GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Happy Mario Day (Mar10 Day)—the one day a year where real estate agents wish they had a Super Star to speed through listings and a Power-Up to survive back-to-back open homes.

Imagine if Mario were in real estate:

🔹 Warp Zones – A dream for agents. Skip the traffic, instantly teleport to the next showing.
🔹 Question Blocks – Instead of coins, they’d drop extra commission bonuses (or maybe just a much-needed coffee).
🔹 1-Up Mushrooms – Perfect for those days when an auction doesn't go to plan.
🔹 Bowser Clients – The ones who demand a castle on a Goomba’s budget.
🔹 Luigi – Your workmate who somehow always gets the better listing but still panics when the phone rings.

Today’s reheating time: 6 minutes, 32 seconds

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LEADERSHIP

From sales to CEO

When Michael Nitschke lost both his parents within a few years, he was not only grieving but also thrust into leading his family’s struggling real estate business.

At just 31, he became Managing Director, only to discover the company was on the brink of collapse. Instead of retreating, he rebuilt it into a thriving independent agency, using the lessons of loss to shape his leadership style.

Trust your instincts
When stepping into a leadership role, it’s easy to second-guess decisions or rely too heavily on outside opinions. “If I had listened to the ‘experts’ and sold the crumbs left of the business when I took over, I wouldn’t be a CEO of a thriving agency today,” he said.

Michael advises that agents looking to scale their careers or transition into leadership must back their own vision, trust their gut, and commit to the process, even when faced with uncertainty.

Team over ego
Michael transformed his business by breaking down silos and ensuring every role played a critical part in the company’s success. “The sales team aren’t ‘better’ than the admin staff. The property management team doesn’t compete with sales.”

The lesson here? For agents looking to build a stronger business, this means focusing on collaboration over competition and fostering a team mindset that puts long-term success ahead of individual wins.

Perspective is everything
Difficult situations in business can feel overwhelming, but Michael credits his success to a shift in perspective. “Loss taught me that our greatest asset is our perspective. Operate with the philosophy of ‘life is happening for you, not to you.”

Whether dealing with a tough market, losing a listing, or navigating business setbacks, agents who adopt this mindset will find opportunities where others see obstacles - and ultimately, come out ahead

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week we celebrated closing the pay gap for women in real estate.

SMART SNIPPETS

RBA to help boost housing affordability
The recent rate cut from the RBA is likely to boost housing affordability and bring some relief to struggling borrowers. While rental affordability is already starting to improve. Affordability is now at the lowest level since records began in 1996, with mortgage repayments taking up 50.1% of median family income.

Historically, each rate cut typically improves affordability by 1 percentage point, suggesting 2025 could bring a much-needed boost.

Building approvals hit two-year high
New home building approvals rose 6.3% in January, the highest level since December 2022, with higher-density approvals up 12.8%. While 174,500 homes were approved over the past year, more are needed to meet the National Housing Accord target of 240,000 per year.

In the US, listing in late May can boost home prices
A Zillow analysis found that homes listed in the last two weeks of May 2024 sold for 1.6% more, adding US$5,600 to a typical home’s sale price. The best time to list varies by city - March in San Diego and Austin, November in Phoenix - but mortgage rate fluctuations have disrupted traditional selling seasons.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Fleetwood Mac Star Christine McVie’s London penthouse for sale
The Belgravia penthouse of late Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie is on the market for £6.95 million (AUD $13.4M). The 2,700 sq ft, three-bedroom home features high ceilings, marble fireplaces, a private roof garden, and has been newly refurbished. Ms McVie bought the Eaton Place penthouse in 2015.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Aussie agents in world rankings
Several Australian RE/MAX agents and teams have secured spots in the 2024 RE/MAX Global and Worldwide rankings, announced at the R4® convention in Las Vegas. Brisbane’s Kylie Harnisch and David Cotterill ranked in the Worldwide Top 100 for residential agents, alongside seven other Australians. More here.

Seema Joshi launches Ray White Beaumont Hills  
The former management accountant made the career switch to real estate four years ago and has now opened her own office in Sydney's northwest. 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.

SOUNDWAVES

The hidden toll of overwork

For real estate agents, long hours of chasing listings, negotiating deals, and managing clients are part of the job. But research shows that consistently working over 55 hours a week significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, anxiety, and high blood pressure. Some studies even suggest that the traditional 40-hour workweek isn't as healthy as once believed, with shorter workweeks linked to better sleep, lower stress, and improved quality of life.

For real estate professionals, this curated listen raises a key question: how do you balance productivity and wellbeing in an industry that never stops?

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

Read the article from National Geographic here.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

When asked if it's a good time to buy a home, real estate agents should channel their inner weather reporter: “There’s a 100% chance of opportunity, with a slight chance of regret if you wait too long.” 🙋🏻‍♀️❓

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, 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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