GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Today is National Grammar Day, so it's a good day to remember that proper punctuation is non-negotiable … kind of like property values in Sydney. Owning both will dramatically affect your future prospects, though one will likely guarantee you a larger mortgage than the other (🥁 Ba dum tss!)

And… if you thought that joke was below market expectations, it could be worse; we could have said it's March Forth Toward Your Goals Day… (And now you know why we’re in real estate, not comedy…)

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 51 seconds

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FEATURE

Time to regain the spark

"No one chose a property manager because they were really good at accounting for money. They choose you for your ability to solve problems, coordinate solutions and maintain relationships."

That's the refreshing perspective from Ailo founder Ben White, who, after 20 years in the industry, believes many PMs may have lost sight of the true value they bring to an agency.

His message? Remember your first day - your excitement wasn't misplaced.

"The job you thought you were getting is possible," he insists.

As we enter what Ben calls the "experience era" of property management, here's how to rediscover what makes the profession truly rewarding:

1. Relationship building trumps transaction processing
"Property management is much more than collecting rent and fixing things," says Ben.

The next evolution means:

• Focusing on community relationships, not just transactions

• Embracing your role as the human expert who coordinates solutions

• Using technology to enhance connections, not replace them

2. Break free from legacy systems and thinking
Ben says he has watched property management evolve through distinct phases - from paper digitisation to cloud solutions.

Now, for the third wave:

• Eliminating fragmented systems and constant demands

• Learning to leverage technology that reduces workload while improving service

• Turning confrontational moments into collaborative problem-solving

3. The future belongs to expanded service providers
For those worried about AI threatening their roles, Ben offers reassurance:

• "Having someone in the middle who's an expert will be valuable forever"

• Tomorrow's PMs will likely expand into broader services (cleaners, gardeners, mortgages)

• The human element becomes more important as routine tasks are automated

The bottom line? Ben has pinpointed five key indicators that signal your team is ready for improved systems - and they may surprise you. Property managers hold a unique ability to spark meaningful change within their agencies.

Here’s part two of Samantha McLean’s exclusive with Ben White - read it here.

ICYMI, yesterday, we covered Shapen your skills, Dominate the market

SMART SNIPPETS

Embrace your softer side
"Grow a thicker skin!" You've heard it countless times from motivational gurus and business coaches alike - but what if that's actually bad advice? Chris Hanley OAM, a respected voice in the real estate industry, challenges this conventional wisdom by making a powerful case for sensitivity as a hidden business strength.

In this thought-provoking read, Chris explains why being "thin-skinned" isn't a weakness - it's your competitive edge. If you've ever worried that caring too much might hold you back professionally, you need to read this.

Townsville tops regional Queensland for house price growth
Townsville is leading regional Queensland in house price growth, with values rising by nearly $76,000 over the past year to a geometric mean of $511,758, according to Neoval data. Ray White’s Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee attributes the spike to limited housing supply and strong population growth.

US housing market sees record growth five years after pandemic
Five years on from COVID, the US housing market looks significantly different. Home values have soared, virtual home touring has become mainstream, and buyer preferences have shifted, according to new data from Zillow.

CELEBRITY HOMES

French billionaire's $55M Fisher Island mega-mansion
The most expensive home on Miami's ultra-exclusive Fisher Island has hit the market for US$55M. French perfume mogul Jean Madar is developing a 15,802-square-foot waterfront mansion that features eight bedrooms, panoramic bay views, and a rooftop wellness area complete with hot tub, sauna, and meditation garden.

This is just the first of six Fisher Island mansions Madar plans to develop on the 216-acre enclave, which is accessible only by boat or helicopter.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

The Agency WA celebrates record personal bests. 
A remarkable 55 team members achieved their personal best performances at the company's annual awards night in Perth. More here.

RWC expands in South Sydney. 
Marcus Schraag joins as partner and Costa Fragias as sales executive, bringing their combined experience to 30 years in the South Sydney industrial market. 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.

SOUNDWAVES

Switch off to stay sharp: how to leave work stress behind

Real estate agents know the pressure of juggling listings, clients, and contracts, but bringing job stress home can lead to burnout. Instead of replaying the day’s challenges on the drive home, use that time to reset. This curated listen suggests keeping venting about difficult clients or deals to a minimum, as dwelling on work stress in personal time only extends its impact.

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

Read the article from Verywellmind here.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Nothing kills a listing faster than bad staging and worse photography. Buyers scroll past dark, cluttered rooms faster than you can say “price reduction.” A well-staged home with great photos makes all the difference. 💡🛋️

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, 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.

Stories marked with * are sponsored, including 'Together With' and the weekday 'Movers & Shakers' sections. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at eliteagent.com/advertise.

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