GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

August 1 is Horse’s Birthday in the southern hemisphere, which means every horse, from paddock pony to prized showjumper, officially turns a year older today. For real estate agents, it's the perfect excuse to spotlight acreage listings, hobby farms, and properties with room to roam.

Got a place with stables, fenced paddocks or space for a float? Today’s the day to trot it out. After all, while horses might not be on the title, they’ve got a big say in where their humans choose to live.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 44 seconds

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HIGH END CLIENTS

Why discretion matters

In a business built on visibility, Andrew Campbell wins with quiet confidence

Most agents thrive on being seen and heard - Instagram updates, auction day selfies, branded boards on every street. But in Brighton’s high-end market, Andrew Campbell has proven that a quieter path can lead to louder results.

As co-leader of Team Campbell / Gregory (now under Buxton Brighton), Andrew has carved out a niche in the $5M+ property bracket by doing what few agents dare: stepping back. His currency? Trust, discretion, and relationships that span years before a single signature hits a listing agreement.

High trust, low exposure

With a client list that includes celebrities like Chris and Rebecca Judd and NBA player Joe Ingles (whom he’s transacted $30M+ with - exclusively via text), Andrew’s approach centres on high trust, low exposure. His former agency, Hush Property, was named for good reason.

“I’ve never met Joe in person,” Andrew says. “But that’s what trust looks like.”

This commitment to privacy extends to showings and negotiations. For one FaceTime buyer who then flew in to inspect a home, Andrew offered a private, unhurried follow-up tour, so the buyer could envision life there without pressure.

Certainty over showmanship

Andrew resists the urge to inflate price expectations or chase headlines. “I told the vendor I wasn’t going to overcook it just to get the listing,” he says. Instead, he crafts realistic campaigns designed to move stock within four to five weeks.

Sometimes, he won’t even post the sale. “In a market like Brighton, discretion is not just appreciated, it’s expected.”

And for clients like Rebecca Judd, whose brief involved more than specs, “she wanted peace and quiet”, Andrew’s methodical, hyper-personalised approach is what seals the deal.

“In this game, you’re only as good as your last phone call,” he says. “I never take a relationship for granted.”

Relationships, not listings

Take the recent sale of 29 Tennyson Street, Brighton: it sold in just four weeks, but only after six years of quiet vendor nurture.

“It’s not about pushing for a listing straight away,” Andrew says. “It’s about being there with valuable insights and letting people come to their own decision over time.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we spoke to William Bonnici about expanding a real estate business across state lines.

TOGETHER WITH DOMAIN

Domain and Nearmap expand property insights with enhanced aerial imagery

Domain has announced a partnership with Nearmap to strengthen its Home Price Guide (HPG) platform by integrating more than 5 million high-resolution, frequently updated aerial images. This upgrade nearly doubles the previous image count and improves visibility across metropolitan and regional areas.

The enhanced imagery allows users to better observe housing developments, new constructions, and changes in local areas. Expanded valuation insights now cover more than 2.4 million properties, including those relied upon by financial institutions, significantly increasing market coverage.

"Property decisions are only as strong as the data behind them," said Pooyan Asgari, Chief Data and AI Officer at Domain. "By integrating Domain's deep market intelligence with Nearmap aerial innovation, we empower Australians to track property values with sharper precision, assess opportunities more confidently, and navigate a rapidly evolving market with greater certainty."

Read more about the Domain/Nearmap partnership here.

NEW QLD LAWS KICK IN TODAY

QLD sellers face new disclosure requirements

Queensland's property market is witnessing a big change with new Seller's Disclosure laws taking effect today. For the first time, sellers must provide prospective buyers with a detailed Form 2 disclosure statement before contracts are signed, including property title, survey plans, zoning, and body corporate information. However, REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella warned that the disclosure doesn't cover everything, and buyers will still need to investigate things like flood risks, pest issues, and structural concerns themselves.

VICTORIA LEGISLATION

VicGrid Bill raises alarm for rural property rights

Real estate agents in regional Victoria are being urged to monitor proposed changes to land access laws under the VicGrid Stage 2 Reform Bill. The legislation would allow government officers to enter private land without consent to build transmission infrastructure. The Institute of Public Affairs has labelled the move “draconian,” warning it could damage land values, farming operations, and vendor confidence.

GLOBAL INVESTMENT - JAPAN

Big-name investors eye $2.7B property deal in Japan

Three major investment groups, including Bain Capital, KKR, and Lone Star, are preparing to bid for Sapporo Holdings’ real estate division, which includes the high-profile Yebisu Garden Place in Tokyo. The estimated value of the deal is ¥400 billion (around $3.76 billion AUD). Sapporo, best known as a brewery, has been under pressure from investors to focus on its core drinks business and sell off its property assets. The second round of bidding is due in August, with a final decision expected by November. This potential sale is one of the biggest commercial property deals in Japan this year.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Robbie Williams drops $40M on waterfront paradise

British pop star Robbie Williams has traded California for Florida, purchasing a sprawling 19,380-square-foot waterfront mansion in Coral Gables for US$40M, plus another US$5M for furnishings. The property sits on a rare 1-acre peninsula with 435 feet of waterfrontage and features seven bedrooms, a resort-style pool, and an 18-car garage. Williams has already hired "The Billionaire's Builder" to oversee a US$5 million renovation, including adding a recording studio.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Matt Redmond finds perfect fit with Area Specialist

The South Gippsland agent is leveraging his local farming background and community connections to build a thriving business across the region. 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

Spilling the tea: we all say real estate is about relationships, but the real secret is knowing which ones come with good coffee and better gossip. ☕🏡

Seen an Agent On Social we should include? Let us know here (email link)

Wishing you a productive day!

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