Rundown gems turn to PR gold, Tassie landlords bark back, Five steps to open your own agency, + news and more

Good Morning from Elite Agent

We recently brought you a story on why your online profile matters more than ever. But what elements do agents and agencies believe are most important? We decided to ask you in our snap Movers+Shakers weekly poll. Overwhelmingly, 52 per cent of you said your key focus with your online presence is remaining active on social media, while 26 per cent believe high-quality images are the go. In a distant third position was a modern website (11 per cent), while professional content and fresh branding tied for last place, with just 5 per cent of you focusing on that element of your online brand.

PS - There will be a new poll in this week’s edition of Movers + Shakers this Sunday, so subscribe here, and catch up on all the latest moves in the industry at the same time.

Today, we are also covering:

• Tassie landlords bark back

• From rundown gem to PR gold

• Five steps to open your own agency

• VMG and REIP join forces

• And much more!

Let's get to work 🚀

Instant Inspo 💡

DEVELOP A USP

Create a unique selling proposition (USP) for your agency by identifying underserved market segments. Focusing on the apartment market in major cities demonstrates how a well-defined niche can distinguish your agency and attract specialised clients.

Go Deeper with Adrian Wilson here.

On our radar

Tassie landlords bark back

Fur is flying in the Apple Isle, with the Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT) launching a campaign to help landlords to urge the State Government to reconsider proposed pets in rentals legislation. REIT Chief Executive Michelle Tynan says under the proposed changes, tenants would not have to apply to have a pet, they could simply notify the landlord they were getting one and it would be up to the rental provider to contest it at TASCAT if they disagreed. Ms Tynan said the proposed changes were already stopping investors from buying and prompting others to sell. More here.

Together with AI Powered Agents

The ‘how’ and ‘why’ of AI

No matter how you slice or dice it, there are four universal currencies: Time, Information, Energy and Money. It stands to reason that the better you apply each currency, the more opportunity you have to be successful.

It’s also true that generative AI can help you unlock efficiencies in all four currencies. But maybe before you leap, you need to understand more - how to mitigate potential risks, use AI ethically, create more personalised content, and deal with the who and the what of process change.

Sam has developed a comprehensive 12-step process guide for real estate leaders considering AI implementation.

If you’ve been wondering more lately about the ‘how’ than the ‘why’ and the ‘what’ of AI, this valuable resource is for you.

Download it here.

Today’s Feature

Rundown gems: Uninhabitable homes become PR gold for agents

Dilapidated properties are no longer just eyesores; they’re turning into the hottest tickets in town, capturing unprecedented media attention and driving up auction prices. For savvy agents, these uninhabitable gems also present a unique opportunity to leverage creative marketing and media coverage to attract more buyers and boost their brand. In today’s feature, Rowan Crosby chats with five agents and auctioneers to discover how they not only secured great prices for their vendors but attracted more business themselves. More here.

Can you spot the rooftop paradise that's truly sky-high versus the one that's just high-tech pie in the sky

Brekky Browse

Meanwhile, in China 🇨🇳

A glimmer of hope

China's property market has been in all kinds of trouble recently, but could there now be signs of revival? The National Bureau of Statistics has revealed residential property prices are dropping at smaller rates in 70 major cities, while Beijing and Shanghai have seen price increases for the first time this year. Experts say this trend signifies a stabilising Chinese property market, hinting at the start of a recovery. The data shows a slower contraction in new residential building prices and a significant easing in the decline of resale home prices in top-tier cities, bolstered by recent real estate stimulus policies. More here.

Anything else?

Prehistoric predator fin-ally exposed!

Scientists have uncovered the skeletal remains of a Cretaceous Period shark, Ptychodus, in limestone quarries in northeastern Mexico, providing the first complete view of the predator. Previously known only from its teeth, the shark, believed to have lived between 100 and 80 million years ago, had large, rounded teeth used to crush shelled creatures. The discovery, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, also reveals that Ptychodus was smaller than previously thought, measuring about 9.7m in length compared to the 11.2m of its relative, Ptychodus mortoni.

Dates for your diary

Find Elite Agent Editor Samantha McLean speaking about real estate and AI at these upcoming events:

July 19 Leah Calnan National PM Day, Melbourne, Vic
July 30-Aug 1Proptech Summit + Workshop, Sydney
August 11-14Elite Retreat, Hayman Island, Qld
August 25PPM Conference, Gold Coast, Qld