GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

National Absurdity Day feels oddly appropriate for real estate, because agents deal with unusual moments more often than anyone admits. There’s the buyer who arrives with a suitcase to test cupboard space, the one who checks mobile reception in every corner like it’s a scientific trial, or the seller who insists their dog must be present for the marketing photos “for balance”.

None of it is harmful, none of it is shocking, it’s just the daily rhythm of working with people and property. So today is a reminder that a touch of nonsense is simply part of the job, and sometimes the easiest thing to do is smile, carry on and let the day be what it is.

Today’s read time: 8 minutes, 11 seconds

New to The Brief? Join us for free. 🤝

UNDERQUOTING LAWS

AI can strengthen industry standards

The case for modernising underquoting enforcement

Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell says the ongoing focus on tougher penalties for underquoting misses the real issue: enforcement systems that belong to another era.

While regulators still rely on manual checks and auction-day visits, she believes the data required to monitor the problem already exists and could be analysed far more accurately using AI.

For Lisa, the aim is not more rules but a smarter, more consistent process that supports honest agents, reduces buyer frustration, and begins to rebuild trust in a profession under constant scrutiny.

Enforcement

She argues that underquoting enforcement remains stuck in past practices, with officials collecting files by hand and checking quote ranges manually. Lisa also believes a modern system could automatically assess SOIs, comparable sales and final prices, providing a clearer, fairer method for identifying genuine concerns.

Industry Trust

A significant portion of underquoting complaints are lodged by agents reporting other agents, something Lisa sees as a sign of wider distrust within the sector. She warns that an industry unable to hold itself to consistent standards cannot expect the public to hold it in high regard.

Mandatory reports

Lisa also questions why building and pest reports are still left to individual buyers, saying much of the disappointment that fuels complaints stems from repeated sunk costs. She believes mandatory, shared reports would remove unnecessary expense and improve transparency across campaigns.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday Samantha McLean broke down the real AI opportunities for agents in 2026.

TOGETHER WITH DOMAIN

Domain reports strong audience growth ahead of major platform update

Domain recorded 55.1 million total visits in October 2025, up 46 per cent year-on-year, marking its strongest audience growth yet under CoStar Group ownership. The platform also posted the fastest-growing visits among Australia’s major portals, reflecting strong demand among agents and consumers for a cleaner, more focused property search experience.

From 1 December 2025, Domain will become the only major marketplace to remove all third-party, non-property advertising across its network, including domain.com.au, Allhomes and Commercial Real Estate. President of Domain–CoStar Group, Jason Pellegrino, said Australians are responding positively to the new vendor listing experience.

He noted that this shift comes alongside significant investment in marketing, product improvements and data quality, resulting in 25 per cent year-on-year growth in listing views and strong increases in app engagement and downloads. Commercial Real Estate has also delivered record performance, with 2.9 million October visits and a 49 per cent rise in listing views.

Read more about Domain here.

REGIONAL REAL ESTATE

Townsville emerges as regional front-runner

Townsville is emerging as the standout in Australia’s regional market, combining coastal living, defence investment and mining services at a median of $653,000. Its rise marks a shift towards regions that offer both lifestyle appeal and real economic depth. Earlier waves of regional growth centred on satellite cities, then pandemic-driven coastal migration, and later the commodity rebound.

Now, sub-$700,000 markets with strong employment, such as Bundaberg, Port Lincoln, Geraldton and Mount Gambier, are gaining momentum. Former hotspots like Byron Bay and the Sunshine Coast are slowing after steep price climbs. The trend points to a new phase where affordability and job stability matter more than pure lifestyle appeal. Townsville’s performance shows exactly how that balance plays out.

PURPOSE-BUILT ACCOMMODATION

Student housing pipeline lifts as visa rules drive new development

Australia’s purpose-built student accommodation pipeline has expanded to 40,000 beds, driven by new federal rules linking international student enrolment growth to additional housing. The latest Urbis benchmarks show more than 90,000 privately owned PBSA beds nationwide, rising to 134,000 when on-campus facilities are included. States are responding differently, with New South Wales and Queensland recording strong pipelines, while South Australia and Perth have seen noticeable increases in approvals and applications.

Victoria’s progress remains limited, with a yearly tax burden of $2,795 per bed, (126 per cent higher than other states), affecting project feasibility. A Mandala Partners report shows global investment into Victorian property has dropped sharply since tax increases in 2023. Industry leaders say the national pipeline is encouraging but warn that Victoria’s tax settings are holding back supply.

DUBAI BLING

UAE property market strengthens as new supply looms

Dubai’s property market is racing ahead in 2025, clocking up AED 327 billion (AUD $139.3 billion) in sales and breaking its own records along the way. Investors are still flocking in, especially from overseas, with rental returns topping 9% in some of the more affordable neighbourhoods. The real plot twist is the 240,000 new homes set to roll out between now and 2027, which will give buyers a lot more choice next year. For now, sellers are enjoying the upper hand, but bargain hunters may have their moment as fresh stock arrives as UAE remains one of the liveliest property markets to watch.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Jane Russell’s California hideaway returns to the market.

A Montecito estate once owned by Hollywood icon Jane Russell has returned to the market with an asking price of $8,250,000 (AUD $12.8m). Set on 1.36 acres, the property blends mid-century architecture with vibrant interiors shaped by Russell and her husband, builder John Peoples, who expanded the original 1954 cottage into a private retreat.

It’s since been renovated, but the original main home included a standout second-storey suite with leopard-print details and sweeping mountain and ocean views. The grounds feature a pool, spa, sports court, pool house and a creek crossed by two footbridges, giving the estate a resort-like feel.

A separate one-bedroom guest house and a studio above the garage add flexibility for visiting family or creative use. Jane was known for hosting lively gatherings here, as well as using the home as a base for her long-running work in adoption advocacy.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Robert and Greer Tulp launch Ray White Beacon Property Management.

The husband-wife duo bring over three decades of experience to their new venture on the Hibiscus Coast, with Greer returning to the brand where she started in 2004. More here.

Andrew Cramer appointed REA Group CFO.

The News Corp Deputy CFO will take over from Janelle Hopkins in February 2026 as she retires to pursue a non-executive career. 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

Agents say they can always spot a keen buyer: they arrive dancing before they’ve even seen the kitchen. 💃🏡

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

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

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.

Content in the ‘Together With’ section is sponsored. Interested in promoting your brand to Elite Agent’s audience? Learn more at advertise.eliteagent.com.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here.