GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

Today is Cat Herders Day, (fur real) - a light-hearted celebration for anyone who spends their days managing chaos and keeping things (mostly) under control. In real estate, that sounds a lot like the life of a property manager. From juggling tenants and trades to fielding last-minute maintenance calls and navigating landlord expectations, it often feels like trying to keep a room full of cats moving in the same direction.

But behind the daily whirlwind is a skill set that deserves serious credit. Property managers keep homes safe, investments secure, and relationships running smoothly, often with little fanfare. So today’s the day to celebrate the calm in the chaos, or rather the professionals who make sure the rent’s paid, the lawns are mowed, and everyone (mostly) stays purring.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 43 seconds

MINDSET

Why growth doesn’t come with a cheat sheet

“Success leaves clues.”

It’s a line you’ve probably heard in more keynotes and Insta posts than you can count. But according to Tina Ashton, Chief Growth Officer at Harcourts Australia, it’s time to stop treating leadership like a scavenger hunt and start doing the real work of growth, which is often uncomfortable, messy, and far from hashtag-ready.

The trouble with tidy advice

Tina believes generic wisdom might feel inspiring, but it often misses the point. “Dream big, work hard” looks good over a mountain backdrop, but it doesn’t tell you what to do when your plan falls apart, or when your version of success doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

Real progress, she argues, doesn’t come from mimicking someone else’s highlight reel. It comes from deep context, missteps, and learning your own version of the “recipe,” not just copying ingredients from someone else’s cake.

Growth is a gritty conversation

If leaders want real change, Tina says they need to lean into discomfort. That means asking the tough questions, challenging sacred cows, and being honest when strategies no longer serve the mission.

She recalls one of the hardest conversations of her career, telling a client that a beloved project was fundamentally flawed. It wasn’t easy, but that brave conversation opened the door to a far better outcome. “Real influence isn’t about telling people what they want to hear,” she says. “It’s about having the courage to tell them what they need to hear.”

How to disagree without going to war

Tina doesn’t suggest throwing grenades. Growth isn’t about conflict, it’s about curiosity. Instead of calling out flaws, invite new thinking:

• “What if we looked at it this way?”

• “Could you help me understand why we’ve always done it like this?”

This kind of dialogue builds buy-in, not resistance. The goal isn’t to win arguments—it’s to unlock better outcomes.

Influence isn’t a popularity contest

Real influence, Tina reminds us, isn’t measured in likes. It’s measured in legacy: the hard-earned impact you leave behind. That means sticking with complex problems long after the buzz has faded, and having the courage to ask the questions others avoid.

If growth is your goal, there’s no shortcut, no silver bullet, and no perfect playbook. What’s required is guts, honesty, and a willingness to trade comfort for real change.

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, last week, we uncovered five direct mail campaigns to make 2026 your best year yet

TOGETHER WITH RIVERSTONE PARTNERS

Trust accounts becoming obsolete for agencies

Real estate agencies might soon be saying goodbye to traditional trust accounts. Riverstone Partners' Agency Settlements platform has reduced the typical twelve-step deposit process to just three, potentially saving agencies $800-$1,000 per listing in administrative costs. The system securely collects deposits, issues receipts, and handles payments to vendors and agencies, while also positioning firms for upcoming AML requirements.

Find out more about how you can do away with traditional trust accounts.

EDGE CASE

Raising Professional Standards: Will Higher Barriers Protect Consumers or Choke the Talent Pipeline?

Does the real estate industry need higher barriers to entry to protect consumers, or does regulation stifle the diversity needed for innovation?

In this episode of Thought Leaders: Edge Case, Samantha McLean moderates a structured debate between two industry heavyweights on the controversial topic of professional standards. We stress-test whether higher barriers would elevate the profession or choke off the diverse talent pipeline the industry needs.

There are no winners here, just exploration. We are looking for frameworks to help you think independently.

DEPOSIT SCHEME

First-home buyer scheme creates winners and losers

Australia's expanded five per cent deposit scheme is creating vastly different opportunities across cities. Melbourne leads with nearly 60,000 eligible properties (60% of houses and 86% of units), while Gold Coast buyers face severely limited options with just 26.9% of houses under the cap. Economists warn that without addressing supply constraints, the scheme might actually worsen affordability in some markets by stimulating demand without increasing housing stock.

BOOM TIMES

Brisbane leads Australia's commercial property boom

Brisbane has emerged as Australia's commercial property standout, with its CBD office vacancy rate of 10.6% sitting near a decade low. The city's success stems from Queensland's robust population growth (up 14% since 2020) and limited new supply in key sectors. Premium office spaces are leading the charge as businesses pursue quality facilities, while retail vacancy rates in regional centres sit at just 0.8% – the lowest among state capitals.

MARKET REBOUND

Swiss property market booms after interest rate cuts

Switzerland's property market is experiencing a rebound in 2025 following a two-year correction phase. Residential investment properties surged 5.2% year-on-year, while listed real estate companies grew by an impressive 15.2% since January, outperforming the Swiss Performance Index. The boom follows the Swiss National Bank slashing interest rates from 1.75% to 0%, though experts caution the current growth pace may not be sustainable long-term.

CELEBRITY HOMES

NFL star's estate could break price records

Russell Wilson and Ciara have listed their lavish Rancho Santa Fe property for US$54.9M potentially setting a new price record for San Diego County. The couple purchased the 9-acre Mediterranean-style estate in 2021 for US$14.5M and completed extensive renovations. The property features a 30,000-square-foot main residence, a football field converted from an equestrian arena, and a professional recording studio.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Chervonne Papworth joins The Agency.

The Sydney prestige specialist brings decades of experience and over $3 billion in sales to her new role as property partner.

Real Estate Gym adds three new Performance Coaches.

Angie Dunn, Phoebe Cook, and Nicole Goldsmith join as the program expands internationally with a focus on emotionally intelligent coaching.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

If we were completely honest, “cosy” would mean you can cook, eat, and do your tax return without leaving the same chair. 😂🏡

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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