GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

For real estate agents, World Photography Day on August 19 is a perfect reminder that great images don’t just capture moments; they sell homes. The daguerreotype might have been cutting-edge in 1839, but today’s agents have the power of high-res cameras, drone shots, and virtual tours to make every listing stand out. After all, the right photo can turn a casual browser into a serious buyer before they’ve even stepped through the door.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 16 seconds

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OPINION

The biggest lie in real estate?

“Just do this one thing…”

Kylie Walker takes aim at one of the industry's most persistent myths: that business growth hinges on a single tactic. Drawing from her own missteps, gaining 100 new clients only to lose 95, she argues that true, sustainable success isn't about the latest hack. It's about building a business on strong, scalable foundations. Her message is clear: if you're hustling hard and still not growing, the problem isn't you - it's the oversimplified advice you've been sold.

Quick wins are not the same as long-term growth

Kylie’s story is a cautionary tale of following every shiny strategy, including social media, ads, webinars, without the backend structure to support growth. Without systems, her team was overwhelmed, service slipped, and clients walked. Her lesson? Growth without systems is a house of cards. “No marketing strategy can save a business that’s crumbling behind the scenes.”

Growth happens when everything works together

The turning point came when Kylie stopped chasing the next big thing and started aligning her business holistically - from client onboarding to team training. The magic wasn’t in the marketing tools themselves, but in her business finally being ready to handle the leads those tools brought in. The real win? Moving from client attraction to client retention. “The real profit comes from what you keep,” she says.

Mindset: your greatest asset

One of the biggest shifts wasn’t tactical, it was mental. Kylie began thinking like a CEO, carving out time to work on the business, not just in it. The result? Clarity, structure, and sustainable momentum. Her advice for others stuck in the “why isn’t it working?” loop: “You’re not the problem, the advice was incomplete.” Instead of looking for a silver bullet, she urges agents to ask, “What’s the next right step for the business I actually want?”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday Thomas McGlynn broke down how to deal with “the emotional load of leading.”

TOGETHER WITH READY25

Simone Biles on overcoming tough times at Ready25

Simone Biles, widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, is heading to Ready25 to talk about what it takes to be the best in the world. The 30-time World Championship and 11-time Olympic medal winner will share her remarkable journey in an intimate Q&A with former Olympian Giaan Rooney.

Ready25 attendees will hear first-hand about her mental health advocacy, her triumphant comeback at the Paris Olympics, and the resilience that has defined her historic career with five gymnastics moves named after her.

Ready 25 is officially SOLD OUT.

ECONOMIC REFORM ROUNDTABLE

HIA tells Canberra: Less tape, more homes

Happening today, the Housing Industry Association is urging the government’s Economic Reform Roundtable in Canberra to make cutting red, white and green tape its top priority. Managing Director Jocelyn Martin says overregulation is choking the home building industry, driving up costs and worsening housing affordability. She’s pushing for a ‘One House, One Approval’ system to fast-track projects and clear backlogs, and also wants a halt to constant changes to the building code and workplace safety rules, which she says keep builders at their desks instead of on site.

BUILD-TO-RENT

BTR momentum builds as national pipeline expands and NSW launches new project

Australia’s build-to-rent sector is heating up, with Victoria out in front at nearly 26,000 units in the pipeline, followed by New South Wales and Queensland. A new report from Knight Frank shows completions will peak in 2025 before slowing the following year, with more than 20,000 projects already approved but yet to start.

Developers are feeling more confident as building costs ease, interest rates drop, and access to capital improves, but experts say government policy will be key to keeping the momentum going. In New South Wales, the Minns Government has kicked off a new project that will deliver 60 homes, including a mix of market rentals and affordable housing.

RISKY LOANS

HSBC sounds alarm on Hong Kong commercial property loan risks

HSBC has classified 73 per cent of its Hong Kong commercial property loans as either impaired or carrying increased credit risk, up from less than 30 per cent a year ago. The bank’s exposure totals US$32 billion (AUD $48.4bn) in the sector, with US$18.1 billion (AUD $27.4bn) now flagged for higher risk following an internal model update. Prime office rents in the territory have fallen more than 20 per cent since 2022, while vacancies sit at record highs of about 19 per cent.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Heavy metal guitarist's castle hits the market

Five Finger Death Punch founder Zoltan Bathory is selling his castle-inspired Las Vegas mansion for a whopping US$28M. The guitarist purchased the property for just US$3.25M in 2019 and spent six years transforming it into a blend of historical European design and modern luxury. The unique home features 500-year-old beams from a French chateau, an ancient Russian fireplace, and a rooftop elevator disguised as a chimney offering 360-degree views of Las Vegas.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

REA Group appoints CAR Group veteran as new CEO

Cameron McIntyre is set to take the top job at REA Group from November 2025, following a comprehensive global search. As the outgoing CEO of CAR Group where he grew the business more than sixfold, Mr McIntyre brings extensive digital marketplace experience to the role. Current CEO Owen Wilson will step down after nearly 11 years with the company but will continue as Chair of REA India. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

In real estate, the only person you really need to impress is yourself. Everyone else will just see the confidence. 👠⭐

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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