GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Swift were named America’s dream roommates in a Zillow Rentals survey (who’s actually surprised!), but Gen Z says, “Pass the popcorn to Zendaya.” Simone Biles and LeBron James score gold as athlete picks, while Druski’s comedy lands him Gen Z’s top influencer spot. Meanwhile, in the real world, the only “star power” most Americans want is a roommate who cleans.

The Elite Agent Industry Influencers and Innovators Awards 2024 are here, and guess what? You’re in charge.

Our Top 50 list is coming soon, but we need your vote to decide the People’s Choice Top 10.

Got a favourite trailblazer? Don’t let them miss their moment.

Voting’s live now – the countdown to December 20 is on. Don’t sit this one out!.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 6 seconds.

New to The Brief? Join us for free 🤝

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Moving beyond the fee conversation

It’s not always about the moolah. Experienced Harcourts property management leader Rachel Atkin believes that competing on fees is a losing game.

Instead, she argues that success in property management lies in elevating the value proposition, fostering genuine client relationships, and delivering consistent, high-quality service.

It's less about fees and more about value

Rachel stresses that the fee conversation is often a distraction from the real goal, which is to deliver value to clients. She encourages property managers to use fee concerns as an opportunity to dig deeper into client needs. “When a potential client raises concerns about a competitor's lower fees, use it as an opportunity to explore what they're really looking for in a property manager.” She believes that clients rarely want the cheapest option when it comes to managing their financial future. “Are they looking for the cheapest option, or are they looking for someone who will protect and grow their investment?”

Quality service speaks louder than any discount

For Rachel, consistency is the cornerstone of successful property management. “When you deliver this level of service consistently, you create what I call 'sticky' relationships.” This means going beyond the basics and ensuring every interaction builds trust: “These aren't just long-term clients. These are your advocates.” Key elements of this consistency include being responsive to maintenance issues, proactive in communication, and staying ahead of legislative changes.

Re-frame your business approach

Rachel sees property management as a vital service in helping clients secure their financial future. “We’re not just managing properties – we’re helping people build wealth through property investment.” To achieve this, Rachel advocates for a shift in mindset from being a transactional service provider to becoming an educator and advisor. “When we focus on being relationship builders rather than transaction processors, we create opportunities for genuine connections that transcend price comparisons,” she says.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed why it’s important to step out of your comfort zone

TOGETHER WITH VIEW.COM.AU

A stunning renovation, high-quality marketing, and targeted social media strategies combined to deliver an outstanding auction result for a Victorian property.

The renovated 1950s home, featuring four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a solar-heated pool, attracted six registered bidders, with four actively competing. Award-winning auctioneer Luke Banitsiotis, of Woodards Blackburn, sold the property under the hammer for $2.431 million, exceeding expectations despite the market softening post-COVID boom.

Luke credits the success to the home’s turnkey appeal, editorial-style photography, and strategic social media campaigns via Woodards’ Amplify platform, which helped attract motivated buyers, including one who contributed significantly to the final sale price.

“It’s about combining digital tools with a personal touch, like follow-up calls, to turn casual browsers into serious bidders,” Luke said.

Read more about Luke’s successful campaign here

SMART SNIPPETS

Confidence wavers as housing affordability tops concerns in property sector
The 2024 Procore/Property Council Industry Sentiment Survey has revealed a mixed outlook for Australia’s property industry, with regional disparities, economic caution, and the ongoing housing affordability crisis shaping the year’s narrative.

Property listings hit decade-high levels
Buyers are being spoilt for choice with the market experiencing its highest listing volumes since 2020. Sydney and Melbourne are seeing listing numbers not witnessed since 2012. Total available properties are up 5.5% compared to last year, despite a 19.7% monthly drop in new listings. The surge in inventory is creating a more balanced market, though sellers may need to adjust their price expectations.

NZ luxury property holding strong
New Zealand's high-end real estate continues to shine despite broader market challenges. Auckland's Herne Bay leads as the nation's priciest suburb with a median value of $3.36 million, while an Orakei property set records with a $21.8 million sale. The market also saw first-home buyers reach a historic high, representing 27-28% of all purchases.

CELEBRITY HOMES

J.Lo's $102M mansion remains a solo sanctuary
Jennifer Lopez continues to live in the $68 million (AUD $102 million) Beverly Hills mansion she once shared with Ben Affleck, five months after their divorce. Currently listed for sale, the ex-couple are surely hoping a high-net-worth buyer will snap up the 12-bedroom, 24-bathroom home for Christmas.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Joshua Bagley takes helm at Ray White Murray Bridge.
The Strathalbyn principal merges two successful South Australian offices while retaining existing teams. More here.

Cameron Brain named Director at Ray White City. The former Auction Manager steps up to Director of Sales and Auctions across four Auckland offices after driving strong auction results. 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

A journey from homeless to millionaire entrepreneur

Once homeless at 17, Kieran Witt worked his way up from a bank job to owning his home and launching Kotini, a property software platform. Founded in 2022 with a £5,000 grant, today’s curated listen is one of resilience and success, with Kotini now valued at £5 million.

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

Read the report from The Irish Sun here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Imagine a world where every DM inquiry was legitimate. “Hi, is this still available?” leads to a signed contract, and “What’s the lowest you’ll take?” turns into a full-price offer. In real estate, DMs often feel like an alternate reality where serious buyers are rarer than a coffee order without almond milk. ⁉️💨

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.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.