GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

Good morning to those of you who need to get busy with appraisals today. OpenAI’s new browser Atlas can create a spreadsheet with all of the recent sales in your area with just a single command - no hands - while you wait for your second latte of the day to be frothed. If you want to know how to do this, plus other winning strategies, don’t miss your final chance to grab tickets for the AI Listing Success Accelerator Workshop on 27 November in Sydney. Secure your spot here.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 52 seconds

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FUTURE AI

The real AI opportunity for agents in 2026

Everyone’s using AI to do what they’ve always done, just quicker. But what if the real opportunity isn’t speed... but something entirely new?

In a year spent speaking more than writing, Elite Agent’s Samantha McLean has been quietly building something big behind the scenes: Ailsa, an AI journalist who interviews agents and turns their Just Sold stories into publishable content.

But her latest insight isn’t about the tool, it’s about the mindset shift that made it possible.

Are we all asking the wrong AI question?

At conferences across Australia, agents proudly share how they use ChatGPT or Claude to write listing copy or generate social captions. That’s progress, but it’s still incremental thinking. The better question, Samantha suggests, is: “What can I build now that I couldn’t build before?”

That’s the question that led to Ailsa, an automation-powered AI that can interview agents about their Just Sold listings at scale, transforming real estate media by doing what wasn’t previously possible within the constraints of human time and resources.

AI is already changing how clients see you

Your next client might already be researching you via AI before you even get the call. One agent recently discovered her client had asked ChatGPT to compile a profile, printed and ready, before the listing appointment.

And what showed up wasn't just her social media, but also citations from all over the web.

AI-first thinking = bold experiments

Building Ailsa didn’t require hiring a dev team; it required a willingness to try. Samantha taught herself automation workflows, conversational AI, and even “vibe coding” (creating and iterating complex workflows and AI tools in real time).

That’s AI-first thinking in action. Not handing the mundane to the robot. Not mindless automation. But asking: “If I had these tools from the start, how would I do this differently?”

Two paths, same destination

Some agents will spend 1,000+ hours learning these tools. Others will just use products like Ailsa to extend their reach. Both are valid. But staying on the sidelines is no longer neutral, it’s a missed opportunity.

As Samantha puts it: “Everyone watching everyone else, making slight variations, staying safe… The agents who break out are the ones willing to ask different questions.”

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday we found out why buyer’s agents with sales experience are becoming critical in a tightening market

THOUGHT LEADERS

Save 2 Hours Daily With This AI Task Matrix

What if you could get back an entire month per year? Not by working harder, but by working smarter with AI?

REIWAs Strata Manager of the Year reveals her Monday morning routine that identifies what to automate, delegate, or eliminate.

In this episode of Thought Leaders, Nikki D’Agostino reveals how she’s using AI to eliminate the soul-destroying tasks that kill productivity and relationships. She’s cracked the code on using AI to reclaim her time and focus on what truly matters.

BUILDING WOES

Regional NSW housing crisis intensifies

The housing crunch is no longer just a city problem in Australia, with regional New South Wales now facing critical shortages. According to the Housing Industry Association, regional NSW absorbed 42% of all net migration inflows in 2024 as people flee urban centres. Local builders report project approvals taking months, persistently high material costs, and significant difficulties finding qualified tradespeople, particularly in carpentry, bricklaying, and electrical work.

RBNZ CUTS

Final rate cut on the horizon

New Zealand's central bank is expected to deliver a 25 basis point rate cut on November 26, likely marking the end of its current easing cycle. The economy is showing clear signs of recovery with improved business confidence and consumer activity, while inflation has already hit 3.0% – the top of the RBNZ's target band. ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner suggests this strategic final cut will prevent unwanted tightening in monetary conditions over the summer.

US DELISTINGS

US sellers pulling homes off market rather than cutting prices

America's housing market is facing a new trend as sellers increasingly choose to delist properties rather than lower asking prices. Delistings surged 52% in September compared to last year, with 28 homes removed from the market for every 100 new listings in August. According to experts, about 70% of homeowners enjoy mortgage rates below 5% and are reluctant to give up these favourable terms in today's higher-rate environment.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Casino mogul slashes mansion price by more than half.

Steve Wynn has cut the asking price of his sprawling Beverly Hills estate to US$65M, a 52% reduction from its original US$135M listing in 2020. The 27,000-square-foot luxury property sits on 2.7 acres and features 11 bedrooms, a wellness suite, a private cinema, and parking for 26 vehicles. Despite the significant discount, the casino developer still stands to profit from the 2015 purchase price of US$48.7M.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Edward Lim launches Ray White ELG.

The REIWA Grand Master Salesperson has opened his own business in Victoria Park after 10 years of exceptional performance in Perth's real estate market. More here.

Allhomes raises $90,000+ for housing initiative.

The funds from Floriade's Great Big Bulb Dig will support YWCA Canberra's YHomes development for women and families affected by domestic violence. 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

Being a real estate agent means dropping your entire life mid-sentence because a client says, “Are you free now?” 🚗💨

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

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

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.

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