GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

August 6 is National Gossip Day… and yes, we’re talking to you. Before you panic, this isn’t about office drama or who’s parking in whose spot again.

National Gossip Day celebrates the fun side of sharing stories - the kind of light-hearted chatter that keeps communities connected. As agents, you're the heartbeat of your neighbourhoods. You're the first to know when a For Sale sign goes up, when a renovation’s underway, or when a buyer finally finds “the one.” Gossip (the good kind) isn’t noise, it’s simply intel. It’s what fuels referrals, builds rapport, and sparks the kind of conversations that lead to listings.

So today, lean into the grapevine (ethically, of course). Share that success story. Celebrate a colleague’s win. Or tell a story that makes someone say, “I need an agent like that.”

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 29 seconds

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OPINION

What if Amazon sold real estate?

What could the real estate industry learn from a behind-the-scenes visit to Amazon HQ?

In his recent trip to Silicon Valley, Avi Khan found plenty of inspiration for transforming how real estate is done, especially in an AI-driven world where customer experience reigns supreme.

Start with the customer, not the CRM

Amazon’s #1 principle is to “Work backwards from the customer.” Every decision they make starts with identifying and solving a specific human problem, at scale. In real estate, we often reverse that: designing around internal systems instead of client needs. Avi urges agents to shift perspective: “Are we structuring for vendors, buyers, tenants, or just ourselves?”

AI is already reshaping the industry

Amazon is embedding AI into every layer of its operations, from real-time pricing to automated customer service. For property professionals, AI is already streamlining prospecting, marketing, appraisals, and even contract generation. Avi’s advice is to stop treating AI like a novelty project. In 2025, it’s an expectation. “In sales, imagine every listing having tailored pitch content generated in minutes,” Avi says.

Speed, clarity, and reversible decisions

One Amazon concept Avi found eye-opening is the idea of “one-way vs two-way doors.” A one-way door is a decision you can’t undo, so make it carefully. But most of our daily choices (new scripts, campaigns, database tests) are two-way doors. That means move fast, test, and adapt. As Avi puts it, “The key is structured speed. Amazon’s not chaotic. It’s fast and focused.”

The PropTech race has begun

Across the US, companies like Zillow and Redfin are embedding AI into every part of the consumer journey, including voice-powered searches and live price estimates. Australia’s own players (Ray White, CoreLogic, and others) aren’t far behind. The next frontier is likely to be Engine Optimisation (AEO), the AI-era’s SEO. Brands that show up in chatbot answers and voice queries will win visibility.

Never assume “satisfied” means “done”

Avi leaves us with one of Amazon’s most powerful principles: “Customers are always wonderfully dissatisfied.” Even the happiest client believes there’s a better way, and it’s our job to find it first.

Read more about Avi’s trip to Amazon here.

ICYMI, yesterday, Lisa Pennell told us about the problem with Victoria’s regulatory climate.

TOGETHER WITH READY25

Olympic BMX champion reveals her winning mindset at Ready25

Australia's Saya Sakakibara, who became the country's first Olympic gold medallist in BMX racing at Paris 2024, puts her success down to her unwavering mental resilience. Starting at just four years old, she overcame a serious concussion in 2017 to win 7 out of 7 races on the world's biggest stage.

She believes her secret weapon is positive self-talk, strategic smiling at the start gate, and always asking herself: "If I knew I was going to win, how would I act right now?" She believes that "training is supposed to be the trial and error" and "embracing the mess keeps you on task without losing the belief that you're going to win."

Saya will be at READY25 sharing how she continued toward her goals despite huge setbacks and how agents can create a winning mindset.

Register for Ready 25 before tickets run out.

BUYER STRUGGLES

One-third wave goodbye to homeownership dreams

The great Australian dream of owning a home is fading for many, with 34% of non-homeowners abandoning plans to purchase property altogether. Financial barriers remain the biggest obstacle, particularly for young adults, with only 14% planning to buy within the next year. The trend is most pronounced among older Australians, with around two-thirds of men over 55 giving up on homeownership, suggesting a generational shift toward long-term renting.

PRICE GROWTH

Housing market pauses but poised for comeback

Australia's housing market hit the brakes in July with national prices remaining flat after the Reserve Bank's surprise rate hold. Despite the slowdown, unit markets showed remarkable resilience, maintaining 0.3% monthly growth while Perth remained the nation's fastest-growing market at 0.6%. Experts predict a strong rebound once expected rate cuts begin in August, with potential for double-digit growth by year-end as lower borrowing costs combine with pent-up demand.

UK REBOUND

Housing market shows renewed strength

UK house prices bounced back with a 0.6% increase in July, following June's 0.9% decline. Housing affordability has reached its best level in over a decade, with the average home now costing 5.75 times the typical income (the lowest this ratio has been for over a decade). Market activity is gaining momentum too, with June's house sales jumping 13% month-on-month, suggesting buyers are adapting to the higher interest rate environment.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Breaking Bad star lists historic celebrity haven

Aaron Paul has put his century-old Los Feliz home on the market for US$9.95M. The 1922 Spanish Colonial Revival residence, designed by the architect behind Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre, sits on 1.5 acres of mature gardens featuring hidden trails, a grottoed pool, and an amphitheatre. The property has housed an impressive lineup of celebrity owners, including Tim Curry, Robert Pattinson, and Jim Parsons, before Paul purchased it in 2019.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Harcourts Shine launches in South Australia

Sumesh Ghimire, Ryan Narayan, and Bal Randhawa bring together seasoned professionals and newcomers with a strong focus on community impact beyond just property transactions. More here.

Jimmy Shaw and Ryan Shen launch REMAX HRG

The Brisbane real estate professionals have merged Hopson Realty Group with the global brand to scale their business in Moorooka. 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

Selling homes in 2021 felt like a sprint … now it’s more of a scenic stroll. 🏃‍♂️🐢

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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