GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

As real estate agents, we know that a house becomes a home when pets are part of the story. A survey of over 3,000 pet owners from Compare The Market crowned Fluffy as the top cat name in Australia, with Oscar and Tilly close behind. For dogs, Bella took the lead, followed by Charlie, Luna, and Milo.

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 17 seconds.

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WORKPLACE SAFETY

Why property management staff need more support

Property managers are the real estate industry's unsung heroes, juggling demanding roles with little recognition and a lot of stress.

Laing+Simmons CEO and REIA President Leanne Pilkington is calling on principals to step up for their property managers, offering them solid training, clear career paths, and mental health support.

Leanne clearly outlines that specialised training, structured rewards, and a supportive work environment are essential to help property managers succeed and feel valued in today’s challenging rental market.

Training for real-world challenges

Property managers face tough situations, from compliance issues to tenant emergencies. Leanne says training must go beyond basic customer service to cover things like handling tenant accidents, identifying risks, and even managing sensitive issues like domestic violence cases.

“Property managers are at the human interface of society’s most pressing housing challenges.”

Setting boundaries in client interactions

Training also means helping property managers set healthy boundaries with clients. Leanne emphasises that property managers should know when it’s time to step away if a customer crosses the line, keeping them safe from situations that could be emotionally or physically harmful.

“It’s important for Principals to be clear about what is reasonable for their property managers to accept,” ensuring they have tools to manage difficult interactions safely.

Creating a supportive, safe workspace

Property managers need a work environment where they feel safe, supported, and part of a community. Organising workshops and social events where property managers can share experiences and find solutions together can be one way to make a tangible difference. “Creating a network within the network can be a valuable and self-sustaining investment,” says Leanne.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed why your authenticity is your advantage in real estate

TOGETHER WITH CALL ME SUCCESSFUL

What’s Sarah Hackett’s secret to balancing her role as a top agent, business owner, and mother - and still taking more holidays than ever?

In this episode of Call Me Successful, Brisbane real estate expert Sarah Hackett shares her journey from humble beginnings in customer service to becoming one of Australia’s top luxury property agents. Hosted by Avi Khan, Sarah reveals the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including invaluable lessons from her mentors and the surprising techniques she used to establish credibility with elite clients.

She explains how Place, the company she co-founded, cultivates a unique “learn-it-all” culture and the team-driven approach that has helped them build lasting client relationships and outperform competitors. From practising scripts in her car to learning from industry legends, Sarah’s insights offer a fresh perspective on resilience and growth.

Read more about Sarah’s story here

SMART SNIPPETS

Emerging million-dollar suburbs for long-term growth revealed
Strong capital growth over the past three years has propelled many Australian suburbs towards the million-dollar price range, but not all have the same long-term potential. New research by Propertybuyer and Hotspotting has identified the top 10 emerging million-dollar suburbs with the most upside for investors.

Investors flock to high-growth markets
Property investment is surging in Australia's high-growth regions, with national investor loans jumping 18.8% despite market concerns. Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales are leading the charge, while Victoria and Tasmania are seeing slower growth. A new trend shows that less-leveraged investors and first-time buyers are getting active.

Home building recovery is underway
Australia's housing market is showing strong signs of recovery, with building approvals soaring by 60% in Western Australia and 24% in Queensland. The detached home sector hit a two-year high with 9,890 approvals in September, however, Sydney continues to buck the trend with no signs of improvement. Experts project continued growth through 2027.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

The Agency launches a sustainability-focused marketing initiative
The real estate brand’s new initiative was designed in response to rising consumer demand for environmentally conscious practices. More here

Nicola Spicer joins RE/MAX Extreme South
The entrepreneur and property investor brings her luxury accommodation experience to Perth's exclusive western suburbs. 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.

SOUND WAVES

Trump’s win sparks concerns over rising mortgage rates

Following Trump’s re-election, today’s curated listen explores why Trump’s plans for manufacturing growth and affordable housing may push the Federal Reserve to keep rates in check to avoid a housing recession.

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

Read the article from HousingWire here*

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

The car isn’t just transport; it’s a mobile office. From taking calls, firing off emails in the parking lot, grabbing lunch on the go, to the occasional wardrobe change, real estate agents know the hustle happens right in the driver’s seat. 🚗📧

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, Giverny Pringle, 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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