GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

On June 11, 1770, Captain James Cook’s ship Endeavour ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef, causing a near-disaster that could have ended the entire voyage. With quick thinking, the crew patched the hull, threw the cargo overboard, and managed to steer the ship to safety for repairs.

It’s a timely reminder for agents and business owners that setbacks happen. Markets shift. Deals fall over. Campaigns go sideways. You can’t always avoid trouble, but you can stay calm, adapt fast, and do what it takes to keep the ship afloat.

Sometimes, rough waters are just the beginning of the most important part of the voyage.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 47 seconds

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CAREER

More Than A Transaction

Why real estate demands more than just sales skills

You wouldn’t ask a plumber to teach Year 5 maths or a teacher to repair a leaking pipe, but in real estate, the lines between roles are far less defined. That’s exactly what Managing Director of Nitschke Real Estate, Michael Nitschke believes.

According to Michael, real estate isn’t a job you slot into. It’s one you grow into. “A lot of the time, it’s what you make of it,” he says and that’s what makes it special. The profession blends technical skill (understanding legislation, appraisals, marketing) with the emotional nuance of human relationships, making agents part sales professionals, part counsellors.

The two sides of the real estate coin

There are two crucial knowledge streams that include real estate-specific training for appraisals, legislation, and listing processes, and the sales mindset, where rejection, rapport-building, and long-term relationship nurturing are everyday realities.

While the former can be taught, the latter requires two things that training can’t manufacture: internal motivation and a shared mission. “This isn’t to say there aren’t solo flyers,” Michael says, “but in our industry, you’re dealing with transactions that are as emotional as they are financial.”

Helping people through life’s milestones

It’s this emotional layer that elevates the role from transactional to transformational. Whether a deal is sparked by a new baby or the loss of a loved one, agents often step into the role of emotional support. “Sometimes, we’re therapists and coaches,” Michael says, acknowledging the unseen work agents do daily.

At Nitschke, this philosophy shows up in simple but powerful ways like returning every call, walking the extra mile, meeting clients where they are, whether they’re months from buying or signing papers at settlement.

So, can anyone sell real estate?

Technically, yes. But succeeding in this business requires more than technical skills or a real estate license. It takes self-awareness, compassion, and the ability to hold space for people during some of their biggest life moments.

“It’s the most rewarding job,” Michael says. “But it’s also hard, which is why the people piece matters.”

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday we found out how TOOP+TOOP has thrived for 40 years and how you can too.

TOGETHER WITH @REALTY

Coaching program transforms agent performance

@realty's in-house performance coaching is helping agents master the 9 essential skills needed for success in today's competitive property market. Participants report big improvements, with one agent completing "more prospecting in 5 weeks than the whole of last year." The program focuses on developing critical abilities from negotiation to time management, resulting in more listings, better structure, and renewed motivation for agents.

Read more about the program here.

DEPT OF RENTALS

Sydney's rental market finally cooling down

Rental conditions across Sydney are starting to shift, with more than a third of suburbs recording either stable or declining weekly rents over the past year. In some pockets, drops of up to $350 per week have emerged, with numerous areas seeing declines of approximately $50 per week, potentially saving tenants around $2,600 annually.

DEPT OF SOLAR

1 in 2 Australians want home batteries with solar

Australia is experiencing a surge in household battery adoption, with half of Australians now looking to pair batteries with their rooftop solar systems. The Climate Council reports that adding two million more batteries by 2030 would save Australians over $4B annually on power bills. Large-scale battery costs have dropped 20% in just the last year, with the Northern Territory leading household adoption rates, ahead of the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program that launches July 1, 2025.

DEPT OF LUXURY HOMES

Luxury US real estate cools despite rising values

America's high-end housing market is showing mixed signals as luxury home values increased 2.7% over the past year, outpacing the broader market's 1.4% growth. However, April saw 12% fewer luxury properties going under contract compared to March, bucking the typical spring sales surge. The typical luxury home now costs approximately US$1.8M nationwide, with California cities dominating the top spot. San Jose leads the way at US$5.9M.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Audrey Hepburn's former Hollywood home hits the market

A historic Brentwood property once rented by Audrey Hepburn from fellow actress Deborah Kerr in the 1950s is available for the first time in 34 years. The 6,000-square-foot Georgian-style residence, built in 1939, features a Southern-style covered lanai, wood-panelled library, and swimming pool. This piece of Hollywood history can be yours for US$10.895M.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White announces two key leadership promotions.

Shaun Doyle steps into the new Agency Compliance Manager role for Australia while Zac Snelling becomes Group Head of Property Management after 18 years with the company. 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

Struts out like a pro: “I’ll be in touch.” Gets in the car: shoes off, hair down, Macca’s drive-thru. 👠🚗

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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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