GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Real estate and Nutella have a lot in common - everyone wants a piece, the best ones go fast, and if you hesitate, you’ll be left scraping the bottom. On World Nutella Day, remember: whether you’re chasing a prime listing or the last scoop in the jar, the key is to act quickly.

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SALES

2025 market outlook: Where agents will find growth and challenges

Buckle up, real estate agents - 2025 is shaping up to be a wild ride! Some markets are set to explode, while others could leave you scratching your head.

According to Propertyology’s Simon Pressley, supply shortages, a growing population, and economic shifts will set the stage for the year ahead. Townsville is leading the charge with a forecasted 30 percent growth, (yes, you read that right), while the Sunshine Coast, Cairns, and Perth are also primed for big wins.

But not every market will be throwing a party. Sydney is expected to slide by 4 percent thanks to an oversupply of housing and sluggish job growth, while Melbourne is still stuck in the slow lane as the worst-performing capital city. If you're working in a growth market, expect a surge in demand.

Townsville and regional markets lead growth

Townsville is set to be the nation’s star performer, with property prices forecast to skyrocket by 30 percent. "It's already had strong growth over the last five years. We've had a 70 percent increase in the spending house price," Simon said.

"It’s the single biggest economic growth pipeline we've seen for any city in Australia for probably a couple of decades to be honest." And it’s not just Townsville. The broader North Queensland region, including Cairns and the Fraser Coast, is also on the up, with projected growth between 7 and 8 percent.

The Sunshine Coast isn’t far behind, tipped to climb 15 percent and cement itself as the country’s second-best-performing market.

Sydney and Melbourne face headwinds

Not all markets will be celebrating this year. Sydney is expected to take a 4 percent hit in median house prices, with excess housing supply and slow job growth weighing it down. "I guess one of the biggest concerns we have for Sydney is while Australia has seen an increase of about 10 percent in jobs over the last three years, Sydney's only had about 4 percent increase in CBD, which is of course Australia's economic engine."

Simon also pointed to the growing surplus of properties: "And there is elevated housing stock on the market as well. "Then there’s Melbourne. It’s been the worst-performing capital city for five years straight, and the outlook isn’t getting any rosier.

"We’ve seen a net 82,000 people relocate away from Melbourne over the last five years. I mean, that’s enough people to build a city the size of Coffs Harbour or Rockhampton or something like that."

What agents need to know

For agents, the opportunities (and challenges) are clear. If you're working in Queensland, South Australia, or Western Australia, get ready for a surge in demand.

But if you’re in Sydney or Melbourne, it’s time to think outside the box. "Real estate agents in these high-growth areas should prepare for increased competition."

Simon said 2025 is shaping up to be a year of opportunities for agents who stay informed, adaptable, and ready to roll with market shifts. If you’re in the right place at the right time, you could be in for a big year.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed about understanding the psychology of pricing

SMART SNIPPETS

REIA’s bold new plan to tackle housing crisis
REIA has unveiled an ambitious seven-point plan to address the nation's housing woes, with housing affordability at its lowest point since 1996. The plan aims to help the government deliver 1.2 million new homes and includes innovative measures like encouraging older Australians to downsize, removing stamp duty and expanding build-to-rent developments. 

First-home buyers will also be helped by expanded deposit schemes and revised lending criteria.

Your best year yet: Plan, act, and succeed
Ray White’s Bianca Denham is drumming home the importance of starting the year strong, with over 1,400 agents signing up for their Prospecting Boot Camp instead of taking a summer hiatus.

The appetite for accountability is growing, as more agents leverage the seasonal slowdown to gain momentum. To support this, Ray White has launched Plan, a program designed to help agents create time-bound goals with clear metrics.*

Big changes ahead for luxury homes
Major shifts are coming to the luxury real estate market in 2025, with balanced market conditions returning as sales ratios drop to 19.4%. Multi-generational living spaces are gaining momentum, driven by Gen X buyers, while women under 35 now control 54% of luxury properties in their age bracket. Indoor-outdoor living and personalised spaces are emerging as key design trends.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Will Arnett lists luxe Beverly Hills home for $36 million

Actor and podcaster Will Arnett is selling his Beverly Hills home for $22.5M USD ($36.1M AUD). The 957 sqm (10,300 sq ft) luxury property, just minutes from the Beverly Hills Hotel, features six bedrooms, a sound booth, a tiered theatre, a gym, and a resort-style backyard.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White Leaders Group extends partnership
New Zealand's number one Ray White network recommits with their 24 branches and 187 salespeople across six regions. 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

Smart selling: 11 tactics to boost your sales

In today’s market, hard sells don’t cut it. Buyers are more informed than ever, and trust is key to closing deals. Sales expert Alexine Mudawar shares 11 powerful tactics, from reading nonverbal cues and leveraging AI to handling objections head-on.

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

Read the article from Salesforce here

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

In real estate, first impressions matter. Dress sharp, and you’re the expert who closes deals, dress sloppy, and they might mistake you for the help. Look the part, win the deal.🕴🏻✍🏼

@bokarealestate

What I wear in a week as a real estate agent ✨ #realtor #fashiontiktok #outfitinspiration #ootd #sydneyrealestate

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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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