GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

During the 2003 Northeast Blackout, 50 million people lost power, but instead of chaos, the streets filled with BBQs, candlelit chats, and neighbours finally meeting each other. It’s a perfect reminder for agents that connection doesn’t always happen in a listing presentation. Sometimes, it’s the unplanned, unplugged moments - be it a driveway chat, a school fete, even a neighbourhood power outage, that build lasting trust.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 45 seconds

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GEN Z HOMEBUYERS

Breaking the “pause” mindset

A guide to getting young buyers moving

Buyer’s agent Tash Kessell knows the soundtrack inside many young buyers’ heads: “I’ll just wait until prices drop” or “There’s no point, it’s impossible.” For first-home hopefuls in their 20s and 30s, the Australian property market can feel like a rigged game with rules changing, goalposts moving.

But as Tash points out, markets rarely become easier. They simply shift, bringing new challenges that also create openings for the right strategy and the right guidance from switched-on agents.

Why younger buyers are stuck on pause

According to Tash, hesitation among younger buyers usually stems from three recurring challenges. First is what she calls “affordability whiplash,” where buyers are diligently saving but can’t keep pace with rapid price growth. It’s like running full speed on a treadmill, only to see the finish line keep moving further away.

Then there’s the reality of life events - weddings, overseas travel, rent hikes, or career changes, that eat into savings and slow down progress. In a cost-of-living crisis, simply keeping your head above water can feel like an achievement.

Finally, fear of making the wrong move looms large. No one wants to purchase a property only to see its value dip within a year, and that fear can keep people frozen in place, even when good opportunities are within reach.

Where agents can make the difference

Rather than seeing this pause as a setback, Tash views it as a moment of potential for agents willing to step in and guide buyers forward. She has seen strong results when agents help clients reframe their expectations and view their first purchase as a stepping stone rather than their forever home.

Encouraging creative buying partnerships between friends, siblings, or partners can also accelerate timelines, provided they are supported by solid legal agreements. Another effective tactic is identifying properties with hidden value, whether that’s a home needing light cosmetic updates, a quirky floor plan, or an off-market listing with less competition. Tash is also a big believer in rent-vesting, where buyers invest in areas they can afford while continuing to rent in locations that fit their lifestyle.

Changing the conversation and building relationships

For Tash, the real work lies in changing the narrative from “why it’s not possible” to “what’s possible now.” By presenting concrete examples, like boutique developments in growth suburbs with lower strata fees or fringe locations where a 10-minute commute difference can mean a six-figure saving, agents can replace doubt with momentum.

This approach doesn’t just help buyers take their first step into the market; it also builds long-term trust. In many cases, the clients an agent helps today will return for their second, third, and even fourth transactions.

As Tash puts it, “Your first property isn’t your forever property. It’s a vehicle that gets you to the next one.”The younger buyer segment may be on pause right now, but with the right guidance, she says that pause can turn into progress and lasting client relationships.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, Rudy Grommen taught us how to lead with heart in difficult times.

TOGETHER WITH AILO

Ailo’s MECCA events put calm and connection at the centre of property management leadership

Ailo is hosting a new series of invitation-only, after-hours events in MECCA stores across Australia, designed to spark open conversations among property management leaders. The gatherings focus on what the company calls the “third wave” of property management, moving from reactive operations to a calmer, more controlled way of working.

There’s no formal pitch or stage - instead, attendees share firsthand experiences about change management, investor expectations, AI adoption, team culture, and leadership. Ailo’s Head of Marketing, Liz Pollock, says the events are meant to reflect the optimism, control, and collaboration of well-run property management while giving leaders a chance to step back, reflect, and recharge.

“Property managers don’t need another product walkthrough. They need to hear firsthand what it actually feels like to change the way they work, and step into the future of the industry.”

Read more about Ailo’s MECCA events here.

RECORD PROFITS

Aussie home sellers celebrating big wins in 2025

Australia’s property market is serving up big wins for sellers, with 97% of houses and 88% of units resold for a profit in the first half of 2025. Brisbane and Perth are the standouts, with more than 99% of houses turning a profit, and Perth’s returns jumping 22% in a year. Sydney still claims the biggest dollar haul for houses, pocketing a median $700,500. Units told a mixed story, but Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth shone with profits soaring up to 55%.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Proposed WFH laws could transform Melbourne’s CBD office market

Victoria’s proposed work from home (WFH) legislation could significantly alter Melbourne’s commercial property landscape. The plan, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan, would give employees the legal right to work remotely two days a week if their duties can be done from home.

With office attendance dropping from five to three days, demand for space could fall by 40 per cent. In Melbourne’s 5 million square metre CBD office market, that equates to 2 million square metres of additional vacancies and a potential $830 million annual loss in rental income at current rates.

CHINA PROPERTY

First state-backed developer liquidated in China’s property crisis

China South City has become the first state-backed property developer to be ordered into liquidation since China’s real estate debt crisis began in 2021. The Hong Kong High Court issued the ruling over a year after creditors sought to recover at least US$1.4 billion, following the developer’s default on HK$16 billion (US$2 billion) of debt last year.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Greg Swann’s ‘Chateau Swann’ up for grabs as AFL boss heads to Melbourne

AFL football boss Greg Swann and his wife Leonie are parting with their much-loved Balmoral home in Queensland, fondly dubbed ‘Chateau Swann’. The five-bedroom, three-bath entertainer’s paradise at 22 Wright Street is packed with features including a private cinema, saltwater pool and multiple living zones. Over the past decade, the home has welcomed a steady stream of AFL players, family and friends - at one point racking up 90 overnight guests in a single year.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Jack Taylor joins BresicWhitney

The established Eastern Suburbs agent brings his local expertise to strengthen the group's presence across Paddington and surrounds. 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.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Seller wants to sleep on it… and the agent’s blood pressure just went through the roof. 🛏️💢

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Wishing you a productive day!

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