GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

Keeping your mind sharp is just as important as keeping your listings fresh. Real estate is a thinking game, from negotiating offers to reading market shifts and remembering the finer details that matter to your clients.

That’s why National Train Your Brain Day is the perfect excuse to give your brain a workout. Try a crossword, test your memory, or learn something new that strengthens your problem-solving skills. The sharper your thinking, the smoother your next deal will be.

Today’s read time: 7 minutes, 31 seconds

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THE BUSINESS OF COMMUNITY

How to turn local investment into lasting growth

“When the community thrives, so does the business”

Ray White Mt Gambier’s strategic investment in its local community illustrates how doing good and doing well can coincide. Under Principal Tahlia Gabrielli, the agency channels funds into sponsorships, events and charitable programs not as a marketing afterthought but as a core part of its business model.

This commitment builds visibility, trust and team pride, yielding stronger client relationships, improved retention and a competitive edge that outperforms many paid advertising efforts. The example shows that in regional markets, especially, community investment becomes a source of brand equity and sustainable growth.

Turning sponsorships into strategy

Tahlia treats sponsorships as part of her business plan, not a marketing expense. The office invested in major local events such as the Blue Lake Carols and Mount Gambier Gold Cup.

“The scale of that event gave us visibility you couldn’t achieve through traditional advertising,” she says. These high-profile activations also raised funds for local charities, reinforcing the agency’s image as “approachable, family-focused, and committed to doing things properly.”

The commercial return of doing good

Community engagement pays off in three key ways: visibility, trust and retention. “You don’t get an instant sale from sponsoring a community event, but when someone needs an appraisal or property advice, we’re already the first call,” she says. “You could spend the same amount on paid ads and get less impact.”

Internally, the approach builds pride and loyalty. “People want to work for a business that stands for something.”

Focus and authenticity over quantity

A central principle in their approach is doing fewer initiatives well rather than spreading resources too thinly. Tahlia advises picking community causes that resonate naturally, for instance, supporting clubs where team members participate, rather than doing generic sponsorships. Because in small markets, reputation travels quickly, authenticity and consistent delivery are key to long-term gains.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week, we discussed why calm isn’t a mood - it’s a leadership skill you can learn.

TOGETHER WITH KOLMEO AND LENDUS

Property managers turn to tech and new income streams

With management fees under pressure and clients expecting more, property managers are rethinking how they operate. Kolmeo CEO Scott Bateman and LendUs CEO Dean Mendelowitz say the future lies in combining better customer experience with new revenue streams. Kolmeo’s new platform, Kolmeo Plus, helps agencies modernise their service, simplify operations, and build income beyond traditional fees, while improving the rental experience for tenants.

At the same time, LendUs is reshaping how landlords finance their portfolios through cashback incentives and real-time loan comparisons. Together, the two companies are helping agencies turn mortgages into a strategic value-add, giving landlords stronger returns and offsetting fee competition. As the industry evolves, technology-driven partnerships like these are setting the pace for a smarter, more customer-focused approach to property management.

Read more about Kolmeo and LendUs here.

WILD WEATHER

Extreme weather costs put pressure on property and insurance

Australia has been ranked the world’s second most costly nation for extreme weather losses over the past 45 years, according to new data from the Insurance Council of Australia. The ICA’s 2024–25 Insurance Catastrophe Resilience Report found that “each decade is costlier than the last,” with inflation-adjusted losses from floods, bushfires and storms rising steadily since 1980.

In the past year alone, insured losses reached nearly $2 billion across three major events, including Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. ICA CEO Andrew Hall warned that “insufficient investment in resilience” is leaving Australians to bear an “outsized economic burden.” For the real estate sector, the findings signal that climate resilience is no longer optional and it is becoming a core factor in property value, insurance costs, and long-term market stability.

RENT MARKET

Sydney renters face "mortgage stress" without owning homes

Sydney tenants are now spending 33.7% of their income on rent, exceeding the 30% threshold typically used to define mortgage stress. With median weekly rent reaching $807 against an average household income of $2,393, renters face the financial burden of homeownership without building any equity. Large queues of hopeful tenants compete for limited properties each weekend, as industry experts warn the crisis will worsen without significant intervention.

SILVER SERVICE

Maid’s rooms move up the property wishlist

UAE buyers are showing a growing interest in lifestyle-driven features, with maid’s rooms now ranking among the top searches. Recent data reveals maid’s rooms attracted more than 5.7 million searches, second only to balconies, which topped the list at 10 million.

The trend reflects a broader shift in buyer preferences, which now cluster around three themes: practical essentials, climate adaptability, and aspirational upgrades. Demand for pet-friendly homes is also rising, supported by the UAE’s booming US$400 million pet care market.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Rock star's sound-engineered home hits market

The former LA home of Jane's Addiction frontman and Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell is up for sale at US$2.7M. Custom-designed by architect Steven Ehrlich, the 2,073-square-foot modernist residence features a maple-veneered barrel-vaulted ceiling specifically engineered to enhance sound quality. The creative live-work space includes studio-quality speakers, a lap pool courtyard, and a private rooftop terrace, perfect for the musically inclined buyer with deep pockets.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Ray White Malan & Co expands across the Gold Coast

The group now operates four offices from Paradise Point to Palm Beach with Michael Andrews stepping up as CEO and partner to drive growth and innovation. More here.

Harcourts Solutions raises funds with inaugural golf day

The team brought together 70 players at Keperra Golf Club to support Mitchelton Special School's junior playground upgrade, a cause with personal connections to the agency. 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

Got ghosted in winter. Suddenly, it’s spring and they “just wanted to touch base again.” Guess we’re in the season of second chances. 🌸🏡

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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