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COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

The new talent pipeline

Why commercial property management is facing a talent squeeze

Commercial property management is facing a tightening talent pipeline, with experienced managers increasingly hard to find and formal training pathways still limited. According to Leteicha Wilson of Ray White Commercial, the sector must broaden where it looks for talent, rethink assumptions about transferable skills, and embrace flexibility if it wants to build a sustainable workforce.

The shrinking pool of experienced talent

Across the country, demand for skilled commercial property managers far outweighs supply. Leteicha notes that once commercial specialists find a workplace they enjoy, they tend to stay put – leaving few experienced candidates available.

Businesses often recruit from residential property management, but success varies; the skill sets differ sharply, with commercial managers needing strong judgement, the ability to interpret varied leases, and confidence in negotiation. This creates a steep learning curve for those crossing over from residential roles.

New pathways from unexpected industries

With experienced talent in short supply, commercial teams increasingly turn to candidates from customer-facing fields. Retail, hospitality, and even trades have become strong feeder industries, offering recruits who are comfortable with clients and operational problem-solving.

Leteicha has also seen applicants from childcare and hairdressing move successfully into commercial property management. The common thread is people skills rather than prior real estate experience, provided they are given structured training and support.

Flexibility now shapes recruitment success

Workplace flexibility has shifted from preference to expectation, and commercial agencies that resist this trend risk losing strong candidates. Leteicha cites an RWC property manager now working effectively from Chicago as an example of how roles can evolve.

She says business owners who require rigid in-office hours are unnecessarily narrowing their pool. With the right systems and trust, remote and hybrid arrangements are proving entirely viable in commercial property management, giving firms a meaningful edge when competing for talent.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week we presented a masterclass in long-game real estate.

TOGETHER WITH REALESTATE.COM.AU

How Luxe helped deliver a standout prestige sale

Prestige agent Tolemy Stevens turned to the Luxe marketing package to give a premium Surfers Paradise apartment maximum online visibility. The property at La Sabbia already had strong appeal, but Tolemy wanted every serious buyer to see it without missing a scroll. Luxe secured the listing the most prominent positions on realestate.com.au, putting it in front of high-intent buyers from day one.

The strategy worked, with the apartment selling before auction for $3.45 million, setting a new building record. Tolemy says Luxe created a noticeable uplift compared with standard campaigns, making his listings appear more frequently and more prominently.

Running several Luxe campaigns at once also increased his presence in the area, prompting comments from locals who felt he was “everywhere.” The vendors were impressed with the consistent visibility and the strong volume of enquiries and Tolemy believes Luxe played a key part in achieving the result because it ensured the listing was placed in front of the right buyers at the right moments.

Read more about Luxe here.

TRIPLE TREAT

49 suburbs defy national housing trends

House prices in 49 suburbs have skyrocketed at triple the national rate, growing by 22% or more compared to the national average of 7.6%. Perth led with 19 high-growth suburbs, followed by Adelaide (17) and Brisbane (8), with many premium beachfront and riverfront locations seeing exceptional demand. This accelerated growth has been fuelled by interest rate cuts, expanded government assistance for first-home buyers, and increased investor activity, pushing prices to record levels despite higher interest rates.

NSW: UNDERQUOTING CRACKDOWN

NSW agents face fines up to $110,000 under proposed underquoting reforms

The Minns Labor Government has unveiled plans to toughen NSW’s underquoting laws, with penalties for misleading price guides set to jump from $22,000 to $110,000 or three times an agent’s commission. Agents would be required to include a price guide on all listings, publish a Statement of Information showing how estimates were calculated, and keep detailed records of offers and market feedback.

NSW Fair Trading would also gain stronger powers to investigate and penalise breaches, including suspending licences and appointing independent valuers. The new laws are modelled on Victoria’s crackdown and are expected to go before Parliament next year.

GLOBAL PROPERTY INVESTMENT

‘Living’ sector dominates real estate investment with US$1.4 trillion forecast

The global “Living” sector, which includes build-to-rent, student housing, and senior living, has become the largest and fastest-growing area of commercial real estate investment. Over the past five years, the top 15 markets, known as the “Living 15,” accounted for 98% of global living investment and 32% of all commercial property investment worldwide.

Total investment in the sector has risen 19% compared with the previous five-year period. Analysts forecast a further $1.4 trillion in transactions over the next five years, solidifying its position as the world’s leading property asset class. The figures highlight growing investor demand for residential and housing-related assets amid ongoing structural changes in global living trends.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Goldman Sachs exec lists beachfront "Fort Knox" for $22M

A Melbourne mansion owned by Goldman Sachs executive Nick Sims has hit the market with a $20-22 million price guide. The imposing white three-storey property sits directly across from Brighton Beach's iconic bathing boxes and features dual swimming pools, a tennis court, home cinema, and garage for eight cars. Originally built in the 1980s by developer Max Beck, who likened its distinctive design to "Fort Knox," the property also includes a wine cellar with capacity for 1,200 bottles.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Urban Lane joins forces with Adrian William.

Chris Akkawi transitions from director to sales representative as the two boutique Inner West agencies unite under the Adrian William banner. More here.

Harcourts expands with new East Coast Tasmania office.

Megan Hampton and Heidi Howe will operate the Bicheno location serving popular sea-change destinations including Coles Bay and Swansea. 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

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