GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Time’s almost up to get your story in for National Property Managers’ Day, and Scoop, our AI journalist, is standing by for one last round of entries. If you know a standout PM who deserves the spotlight, now’s the time to speak up.

Call 0483 935 833 and tell Scoop what makes them exceptional, funny, heartfelt, or just downright impressive. It takes less than three minutes, and you’ll BOTH go in the draw for PM One Conference tickets worth $795 each. Entries close soon and Scoop’s ready 24/7 to take your call.

Don’t wait! Help us celebrate the unsung heroes of property management before the clock runs out.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 32 seconds

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INSIGHT

“You can’t fake life experience. People want to deal with someone who knows what’s at stake.”

At 70, Judi O’Dea proves real estate isn’t just a young person’s game

“You’ve got two ears and one mouth - use them in that ratio.” It’s a guiding principle that’s served Judi O’Dea well over the years, and one she still swears by. At 70, she’s selling around 70 homes a year in Brisbane’s inner west, not by being the loudest in the room, but by being the one who listens best.

As a Ray White Chairman’s Elite Performer, Judi also proves that success isn’t about chasing every hot new trend, but knowing what to adopt and what to hold firm on.

Real estate as a second act

Judi didn’t start in real estate until 48, after a creative but financially shaky career in fashion and retail. With no database and no training, she launched into the industry on guts, instinct, and sheer will. What she quickly learned? Real estate is “a whole new language”, part legal, part emotional, all personal.

Over the years, she's navigated divorces, deaths, and downsizing dramas - not by trying to be everyone’s friend, but by understanding their situation deeply enough to offer real advice. “I’m giving away my secrets here,” she says, “but you just have to have empathy. They’ll tell you everything if you listen.”

Trust isn’t built via SMS

While younger agents embrace digital-first communication, Judi still prefers the phone. “Tone tells you things text never will,” she says. Hesitation, urgency, uncertainty; those nuances are missed in a message. Her approach takes more time, but it builds the kind of trust that keeps clients coming back.

She’s also built trust within her team by learning to let go. After early micromanagement missteps, she’s embraced mentoring, autonomy, and shared responsibility- lessons learned in part from her daughter, now a key member of her team.

Classic wisdom, modern edge

Judi still scripts her own property videos and insists on premium styling and marketing. She also knows how to reframe buyer hesitation, dropping lines like: “You never pay too much-you just pay too soon.” It’s advice her clients often quote back to her years later, once they see the value of the homes they almost passed up.

There’s also no sign of slowing down. “Work is my happy place,” she says. “Every house is different. Every situation is different.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, we discussed how the role of property manager is changing fast.

TOGETHER WITH READY25

Dom Price returns to Ready25

Dom Price isn’t your average futurist, he’s Atlassian’s resident “team doctor,” known for designing smart, flexible ways for people to work better together. With a career that spans tech, finance, gaming, and having travelled through 50 countries, he brings a global perspective shaped by real-world experience, not just theory.

Dom has a knack for making complex ideas about work, teams, and tech feel refreshingly human. He doesn’t just predict the future of work; he helps people shape it, and his person-first approach has made him a sought-after speaker, cutting through the noise with practical insight and infectious energy. Back by popular demand, Dom’s bringing an all-new session to Ready25, tailored specifically to the property industry.

Register for Ready 25 while tickets are still available.

SELLING OUT

Perth is the fastest-selling property market

Australian homes now sell in about a month nationwide, but Perth has emerged as the country's red-hot market leader with properties changing hands in just 13 days. 97% of Perth homes sell within a month, with the city claiming eight of Australia's top ten fastest-selling suburbs. Meanwhile, Canberra and Darwin remain the slowest markets at 47 and 54 days respectively, highlighting some big differences across the country.

QLD LAW

Property sellers face new disclosure rules

Queensland is rolling out its biggest property law overhaul in decades, with mandatory seller disclosure requirements taking effect August 1. The new regime requires sellers to complete detailed Form 2 statements revealing key property information before contracts are signed. While aimed at creating transparency and helping buyers make informed decisions, the Real Estate Institute of Queensland warns the "buyer beware" principle still applies and has expressed concerns about inadequate government infrastructure to support the new requirements.

UAE NEWS

Dubai dominates rental market

Dubai continues to dominate the UAE’s rental landscape, with Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) currently the most in-demand area, racking up more than 214,000 views on apartment listings. Rents across the country have jumped 23.6% year-on-year, pushing the average annual lease to AED 86,222 (roughly AUD $35,000). While the market remains hot, industry analysts are forecasting a potential correction of 10–20% in 2025, as new supply comes online.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Liam Neeson's Manhattan mansion finds a buyer

The "Taken" star has finally found someone to take his sprawling Upper West Side apartment after dropping the price to US$10.75M. Neeson created the 4,524-square-foot residence by combining three units about 25 years ago, where he and his late wife Natasha Richardson raised their two sons. The five-bedroom home features panoramic Central Park views and sits in a luxury building that previously housed celebrities like Howard Stern and Jon Bon Jovi.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Rahul Grover takes the helm at iD4me

Rahul Grover has been appointed CEO of iD4me as the Proptech platform enters a new phase of growth. As employee number one, Rahul helped shape the business from the ground up, leading sales, marketing, partnerships, and operations. More here.

Jellis Craig unveils sleek new brand identity

The agency's rebrand positions them to expand market share while maintaining quality and integrity with a modernised design that's "evolution, not revolution." 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

If real estate ever stops working out for him, there’s always kickboxing. He’s already got the footwork and negotiation jabs down.🥊📞

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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