GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Ever met an agent who forges their own path, turning heads with their unique approach to the business? Maybe it’s the colleague who devises out-of-the-box strategies that somehow always work, or has a knack for making every client interaction unforgettable.

On Peculiar People Day, let’s celebrate those who take risks and challenge norms. Here’s to the real estate pros who keep us all on our toes and make this industry anything but ordinary.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 44 seconds.

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NEWS

Climate risks are re-defining real estate

Climate risks are reshaping the real estate industry, with US platforms like Zillow introducing climate risk scores to highlight hazards like floods and wildfires, while Australian research underscores the financial toll of natural disasters.

As extreme weather events grow more frequent, these tools and findings emphasise the need for agents, buyers, and policymakers to prioritise environmental risks in property decisions.

Zillow introduces climate risk scores

In the US, Zillow now offers climate risk scores on its listings, with homes are rated on a scale from 1 to 10 across five risk categories. “Climate risks influence where most prospective buyers shop for a home,” said Manny Garcia, Zillow’s senior population scientist, adding that younger buyers are increasingly prioritising safety from natural disasters. Despite concerns, high-risk properties like waterfront homes still attract demand due to their unique appeal.

Flood risks impact Australian property values

Locally, UTS research reveals that properties in flood-prone areas sell at discounts but come with steep insurance costs. For example, homes in high-risk zones like Richmond, NSW, sell at a 10.8% discount yet face annual premiums up to $4,606. “More than one in 10 Australian homes are in flood zones, and flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the country,” said Associate Professor Song Shi.

Know the risks

Domain’s Perils Report also sheds light on Australia’s growing vulnerabilities: nearly 5.6 million homes are at risk of bushfires (valued at $4.66 trillion), 953,000 face flood risks ($768.5 billion), and 160,000 coastal homes ($26.41 billion) are threatened by erosion.

ICYMI, yesterday we covered why 1% marginal gains matter

TOGETHER WITH AI POWERED AGENTS

Struggling to create content that grabs attention and keeps your audience engaged? You’re not alone. Consistent, compelling market updates can feel like a chore - but AI is here to help, making it faster and easier to produce quality content while keeping your personal touch intact.

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The AI Powered Agents FREE 5-day crash course will show you exactly how to use AI to create engaging, personalised content that sets you apart in your market. Learn how to balance efficiency with authenticity and build trust with your audience.

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SMART SNIPPETS

Signs of recovery in new home building market
Australia's new home building market is showing steady improvement, with detached house and multi-unit approvals rising in key states like Western Australia and Queensland. HIA’s Matt King emphasised the need for supportive government policies to sustain the recovery and address challenges such as labour shortages and high construction costs.

RBA faces pressure to ease rates amid modest CPI rise
With CPI up 2.2% annually to November 2024, calls for a February rate cut are growing louder. REIA President Leanne Pilkington highlights easing inflation and a slight drop in rent growth (6.6%) as signs borrowers may soon see relief.

AI's Age of Reason: transforming real estate strategy in 2025
The "Age of Reason" has taken on new meaning in 2025 as advancements in AI, including reasoning-based models like OpenAI’s o1 and China’s DeepSeek, promise to transform real estate workflows. These models excel at layered, logic-based tasks, enabling agents to tackle complex scenarios such as pricing strategies influenced by interest rate shifts or buyer preferences

CELEBRITY HOMES

Historic Belgravia mansion with aristocratic past sold for £38M

Once home to the Earls of Bessborough and billionaire financier Glenn Maud, this £38 million (AUD $72.6 million) Belgravia mansion marks London’s first super-prime sale of 2025.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Chris and Candice Hill have returned to Barry Plant, rejoining as directors of the Warragul-Drouin office. After stepping away to explore other opportunities, the pair were drawn back to the brand, with Chris applying his insights from his role as Franchise Development Manager at Head Office and Candice leveraging her success as a top-performing agent. 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.

SOUND WAVES

She-elites: wealthy women take the lead in luxury real estate

Wealthy women are making waves in the US luxury real estate market, earning the title “she-elites.” According to Wealth X, women with a net worth of US$5 million or more now hold 15.2% of high-end residential properties, showcasing their growing influence in the world of premium real estate.

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

Read the article from New York Post here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

When a seasoned agent reached out for help, she was met with a Gen Z agent who simply "hearted" her request. We see nothing wrong here …🤣❤️

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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