GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

When Parliament passed the Canberra Act on 23 October 1910, Australia effectively launched its biggest off-the-plan project: a brand-new capital city. More than a century later, that development has paid off, with Canberra’s median house price now topping $1 million. Walter and Marion Griffin’s vision of space, lifestyle and location remains a masterclass in lasting value.

Fast forward to 2025 and another kind of master plan is opening for agents: The AI-First Agent Accelerator. This six-week live program shows you how to stop writing copy just to sell houses and start writing it to win listings.

You’ll get plug-and-play prompts, practical workflows and a clear roadmap to build your own assistant. The investment is $295, with optional upgrades available; class starts 28 October and this is your last chance in 2025 to plan for a smarter, more efficient business powered by AI.

Imagine waking up knowing exactly what to post, say and prioritise, while AI handles the heavy lifting. Secure your spot here.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 47 seconds

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SOCIAL CAUSE

Beyond the sale: Why real estate must help address homelessness

”It starts with awareness”: Jellis Craig CEO Andrew McCann

For Jellis Craig CEO Andrew McCann, addressing homelessness isn’t just a social cause, it’s an extension of what real estate stands for. Through the Jellis Craig Foundation, which has raised nearly $4 million to support charities including the Lighthouse Foundation, McAuley and The Big Umbrella, Andrew is helping to shift industry thinking from transactions to humanity.

He believes homelessness and housing insecurity are issues the profession can no longer ignore, and that agents, who work at the heart of housing every day, have both the insight and the influence to be part of the solution.

Homelessness is closer than you think

Andrew says public perceptions of homelessness are still too narrow: “More than ninety per cent of people experiencing homelessness aren’t sleeping rough, they’re in cars, on couches or moving between temporary places.” The challenge, he adds, is to break down stigma and recognise that homelessness can stem from domestic violence, job loss, or the cost-of-living crisis; factors that could affect anyone.

Understanding the problem is half the solution

Education, Andrew says, is the first step toward meaningful change. His participation in A Home for All, a national industry initiative, has deepened his understanding of housing insecurity and the role real estate can play. “If we can start to break down the stereotypes and have more empathy, we’ll be in a better position to do something about it.”

Real estate can be part of the solution

Andrew also believes the industry’s influence gives it the power to drive systemic change. He wants to see greater collaboration between agents, developers and government to boost social and affordable housing supply. “We need better planning, better governance and more housing,” he says. “None of that happens unless everyone sits at the same table.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed how to modernise your brand, while honouring its past.

TOGETHER WITH REA

REA Group opens 2025 Excellence Awards with new data-driven ‘Top Agent’ honour

Submissions are now open for the 2025 REA Excellence Awards, celebrating Australia’s top real estate professionals. This year introduces a new data-driven ‘Top Agent’ award, recognising standout residential agents using the same trusted data behind realestate.com.au’s agent search rankings. Winners will receive a Top Agent badge on their Agent Profile for 12 months. The awards include eight returning submission-based categories, such as Residential Agency of the Year and Property Management Team of the Year.

Each winner will receive a grant for business or professional development, personalised marketing assets, and media profiling. REA Group Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Kul Singh said the awards, now in their ninth year, recognise agents’ expertise and feature a simplified entry process with just three questions. ”Nominate yourself, a colleague, or your team for your chance to be recognised among the property industry’s highest achievers.” Entries close 14 November.

Read more about REA Group’s Excellence Awards here.

HOT PROPERTY

Capital city house prices soar to four-year high amid rising confidence

Australia’s housing market has roared back to life, with capital city house prices rising at their fastest pace in nearly four years, according to Domain’s September Quarter House Price Report. Almost every major city recorded gains, led by Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, all of which hit record highs. Sydney’s median house price climbed 3.4 per cent to $1.75 million, while Brisbane jumped 3.7 per cent to $1.1 million, overtaking Melbourne as the second-most expensive capital.

Adelaide recorded its longest growth streak in two decades, and Perth is edging closer to the $1 million mark. Unit prices also lifted as affordability pressures pushed buyers toward smaller dwellings, with Darwin up 6.5 per cent and Adelaide up 5 per cent. Domain’s Chief of Research, Dr Nicola Powell, said strong auction clearance rates, improving sentiment, and recent rate cuts are fuelling demand and are likely to keep the momentum going into the final quarter of the year.

CLIMATE CHAOS

Flood risk wipes $42 billion from Aussie property values

A new report from PropTrack and the Climate Council has revealed that flood-prone homes across Australia are collectively worth $42.2 billion less than comparable properties without flood risk. The national analysis found that one in six homes, which is more than two million properties, face some level of flood exposure, with the greatest impacts seen in Queensland and New South Wales.

In regions where flood risk reduces value, a typical three-bedroom home sold for $75,500 less than a similar home outside the flood zone, representing an 8.5 per cent gap. PropTrack Senior Economist Eleanor Creagh said flood-prone properties not only sell for less but also experience slower price growth over time. Queensland alone has an estimated $19 billion in lost value, followed by $14 billion in NSW.

TRUMP REAL ESTATE

Trump Organization doubles down on India as partners face legal scrutiny

The Trump Organization is expanding aggressively in India, launching new luxury projects despite several local partners facing serious legal accusations. The company’s latest development, a 51-storey residential tower in Gurugram near New Delhi, sold out within hours of its launch. However, its key partner, the Bansal family of developer M3M, is accused by Indian authorities of laundering US $46 million (A $70.5 million) and bribing a judge in a separate case.

None of the allegations involve Trump-branded projects, and the Trump Organization itself faces no charges. India has become the company’s largest foreign market, generating US $12 million (A $18.4 million) in fees last year, part of US $44.6 million (A $68.5 million) in total global licensing revenue.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Surfboard maker and Ugg boot pioneer’s iconic Mona Vale home hits the market

The former Mona Vale beachfront home of surf legend and Ugg boot pioneer Shane Stedman has hit the market with a $7.5 million-plus price guide. Once a local landmark known for its ocean views and famous guests, including Richard Branson, the four-bedroom home at 61 Hillcrest Avenue has been beautifully renovated by current owners Justin Riddett and family. Stedman, founder of Shane Surfboards, helped popularise the Ugg boot in Australia during the 1970s, long before it became a global fashion staple.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Jim Connors joins Harcourts Queensland

The award-winning agent has been appointed as Business Performance Coach, bringing over a decade of experience and top 2% national performance credentials to the role. 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 the prospective buyer registers with a fake number and you realise you’ve just been catfished. 😅🎭

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.

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