GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Welcome to the final edition of The Brief for 2024.

As the year draws to a close, we’re pleased to present our Top 50 Influencers list, highlighting the industry leaders who have significantly impacted over the past year. This comprehensive post features all the details, including the readers' choice winners, with gratitude to everyone who voted.

And with that - it’s time to hang up the keys, kick off the heels, and swap daily finish lines for family and friends. As we wrap up another big year, we want to thank you, our incredible readers, for being part of the journey.

We’ll be back on deck from January 6, ready to help you make 2025 awesome with fresh insights, hot tips, and plenty of inspiration. Until then, enjoy the break, eat the pavlova, and recharge for another year of real estate greatness.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 1 seconds.

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MOTIVATION

See you later 2024. See how real estate agents can dominate in 2025

With the real estate market shifting and competition growing, success in 2025 will demand more than just hard work, it will require strategy, skill, and discipline.

In a recent US live stream, “millionaire coach” Robert Villanueva and industry expert Loida Velasquez shared powerful insights on how agents can navigate challenges and thrive in the coming year. From lead generation to mindset mastery, here are three actionable strategies to help you dominate the new year.

Treat real estate as a contact sport

For Robert, lead generation is all about one thing: conversations. “This is a contact sport, and you have to be in conversations all day, every day,” he said. Whether it’s door-knocking, cold-calling, or hosting open houses, consistent outreach is the key to building a strong pipeline. For agents looking to start strong, he suggested doubling efforts. “If you’re making 10 contacts a day, make it 20. Do more, not less,” he urged.

Perfect your skills to stand out

Both Robert and Loida emphasised the importance of sharpening skills, especially when it comes to handling objections. “The more you work on your skills, the more opportunities come about,” Loida said. To improve, Robert advised agents to record themselves practising scripts. “Think about back when you were in high school, memorising songs to be the cool kid.

Now, as an adult, instead of memorising songs, memorise your scripts,” he said. He also encouraged agents to focus on specific objections they encounter, like pricing concerns or high interest rates. “Write them down, practice them, and then practice them some more.”

Set clear goals and commit to your plan

Robert also stressed the importance of having a structured approach to daily activities to kick off 2025 right. “If you don’t have goals, it’s like driving in the dark,” he said. For agents looking to restart their momentum in the new year, he recommended focusing on five core activities: skills improvement, prospecting, lead follow-up, negotiating contracts, and going on appointments.

ICYMI, yesterday we covered the psychological principle championed by Paul McGee: E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome).

TOGETHER WITH VIEW.COM.AU

When Place New Farm Lead Agent Ann-Karyn Fraser listed a 1960s riverside home in St Lucia, Brisbane, she anticipated young families would jump at the chance to secure a property in the sought-after school zone. However, interest from families fell short, and developers emerged as the key buyer group due to the home’s renovation potential.

Using a four-week ‘top offers’ campaign and the Place Pulse Performance Package, Ann-Karyn adapted her strategy. She retargeted digital marketing to developers while leveraging offline tools like letterbox drops and video tours. The combined approach led to four competitive offers, with a Sydney-based cash buyer sealing the deal to redevelop the site.

“It’s not just about putting up a signboard,” she says. “You need a well-rounded strategy to ensure you don’t miss the right buyers.” Read more about Ann-Karyn’s sales campaign here

SMART SNIPPETS

2025’s unexpected property hotspots
Property investors might want to look beyond the usual suspects for their next purchase. New analysis from Hotspotting, predicts Darwin and Melbourne as the top picks for 2025, with Darwin's housing market showing strong recovery and attractive rental yields. The report also highlights regional hotspots like Albury-Wodonga and Tamworth as areas poised for significant growth.

Industry at odds with tenancy reforms
The Sunshine State's rental market is experiencing growing pains as industry leaders call for a review of recent legislative changes. Since 2020, Queensland has introduced multiple tenancy reforms, with key changes like portable bonds still pending implementation. The new Housing Minister suggests the focus will shift to building industry concerns first, while promising a balanced approach to landlord-tenant relations.

Get the neighbours to your open home
Those curious neighbours at your open home might be worth more than you think. Research shows that personalised neighbour invitations get 29% more responses than generic ones, and a single engaged neighbour relationship can generate over $23,000 in commissions over five years. The good news is AI can now help you create those personalised invitations in seconds.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Bing Crosby’s iconic desert estate hits the market

A Palm Desert estate once owned by Bing Crosby (and widely known as the site of a rumoured tryst between President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe) is on the market for US$13.5 million.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White grows in South Australia's southeast. 
Tahlia Gabrielli leads the expansion into Robe and Penola markets joining forces with some established agents to strengthen their regional presence. More here.

Steve Langley’s 20 year real estate journey
Steve celebrates two decades in real estate with a focus on community, family, and personalised service with Area Specialist in Melbourne's southeast. 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

Key considerations for business owners in 2025

With high inflation, interest rates, and global uncertainty from potential US tariffs and Australia’s Federal election, businesses face a challenging year. This curated listen reports on why staying focused on cost management, productivity, and customer service will be essential to navigate the shifting landscape.

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

Read the article by Bank of Sydney here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Real estate agents in December: “Do I post ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Happy New Year,’ or another video of me opening a door dramatically?”

It’s definitely the season of content fatigue.

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

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday!

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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