GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

TRUE OR FALSE?

The phrase “daylight robbery” comes from an old tax where homeowners covered windows because they were charged extra based on daylight exposure.
(Scroll to the bottom for the answer!)

In today’s edition of The Brief

• Meet commercial real estate’s unicorn: Sarah Broad’s rise to ownership

• Report calls for rental housing to be regulated like utilities

• Why “under offer” still leaves the property in play

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 50 seconds

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COMMERCIAL

She may be Australia's only female commercial owner

When Sarah Broad took the keys to Kelly & Co Property last week, she stepped into what's believed to be an extraordinarily rare position: one of the only women in Australia to own a commercial real estate agency. Her path there? Anything but conventional.

Ten years ago, Sarah was running her own PR consultancy when she was recommended to handle communications for Pat Kelly's agency. Five years as an external consultant, one candid conversation about a career change, and a real estate licence later – she'd transformed from PR consultant to commercial property professional. By 2022, she'd won the REIQ Rising Star Salesperson of the Year.

"I was almost 40 at the time," Sarah says. "It was quite funny that I was the one walking up there."

Fast forward, and now Sarah purchased the business with her husband Ryan, who works in data analytics. Together, they've built what they're calling an "HQ platform" – and they believe it fills a gap that doesn't exist on the residential side. Here's what they're planning to do with it.

What you'll learn in the full article:

• The PR skills that transfer directly: How negotiation, pitching, and business development prepared Sarah for commercial sales

• Pat Kelly's relationship philosophy: The approach that has clients calling back 15-20 years later

• The HQ platform details: What it does, why commercial needs it, and their plans to roll it out

• Her expansion vision: How she plans to build on two decades of client relationships

Read the full article

ICYMI yesterday, work futurist broke down how to lead through disruption.

TOGETHER WITH REA

REA opens Hackdays to customers to co-create innovation

REA Group is inviting customers to take part in its Hackdays event this September, giving them the opportunity to submit an innovation-focused idea or business problem to be worked on during a four-day sprint alongside REA innovators and technical specialists.

The event, which has been running for more than a decade, has previously produced breakthrough projects including Ignite, now used by almost 50,000 real estate professionals across Australia. REA Executive Manager, Sales, Gerard Connell, said Hackdays offer dedicated space to innovate, stress-test ideas and solve problems.

”Past REA Hackday projects have helped lay the foundations for features and experiences that our customers and consumers now use every day. This year, we’re excited to take it a step further extending the invitation to customers to help co-design and co-build solutions with us.”
Read more about REA Hackdays here.

REPORT

Study pushes to regulate rentals like utilities

Eighty per cent of landlords surveyed believe renting is an essential service – putting them largely in step with the 83% of all Australians who agree. A new report argues rental housing should be regulated like utilities, with recommendations spanning no-grounds eviction bans, rent stabilisation, and mandatory property standards. Property managers get a specific mention around reletting fee incentives that may attract regulatory scrutiny.

BACK TO BASICS

Why “under offer” still means the property is on the market

Finance falls over. Inspections trigger renegotiation. Buyers exercise cooling-off rights. This is the window where deals succeed or fall apart – and the rules shift dramatically depending on which state you're selling in.

HOW IT SOLD

How a narrow frontage became the campaign focus

Most agents would downplay a narrow frontage. Matthew Blackmore positioned it as an entry point for upgraders, pricing the Enfield house in the early-$2m bracket rather than the typical allotment frontages in the mid-$2m bracket. The strategy drew 93 inspections, five registered bidders, and a final price of $2.285m – $135,000 above reserve.

Stories like this build your online reputation long after the sold sticker comes down. Want yours told? getailsa.com

CELEBRITY HOMES

Anna Spiro lists her colour-drenched Ascot home

The designer behind Halcyon House and Arc Dining is selling her Ascot Queenslander. Anna Spiro bought the three-bedroom, 1920s home in 2023 for $2.5 million and has filled it with her signature colourful style. And yes, some of the furnishings might be up for grabs.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Josh Froud and Ricky Cavarra launch Belle Property Blue Bay

The local agents bring 17 years of combined experience to the new Central Coast office, targeting buyers relocating for the area's coastal lifestyle. More here.

Tim Fraser joins Ray White Upper North Shore

The luxury specialist brings a $1.8 billion track record and has been involved in 60 per cent of all $10 million-plus sales between Wahroonga and Turramurra. More here.

Harcourts Property Centre expands across Brisbane

The agency is acquiring two Redlands businesses and opening a New Farm office on May 1 as part of its push to cover South East Queensland from Noosa to the northern Gold Coast. 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

Agents don’t really listen to music anymore. Client voicemails have become the unofficial soundtrack to their lives, with a bonus remix of “just circling back” on repeat. 📞🎧

Seen an Agent On Social we should include? Let us know here (email link)

TRUE OR FALSE:

The phrase “daylight robbery” comes from an old tax where homeowners covered windows because they were charged extra based on daylight exposure.

And the answer is …

FALSE. (But it is a good story). While there was a real UK window tax (1696–1851) that led people to brick up windows to reduce what they paid, ultimately limiting their natural light, the phrase “daylight robbery” didn’t actually originate from that system.

The expression only appears in print in the early 20th century, and is understood to come from the idea of something being so blatantly overpriced or unfair that it’s like being robbed in broad daylight - in full view, with zero subtlety. So the window tax link is more of a neat historical myth than the true origin.

Wishing you a productive day!

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