GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Kia ora! Greeting to our real estate agents in New Zealand. Waitangi Day is more than just a day off - it’s a powerful reminder of the deep connections between whenua (land), tāngata (people), and history. The Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between Māori chiefs and the British Crown, shaped the foundations of property rights, governance, and the way we connect to the land today.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 17 seconds.

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PROFILE

Redefining PM roles

Michelle Rigg is transforming property management by empowering women, embracing flexibility, and challenging traditional industry norms.

As General Manager of Rentwest Solutions, she prioritises mentorship, innovation, and workplace policies that support career growth without sacrificing work-life balance. From implementing “brain-friendly” workflows to leading the shift towards AI-driven solutions, Michelle is focused on creating an environment where her team, and particularly women, can thrive.

Rethinking work for women in property management

Michelle is driving change by introducing workplace flexibility that supports women balancing careers and caregiving responsibilities. “Our team is predominantly women, many with young families or caregiving responsibilities,” she says. “Supporting them through flexible work arrangements isn’t just a policy, it’s a necessity.” 

She has spearheaded initiatives like remote work options and a four-day work week, which is momentarily paused to cater to software changes, to create a sustainable and inclusive work environment.

“Some people thrive with a four-day schedule, while others prefer a traditional approach. Flexibility is key to maintaining a happy and productive team.”

Innovation and AI

With a strong focus on innovation, Michelle is pushing Rentwest to the forefront of AI-driven property management. “We’re looking at AI-powered avatars to create personalised, consistent messaging for our owners and tenants,” she explains.

“Loom has also been a game-changer for training … its AI-generated step-by-step breakdowns save us so much time.” By integrating smart technology, Michelle is streamlining workflows and improving service efficiency.

Creating a brain-friendly workplace

At Rentwest, Michelle and the leadership team has restructured workflows to align with how the brain naturally processes information, making work more efficient and less overwhelming. “Our brains work best when they can concentrate on one thing at a time,” she explains.

Traditional property management systems often bombard employees with scattered tasks—one moment dealing with arrears, the next handling maintenance, then lease renewals. To combat this, Rentwest redesigned its systems using the Airtable platform to group similar tasks into focused work blocks.

“Instead of jumping between different types of tasks all day, our team can focus on one area at a time, which improves concentration and reduces stress.”

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed where real estate agents will find growth in 2025

TOGETHER WITH CALL ME SUCCESSFUL

The real estate industry is brutal—why do 90% of agents quit within 18 months?

Breaking into real estate with no connections and little experience sounds like an uphill battle, but Jack Barrett did just that - going from personal trainer to one of Brisbane’s top auctioneers in under three years. In this episode of Call Me Successful, Jack shares his unconventional journey, the strategies that fast-tracked his success, and why he believes rejection is the key to growth.

From mastering the psychology of auctions to leveraging social media and even using QR codes to generate leads, Jack reveals the surprising tactics that set top agents apart. He also shares why many new agents fail - and how those who push through can build lasting success.

But is auctioning your own listings really a smart move, or is it a risky gamble? And does social media actually help agents, or is it just a time-waster? Jack answers these questions and more, giving a candid look at the realities of the real estate industry. Tune in now to hear his insights!

SMART SNIPPETS

Agents optimistic about 2025
Real estate professionals are feeling bullish about Australia's housing market, with 65% predicting price increases in 2025. Queensland leads the way, with 70% of agents expecting growth thanks to strong migration patterns. The positive outlook is backed by expected interest rate cuts and improving affordability, particularly in markets like Melbourne where prices are still 6.4% below their 2022 peak.

Consumer confidence soars on rate cut hopes
Australian consumers are feeling their most optimistic in nearly three years, with confidence levels jumping to 88.5 points last week. The surge comes as speculation grows about potential interest rate cuts from the Reserve Bank, while inflation expectations have dropped to 4.6%. Despite the boost, overall confidence still sits below the long-term average, suggesting there's room for further improvement.

Investors flock to apartment blocks and hotels
In the UK and US, commercial property investment started to recover from a two-year slump towards the end of 2024. The recovery was led by investors shifting their focus to hotels and apartments, and putting more money into warehouses as they bet on growth in ecommerce.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Billionaire Bill Koch wants US$125 million for his Aspen compound

Billionaire Bill Koch has listed his 21-hectare Aspen estate for an eye-watering $125 million (AUD $190 million), more than four times what he paid when he purchased the property for $26.5 million (AUD $40.2 million) in 2007.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Mark Jansen takes key role at First National
The new Communications & Marketing Director brings global expertise to drive innovation as part of the network's 2025 revitalisation strategy. More here.

Angus Ferguson to exit role as Head of Customer Solutions at Domain
The Head of Customer Solutions and Real Time Agent co-founder will leave on February 21 after a successful tenure while maintaining an advocacy position with the company. 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.

SOUNDWAVES

5 tips to win more real estate listings

Winning a listing presentation requires much more than showing up in a sharp suit. This curated listen explores how to research your client’s needs, tailor your approach, and back up your expertise with data. Confidence, preparation, and storytelling will set you apart and help you secure more listings.

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

Read the article from Tom Ferry here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Using a frown filter on your office video? Just perfect! Now clients think you're devastated about the market or just really upset about their choice of wallpaper. Maybe switch it off before negotiations start. 🙁😅

@reliancerealestate

Day in the life of working in Real Estate #fyp #viral #trend

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, 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.

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