GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Well, it’s been an interesting week with the US elections, but there’s one metro area that was destined to come up trumps irrespective of who won. Dallas-Fort Worth has been named the top real estate investment spot in the US for 2025, thanks to its strong post-pandemic growth, affordability, and influx of Fortune 500 companies. It’s basically a boom time for real estate agents in North Texas.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 31 seconds.

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PROFILE

Kirsten Jordan’s playbook: what every agent needs to succeed

Real estate powerhouse Kirsten Jordan, known for her role on Million Dollar Listing New York, offers a masterclass for agents.

Emphasising the importance of knowledge, she says agents to go beyond surface-level details: “You need to know your stuff, big time.”

From understanding construction quality (“The kitchen is key”) to the power of personal branding (“People want to know the agent personally, not just the company name”), Kirsten’s insights are essential for agents aiming to stand out in a cluttered field.

Understanding property quality

For Kirsten, assessing a home’s value goes beyond its appearance, highlighting the kitchen is a critical indicator of a home’s material standards and renovation quality. She points out that buyers are now better informed about renovations, saying, “The literacy around renovations has obviously gotten much stronger over the last five years.”

This means agents need to know more about construction details, materials, and costs to guide clients effectively. As she puts it, “Back in the day, it was a value add to have this information. Now, it’s essential.”

Savvy marketing is non-negotiable

Kirsten believes that strategic marketing is now central to an agent’s success. She notes the rise of “mega teams,” explaining that “Good marketing isn’t cheap, and the margins aren’t always there to support it individually.”

Personal branding is also important in a world where clients want a direct connection with their agents. “It’s almost like speed dating. People want to know the agent personally, not just the company name.”

The art of managing client expectations

Managing high-end client expectations is challenging, especially when sellers may not see a full return on renovation investments. Kirsten notes, “Explaining to a buyer that the home isn’t worth the level the seller is asking for is a tough conversation.”

However, she sees opportunity in these situations, suggesting that buyers can sometimes acquire beautifully renovated homes at reduced prices. “You’re getting a beautiful home that’s never been lived in, and that’s a unique opportunity.”

ICYMI, yesterday we explored the hidden risks of short-term rentals

TOGETHER WITH RE/MAX

Ambition meets opportunity

Leanne Bojarski embarks on a new chapter this month as she launches RE/MAX On Point in Victoria Point, Qld, moving from team leader to principal. With almost ten years of experience, Ms Bojarski emphasised, “Real estate isn’t just a job; it’s a lifestyle, and being part of an international brand like RE/MAX is truly encouraging.” The RE/MAX On Point team, which includes John Dixon, Rita Suters, and Jill Birocchi, will continue serving Victoria Point and the Bayside communities.

Read more about RE/MAX On Point here

SMART SNIPPETS

Building a brighter future: push for a new generation of skilled trades
Construction timeframes in Australia have hit unprecedented levels, but this shift is sparking much-needed reforms in Australia’s building industry. With detached homes now taking nearly 13 months to complete, up from 9 months just fifteen years ago, and apartment timelines increasing by 80 per cent, industry leaders are focusing on attracting young talent and addressing long-standing perceptions of trade careers.

With 50% of renters feeling stuck, new legislation offers hope
Half of Australian renters feel they have no choice but to keep renting, with home ownership seemingly out of reach. A YouGov survey found that 8 in 10 people believe there's a lack of affordable housing in their area. The industry says new build-to-rent legislation could deliver 105,000 new homes over the next decade if passed, offering some hope to struggling renters.

Trump victory sparks mortgage rate hike
US mortgage rates jumped to 7.13% following Donald Trump’s election win, causing significant declines in housing stocks. Despite this, the National Association of Home Builders expressed optimism about working with the new administration on housing initiatives and analysts noted that future rate trends depend on inflation and economic conditions.

AI Search set to redefine real estate marketing and listings
The new ChatGPT Search (CGS) tool could transform how potential buyers interact with real estate listings. Instead of navigating dropdowns, buyers might simply ask AI for specific property features, like “Find a 3-bedroom near the beach in Broadbeach Waters under $2.5 million.” AI Powered Agents has reported on this shift, which will mean businesses will need to adapt by creating highly structured content that appeals to both AI algorithms and human readers.

SOUND WAVES

Crafting headlines that sell: a guide for real estate agents

Catchy headlines are essential for grabbing attention and driving interest in real estate listings, with 80% of people reading only the headline. This curated listen offers agents ten tips to create compelling, memorable headlines to increase engagement and boost sales.

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

Read the article from Xara here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

We all know first impressions matter, and nothing says "I can sell your home" like a crisp blazer and polished shoes. Whether it’s a power suit or a statement accessory, agents know dressing well is all part of sealing the deal.👞🕶️

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, Giverny Pringle, 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.

If you see a * beside a story, it’s a sponsored post, including the 'Together With' section. To enquire about advertising with us, visit eliteagent.com/advertise.

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