GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

On this day in 2010, John Isner beat Nicolas Mahut in the longest tennis match in history - an 11-hour battle across three days, with a final set that ended 70–68. If you’ve ever had a sale drag on, a buyer go quiet, or a vendor stall at the finish line, you’ll know the feeling. Real estate, like tennis, often comes down to stamina. Stay in the game. The win will come.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 54 seconds

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LEADERSHIP

The 'must-have' skill in the new era of work

Trends. Some come and go, some you wish you’d gotten onto earlier.

Roughly two years ago, Elite Agent began to lead a discussion about the new success metric in business, one that’s now even more rapidly becoming more valuable than your IQ or EQ, and that is your Adaptability Quotient, or AQ.

Since then, this topic has gained considerable momentum… Research by Amy Edmondson at Harvard Business School suggests that adaptability is now more valuable than intelligence in the face of rapid change. McKinsey has found that adaptable companies outperformed their competitors by 25%. And here's the kicker: they say adaptability is now the #1 predictor of whether you'll stay employable.

If you need even more proof, Forbes calls adaptability "The Must-Have Skill in the New Era of Work," and LinkedIn named it the “Skill of the Moment" in 2024.

So what exactly is this AQ, and how do you get more of it?

What is the Adaptability Quotient (AQ)?

Future Crunch co-founder Tane Hunter defines AQ as "your ability to identify what is relevant, unlearn obsolete knowledge and old ways of thinking, to overcome challenges and make a conscious effort to change in real time."

Natalie Fratto, a vice-president at Goldman Sachs who studies AQ and gave a popular TED talk on the subject, defines it as "the ability to pivot and flourish in an environment of fast and frequent change."

Three ways to build AQ

1.Practice ‘unlearning’ weekly

Most of us focus on learning new skills, but rarely question what they should stop doing. High-AQ teams regularly audit their processes.

Try this: Each week, pick one "rule" you follow and ask if it still serves you.

Hunter's research partner Rhea Mercado puts it this way: "We're taught status quo. We're taught to do the same things because that's how everybody else did it before us." The key is identifying which of these rules help and which hold you back.

2. Study industries outside real estate

This might sound counterintuitive, but Hunter argues that "the innovation that's gonna transform your industry is very likely to come from outside of it."

What can real estate learn from other fields? Healthcare has mastered patient journey mapping—could this improve your client experience? Tech companies excel at onboarding new users seamlessly—what would this look like for first-time buyers?

Hospitality knows how to make people feel special—how could this transform your open house strategy?

Find the time to consume content from outside real estate, follow innovators from different fields, and ask: "How could this apply to my business?

3. Treat AQ like Physical Fitness

Just like going to the gym, adaptability improves with consistent practice. You don't need dramatic overhauls - small daily adaptations compound over time.

Start with micro-experiments: Try one new tool each month. Test a different approach to follow-ups. Experiment with a new social media platform. The goal isn't perfection; it's building your adaptation muscle.

Hunter compares this to physical fitness: "If you don't exercise for a couple days, you feel like crap about yourself, but as soon as you start exercising, you start to feel good about the world." The same applies to mental flexibility- the more you practice adapting, the more comfortable change becomes.

The real estate industry - like many other industies - is evolving at an unprecedented rate. AI tools, new financing options, generational shifts in buyer behaviour, and regulatory changes - the list goes on. Agents who can adapt quickly will thrive. Those who can't will struggle, regardless of their experience level.

Check out more on AQ from Tane Hunter and Rhea Mercardo here. To apply some hospitality lessons to your real estate business, check out our wrap of Will Guidara’s keynote at AREC 2025 - What a $2 hot dog can teach real estate agents about unforgettable service.

ICYMI, yesterday we reported on BresicWhitney’s new property platform.

TOGETHER WITH DOMAIN

Domain adds automated social video feature for Platinum Edge subscribers

From 1 July 2025, Domain will introduce an automated video feature for its Platinum Edge subscribers. The tool generates short videos using the first five listing images without requiring any extra work from agents. These videos are optimised for Instagram Reels and Facebook and will be promoted on both the Domain and Meta platforms for five days to increase listing exposure.

”By automatically creating scroll-stopping videos from listing images, we’re helping agents to boost engagement, reach and leads - all without extra effort,” said Dani Harmer, Domain Group Product Director.

This addition builds on Platinum Edge’s existing benefits, including early access, unlimited platinum listings, and listing bump. Subscribers will also soon receive enquiry leads from the Home Price Guide and gain early access to Domain Skylight, an app providing real-time campaign data and marketing tools.

Read more about the new social video feature on Platinum Edge Subscriptions here.

POLICY & REGULATION

NSW plan lets developers swap cash for concrete to speed up housing

The NSW Government has released a draft plan that would let developers meet their contribution obligations by building things like roads and schools instead of handing over cash. Known as a "Works-in-Kind" approach, it applies to projects in Greater Sydney and key regional areas. The idea is to fast-track housing delivery while still getting vital infrastructure built. The Housing Industry Association has backed the move, saying it could clear a path for more new homes and help deliver the essentials, without the red tape slowing everything down.

CAPITAL CITY MARKETS

Sydney and Brisbane lead property market recovery

Australia’s capital cities are bouncing back, with Sydney and Brisbane leading the charge into 2025. Property transaction volumes hit $9.3 billion in Q1, up 26% year-on-year, pointing to growing investor confidence. The uptick suggests more listings could hit the market, with buyer interest picking up as conditions continue to improve. For agents, it’s a sign that momentum is building in key metro areas.

US MARKET TRENDS

Buyer power grows in US property market as sellers cut prices

The US housing market is showing signs of becoming more buyer-friendly, with inventory levels rising and sellers increasingly adjusting their price expectations. New data from Realtor.com reveals that one in five U.S. sellers is now cutting prices, while total active listings have increased by more than 28% year-over-year.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Bethenny Frankel offloads historic estate in $11.9M off-market deal

TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel has sold her 1743-built Connecticut estate for AUD$ 11.9 million in an exclusive off-market transaction. The heritage-listed compound, featuring five bedrooms, luxe upgrades and a party barn, was snapped up just weeks after Bethenny announced her move to Florida, marking another savvy real estate play from the Skinnygirl mogul.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Harcourts Foundation brings joy to the families of Camp Quality

The $5,578 grant funded a special Puffing Billy Railway day for 140 people from 33 families facing childhood cancer, creating precious memories and connections. 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

Thinking of a day off? Cute. Someone just rang wanting to put down a deposit. In real estate, even your "quiet day" comes with contracts. 📝📞

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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