GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Running a real estate biz with family? Then you already know it’s equal parts hustle, handovers, and “who moved my lead sheets?” On National Son and Daughter Day, here’s to the chaos, the laughs, and the deals closed between school runs and dinner plans. Whether you're raising future agents or just trying not to mix up CRM logins at home, cheers to keeping it in the family.

The Elite Agent team is live on the ground at Connect 2025 today, so head to eliteagent.com throughout the day for our real-time coverage.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 41 seconds

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OFFSHORING

The talent time-bomb

Rethinking the talent pipeline before it’s too late

In a bid to cut costs and stay competitive, many real estate businesses have leaned heavily into offshoring. But Belle Property CEO Nick Boyd argues this short-term relief may be creating long-term structural damage, particularly in the industry’s ability to grow and retain talent.

The vanishing entry-level pathway

Nick doesn’t condemn offshoring outright. He gets it - labour is the biggest line item, and shaving costs is tempting. But what’s been lost in the process is the vital training ground for new agents.

“Fast forward five years, and many businesses will be left with only a hyper-experienced workforce,” he warns. “But when those people move on, who’s stepping in? We’ve outsourced all the learning.”

With foundational tasks like data entry and CRM management now handled overseas or by AI, junior staff are missing out on the hands-on experience that once prepared them for more complex roles. And it's not just sales; property management and business development roles are suffering the same erosion.

A hollow middle, and a growing divide

The consequences are already showing. Top agents dominate the market, but there’s little structured support for those climbing from $200K to $500K in GCI - a critical leap for long-term career success. Without clear pathways, many stagnate or leave the industry altogether.

Nick’s solution? Measurable KPIs for assistant agents (30 connects a day, 20 ownership records a week) and leadership clarity around lead generation systems. “Buying leads isn’t a strategy - it’s a sign you don’t have one,” he says. “When people can see their path, they stay longer, they invest more, and they grow faster.”

Rebuilding with intentionality

Nick envisions a more sustainable model built around “money makers” (hunters) and “money savers” (gatherers), with hiring based on role-fit rather than personality. He also advocates for repurposing admin staff into customer experience roles rather than phasing them out entirely. The future? Leaner teams, more performance-driven cultures, and clients sticking with brands that offer long-term value across the lifecycle - from first home to investment property to holiday rental.

“Fewer, better people,” Nick says. “It’s about doing more with less, and backing the ones who are all in.”

But for all the talk of tech and consolidation, his message ends with optimism: the door’s not closing on new entrants - it’s just that the climb has changed. The industry’s next chapter depends on how well it rebuilds the ladder.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week, Why purpose-driven leaders outlast the rest

ANALYSIS

Rate cut to boost borrowing power but drive prices higher

The Reserve Bank of Australia is expected to cut interest rates this week, increasing borrowing capacity for homebuyers across all income brackets. Domain's analysis shows a 25 basis point cut would boost borrowing power by $4,000 for those earning $50,000 annually, up to nearly $49,000 for households on $400,000. However, experts warn that with more money chasing limited housing supply, prices could rise by 6% for houses and 5% for units by mid-2026, potentially worsening affordability challenges

MORTGAGE

Student debt no longer a home loan roadblock

Australia is making it easier for citizens with student debt to buy homes. The federal government has directed financial regulators to update their guidance on how HELP debts are assessed during mortgage applications. Unlike traditional loans, HELP repayments are only required when income exceeds certain thresholds, yet they've been reducing borrowing capacity for many first-home buyers. New rules will allow lenders more flexibility, particularly for those expected to pay off their education debt within 12 months.

GREECE: STUDENT HOUSING

Student housing crunch worsens amid soaring rents

As the academic year approaches, families across Greece are facing an increasingly difficult student housing market. Rental prices for small apartments near universities have surged, with supply squeezed by demand and competition from short-term rentals.

Real estate professionals warn the issue is no longer just seasonal, it reflects a deeper imbalance in the housing sector. Parents’ associations are calling for urgent government action, citing years of underutilised university-owned properties and unfulfilled infrastructure promises.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Sarah Paulson sells another Hollywood home

American Horror Story star Sarah Paulson has sold her Hollywood Hills West home for US$3M after just three weeks on the market. The actress purchased the property from Emma Roberts in 2016 for US$1.65M and renovated it extensively, adding custom walnut cabinetry and converting a guest house into a gym. This marks Paulson's second property sale this year, following her Malibu mobile home that sold in April.

THOUGHT LEADERS

How Antonia Mercorella modernised real estate - one “boring” fix at a time 

When Antonia Mercorella became CEO of the REIQ in 2014, she didn’t start with flashy campaigns - she rolled up her sleeves and tackled corporate governance. It wasn’t sexy, but it set the stage for everything else, from constitutional reform to the rise of RealWorks, the digital forms platform now used by nearly every agent in Queensland.

Surprisingly, it was her early training in theatre, not law, that sharpened her advocacy skills, from public speaking to navigating senate inquiries. Her approach? Build the foundations, then make the magic happen. That meant prioritising compliance, elevating standards, and making REIQ resources available even to non-members. The payoff? Greater credibility, influence, and a peak body that actually represents the full industry.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Jellis Craig merges with Chisholm & Gamon

The strategic partnership creates a powerhouse team across Port Phillip and Bayside regions, with the merger taking effect September 12th. More here.

Harcourts Elevate launches new office

The team celebrated with a glamorous grand opening event at their state-of-the-art office, with Farshad "Kaz" Kazazi and Andrew Friebe leading the ribbon-cutting ceremony. More here.

Success doesn’t rest on weekends! 
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AGENTS ON SOCIAL

Real estate has two moods:

1. “I just listed, got 3 offers! I'm unstoppable.”

2. “Contract crashed, client ghosted, and I’m curled up in the corner.”

Same job. Different hour. 😅😩

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

Wishing you a productive day!

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