GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On this day in 1967, Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first successful human heart transplant, a medical milestone that gave new life to modern surgery. It was a bold and risky move that pushed boundaries and changed what was thought possible.

For real estate agents, there’s a parallel: sometimes success requires the same kind of courage and innovation. Whether it’s reviving a tired listing with a fresh campaign, injecting new life into your brand, or embracing technology that transforms how you work, the heart of progress is the willingness to try something new. After all, every thriving business, like every beating heart, needs a little reinvention to keep it alive.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 52 seconds

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OPINION

What the top 10% in commercial real estate do differently

The difference between good and great

Top commercial agents stand out not because of luck or innate talent, but because they run their workday with clarity, structure, and strong habits. They rely on systems rather than fluctuating motivation, protect their pipeline, stay consistent with prospecting, know exactly where they add the most value, invest heavily in their own growth, and take full responsibility for outcomes. Darren Krakowiak, founder of CRE Success, says the behaviours that separate the top tier from everyone else are practical, teachable, and built through daily discipline rather than inspiration.

Systems over willpower

High performers don’t wake up and decide what to do; their schedule is already built. A firm rhythm of prospecting blocks, pipeline reviews, set meeting days and outsourced admin keeps the day running smoothly. This removes decision fatigue and ensures important work is completed even when energy is low. Their success comes from making execution predictable, not from pushing harder.

Pipeline, discipline and positioning

While many agents focus only on what is closing now, top performers treat their pipeline as their strongest asset. They track source, stage, value and likelihood, and they never stop prospecting — even during busy weeks. At the same time, they know exactly who they serve, which properties they specialise in, and how to communicate that with clarity. This sharp positioning builds trust and accelerates results.

Growth, responsibility and long-term strength

Leading agents see themselves as business owners, so they invest in their skills through coaching, training, reading and staying informed about trends here and overseas. They also operate with a mindset of full responsibility, refusing to blame market conditions or external forces. When challenges appear, they adapt, ask what can be learnt, and move forward. This steady commitment to improvement and accountability is what keeps them ahead, year after year.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we found out how agents can avoid end of year burnout

TOGETHER WITH @REALTY

Performance coaching drives agent success in 2026

@realty is transforming agent careers through dedicated performance coaching focused on consistency and accountability. Their model offers up to 100% commission, personalised branding options, and an advanced CRM with AI-powered tools that automate follow-ups and marketing. The approach aims to give agents what they truly want beyond commissions including the freedom to choose when they work, who they work with, and what they earn.

Read the full @realty article here.

BOOM TIMES

AUKUS deal set to squeeze Perth's housing market

Perth's already tight housing market is about to face additional pressure from the AUKUS defence agreement. More than $20 billion will flow into Western Australia over the next decade, creating 13,000+ jobs concentrated around the city's southwest corridor. Unlike previous mining booms, this will create a steady, persistent demand in specific suburbs like Rockingham and Fremantle, further straining a market already experiencing historically low vacancy rates and lagging construction.

APPROVALS FALL

Building approvals dip despite yearly growth

Australia's building approvals fell 6.4 percent in October, though the yearly figures paint a more optimistic picture with approvals up 12.6 per cent compared to last year. Western Australia led monthly growth at 28.1 per cent while New South Wales and Victoria saw significant declines. Recent interest rate cuts appear to be boosting the construction sector as buyers seek alternatives to expensive established homes, though land availability remains a major obstacle to meeting government housing targets.

MIXED BAG

US housing market cools as Northeast stays hot

Florida's once-booming housing market is experiencing the nation's fastest cooling, with seven of the top ten coolest markets located in the Sunshine State. Home prices nationwide rose just 1.2% year-over-year in September, with prices actually falling 0.2% month-over-month. Meanwhile, Northeastern cities like Boston and New York remain resilient thanks to strong job markets in finance, biotech, and education that continue attracting high-earning professionals.

CELEBRITY HOMES

AFL star downsizes to $4.6M rural retreat

Buddy Franklin and wife Jesinta have traded suburban living for a 3.2-hectare rural estate in Guanaba on the Gold Coast as they prepare for their third child. The modern farmhouse property, featuring equestrian facilities and an infinity edge pool, sold in just 20 days after attracting 21,000 online views. The couple downsized from their Mediterranean-style Reedy Creek mansion, reportedly seeking a quieter lifestyle in the semi-rural district known for its polo fields.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White expands into Adelaide's northeast.

Darren Pratt, Jamie Wood and Stephen Moss have launched Ray White Golden Grove in one of the city's fastest-growing residential corridors. More here.

Rhys Wildermoth joins The Agency on the Gold Coast.

The experienced agent and his team will operate from a new Palm Beach office, specialising in the Southern Gold Coast residential market. 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

For agents who don’t smoke, blowing bubbles between listings is the new stress relief. Same break, better vibes. 🫧😎

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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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