GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Christian Louboutin may want to keep Melides, Portugal, an untouched paradise, but real estate waits for no one - not even a red-soled icon. With luxury resorts, golf clubs, and A-listers like Harry and Meghan moving in, Melides is fast transforming into an international real estate hot spot.

Today’s read time: 3 minutes, 37 seconds.

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PLANNING AHEAD

2025's election year calendar: your guide to smart listing strategies

Timing is critical in real estate, especially with a 2025 calendar packed with disruptions like public holidays, a late Easter, and a federal election.

Procrastination could cost agents and vendors valuable opportunities. Instead, planning for early listings, such as taking advantage of the Boxing Day window, can give a significant edge.

Matt Lahood, CEO of The Agency, urges agents to act now by engaging vendors early, strategically navigating the busy calendar, and staying focused on essentials to make the most of the year.

Boxing Day: the overlooked opportunity

The post-Christmas period is a golden window for agents and vendors alike. "While your vendors' potential buyers are enjoying their leftover turkey, they're also scrolling through real estate listings," Matt explains. Holiday downtime often sparks lifestyle changes and property searches, making Boxing Day listings an opportunity to capture motivated buyers.

The February pitfall

Waiting until February to start vendor conversations can lead to costly delays. "If you wait until February to start conversations with vendors, then factor in preparation time, you're pushing listings into March," Matt cautions. With late Easter, Anzac Day, and the election creating additional obstacles, agents risk losing nearly half the year to interruptions.

Elections and market necessities

Despite common concerns about election years, Matt challenges agents to focus on market fundamentals. "Between now and the election, someone will need to sell, and someone will need to buy." He emphasises that proactive agents who align with these necessities will find opportunities even amid political distractions.

ICYMI yesterday, Mark McLeod discussed how to create (and maintain) momentum in real estate

SMART SNIPPETS

Investors flock back to commercial property
Australia's commercial property market is showing remarkable strength in 2024, with average sale prices jumping 7% to $3.9 million. The market is on track to exceed $1.4 billion in transactions, with fast food properties emerging as star performers, achieving impressive yields of 4.32%. Medical properties have also seen volumes nearly double, highlighting the growing investor confidence.

First home buyers explore new strategies amid saving challenges
First home buyers are adapting to rising living costs by exploring creative pathways to property ownership. While savings rates have dropped to $724 per month, down from $1,605 a year ago, Canstar Data Insights Director Sally Tindall said first home buyers are targeting smaller properties, looking further afield, or starting as investors. “If that ever-elusive first rung of the property ladder keeps slipping out of reach, it could be time to look for a different way up,” she said. With 10,000 first home buyers entering the market each month, determination and flexibility are proving key.

Spotlight on Built-to-Rent
The Property Council of Australia has criticised the Greens for blocking BTR legislation, warning it could threaten the delivery of tens of thousands of rental homes amid a national supply crisis. Meanwhile, Aqualand has lodged plans for North Sydney’s first BTR project, a 46-storey tower featuring 390 apartments and extensive amenities.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White Rural expands to Coolah
Hamish Firth teams up with agricultural manager Roger Wood to open his third regional office. More here.

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SOUND WAVES

Spring closes with auction frenzy

The Australian property market has closed out spring on a high note, with a surge in auction activity across the nation. Today’s curated listed reports on data from Ray White, Domain, and CoreLogic revealing promising outlook for the weeks ahead.

Dive straight into the listen below or the deeper dive here.

Read the article from Elite Agent here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Forget heart-shaped hand signals. Real estate agents know the ultimate gesture is an outstretched hand, perfectly positioned to accept a set of keys. Now that’s the kind of closing statement we love. ❤️🔑

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

Wishing you a productive day

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Giverny Pringle, Charmagne Arrubio and Samantha McLean. We aim to uplift the real estate industry by delivering forward-thinking, hype-free news and education that fosters knowledge and fuels ambition.

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