GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On Saturday, 23 October 1976, much of southern Australia stopped to look up … literally. A total solar eclipse swept across the country, plunging cities like Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne into eerie midday darkness. It’s rare for an eclipse to pass directly over a major city, but that year, Melbourne was right in the path of totality. Fast forward to today, and there’s another kind of “lightbulb moment” happening, this time in real estate. Agents are discovering the AI-First Advantage: how to use AI to write better copy, attract leads, and win listings without burning hours behind a keyboard.

Stop writing listing copy to sell houses and start writing to win listings. Our 6-week AI-First Agent Accelerator starts 28 October. Learn the 8-step AI-First Formula, streamline your marketing, and stand out in your market.

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Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 20 seconds

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LEADERSHIP

Real Estate’s next chapter will reward reinvention, not routine

The future belongs to the brave

The real estate industry is at a defining moment. As climate pressures intensify, technology accelerates and consumer expectations shift, the traditional playbook no longer cuts it. According to Harcourts Australia CEO Adrian Knowles, the next era will be led by those who are willing to reimagine, reinvent and take bold action; leaders who combine commercial acumen with creativity, empathy and courage to build a smarter, more resilient property sector.

Rethinking sustainability

The leaders who will stand out are those treating sustainability as strategy, not slogan. From climate-resilient developments to energy-efficient retrofits, these pioneers recognise that environmental responsibility and profitability are no longer opposites. They’re building for a future where resilience, not short-term gain, defines value.

Innovating through disruption

Adrian says the most exciting progress comes from people unafraid to question everything from transaction times to tenancy models. These innovators blend empathy with experimentation, using technology and new thinking to solve long-standing pain points. Real change, he argues, begins with those willing to challenge convention.

Leadership that lasts

For Adrian, the future of real estate leadership will belong to financial realists who can balance bold ideas with viable business models. He believes the industry’s reinvention depends on leaders who think beyond quarterly results, invest in community and sustainability, and prove that doing the right thing can also make sound commercial sense.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we reported on how the real estate industry can take collective action on homelessness.

TOGETHER WITH RAY WHITE

Ray White turns Sydney home sale into Hollywood blockbuster starring Richard Roxburgh

Ray White has taken property marketing to blockbuster heights with a short film starring Australian actor Richard Roxburgh (Rake, Van Helsing, Mission: Impossible 2), shot at 33 Shorebird Parade, Greenhills Beach. Directed by Nash Edgerton, the cinematic property video, No.33 The Movie, transforms a traditional home tour into an action-packed short featuring stunts, humour and Roxburgh diving into the backyard pool. Ray White Sutherland Shire agent Tiffany Perez co-stars in her acting debut, parachuting into the opening scene before showcasing the five-bedroom luxury home.

The property belongs to Glenn and Lorraine Jackson, who described seeing their home turned into a film set as “surreal.” The project was inspired by insights from Ray White’s NurtureCloud, which revealed that the most sought-after homes in 2025 are four to five-bedroom, two-bathroom family properties with gardens, air conditioning, workspace, and proximity to water. Mark McLeod, Ray White Group CEO – Strategy, said the home perfectly represents what Australian buyers are looking for right now.

Read more about Ray White’s No.33 movie here.

MILLIONAIRE HOMEOWNERS ALMOST THE NORM

The million-dollar property club is no longer exclusive

Australia's once-elite million-dollar property club has reached record membership, with one in three markets now commanding a median value of $1 million or more. Properties with seven-figure price tags now account for 30.8% of national sales, more than double the 15.2% from 2020. Brisbane led capital cities with the largest increase, adding 38 new million-dollar markets over the past year, while experts warn this trend is making homeownership increasingly unattainable for younger generations. Cotality Economist Kaytlin Ezzy said the million-dollar benchmark is losing relevance as membership in the seven-figure club reaches unprecedented levels.

LEGAL MATTERS

Offshore contractors and the Fair Work ruling: what every real estate agency needs to know

A recent Fair Work Commission decision has major implications for real estate agencies engaging offshore staff. In Joanna Pascua v Doessel Group Pty Ltd (2024–2025), a worker based in the Philippines was deemed an employee, not a contractor, despite having an independent contractor agreement. The Commission found her fixed hours, supervision, company email, and integration into the team reflected employment, not self-employment.

This means that offshore staff working for Australian businesses may still be covered by the Fair Work Act if their work benefits the company. For agencies, the case highlights the need to carefully structure offshore arrangements, ensuring contractors have genuine independence, set their own hours, and use their own systems. Simply labelling someone a “contractor” or paying through a separate entity won’t guarantee compliance.

DUBAI’S BILLION-DOLLAR BOOM

Property market hits record heights

Dubai’s property scene is having a moment, smashing records with AED 170.7 billion (AUD $72.6 billion) worth of real estate sold in the third quarter of 2025 alone. That’s more than 59,000 properties changing hands as investors from around the world continue to pour into the city’s glittering skyline. Apartments led the charge, while commercial and land sales also saw double-digit growth.

Even September refused to slow down, closing with AED 54.3 billion (AUD $23.1 billion) in deals. Off-plan developments remain the star attraction, accounting for nearly three-quarters of transactions. Analysts say this isn’t a bubble, but a sign of genuine, long-term confidence fuelled by visa reforms, mega-projects and a maturing, data-driven market.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Mark Wahlberg drops US$37M on 'Billionaires Row' mansion

Mark Wahlberg has secured a lavish Italian-style estate in Florida's exclusive "Billionaires Row” for US$37M, just months after selling his Beverly Hills home to Paris Hilton. The fully furnished 18,206-square-foot sanctuary features seven bedrooms, a home theatre, cigar lounge, wine cellar, and a resort-style pool holding 170,000 gallons of water. The fitness-focused actor likely appreciated the property's fully equipped gym, sauna, and massage room.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

McGrath West Group expands to Epping and Beecroft.

Leading agents Betty Ockerlander, Teena Vaughan, Nick Bedford and Belinda Hill join as partners, bringing the group to seven offices across Sydney's north-west region. More here.

Ray White Eastern Beaches opens Bondi Junction office.

James Hayashi, Angus Gorrie and Nader Hotait have expanded their footprint after taking over a local rent roll to service the parkside suburbs of Sydney's East. 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

Agents are so busy they should lobby for an extra day of the week, perhaps somewhere between Sunday night and Monday morning, just to catch up on sleep and missed lunches. 💼😴

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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