GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

It’s Frozen Food Day, a celebration of the one thing keeping real estate agents alive between listings, open homes, and last-minute client calls - quick, microwaveable meals. Proclaimed in 1984 by US President Ronald Reagan, (we could not make this up), today you are encouraged to honour the convenience of frozen food.

For agents juggling back-to-back appointments, nothing beats the reliability of a well-stocked freezer when time for cooking is non-existent.

Today’s reheating time: 5 minutes, 44 seconds

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INSIGHT

Why trust, tradition and transformation matter

After 20 months as CEO of Barry Plant, Lisa Pennell has gained a deeper understanding of what sets a long-established real estate brand apart.

While the industry often focuses on technology, marketing, and market trends, she believes that true longevity comes from deep community connections and trust built over decades. Barry Plant has thrived through the genuine relationships among its people, including agents who have worked together for 40 years, who are godparents to each other's children, and who even holiday together. These connections form the backbone of the brand.

Mentor magic
One of the best examples of Barry Plant’s values is Bill Ka, a long-time agent who recently shifted from sales to mentorship. “Bill Ka joined Barry Plant four decades ago.

Today, after years as one of our most successful sales agents, he has chosen to step back from selling to focus entirely on mentoring the next generation of real estate professionals,” Lisa said.

“It's a beautiful transition that speaks volumes about the values that drive our industry at its best.”

Consumer trust
While deep-rooted traditions and community values define the business, Lisa understands the need for innovation and forward-thinking strategies. Since stepping into the CEO role, she has worked to strengthen the company’s corporate capabilities in marketing and technology, ensuring that Barry Plant remains competitive.

“We've undertaken significant restructuring to position ourselves for the future while maintaining the core values that have served us and our clients so well.” She also acknowledges the challenge of maintaining consumer trust in real estate, especially as clients become more discerning.

“The real estate industry faces challenges around consumer trust, and I believe established brands with deep community values have an important role to play.”

Face-to-face relationships are key
“As we look to the future, I'm convinced that deep community connections will become increasingly important,” she said. “In a world where consumers are bombarded with choices, the proven track record and established values of committed real estate professionals provide a steady compass for both clients and industry members.”

For Lisa, leadership isn’t about reinventing the wheel; it’s about evolving while staying true to the essence of what makes a company uniquely successful. “The challenge for leadership isn't to revolutionise everything – it's to carefully evolve while preserving the essential elements that have made the brand successful,” she explained.

“It's about understanding that what might appear traditional to some – like prioritising face-to-face relationships and community building – are actually timeless principles that become more valuable in an increasingly digital world.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed why happiness fuels success - not the other way around.

SMART SNIPPETS

Queensland leads race for new million-dollar suburbs
Four Queensland locations are poised to join Australia's million-dollar suburb club, according to new research. Woombye on the Sunshine Coast leads with a $970,000 median house price, while Coombabah on the Gold Coast is expected to see 6.8% annual growth over the next four years. All ten suburbs across Australia on the list have extremely low vacancy rates, with Upper Coomera offering the highest rental yield at 4.6%.

How Brandon Pilgrim became Burnside’s leading agent
Brandon Pilgrim has secured over 40% market share in Burnside, one of Adelaide’s most prestigious suburbs. In a conversation with Bianca Denham, Ray White’s Head of Recognition and Performance, he credited his success to deliberate geographic specialisation and disciplined database building.

European property taxes on foreign buyers set to rise
Spain’s proposed 100% property tax on non-EU buyers has sparked concerns that France, Greece, and Portugal may follow suit to tackle housing affordability and over-tourism. Spain is also ending its Golden Visa programme in April 2025, restricting foreign investment in real estate.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Rock star's mansion keeps dropping its price
Gene Simmons' former Beverly Hills estate is now listed at US$33M, down significantly from its original US$48M asking price. Developer Max Nobel purchased the property from the KISS frontman for US$16M in 2021, adding 3,000 square feet during renovations. The 16,390-square-foot "modern barnhouse" now features seven bedrooms, eleven bathrooms, and garage space for 20 cars using lifts.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Andrew Harding and Ryan Rowsell open Ray White Palmerston
The duo brings complementary skills with Andrew's business expertise and Ryan's local knowledge as a Palmerston resident. 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

Business etiquette every agent should master

Success in real estate isn’t just about market knowledge, it’s also about professionalism and etiquette. Whether meeting clients, negotiating deals, or managing open homes, agents must follow key business courtesies to build trust and credibility.

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

Read the article from Asana here.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

You closed the deal, now it’s time to celebrate properly. Swap the usual champagne at home for a luxury yacht, where margaritas flow, networking happens in the buffet line, and someone inevitably starts a real estate agent conga. 🛥️🥳

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

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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