GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Got a brilliant property manager in your life? Now’s your chance to shout them out and maybe score some serious rewards. Scoop, our AI journo is on a mission to collect heartwarming, hilarious or just plain legendary PM stories for National Property Managers’ Day.

All you have to do is call Scoop on 0483 935 833, have a quick chat, and share what makes your nominated PM so great. That’s it! Then you’re both in the running to win tickets to the PM One Conference (worth $795 each).

Scoop’s available 24/7, and every story helps shine a light on the legends keeping the rental world ticking – so don’t wait. Call now, share the love, and let’s celebrate the PMs who go above and beyond every day.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 10 seconds

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MOTIVATION

How to set boundaries without burning out

Tarveen Forrester’s TED Talk delivers a timely playbook for the ambition-fuelled (but exhausted)

If your calendar looks like a game of Tetris and your energy levels are scraping the barrel, you're not alone. In her TED Talk, Let Your Ambition Light You Up, Not Burn You Out, Kickstarter’s VP of People, Tarveen Forrester, shares why burnout isn’t a badge of honour, and how setting better boundaries can help high-achievers keep going without falling apart.

Her core message? Ambition isn’t the enemy, but the way we manage it matters more than ever.

Time is a currency, so spend it wisely

Tarveen urges professionals to treat their time like a bank account, not a bottomless to-do list. Instead of blindly saying yes to every meeting, favour, or favour-request-turned-obligation, she suggests a future-focused filter: Will future me resent this commitment?

The goal isn’t to be less ambitious, it’s to invest your energy in the right things.

Say “no” without apology

For those in client-facing roles, “no” can feel like a dangerous word. But Tarveen reframes it as a tool, not a rejection. Simple scripts like “I’m at capacity” or “I already have plans” protect your time without burning bridges.

Clarity and kindness can coexist, and in fact, the earlier you're clear, the better.

Build in your non-negotiables

When the unexpected hits, like a valuation falls through, a deal unravels, or life throws a curveball, most of us respond by dropping everything. But Tarveen urges the opposite: double down on your non-negotiables. These aren’t luxuries; they’re anchors. Whether it’s a morning workout, planning your week every Sunday, or showing up for your kid’s game, these habits create structure when the rest feels shaky.

“You can’t do and be everything,” she says. But you can choose what stays sacred. Protecting these pockets of time isn’t selfish, it’s how you build a career that doesn’t require constant recovery.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, Matt Lahood gave us insight into the fiercely competitive spring market.

TOGETHER WITH @READY

Get 'future fit' at Ready25

Former war correspondent Andrea Clarke is helping real estate professionals navigate the ever-evolving world of work. After covering major news events and working on humanitarian programs in Iraq and Afghanistan, Clarke founded FutureFit Learning in 2012 to help people remain relevant throughout their careers.

Her approach focuses on developing adaptability as a critical survival skill in today's uncertain environment, and she believes that we shouldn't just react to the future but actively shape it.

If you want to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving world, you won't want to miss Andrea Clarke when she takes to the stage at Ready25.

Register for Ready25 while tickets are still available.

PLANNING & POLICY

NSW says bye to red tape, hello to ready-to-go homes

Goodbye planning bottlenecks, hello pre-approved terraces and townhouses. The NSW Government has dropped a Housing Pattern Book packed with architect-designed, low-rise homes, plus a fast-track approval lane to match.

The Property Council of Australia is all for it, calling it a “smart move” that cuts red tape without cutting corners. Katie Stevenson from the Council says this is what happens when industry and government actually work together.

The goal? More homes, delivered faster, without sacrificing design or location. With a 377,000-home target by 2029, every shortcut (the good kind) counts.

CONSTRUCTION COMEBACK

Builders are back in business

Australia’s building sector is finally picking up pace according to the ABS, with new home starts hitting their highest level since mid-2022. The March quarter saw a healthy 11.7% jump in dwelling commencements, driven by a 20.9% surge in higher-density housing. Detached homes also saw modest growth, while renovations ticked up slightly.

NZ MARKET MOOD

Bargain hunters still have the edge

New Zealand's property market is heating up, with May sales jumping 16% year-on-year, which is the 24th rise in 25 months. But while activity is up, prices aren’t running away. A healthy supply of homes, sitting 20% above the five-year average, is keeping the ball in buyers’ court. Property values dipped slightly by 0.1% in May, and rental yields have climbed to 3.8%, the highest they’ve been since 2015–16.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Pro golfer's mansion comes with sneaker paradise

Former PGA Tour pro Pat Perez is selling his Scottsdale mansion for US$10.9M after an extensive three-year renovation. The 9,712-square-foot modern home sits on nearly 5 gated acres and once housed Perez's collection of 1,000 Nike Air Jordans in a custom-designed sneaker room. The property features panoramic valley views, resort-style outdoor amenities, and luxury touches including black marble flooring and a teppanyaki grill.

THOUGHT LEADERS
A MUST LISTEN

Ben White on why property management is entering its most profitable era yet

In this unmissable episode of Elite Agent Thought Leaders, Ailo co-founder Ben White dismantles everything you thought you knew about property management. He reveals why the real future of PM isn’t about rent collection, it’s about becoming the most trusted, valuable service provider in your community.

“Property management is a customer relationship with everyone in the community. It’s not collect rent and fix things when they break. That’s the narrowest possible definition.”

Ben introduces the “third wave” of property management: a bold shift where regulation becomes revenue, tech unlocks scale, and culture drives real growth. He explains how agencies can transform compliance tasks into high-margin services and why your best property managers should be earning 50% more.

“There’s no reason why property managers who operate effectively shouldn’t get paid very well. Fifty percent more than what some people are getting, I think, is justifiable,” he says.

Don’t miss this episode - it’s your blueprint for thriving in the new era of real estate.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Lauren Wild hits $10M in sales at Area Specialist

The Mornington agent achieved her biggest month just three months after joining the brand, building on her community-focused approach. More here.

Karen Turner launches boutique brand

The Terry Hills agent has created Turner Cullen Property with her daughter Bec Cullen under @realty's OASIS model after achieving $185 million in sales. 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

When clients say they’re taking advice from cousin Dave because he ‘watches The Block,’ I remind them that’s like hiring a dentist who skimmed one WebMD article. There’s a reason you call a professional. 🦷📺

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.

Content in the ‘Together With’ section is sponsored. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at eliteagent.com/advertise.

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