GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

September 1 isn’t just National Wattle Day, it’s also the green light for the busiest season in real estate. As the wattles bloom, so do buyer numbers, gardens look their best, and open homes start filling up. It’s the time of year when listings multiply, phones ring more often, and opportunity is everywhere. Here’s wishing everyone a busy, successful and rewarding season ahead.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 54 seconds

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COMMUNITY

Why local connections drive real estate success

Community first, listings later

In real estate, success isn’t just about selling houses, it’s about belonging. JJ Taylor, managing director of @realty, makes the case that “the most successful real estate agents don’t just sell in a community - they’re part of it.”

The numbers prove that being a visible, trusted figure in your neighbourhood delivers more than goodwill; it accelerates long-term growth. Agents who build authentic connections become the natural go-to when property conversations start, outpacing even the slickest marketing campaigns.

Building trust

Trust is the cornerstone of real estate, and nothing builds trust faster than familiarity. JJ explains that people are far more likely to choose someone they know or have seen actively supporting the community. That hyperlocal credibility can outperform big advertising budgets, often opening the door to off-market opportunities that start over coffee or at a school event rather than on a portal. In short, embedding yourself in your neighbourhood doesn’t just feel good, it actually generates real business.

How to strengthen local presence

The path to becoming a community insider is practical and proven; agents who collaborate with local businesses see stronger referral pipelines, with 85% reporting improved opportunities ¹. Creating hyperlocal content also drives results, with neighbourhood updates and event roundups pulling triple the engagement of generic real estate posts ².

Community sponsorships and visible involvement matter too - research shows agents who support local events are twice as likely to be remembered by name ³. These strategies aren’t theory; they’re measurable growth drivers.

From connection to conversion

Relationships don’t just build reputation, they convert into listings. Personalised outreach, such as handwritten notes or local business drop-ins, consistently outperforms generic flyers, with conversion rates of 10–15% compared to just 1–3%.

By showing up authentically and consistently, agents shift from being “the one who sends flyers” to being the trusted advisor people call first. As JJ says: “Start small. Be consistent. And remember, every relationship is a listing in disguise.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week, we asked the question: styling versus renovating - what adds the most value before selling?

TOGETHER WITH REA

REA Group named third best workplace in Australia

REA Group has been named Australia’s third Best Workplace for 2025 in the large company category by Great Place to Work®. The company was also the highest-ranked ASX-listed business and the only Australian-listed organisation to make the top 10. Chief executive Owen Wilson said he was proud of the consistent recognition, noting the group has achieved a top five placing every time it has participated since 2021.

“We place a lot of value in our people and culture, and this number three ranking validates the investment we make in creating an exceptional employee experience,” he said. “People are at the heart of REA’s success, and this recognition is particularly meaningful as it’s a direct reflection of our employees’ experience.”

Great Place to Work®, regarded as the global authority on workplace culture, compiles its rankings using data from surveys of more than 100 million employees worldwide.

Read more about REA’s workplace accolade here.

SPRING MARKET

Property poised for lift after rate cuts

Australia's property market is gearing up for its defining season, with spring historically delivering the strongest uplift in listings, sales and prices. Domain research found that property listings typically rise 5.9% between winter and spring, while sales volumes jump 8.4% and auction volumes surge by 31.1%. This year's spring revival is expected to be particularly powerful, boosted by three interest rate cuts already delivered in 2025, with experts suggesting it could mark a "decisive turning point" for market momentum.

HOUSING BOOST

1 million new homes on the way

Australia’s home building pipeline just got a lift, with the Housing Industry Association now forecasting more than one million new homes will start construction over the next five years. The revised outlook, up from 986,000, reflects stronger-than-expected population growth and a wave of government policy changes. New South Wales is set for a particular boost thanks to state Budget initiatives such as underwriting apartment sales and speeding up approvals. On the federal front, cheaper Lenders Mortgage Insurance for first home buyers could deliver up to 10,000 extra homes a year.

THE PRICE OF SPACE

Kiwis pay steep premiums for extra bedrooms

New Zealand buyers are forking out hundreds of thousands of dollars more for extra bedrooms, with new data from realestate.co.nz showing the price gap is widest in Auckland, Wellington and the Central Otago/Lakes District. Nationally, the average asking price jumps 32 per cent between one and two-bedroom homes, and 43 per cent between three and four bedrooms.

Auckland recorded the sharpest increase among major centres, with buyers paying 50 per cent more to upgrade from a one to two-bedroom property. In Wellington, the one-to two-bedroom jump was 45 per cent, though increases were smaller for larger homes.

Waikato and Canterbury saw the biggest value gains in four-bedroom homes, while in Central Otago/Lakes District, an extra bedroom added more than NZD$500,000 on average, with five-bedroom properties nearly NZD$1 million higher than four. Realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Williams said the figures show demand for “forever homes”, with buyers stretching further to secure more space.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Silvio Berlusconi's “bunga bunga” villa set for record-breaking sale

The late Silvio Berlusconi's sprawling Sardinian estate, Villa Certosa, is close to being sold for approximately €500M (AUD$896M) to a wealthy Arab businessman. If completed, it would become the most expensive residential property ever sold. The 68-room villa features extraordinary amenities, including an artificial volcano, a James Bond-style sea cave with boat access, and even a "nuclear-grade underground bunker." The property gained notoriety for hosting world leaders and Berlusconi's controversial "bunga bunga" parties.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White raises $50,000 to combat homelessness

The fundraising took place during their Connect 2025 conference through multiple auction formats, benefiting the upcoming A Home For All Foundation and Mobilise charity. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Picking the wrong agent is like a trust fall… straight onto concrete. 🤦‍♂️💸

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Wishing you a productive day!

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