🤯 Tom Panos and David McMahon saw things very differently

GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

TODAY'S FEATURE

Frozen market or one‑buyer myth?

Tom Panos filmed an empty driveway in Merrylands and called it the worst Sydney auction market since 1991. Ray White NSW & ACT's David McMahon looked at the same data and reached a completely different conclusion. The split comes down to one number most agents ignore when a single bidder shows up on auction day.

What you'll learn in the full article:

• The day‑45 marker: why David tracks clearance rates six weeks out, not on the Saturday, and what it reveals about real campaign performance.
• The one‑buyer rule: the reframe David uses on vendors convinced a single registration means the auction's dead – and the 53 per cent stat behind it.
• The umbrella test: a two‑option script agents can use with nervous vendors that strips out the words "auction" and "private treaty" altogether.

Read the full article →

TOGETHER WITH DOMAIN

Domain launches national campaign for its 3D property tours

Domain's putting its Matterport 3D tours front and centre with a new national campaign, and the tagline says it all: "The open home is always open". Expect buyers to arrive at your next inspection already knowing the floorplan, having virtually wandered through at midnight in their pyjamas – the campaign leans into exactly that kind of humour. Worth knowing before someone asks why your listing doesn't have one yet.

Check out the article for the three hilarious TV Commercials

Learn more →

DEPT OF LEGISLATION

Labor moves to fix negative gearing 'widow tax'

Draft legislation would let widows, widowers and divorcing couples keep negative gearing on an inherited or settlement property, instead of being treated as new buyers under the July 2027 rules. David Pocock flagged the flaw after one client had refinancing declined by three lenders. Feedback closes August 21 – useful context if you're handling estate or settlement sales right now.

DEPT OF TECHNOLOGY

Vendors are reviewing open home camera footage

A US survey found 56% of sellers kept cameras or doorbells recording during open homes, and 18% used the footage to gauge negotiating position. Buyers are catching on too – 34% said knowing a home was recorded would make them less likely to offer. Worth briefing your clients before they get into or out of the car.

DEPT OF HR

Zillow cuts 500 jobs despite strong Q1 growth

Here's the twist: Zillow's revenue jumped 18 per cent last quarter, yet it's still cutting about 7 per cent of its workforce, its biggest round this year. CEO Jeremy Wacksman called it building "the right people in the right positions" for the next phase of growth.

HOW IT SOLD

Sold in 7 weeks after four agents failed

Three years, four agencies and zero offers – then Leo Edwards took 19 Wheeler Road digital-first. His targeted Facebook campaign generated 13,179 clicks and 66 enquiries, none from portals, landing a $1.405 million sale in seven weeks.

Find out the story behind how it sold →

This story started with a 10-minute phone call. Imagine boosting this on socials to your farm area. getailsa.com →

CELEBRITY HOMES

Hidden Hills estate lists near Kim K and Drake for $30M

Magnum Opus just hit the market for US$21 million (about $29.83 million AUD), tucked behind the gates of Hidden Hills alongside neighbours Kim Kardashian, Drake, and Madonna. The seven-bedroom estate comes with an infrared sauna, steam room and cold plunge wing, plus a four-car garage built for a serious car collection. The infinity spa cascading over a marble waterfall alone is worth the click.

Read the full article →

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Key negotiation takeaways from Dr Medvec’s Ray White masterclass

More than 700 Ray White members logged on this week for a return session with Dr Victoria Husted Medvec, the Kellogg School of Management professor whose client list includes Google and Facebook. Managing director Dan White organised the repeat visit after staff reaction to her first session two years ago, with this round focused on handling lowball offers, hesitant vendors and buyer expectations in a tighter market.

David Hayden takes ownership of Stone Forest office Belrose's Agent of the Year three years running (and Davidson's for 2026), David Hayden has spent more than two decades working the Forest area he grew up in. After a decade with Stone Real Estate, he's now taken ownership of Stone Forest, with plans to grow the team and bring in more experienced agents.

Belle Property adds Macarthur team led by three principals Sydney's south-west has a new banner over a familiar team. Luke Mannion, Anna Younan and Tanya Gilbert, whose Camden agency spans residential sales, rural property, developments and property management, have brought their business into Belle Property as Belle Property Camden | Picton | Macarthur, growing their footprint to also cover Picton and Campbelltown.

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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Seen an Agent On Social we should include? Let us know here

TRUE OR FALSE:

The White House got its famous colour when it was painted white to hide the scorch marks left after British troops burned it in 1814.

And the answer is …

False. According to the White House Historical Association, the building was first whitewashed in 1798 – to protect its porous sandstone walls from freezing – and the white paint has nothing to do with covering the burning of the house. The 'White House' nickname was already in circulation before the British arrived with torches, and the building didn't get proper white lead paint until 1818. A good reminder to check a property's history before repeating what the neighbours told you. via White House Historical Association.