GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

While Americans mark their Independence Day today with fireworks and flag-waving, Aussie agents are marking another Friday, juggling campaigns, vendor calls, and the age-old freedom fantasy: an inbox with zero unread messages. But the theme of independence isn’t lost here. In fact, more agents are chasing it, building personal brands, tightening referral networks, and aiming for businesses that don’t rely on cold calls or letterbox drops.

So, whether you're fine-tuning a prestige listing or plotting some quiet time between weekend opens, take this as your reminder: freedom in real estate isn’t a day off, it’s building a reputation so strong that the right clients come to you.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 36 seconds

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PRESTIGE PROPERTY

Reputation, relationships and results

From cold calls to $55 million listings

At 28, Adam Reichman has established himself as a capable and trusted operator in Sydney’s prestige property market. Now an Associate Director at Ray White Double Bay, he has been involved in more than $800 million worth of residential property sales over his career to date. In 2024, he led the sale of 69 Wolseley Road, Point Piper, which transacted for $55 million, one of the highest-value residential sales in Australia that year. In his line of work, reputation and referrals are paramount.

Reputation is your greatest asset

In prestige real estate, your name carries more weight than your pitch deck. For Adam, reputation isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of his career.

“Particularly in the luxury market, people are going to choose you based on what you’ve done, who you’ve worked with, and how you’re spoken about,” he says. “They’re not googling agents - they’re asking people they trust.”

This focus on reputation was instilled in Adam by his late father, who reminded him that it takes years to build trust and just one misstep to lose it. His advice to agents? “Never compromise your ethics. No deal is worth damaging your name.” In a market where deals can stretch into tens of millions, integrity becomes more than a principle, it’s a business strategy.

Play the long game

Adam’s path to leading one of Sydney’s biggest sales didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it started with a cold call in 2019 to the owners of 69 Wolseley Road, who at the time wanted nothing to do with an agent. But over years of consistent, thoughtful communication, he built trust. “When the time came, they called me,” he says. The lesson? Prestige real estate is rarely transactional. It’s relational.

“You’ve got to show up for people before there’s even a listing on the table.”

Get a mentor and master the basics

Adam’s early years were spent absorbing everything he could under the guidance of top agents like Warren Ginsberg and Elliott Placks. “Elliott taught me that real estate is about being useful. Give people great information, solve problems, and don’t chase the result - focus on the process,” he says. That mindset proved invaluable when leading high-stakes campaigns like Wolseley Road, which involved 45 private inspections, 100 virtual viewings, and over 220 days on market.

“You learn quickly that prestige property deals can be complex and emotionally charged. Having someone in your corner who’s seen it all is critical.”

Adam’s advice is clear: “Find someone great and learn everything. That’s the fast track. I wouldn’t be here without it.”

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday, auctioneer/author Andy Reid reminded agents why they need to “prioritise credibility over likeability.”

TOGETHER WITH REALESTATE.COM.AU

The Presets set to headline Ready25 After Party

Get ready to trade keynote notes for killer beats as ARIA-winning duo The Presets bring their high-energy set to the Ready25 After Party. Known for hits like My People and This Boy’s in Love, the duo has lit up stages from Coachella to Glastonbury, and now they’ll help close out Ready25 with a performance to remember.

The August 21 event features notable headline speakers including gymnastics legend Simone Biles, Olympian Cathy Freeman and best-selling author Johann Hari. The After Party is exclusive to Conference and VIP Luxe ticket holders and promises to end the day on a high note.

Read more about Ready25 here.

NEW BUILDS

Rate cuts spark uptick in building approvals

Building approvals rose 3.2% in May 2025, according to new ABS data, signalling growing optimism in Australia’s housing market ahead of the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate decision. Approvals for private sector houses and multi-unit dwellings both increased, reversing recent declines. The rise follows two interest rate cuts this year, which economists say have improved buyer confidence and affordability.

QLD ECONOMY

Property owners funding the government

Queensland homeowners are now the state's biggest revenue source, outpacing even mining royalties. Property taxes will contribute a staggering $45.2 billion to the state budget over the next four years, with revenue growing 35.2% compared to overall revenue growth of just 14.5%. By 2025-26, property owners will effectively be paying for the equivalent of 30,311 full-time public servants, including healthcare workers, teachers, and police officers.

NORTH AMERICA MARKET TRENDS

Housing market shows first signs of recovery

Canada's housing market is finally showing signs of life, with May 2025 marking the first increase in home sales in six months. Sales climbed 3.6% nationwide, led by activity in Toronto, Calgary, and Ottawa, while prices stabilised after three consecutive monthly declines. CREA Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart suggests the anticipated market turnaround may have simply been delayed by "initial tariff chaos and uncertainty."

CELEBRITY HOMES

Grammy-winning producer's musical mansion

Grammy Award-winning producer Theron "Neff-U" Feemster has listed his Tarzana home for US$4.395M after purchasing it for just $1.58M in 2019. The 5,000-square-foot residence features six bedrooms, a pool with hot tub, and a full-size tennis/basketball court. A flexible space perfect for a music studio makes sense for Feemster, who has collaborated with Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, and Justin Bieber throughout his impressive career.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Xavier Stevens finds success with Area Specialist

The Shepparton agent is on track for 70 sales in his first year after joining the brand in September 2023, a remarkable turnaround for someone once fired just months into his career. More here.

Harcourts expands with two new Queensland offices. 

Clancy Adams leads the Harcourts One Group locations in Gympie and Pomona Hinterland, bringing his team of nearly 30 staff and 400 rental properties to the brand. More here.

Tegan Zernike joins REMAX Bayside-Results.

The successful agent with a "real estate bloodline" becomes the latest addition to Hayley Van de Ven's Limitless Group in Brisbane's eastern suburbs. 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

Staying polite with a difficult vendor feels like diffusing a bomb... with a thank-you smile and a clipboard. 💣🙂

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Wishing you a productive day!

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