’s epilepsy diagnosis was a turning point. After years of trial and error, he finally found a world-class neurologist who helped stabilise his condition. Managing triggers like lack of sleep, alcohol and stress became essential, and his outlook shifted.

“I’m a really big believer that adversity doesn’t discriminate,” he says. “But there’s never been a better time in history to deal with epilepsy, whether it’s medication, specialists, or the support systems we have today.”

Six years after that first seizure, Grant returned to Thailand to finish the charity ride he’d once been forced to abandon. At the finish line, he took off his medical bracelet and threw it into the ocean.

For him, he had come full circle, and he was now able to put that chapter of his life behind him.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed why the Spring market hustle starts now.

TOGETHER WITH TAPI

Property maintenance costs revealed in new index

Property managers across Australia now have access to comprehensive maintenance data through Tapi's Property Maintenance Index. The report reveals tap repairs average $181-$350 nationwide, while dishwashers top the appliance repair list with costs ranging from $171 to $828. Structural jobs like ceiling repairs saw the largest cost increases this quarter, giving property managers and agencies valuable benchmarks to share with owners.

Get more information on Tapi's Property Management Index here.

TAX BURDEN

Housing taxes rival cigarettes and alcohol

Australia's housing crisis is prompting urgent calls for tax reform, with the Housing Industry Association revealing taxes on a typical Sydney house and land package can exceed $500,000. According to the HIA, apart from cigarettes and alcohol, no other sector faces heavier taxation than housing. Economists also warn the current tax system needs to be overhauled to stop rewarding people for simply holding assets.

BOOM TIMES

Western Australia's economic dominance continues

Western Australia has maintained its position as Australia's top-performing economy for the fourth consecutive quarter. According to the latest CommSec State of the States report, WA leads on retail trade, housing finance, and business investment metrics compared to decade averages. South Australia made a significant jump from fourth to second place, while Queensland maintained third position despite weather disruptions. Economic performance across Australia is being supported by slowing inflation, falling interest rates, and rising real wages.

MIXED MESSAGES

Record-high prices in the US amid slumping sales

The US housing market is experiencing mixed signals. Existing home sales have fallen to their lowest levels since September 2022, while median prices hit an all-time high of US$435,300. High mortgage rates hovering around 7% have significantly dampened buyer enthusiasm, with first-time homebuyers accounting for just 30% of purchases, well below the historical norm of 40%. NAR's chief economist estimates that a 1% drop in mortgage rates could add half a million more homes sold.

CELEBRITY HOMES

NFL star lists custom Charlotte mansion

Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson has put his custom-built Charlotte home on the market for US$10.7M as he relocates to Buffalo. The nearly 11,000-square-foot residence, built in 2020 on 1.6 acres, features six bedrooms, a dedicated theatre, and a separate wellness building with a full gym and sauna. After spending 10 seasons with the Panthers, the 31-year-old signed with the Buffalo Bills, prompting the family's move.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Hugh Francis joins Jellis Craig Whitehorse

The experienced Director & Auctioneer brings his team to expand the agency's footprint across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. More here.

Belle Property opens new Wagga Wagga office

Holly Newbigging and Harry Mangelsdorf will lead the team with over 80 years of combined real estate experience in the region. 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

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Wishing you a productive day!

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