GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

On this day, March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry stood before the Virginia Convention and declared, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” It was a defining moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution, a fiery stand for freedom, independence… and, in a sense, the right to defend your land.

In real estate, that sentiment still holds power. Land has always represented more than just property, it’s security, opportunity, legacy. Whether you're helping clients secure their first home or negotiating a major development, the ultimate move in real estate is not giving up ground.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 55 seconds

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COMMITMENT

“It isn’t for the faint-hearted”: What it really takes to build a career in real estate

Building long term success

A career in real estate “isn’t for the faint-hearted”; it’s a profession that tests resilience, discipline, and long-term commitment. Business owner and sales associate at REMAX Advantage in Wynnum, Queensland, Travis Gill, shares what it really takes to build a sustainable career in property.

From protecting your reputation to thinking five years ahead, this is an unfiltered look at why true success in real estate comes from playing the long game, not chasing short-term wins.

Your name Is your brand and it’s built over years, not deals

“In property, your name is your brand.” This isn’t just a line; it’s the cornerstone of long-term success. Every action, every conversation, and every listing contributes to the professional identity you’re building.

“Trust and positive word-of-mouth business can take years to build but can also be lost in seconds.” Travis says agents who are in it for the long haul focus on doing the right thing by their clients, not just chasing the next sale: “Know that in real estate, reputation is everything. A solid reputation brings referrals, repeat business, and long-term stability.”

Serve before you sell … and think in decades, not weeks

While short-term wins feel good, the most successful agents are thinking five, even ten years ahead. “Celebrating the short-term wins is tempting but agents are better placed strategically thinking about where their business, their clients, and their market will be in five years, in ten years…”

The mindset shift from job to business is critical: “With an intention to be a career agent, your focus is on your ‘business’ not your ‘job’.” Travis explains that this means investing in your marketing, branding, systems, and relationships. “Your goal is lifelong clients through the relationships you nurture.”

It’s a brutal game, but the right support changes everything

“Why do I say that real estate is not for the faint-hearted? It’s because, while I love it, I recognise that it can be a brutal game – unpredictable, stressful in negotiations, ruthless in competition, unrealistic in expectations, with pressures, rejections and emotional highs and lows.” Survival isn’t just about stamina, says Travis, it’s about structure.

“My advice to newcomers is to align themselves with a recognised and respected company that will take them from A to Z through the entire business of real estate rather than throwing them out into the market to sell.

“Find a strong partner in a real estate business that is genuine in its offer of mentorship, training, and a good support system and has high performers in its ranks. Working with high achieving agents in team environments elevates newcomers faster.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we profiled a boutique real estate business that hit $1B in sales in just five years.

TOGETHER WITH REALESTATE.COM.AU

When you need extraordinary results, go Luxe.

Presenting you as a leading agent, Luxe gives your Premiere+ listing and brand maximum exposure across realestate.com.au.

Better results are a big deal

Unlocking all the features and value of Premiere+ and so much more, Luxe drives 2x more property page views and 71% more high value actions to help you command the attention of the market¹.

With bigger exposure, greater cut-through, more clicks and better insights, stand out in competitive markets with Luxe today.

Go Luxe today.

¹ REA internal data, July – Dec 2024. Comparing the first 7 days of Luxe and similar Premiere+ listings. Excludes listings when Listing Bump has been applied in the comparison period.

DEPT OF AIRBNB LISTINGS

Airbnb forced to dump 65,000 illegal listings

Spain is cracking down on short-term rentals with a landmark court ruling forcing Airbnb to remove more than 65,000 illegal tourist accommodation listings. The Madrid High Court decision comes amid growing anti-tourism protests across the country, where locals are frustrated with tourists occupying potential residential housing. Australian Airbnb hosts, who manage an estimated 300,000 properties nationwide, are watching nervously as similar housing pressures mount locally.

DEPT OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

The costly mistake of DIY commercial property management

Many commercial property investors are risking significant financial losses by underestimating the complexities of managing their assets. According to Burgess Rawson's Wendy Thomson, overlooked lease details like missed rent reviews and unenforced tenant obligations can quickly escalate into serious liabilities.

DEPT OF AI

Quote me on that! Why real estate agents are loving AI for social media

Real estate agents love a good quote, but just reposting a famous line won’t cut it. In this quick read, Samantha McLean reminds us that a strong social strategy should offer real value and personality, not just borrowed inspiration. She shares a clever ChatGPT prompt to generate real estate quotes with post ideas, so agents can go beyond clichés and craft tailored, on-brand content for Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and more. Bonus: there’s a Canva hack if you want to scale visuals fast.

CELEBRITY HOMES

All aboard the celebrity property line: David Duchovny lists Malibu estate with train caboose for $12.5M

David Duchovny is saying goodbye to his Malibu hideaway - and it comes with one seriously unique extra: a vintage train caboose turned guest house. Listed for USD $12.5 million (AUD $18.9 million), the Point Dume property blends luxury with a splash of Hollywood eccentricity.

Think polished concrete floors, a lap pool, outdoor kitchen, and a rooftop deck on the caboose. Duchovny used it to write his novel and record a podcast, so yes, it’s creatively charged.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Leadership shuffle at REIV as CEO departs

Kelly Ryan steps down to pursue personal business interests while President Jacob Caine takes over as Interim CEO and Sam Hatzistamatis moves into the President role. More here.

Australian agents shine in global REMAX rankings

Kylee Harnisch from Morningside made the top 100 worldwide, while 25 Australian teams placed in various global top 50 categories. More here.

Robyn Agius establishes a strong Pioneer Valley presence

The Area Specialist agent opened the only real estate shopfront in the region while donating $1,000 from each sale to local schools and charities. 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

Nothing humbles you faster as a real estate agent than enthusiastically greeting your buyers… then spending a full minute wrestling with a lock like it’s Fort Knox. 'Just bear with me … this is part of the security features.’🔒 🔑

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

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. 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, 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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