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When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005 (yes, TWENTY years ago), it caused almost US $200 billion in property damage and left thousands of homes uninhabitable. Beyond the human tragedy, the storm reshaped the housing market overnight; entire neighbourhoods were wiped out, demand for rentals skyrocketed, and property values shifted dramatically depending on location and risk exposure.

Katrina stands as a case study in how quickly external shocks, whether natural disasters, economic events, or policy changes, can alter supply, demand, and the way people think about housing. It also underlines the growing importance of factors like flood zones, insurance coverage, and resilience in buyer decision-making.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 19 seconds

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ADVICE

Styling versus renovating: how to maximise value before sale

Why renovating might be overkill

When preparing a property for sale, vendors often face a familiar dilemma: should they renovate or just style? Justine Wilson, Founder and Principal Stylist at Vault Interiors, argues that “in most cases, styling offers a significantly higher return on investment, especially when time and budget are tight.” She shares why styling can be the faster, smarter way to elevate appeal, engage buyers emotionally, and drive stronger results at auction - without the hefty price tag or lengthy delays of a renovation.

Know the buyer, then guide the spend

“The most important question to ask first is: Who is buying this home?” Justine says. In areas with first-home buyers, developers, or renovators, spending big on upgrades may be wasteful. “Instead, highlight the home’s potential through clever styling that gives buyers a clear vision of what the home could be.”

But if the market is premium, buyers will expect a turnkey presentation. In that case, agents should suggest “strategic updates, such as painting, carpet replacement, or lighting upgrades, combined with professional styling to present the home at its best.”

To budget or not?

“A typical cosmetic renovation (e.g. new kitchen, bathroom, flooring) can cost anywhere from $30,000–$100,000,” Justine says, and those figures can escalate quickly. Meanwhile, professional styling costs a fraction of that, typically between $3,000–$8,000 depending on property size and location.

Styling boosts marketing visuals, sparks emotional responses, and “consistently helps properties sell faster and for higher prices, without the upfront risk of overcapitalising.” It can also amplify natural light, disguise dated finishes, and improve layout flow - all in just a few days.

Renovate only when necessary

While styling suits most scenarios, Justine points out, “there are exceptions.” Renovations are sometimes needed if “the home has severe visual or structural issues that could scare buyers off,” or if key areas like kitchens and bathrooms are non-functional. But even then, the recommendation is clear: “keep renovations cosmetic and strategic” and avoid overhauls. Her parting advice? “Encourage your clients to consult with a stylist before they spend a cent on upgrades.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we broke down why business owners need to have a succession plan in place now.

BUSINESS

CoStar completes Domain acquisition, eyes fresh competition in Aussie property market

CoStar Group has completed its acquisition of Domain Holdings Australia, one of the country’s most recognised property platforms. The deal combines CoStar’s global scale and technology expertise with Domain’s strong local brand, which reaches around 7 million Australians each month. CoStar CEO Andy Florance said the move represents a major opportunity to deliver more value for agents, vendors, and buyers through better tools, richer content, and enhanced user experiences.

He highlighted the company’s “pro-agent” approach, noting CoStar will invest in lowering costs while expanding innovation and marketing reach. Domain president Jason Pellegrino said “this transaction reinforces the strong fundamentals of Domain and represents compelling value for customers.”

ABS DATA: INFLATION

Rents, bills and building costs push inflation to 2.8%

Australia’s inflation just crept back up, with prices rising 2.8% in the year to July 2025, which is the steepest jump since last July. Housing is doing a lot of the heavy lifting, climbing 3.6% as rents keep rising, new builds get pricier, and electricity bills shock households with a 13% surge after rebates ended in NSW and the ACT. Groceries aren’t helping either, up 3%, while alcohol and tobacco added another 6.5%.

For real estate agents, it means renters are under more pressure, first-home buyers are stretched, and those waiting for another interest rate cut may have to wait a bit longer. Despite this, REIA’s Leanne Pilkington says relief is needed fast: rents still rose 3.9%, new builds crawled at just 0.4%, and without a cut, supply will stay sluggish.

NZ REAL ESTATE

NZ housing affordability hits six-year high

New Zealand's housing market has become the most affordable it's been since 2019, with mortgage repayments now absorbing 44% of median household income, down significantly from the 57% peak in 2022. Auckland's value-to-income ratio has fallen to 7.9, its lowest in a decade, while Wellington has returned to its long-run average for the first time since 2016. However, renters aren't seeing the same relief, with the national rent-to-income ratio sitting at 28%, above the long-term average of 26%.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Wedgwood's royal showroom transformed into a $22M penthouse

A luxury duplex penthouse has hit the market in Mayfair in the UK at the site of famed English potter Josiah Wedgwood's former 18th-century showroom. The three-bedroom residence offers 2,027 square feet of living space with a private rooftop garden terrace. Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III, was a loyal patron who frequently visited the Charles Street location, which has now been transformed with modern amenities while preserving its historic charm.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ali Bandari builds a market leader in Geelong.

The Area Specialist agent has achieved 137 sales in just 12 months and is targeting 200 sales in the coming year while focusing on the Corio and Norlane markets. More here.

Stephen Venn returns to Harcourts.

The elite sales consultant and Master Auctioneer rejoins the Harcourts Sheppard team after 12 months away, having previously spent 20 years with the blue team. 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

At Ready25, Samantha McLean took the mic straight to the people. Sometimes the best insights don’t come from centre stage, but from the floor. 🎤👥

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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