GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

This Valentine’s Day, remember: houses and hearts both need the right match!

Buying a home isn’t just about properties, it can also lead to unexpected love stories. Realtor.com shares tales of romance, from an agent who fell for a client while decorating his home, to a buyer who outbid the competition by US$500K just to surprise his wife with the apartment next door. In real estate, sometimes the best deals come with a love story.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 40 seconds.

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MOTIVATION

5 ways to set appointments every day - and close

Sure, the real estate market is rapidly evolving but one thing remains the same: setting appointments remains the foundation of success.

According to renowned real estate coaches Tom Ferry and Patrick Ferry, many agents are still not booking enough appointments to reach their goals. In a recent discussion, Patrick shared insights from hosting nearly 100 intensive training events, where agents learned to book more appointments in two days than they typically would in a month.

He emphasised that the key to growth is identifying the right client avatars, refining lead generation strategies, and developing an appointment-setting system that works at scale.

Identify your ideal clients and market to them strategically
Tom stressed the importance of understanding seller avatars, such as downsizers, trade-up buyers, or those relocating out of state. “I told all my coaching clients, tell me who your top three [seller profiles] are for 2025,” he said.

Once identified, agents can tailor their marketing campaigns, scripts, and presentations to resonate with these groups, leading to higher conversion rates.

Build a high-quality homeowner database
“Let’s build a gigantic database of homeowners who gave you permission to offer value and services to them,” Patrick said. He said agents must track key homeowner data, ensure records are complete, and create touchpoints that position them as the go-to expert when clients are ready to sell.

Elevate your online presence and authority
Having an established online brand is no longer optional, according to Patrick. He urged agents to optimise their Google Business Profile with 100+ five-star reviews, maintain a seller-focused website, and create educational content on YouTube and social media.

“When you really build your online brand in a successful way, you can actually start booking listing appointments for free,” he noted. Basically, agents with a strong digital footprint are more likely to attract inbound leads and gain trust with potential sellers.

Read the full story here

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed whether your rent roll is an asset or a liability?

TOGETHER WITH GXE

GXE simplifies property investment with a unified platform
GXE, co-founded by Ed Hooper and Andrew Armstrong, is transforming how property developers, investors, and fund managers manage their investments by providing a centralised platform for tracking portfolios, properties, funds, and debts. "We were trying to track our own portfolios, properties, funds, debts, and it became clear how fragmented and messy the process was," said Ed.

Designed to streamline operations and compliance, GXE eliminates the need for multiple tools, making it easier for developers with multiple investors to set up structures and track funding. "It’s like taking the simplicity of tracking public assets and applying it to private investments.” Ed said the platform has already proven successful, with Future Rent using GXE to manage debt funds and provide upfront rental income for property investors. "We’ve streamlined their backend operations, making everything efficient and error-free.”

Read more about GXE here

SMART SNIPPETS

Greg Ellis named Interim CEO as Domain reports FY25 results
Domain has appointed former REA Group CEO Greg Ellis as interim chief executive for up to a year while it searches for a permanent successor to Jason Pellegrino. The announcement coincided with the company’s first-half FY25 results, which showed a 14% rise in EBITDA to $77.8 million and a 28% increase in net profit to $33.1 million.

Australia’s best cities for finding love this Valentine’s Day
Are your buyers or tenants looking for love? New data from Ray White shows where the odds are in their favour. Regional WA is a bachelor’s paradise with 124 single men for every 100 women, while Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs are overflowing with single ladies. Lakemba takes the crown for the ultimate bachelor hub, boasting a staggering 252 single men per 100 women. Meanwhile, for those wanting love on a budget, Brisbane’s Yarrabilba offers a more affordable singles scene.

Property doubling myth proves true for some regions
Think property prices double every decade? In New Zealand, it depends where you look. While the national average increased by 60.3% over the past decade, nine regions actually saw prices more than double. Gisborne led the pack with a 138.5% increase, while Auckland lagged behind at just 29.5%. The data shows regional markets are increasingly outperforming major centres.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Steve Wynn slashes price on Beverly Hills mansion … though it’s still not a bargain
Billionaire Steve Wynn has re-listed his 27,000-square-foot Beverly Hills estate for $75 million (AUD $114 million) after multiple price adjustments. Originally listed for US$135 million in 2020, the luxurious property features 11 bedrooms, a private cinema, a spa, and a tennis pavilion.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Harry Singh goes from strength to strength with Area Specialist
Starting from scratch after arriving from India, he now leads a 13-person team managing 375 properties across Melbourne's west. More here.

James Daniel brings back the ‘care factor’
The NGFarah Head of Leasing is transforming property management with his innovative approach and quick turnaround success. 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

How to stay motivated when the market gets tough

Real estate can be rewarding but also unpredictable, and when business slows down or leadership falls short, staying motivated is key. According to this curated listen, optimism is fuel, and agents who focus on what’s working rather than what’s not tend to push through downturns. Helping others, whether it’s mentoring a colleague or supporting clients, can create a sense of purpose and keep morale high.

Dive straight into the listen below or the deeper dive here

Read the article from Top Resume here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Here’s a home truth from every real estate agent to their client: trying to time the market is like waiting for the traffic to clear in peak hour - it’s not happening. Just move when it’s right for you.🏡 🧐

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.

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