GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

One agent that Sam worked 1:1 with this year was facing an impossible listing situation: 40 apartments, concrete cancer, multi-year remediation, and six years of flat prices. Every buyer walked away.

She used the AI strategies from this program to rewrite her approach – and within a week, had two unconditional sales. Then three more appraisals from the same building. Then an off-market sale at a complex record.

That's not luck. That's what happens when you have AI as your co-pilot to help you navigate the simple and complex situations. The message… stop waiting and start implementing.

The AI-First Agent Accelerator doors close at 12pm Sydney time today when the course gets underway. Next public course: At least March 2026. Get a 5-month jump on your competition and continue to hone your skills over Christmas with the replays.

Final call – secure your spot now.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 52 seconds

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MENTORING

Forget the pep talks

This is what real mentoring looks like

Mentoring, in the Ray White Rockingham Baldivis office, is a system, not a slogan. Director Elsie Corby runs it with clear targets, daily accountability, and an expectation that people follow through. “They’ve got to have measurable goals, and they have to be held accountable,” she says.

“That’s how they learn what success really looks like.” From walking the streets for eight hours a day door-knocking early in her career to leading a multi-generational team, she built her leadership style on consistency and example rather than pep talks.

Mentoring through accountability

Elsie’s mentoring style leaves little room for excuses, and she believes the key to developing great agents lies in clarity and follow-through. “ Goals have to be measurable. And customer service has to be second to none,” she says.

“When they see that I’ve set clear goals and followed through, it shows them what’s possible. It’s not about telling them what to do, it’s about showing them that you can actually achieve the things you write down and stay on track.”

The fundamentals never change

As aforementioned, Elsie’s own start in real estate was shaped by persistence, doing letterbox drops for most of the day.

“People would see me up and down their neighbourhoods, and over time, they began to know me.”

Those early lessons form the backbone of how she now trains new agents.

“Door knocking is still very important. People need to see your face again and again. Don’t just do a street once and move on, go back every few months. Eventually, they’ll invite you in because they recognise you.”

And, while she embraces digital tools, she insists real relationships still drive results.

“We’ve got all these digital systems now, but I always say: the more belly-to-belly, face-to-face time you have with people, the faster you’ll grow. It’s about trust.”

Leading by example across generations

Running a family business that spans three generations, Elsie treats leadership as a daily practice of consistency and respect.

“Everyone in the business, family or not, watches how you behave. You have to have high standards and treat everyone with respect.”

She also uses her own achievements to inspire her team, and she encourages all those in her office to follow suit.

“I’ve got a vision board in my office. On it are all the things I want to achieve - personal, spiritual, and financial. And over time, I’ve ticked most of them off.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, best-selling author Paul McGee told us why the future belongs to the “adaptable”.

TOGETHER WITH PHILLIS REAL ESTATE

This Gold Coast agency is transforming the way agents earn and grow

Phillis Real Estate on the Gold Coast has introduced a 75% commission structure and a rent-roll joint venture model that allows agents to earn dividends and build long-term financial security.

Founded by Alex Phillis more than a decade ago, the Southport-based, family-run agency operates across Sanctuary Cove, Hope Island and Sorrento, combining modern marketing, digital strategy and in-house creative support to help agents grow independent brands.

“We want our people to think and earn like business owners, not just salespeople,” says Alex. “Our agents take home a true 75% upon hitting targets, and that’s before factoring in the dividends they can earn through our new rent-roll joint venture.”

Read more about Phillis Real Estate here.

EVENTS

REIQ unveils powerhouse leadership program for Queensland real estate professionals

The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) is set to host its Business Leaders Essentials program in Brisbane on 11–12 November, featuring an impressive lineup of real estate, technology and business leaders. Facilitated by industry veteran Peter Brewer, the two-day event will include insights from Mark McLeod (Ray White International), Avi Kahn (AKG Group), Amy Wolter (Place Estate Agents), Jason Rose (Elders Ipswich), Dan Lee (Plum Property), our very own Samantha Mclean (AI Powered Agents) and Haesley Cush (Ray White Collective).

Peter said the event offers a rare opportunity for participants to engage directly with “heavy hitters” and leave with a 90-180-365-day leadership plan. The program will cover topics including leadership mindset, building high-performance teams, leveraging business data, using AI for smarter management and developing personal influence strategies. Designed for both emerging and established leaders, Peter said the event is limited in size to ensure hands-on interaction and practical outcomes. “Whether you’re stepping into leadership or levelling up, you’ll walk away sharper, more confident, and ready to take your business further.”

Read more about the Business Leaders Essentials program here.

HOUSING HOTSPOTS

McGrath tips 2026’s growth markets as supply crunch deepens

McGrath’s 2026 Property Report has named 20 suburbs to watch across four states, highlighting a mix of established urban pockets and emerging lifestyle markets. The report points to Sydney’s Inner West, Brisbane’s bayside, Melbourne’s north, and Tasmania’s fast-evolving commuter belts as key areas of opportunity.

John McGrath also warns that Australia’s housing crisis remains a structural issue, with only 22 per cent of Australians satisfied with access to affordable housing. While supply remains the dominant pressure point, he argues that better planning and faster delivery of new stock are essential.

SAVING UP  

Property fever grips as home loan intentions climb by 46%

Australians are diving back into the property market, with home loan intentions jumping from 7.86% to 11.46% between March and October 2025. The spike coincides with more people prioritising saving for house deposits, up from 10.98% to 14.66% during the same period. The expanded First Home Guarantee scheme, which allows purchases with just a 5% deposit instead of 20%, appears to be a major catalyst for this shift in consumer behaviour.

GOOGLE: INDIA

Google Seals India’s Biggest Office Deal of 2025

Google has secured roughly 57,300 square metres of office space at Atrium Place Gurugram, marking one of India’s largest commercial property agreements this year. The landmark lease, involving developers DLF and Hines, reflects a strong return of corporate confidence in India’s office sector.

It follows another deal earlier in 2025, when Google took up 51,100 square metres at a separate Gurugram site operated by Table Space. While financial terms remain confidential, sources say Google’s decision underscores its growing investment in India as a key regional hub. The move also reverses the company’s 2022 downsizing, when it terminated a 65,000-square-metre lease amid global remote-work adjustments.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Lights, listings, action: Beverly Hills gem hits the market for AUD $30.8 Million

A Beverly Hills estate once owned by MGM producer Armand Deutsch has hit the market for just under US$20 million (AUD $30.8 million). Designed in 1959 by architect George MacLean with interiors by Hollywood favourite Billy Haines, the home once hosted Frank Sinatra, the Reagans and other icons of Old Hollywood. 

Deutsch even threw a presidential inauguration party there for Ronald Reagan, and the attic still holds remnants of Secret Service tape. Spread across 7,600 square feet, the estate includes six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a guesthouse dubbed the “Whim House,” a pool and a tranquil courtyard shaded by pepper trees. It’s a rare blend of Hollywood glamour and timeless mid-century design.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

McGrath West launches Super Saturday 2026

Kon Stathopoulos and his team are targeting 200 properties to be listed for auction by December and launched on Boxing Day, continuing their five-year successful strategy. More here.

REMAX Australia hosts broker retreat in Adelaide Hills

Business owners gathered at Mount Lofty House from October 19-21 for networking and insights from industry leaders including Michael Sheargold and Milo Wilkinson. 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

They fall head over heels at the open, ask for the contract… then vanish like they never existed. One minute it’s true love, the next - ghosted by another “serious buyer.”💔👻

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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