GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

On this day in 1967, Australia’s Prime Minister Harold Holt disappeared while swimming at Cheviot Beach in Victoria, an event that stunned the nation and remains unresolved decades later. It was a moment that underscored how even the most powerful roles offer no immunity from unpredictability. In real estate, the lesson feels familiar; markets shift without warning, buyer sentiment can turn overnight, and deals that once seemed assured can suddenly fall away.

Holt’s disappearance is often remembered as a national shock, but it also reflects a broader truth agents know well: certainty is rare, and success relies on preparation, judgement, and an ability to respond calmly when conditions change without notice.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 49 seconds

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LEADERSHIP

Why “empathy is the new black” for business leaders in 2026

Redefining leadership from the inside out

In Mackay’s competitive property scene, Leanne Druery is doing something quietly radical, she’s leading with empathy, and it’s working. As the sales leader at REMAX Select, Leanne has built a high-volume, high-loyalty business not by following the industry’s traditional tough-as-nails playbook, but by rewriting it. Where once she feared kindness would be mistaken for weakness, she’s now proving that empathy, when systemised, can be one of the most powerful tools in real estate.

Empathy isn’t soft, it’s strategic

For Leanne, empathy isn’t just a feel-good concept, it’s operational. Every client consultation is guided by a structured framework designed to uncover the real story behind each sale. Instead of jumping to numbers or paperwork, her team listens - intentionally.

“When people feel heard, they stay with you,” she says. That philosophy has led to clients returning for multiple transactions, sometimes seven or eight times over. The result, a people-first business that drives long-term results.

Culture that moves the needle

REMAX Select isn’t a slow-paced office. With close to 130 sales in a single year, it’s proof that strong culture and commercial outcomes aren’t mutually exclusive. Leanne fosters a psychologically safe environment where mistakes are shared, not hidden, leading to innovation, efficiency, and accountability. “Kindness doesn’t mean the absence of structure,” she explains. Weekly meetings, clear KPIs, and candid post-mortems on missteps are all part of the rhythm.

Soft skills, real impact

Leadership, for Leanne, is about understanding what motivates each individual on her team and adjusting accordingly. Empathy isn’t gendered, it’s taught and modelled. Team members, once quiet in client meetings, now lead with confidence because they’ve seen empathy in action. “Strength and softness can exist together,” Leanne says. “Empathy is the new black.” That blend is not just good for culture, it’s good for business.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI yesterday, we reported on how to spot vacancy warning signs in your commercial portfolio.

TOGETHER WITH EBM RentCover

Summer risks regional landlords cannot ignore

With summer here, regional landlords face heightened exposure to bushfires, storms, floods and cyclones compared to their metro counterparts, making preparation non-negotiable. While regional markets continue to outperform capital cities on rental growth, yields and long-term price gains, extreme weather remains a standout risk that can quickly erode returns.

EBM RentCover Managing Director Sharon Fox-Slater emphasises the importance of landlord insurance that specifically addresses natural disaster risks, noting that not all policies offer the same level of protection. Understanding what is and is not covered, particularly around flood, bushfire-related damage and embargo periods, is essential for regional property owners.

Read more about dealing with summer’s climate challenges here.

NSW MARKET INSIGHT

Sydney’s spring selling season fades as economic timing reshapes the market

Sydney’s traditional spring selling season lost momentum in 2025, with BresicWhitney data showing buyer and seller activity peaking well outside the usual September–October window. The agency recorded its strongest trading days during winter, school holidays and long weekends, including a record $49 million in sales on the eve of the October long weekend. Instead of seasonal patterns, economic settings, particularly interest rates and affordability, proved to be the primary driver of market engagement.

SHARED RENTALS

Entire homes overtake spare rooms as short-stay rentals reshape housing supply

Short-term rentals in Australia have shifted away from their original model, with entire homes now making up the majority of listings on platforms such as Airbnb. New research shows thousands of properties are being used primarily for short-stay accommodation rather than long-term renting, further tightening housing supply. Growth has been strongest in regional tourist areas, where housing shortages are already acute, and researchers warn that weak and inconsistent regulation is failing to keep pace with the sector’s evolution, adding pressure to affordability across the market.

SLOW DOWN

US housing market cools after pandemic boom

US home prices have declined year-over-year for the first time since mid-2023, dropping 1.4% in just the last three months. The cooling follows years of pandemic-era growth, with markets showing significant regional differences. Austin shows a 10% decline, while Cleveland has 6% growth. Experts predict a period of modest price movements rather than dramatic shifts, dependent on mortgage rates and broader economic health.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Hasbro CEO's mansion sells at steep discount

The Beverly Hills mansion of late Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner has sold for US$18.8M, significantly below its original US$27M asking price. The 7,500-square-foot traditional-style home in the prestigious Flats neighbourhood features luxury details from designer Michael S. Smith, who previously redesigned parts of the White House during Obama's administration. Despite the multi-million dollar renovation, the final sale price was only slightly higher than what the Goldners paid in 2020.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Pulse Property acquires Strong Property - Gymea.

The strategic acquisition brings three experienced professionals to Pulse's team, reinforcing their award-winning property management division across the Sutherland Shire.

Harcourts Prestige expands with new northern office.

Anna-Marie Thornton and Rae O'Neill will co-direct Harcourts Prestige North in Leederville and Mount Hawthorn, opening this December.

Robin McIlwain retires after 47-year real estate career.

The Ray White Toowong icon leaves behind a legacy of innovation in apartment design, agent education, and industry reform across Queensland.

AGENTS ON SOCIAL

What buyers hear: silence. What agents hear during a showing: Taylor Swift’s Ophelia playing in their head while they go about their business. 🎭🎶

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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