GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Adelaide is turning heads overseas, ranking high in searches for buying and renting homes, according to PropTrack’s report, with interest from India jumping by 23%. Meanwhile, Auckland residents topped the list of searches for Aussie properties and overseas buyers also have deeper pockets, with $1m as their top price band, compared to locals’ $600k.

Today’s read time: 3 minutes, 57 seconds.

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OPINION

The great Christmas shutdown debate

The holiday season often sparks debate within the real estate industry: should agencies fully shut down, or is it wiser to stay operational during the festive period?

The conversation is especially relevant as shifting consumer behaviour challenges traditional downtime.

Agencies like Jellis Craig has embraced this change, using the post-Christmas period to launch new listings and capitalise on heightened buyer activity. Meanwhile, industry business coach Hermione Gardiner highlights the importance of balancing service demands with staff well-being. At the heart of the discussion lies the need to rethink what a “shutdown” should mean in a client-driven industry.

Boxing Day listings deliver results

Jellis Craig’s decision to launch listings on Boxing Day reflects a response to changes in buyer behaviour. CEO Andrew McCann explains why this time is no longer a hiatus period. “The days between Boxing Day and early January are no longer downtime for the market.

“We have observed a significant increase in buyer activity during this period, and we want to give our sellers the best possible chance to maximise their sale value before the rush of listings that typically enter the market in February.”

The risks of a full shutdown

While holiday breaks are essential, fully shutting down can be risky for agencies. Hermione, a business and mindset coach for the industry, says we need to reach a fair midpoint.

“Perhaps the idea of an agency shutting down completely, for two full weeks, isn’t just outdated - it’s also a service risk. I’ve seen landlords move their properties to another agency simply because they couldn’t get answers during this time.”

The solution, she argues, lies in preparation and flexibility. By maintaining skeleton staff or on-call services and utilising technology, agencies can continue supporting clients without exhausting their teams. Simple measures like automated enquiry responses, detailed out-of-office messages, and a well-prepared website ensure clients feel supported even during reduced hours.

Balancing rest with responsiveness

The crux of the debate is finding a middle ground that supports clients while valuing staff well-being. Hermione points out that overseas markets often adopt a hybrid approach, with agencies remaining open apart from public holidays.

“The Australian real estate industry’s tradition of full shutdowns contrasts sharply with overseas markets, where agencies often stay open apart from public holidays.”

ICYMI, last week we reported on why real estate professionals should incorporate various AI platforms into their toolkit.

TOGETHER WITH AGENT PROFIT PLANNER

Wayne Johnson, founder of Agent Profit Planner, is helping small to medium-sized real estate agencies achieve sustainable growth through smarter financial planning.

Leveraging decades of experience in real estate and franchise management, Wayne developed a cloud-based tool that transforms financial insights into actionable strategies.

Unlike traditional methods, Agent Profit Planner allows agencies to test scenarios, like adding staff or adjusting fees, before implementing changes. With its user-friendly interface, agencies can quickly identify profit drivers, cut inefficiencies, and make strategic decisions. Supported by the REACH PropTech program, the tool enables agency owners to gain control over their finances and focus on growth.

Read more about Agent Profit Planner here

SMART SNIPPETS

Queensland crowned king of housing activity
The Sunshine State has taken the lead in Australia's residential construction race, driven by a surge in population growth. According to the HIA Housing Scorecard, Queensland's building boom is particularly strong in North Queensland and the Southeast corner, outperforming all other states.

With exceptionally low unemployment and strong migration flows, experts predict the construction momentum will continue, though Western Australia might claim the top spot by 2025.

The top 10 investment locations under $500,000
New research from Washington Brown, powered by Hotspotting, has uncovered Australia's top property hotspots offering strong capital growth potential. These locations span Queensland, Western Australia, and New South Wales, with yields above 6% and promising depreciation benefits for investors.

Investors eye ¥25 trillion in hidden Japanese real estate value
Global hedge funds and private equity firms are targeting Japanese companies to unlock (US$165 billion) in undervalued real estate, spurred by decades-old accounting practices.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Snow Real Estate joins The Agency in Toowoomba
Brothers Peter and David Snow bring their 70-year family business and 500 property management portfolio to the national network. 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.

SOUND WAVES

How to boost workplace happiness

Work takes up a big part of life, so finding happiness there is crucial. The good news is that workplace happiness isn’t just luck.

Today’s curated listen looks at practical steps like managing stress, building positive relationships, and focusing on growth to improve your experience and well-being.

Dive straight into the listen below or the deeper dive here.

Read the article from A Little Dose of Happy here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

A real estate agent gets a last-minute client call while slouching on the coach, and transforms in record time. Slippers off, blazer on, and five minutes later, they’re at the property looking like they woke up in a power suit. Who says agents aren’t superheroes? 💼👟

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

Wishing you a productive day

Elite Agent is crewed by Mark Edwards, Catherine Nikas-Boulos, Rowan Crosby, Giverny Pringle, 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.

Stories marked with * are sponsored, including 'Together With' and the weekday 'Movers & Shakers' sections. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at eliteagent.com/advertise.

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