GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

TRUE OR FALSE?

New York City has “ghost streets” that appear on official maps but don’t exist in real life.
(Scroll to the bottom for the answer!)

In today’s edition of The Brief

• Why real estate agents need to get behind the AI architectural revolution

• Privacy ruling highlights mounting compliance risk for property managers

• Brisbane emerges as global luxury hotspot

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 50 seconds

New to The Brief? Join us for free 🤝

AI: CITIES OF THE FUTURE

Your future listing may be designed by AI

According to one New York architect, AI is already shaping which projects get approved, what they look like, and where they get built. The shift happening before the first brick is laid.

Matthias Hollwich, founder of HWKN Architecture, says AI isn't just changing how architects draw – it's changing what developers choose to build and where. Site selection, market positioning, and project feasibility are now being run through AI tools that process far more data, far faster, than any human team.

From gut-feel to algorithm

The intuition-based decisions that used to define development are being replaced by data. Matthias says this is already changing how architects and developers operate – and the properties coming to market over the next few years will reflect AI-driven design choices.

The question is worth asking…

If AI can generate designs and crunch development data, who decides whether the outcome is actually good for the people who'll live there? Matthias has a pointed answer – and it's directly relevant to how agents position future stock.

What you'll learn in the full article:

• The pre-design revolution: How AI is reshaping site selection and project feasibility before architects even start drawing

• The data-driven supply chain: Why layouts and locations are increasingly chosen by algorithm, not intuition

• The values question: Who decides if AI-driven outcomes serve the people who'll live and work there

• The agent's edge: How understanding this shift puts you ahead of conversations with developers and buyers

Read the full article

ICYMI, last week: Lessons from our ANZAC heroes.

TOGETHER WITH KOLMEO

Property managers asked to shape industry’s future in national survey

Kolmeo has launched the State of Property Management Survey, a national initiative designed to capture the real experiences of property managers across workload, pay, compliance pressure, wellbeing and career progression.

Backed by Kantar for independent analysis, the survey aims to turn industry insights into credible, data-driven benchmarks for agencies, policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Participants will receive access to the final report and go into the draw to win one of 10 places in the PM Academy, valued at approximately $3,588. The confidential survey takes 10–15 minutes to complete and closes on May 8. Take the survey here.

LAW: PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Privacy ruling exposes agencies' rental data risk

The Privacy Commissioner has ruled that rental platform 2Apply engaged in "unlawful" and "excessive" data collection - including bankruptcy status, dependants' names, and Medicare card colour. Luke Shumack, Partner O*NO Legal, warns agencies can't hide behind "we use a third party" - if you direct applicants to a platform and store the data, you're still exposed.

GLOBAL WEALTH TRENDS

Brisbane leads global luxury property shift

Brisbane is emerging as one of the standout luxury property markets globally, underpinned by rising wealth, tight prestige supply and major infrastructure investment linked to the 2032 Olympics. Knight Frank and Ray White data point to strong demand, limited stock and a clear shift toward high-end buying across the city.

HOW IT SOLD

VIP launch drives $2.675m pre-auction result

A Bondi Junction apartment sold for $2.675 million prior to auction after a 27-day campaign, with early momentum created through a targeted VIP launch – securing a price above the suburb’s $2.415m median. Nicholas Armstrong-Smith of Century 21 Armstrong-Smith leveraged building-based buyer networks and existing relationships to generate competition and bring forward the sale.

Agents across Australia and New Zealand are turning sales into stories getailsa.com

CELEBRITY HOMES

Justin Hemmes drops another $18M on a “beach shack”

That four-bedroom "beach shack" just cost $18 million – up from $875,000 when it last sold in 1998. Merivale boss Justin Hemmes has now accumulated four Belongil Beach properties totalling nearly $60 million in just over two years. Yes, there are private steps down to the sand.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Highland opens creative headquarters in Taren Point

The Sydney group has launched a purpose-built studio housing Glow Media to provide in-house marketing services across its seven offices. More here.

Christie Nelson builds thriving Gippsland agency

After returning to real estate three years ago, she's grown Christie Nelson Real Estate from a solo operation to a team and earned All Star status with @realty. 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

You could kidnap a real estate agent with three words: “I’ve got leads.” 🚐🚨

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

TRUE OR FALSE:

New York City has “ghost streets” that appear on official maps but don’t exist in real life.

And the answer is …

True. Across New York City, there are streets that were mapped out in early planning stages but never actually built. Some were abandoned due to changing development priorities, while others were absorbed into parks or larger projects over time. These “ghost streets” still show up on official records, a reminder that not every plan makes it from paper to pavement.

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players.
AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Iris Rebello 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.

Content in the ‘Together With’ section is sponsored. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at advertise.eliteagent.com.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.