GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

It’s Pretend To Be a Time Traveller Day, which is the perfect excuse for agents to have a laugh and imagine where (and when) the property market might take them next. Would you zip back to 2021’s record-breaking auctions, or jump ahead to 2030 to see what the homes of the future look like? While time travel isn’t on the cards, it’s a fun reminder that real estate is always about timing; knowing when to list, when to buy, and when to adapt.

If you went back even a decade, you’d find agents door-knocking with flyers instead of digital campaigns and buyers still chasing interest rates under 5 per cent. Fast forward a few years, and we could be managing listings powered entirely by AI, with clients touring homes in augmented reality.

Speaking of Time Travel, we wish we could go back to yesterday morning when Movers & Shakers was sent out to correct the subject line, which should have read Gavin Croft is the new COO of Ray White Queensland. Jason, the QLD CEO gig is still yours! Sorry for the unnecessary Sunday morning panic attack.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 35 seconds

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AI SEARCH

Will AI say you're the expert or ignore you completely?

The era of SEO is fading. Here’s how agents can win in a zero-click world.

Imagine this: A vendor meets you at an open home, then later asks ChatGPT, “Is [Your Name] a good agent?” What shows up? If it’s not your own content, your voice, AI might just cite someone else.

That’s the core message of the AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) revolution. As platforms like Google and ChatGPT shift from listing search results to delivering answers, agents face a new visibility challenge: If you’re not the answer, you’re invisible.

The rise of AEO: from clicks to citations

Here’s where things get even more interesting: Google doesn’t just read your website anymore. It watches your videos and listens to what you say.

That means every market update, walk-through, or Q&A on YouTube or Insta can boost your authority in AI’s eyes. Spoken words in video content now count toward your “trust score” especially with under-40 buyers and sellers, for whom video is the default search mode.

If you’ve been camera-shy, it’s time to rethink your media game. As the article puts it: “Video is where the authority lives in 2026.”

Defend your brand or let someone else do it

Without consistent, high-quality content, your digital reputation is shaped by default or worse, by your competitors. Brand defence in this context means showing up as the expert before someone else does.

That includes moving your audience from rented platforms (like Instagram) into owned spaces (like your email list). Boost content not for likes, but for trust and database growth.

Be the local voice AI trusts

The antidote to “AI Slop” (2025’s Word of the Year) is simple: specific, real local insight. AI knows the stats, but only you know where the best dog park is, or which street floods during storms. That’s your edge.

As we head into 2026, it’s not about gaming algorithms. It’s about being so useful, so local, and so real that when AI speaks, it says your name.

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, last week, we heard why NSW and Victoria should learn from Queensland auctions

TOGETHER WITH RIVERSTONE PARTNERS

Real estate's subscription-free revolution

SaleFunder has rebranded to Riverstone Partners, expanding well beyond commission funding to offer six integrated services for real estate agencies. The company has abandoned the industry's typical subscription model, instead charging only per listing with payment at settlement. Their flagship Agency Settlements service aims to reduce admin costs from $800-1000 per listing to just a few hundred dollars, while their CommissionFunder offers rates of just 1% per thirty days compared to competitors' 5% – without requiring property security.

Find out more about Riverstone Partners here.

THOUGHT LEADERS

From the Titanic to the “Breaking Bad” House: The Art of the Comeback

David Christensen is not your typical real estate agent. He is a former Hollywood executive, a Titanic diver (one of fewer than 200 people to reach the wreck), and the agent responsible for listing the iconic Breaking Bad house.

In this episode of Thought Leaders, David joins Samantha McLean to break down the specific strategies he used to list a $350k home for nearly $4 million, how he rebuilt his life after hitting rock bottom, and why he believes “white glove service” is mandatory at every price point.

OLDER ROOMMATES

Share houses no longer just for students

Cost of living pressures are reshaping Australia's housing landscape, with 55% of share house residents citing financial concerns as their primary motivation. The demographic is shifting too, 15% of flatmates are now aged 55-64, up from 9% last year. Despite economic necessity driving this trend, the experience is largely positive, with respondents rating their flatmate relationships 4.2 out of 5. Meanwhile, 70% believe the Australian dream of home ownership is now unattainable for young people.

SUMMER BOOM

Hotel sector booms ahead of summer season

Australia's hotel market is experiencing a remarkable recovery, with transaction volumes hitting $2.8 billion over the past four quarters, a 33% increase from the previous year. National occupancy rates have climbed to 72.8%, with Perth emerging as the standout performer at 80.7%. International visitor spending has surged to $8.5 billion in the June quarter alone, up 32% year-over-year, with Chinese tourists contributing 26% of total international expenditure.

SLOW DOWN

Housing market finally cooling in 2026

The US housing market is expected to become more balanced in 2026, with home prices forecast to drop in 22 of the nation's 100 largest cities. Florida appears particularly affected, with Cape Coral-Fort Lauderdale projected to see the largest decline at 10.2%. Mortgage rates are expected to ease to 6.3%, while existing-home sales should increase by nearly 2% as the market returns to what experts call "normal" conditions.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Aaron Rodgers closes his Green Bay chapter

Four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers has listed his longtime Wisconsin mansion for US$3.7M, officially ending his Green Bay era. The 10,500-square-foot custom stone home sits on 5.3 acres just 20 minutes from Lambeau Field and features luxury amenities including a home theatre, wine room, and tennis court. Rodgers has already purchased a new equestrian estate in Pittsburgh, where he recently signed with the Steelers.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White Queensland creates auctioneer panel.

CEO Jason Andrew has established a six-person team, including three women, to drive toward 10,000 auctions annually instead of replacing the Chief Auctioneer position. More here.

PS… a few of you picked up that our subject line yesterday said Gavin Croft was named CEO of Ray White Queensland… It should have read COO. Sorry for the unnecessary Sunday morning panic attack, Jason! The gig is still yours.

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

Neighbour logic: “They’re asking way too much for their place… but mine’s worth at least double.” 🏡😂

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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