GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

TRUE OR FALSE?

In Hong Kong, agents must disclose if a property is considered “haunted,” and those homes often sell for significantly less.
(Scroll to the bottom for the answer!)

In today’s edition of The Brief

• Creating room for the right people to grow in your business

• Opinion: Budget needs a supply-first housing strategy

• What to consider before choosing an AML approach

Today’s read time: 4 minutes, 15 seconds

New to The Brief? Join us for free 🤝

LEADERSHIP

Why losing your star agent might save you

There's a nightmare scenario that keeps most agency principals awake at night. It's the fear that your top performer – the one pulling in 30% of your revenue – will walk out the door. Michael Nitschke lived through it. When a star performer left his Adelaide Hills agency to start their own business, the initial response was predictable - disappointment, then panic about the revenue gap. But something unexpected happened.

"Losing the star performer didn't create a gap. It created space for a real team to emerge."

Here's the counterintuitive part: after losing his star performer, Michael, who was transitioning from salesperson to CEO, also saw his personal sales drop by 25%, but he says it was the best thing that could have happened for his business.

He now believes that relying on "stars," including yourself, is the fastest way to become a bottleneck, but building systems that support growth takes more than just good intentions.

What you'll learn in the full article:

• The space principle: Why losing the wrong person creates room for the right people to grow

• The leadership trap: How solving problems too quickly stunts your team's development

• The de-risking formula: How to build revenue stability without relying on any single performer

• The stress-test approach: Using challenging moments to validate your systems and culture

Read the full article here

ICYMI, yesterday: AI Is Reshaping Architecture and Real Estate

TOGETHER WITH THE SUMMIT EVENTS

Property management has moved into a far more demanding phase, where landlords are better informed, competition is stronger, and fee pressure is reshaping how agencies operate

In this environment, generic strategies are no longer enough; what matters is practical insight that can be applied immediately to drive results.

That shift sits at the centre of The Summit 2026, held on 24 July 2026 in Sydney, led by co-founders Sarah Cincotta and Hermione Gardiner, who have drawn on years of frontline experience in training, speaking, and working with agencies across Australia and New Zealand. Their focus has been on one consistent issue: the gap between what’s taught and what is actually required on the ground.

As a result, the program is built around specific growth areas, including lead generation in a more competitive digital environment, sales skills required to convert without relying on discounting, database strategies that support consistent, long-term growth, confidence in conversations and client positioning, and the mindset required to execute at a higher level.

Keynote speakers include Annelise Macarthy, Andy Nunn, Marie Fitzpatrick and Adam Joske, as well as Sarah and Hermione.

Read more about The Summit Events here.

BUDGET

Four housing priorities ahead of the federal budget

Ray White Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee argues the budget should avoid policies that boost demand in a supply-constrained market – including first home buyer incentives that end up capitalised into prices. Her four priorities: protect rental supply from tax changes, remove barriers to downsizing, skip demand-side supports, and boost construction capacity.

POLICY

Six questions before locking in your AML model

From July 1, the Small Business Exemption under the Privacy Act disappears for AML reporting entities – even agencies under $3M turnover. It's one of several under-the-radar implications of your compliance structure choice. This piece from Barry Plant’s Kyrstie Nolan walks through six questions to consider before deciding between Reporting Groups, Independent Entity status, or a Hybrid Model.

HOW IT SOLD

32 days to sell in a 90-day market

Sean Cary combined professional styling with an auction deadline to sell this Noosaville four-bedroom in 32 days for $1.6 million. The result landed 10% above the most recent comparable sale – in a market where properties typically sit for up to three months.

A listing lasts weeks. The case study lasts forever. getailsa.com

CELEBRITY HOMES

“Look at Me Now”: Chris Brown’s graffiti home returns to market

The Hollywood Hills home that sparked complaints over Chris Brown's spray-painted "smiling monsters" is back on the market at $4.25 million. The exterior murals are gone, but inside, the street art lives on. And yes, there's a Sonic the Hedgehog.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Shayne Mele completes 50+ transactions in first year at Moove

The finance and property investment expert has transformed his decades of experience into a thriving buyer's agency practice focused on investor clients. 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

Not even a car accident can stop a real estate agent from following up. If we’re conscious, we’re still calling about your appraisal. 🚗🩹

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

TRUE OR FALSE:

In Hong Kong, agents must disclose if a property is considered “haunted,” and those homes often sell for significantly less.

And the answer is …

True. In Hong Kong, properties known as “haunted houses” (where a death has occurred, especially unnatural ones) are widely expected to be disclosed by agents due to strong cultural beliefs. The impact is real. These stigma-affected homes, often called “凶宅” (hung jaak), can sell for 20–30% below market value, as many buyers avoid them entirely.

Wishing you a productive day!

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