GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Today is World UFO Day, the one day of the year you can stare at the sky mid-inspection and say, “I’m just watching for activity” with a straight face.

Whether you believe in little green men, weather balloons, or nothing at all, it’s a fun reminder of something every good agent knows: just because you haven’t seen it yet doesn’t mean it’s not out there.

So today, keep your eyes up, your phone charged, and your mindset wide open. Because the truth (and maybe your next big lead) is out there.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 29 seconds

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RULE-BREAKERS

Barbara Corcoran’s rule-breaking formula: how bold agents are winning listings

How bold agents are winning attention and listings

Barbara Corcoran built a US$100 million real estate brand not by playing it safe, but by breaking every rule in the book. From inventing a fake celebrity market report (hello, “Madonna Report”) to teaching dogs to charm co-op boards, the US Shark Tank star has always understood a core truth: in real estate, being seen is everything.

“The press made me credible overnight,” she said on TikTok, referring to her early marketing stunts. She firmly believes the secret to her success came from being visible.

Across Australia, agents are taking a page from Barbara’s playbook, using audacity, humour, and originality to stand out.

Viral video = Record price

When Sam Nader filmed a listing video with buyers dancing through a home, the internet went wild. Critics called it cringe. Buyers called it captivating. Over 1,000 people turned up to the open home, and the property sold pre-auction for a suburb-record $1.72 million.

“The whole point of real estate is to get as many eyes as possible,” Sam said. Mission accomplished.

Brutal honesty becomes clickbait

Central Coast agent Richard Faulkner went viral for embracing the flaws of a fixer-upper. “Nothing says romance like lying in bed and talking to your partner in the toosh,” he joked about the open-plan toilet. The listing racked up 350,000+ views and sold well above the guide. Transparency, it turns out, sells.

A little cheeky … a lot effective

Matt Micallef turns every campaign into a show. One listing video spoofed Dodgeball and ended with him nude. But he ended up with a $1.61 million sale and unmatched property exposure. “If people remember me, they remember the house,” he said.

Supercars meet starter homes

Amir Jahan, 25, markets first-home-buyer properties with Lamborghinis in the driveway. The shock factor drives traffic, shares, and results. “The contrast is what sparks conversation,” he said.

Billboards built on humour

Melbourne agent Noah Rezaie’s billboard proudly declared him “#1 Best-Looking Agent in Narre Warren South (as voted by my mum).” It was cheeky, but now he’s known by everyone in his local area.

Gas masks and grow rooms

In WA, Ash Swarts turned a cannabis grow house into a media hit, by showing it as is, in a gas mask, highlighting every flaw with a grin. Six offers came in within days. “More eyes means more offers,” he said.

Agents don’t need to break the law to get attention, but bending the marketing rules is fair game. Those who dare to be different often find themselves one step ahead.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday, we discovered the legislative changes that come into effect across NSW, QLD, and Victoria that impact agents.

TOGETHER WITH STYLE IT

Virtual property styling transforming Fraser Coast listings

Interstate agents managing Fraser Coast properties now have an easy styling solution at their fingertips. Style It, led by mother-daughter duo Amanda and Victoria Shaw, offers a full-service virtual styling approach that requires just photos and a floor plan. No site visits needed. Their coastal sophistication, aesthetic, and biophilic design elements are helping agents achieve maximum emotional appeal for remote listings, with the team handling everything from concept to removal.

Read more about Style It here.

ACQUISITIONS

Jason Pellegrino set for Domain comeback if CoStar’s $3B deal gets the green light

Jason Pellegrino may be back at Domain’s helm, with US real estate giant CoStar confirming his potential return as CEO if its $3 billion takeover goes through. Pellegrino, who previously led Domain from 2018 until last year, could step back into the top job as early as August, pending shareholder approval. If the deal is sealed, Domain will say goodbye to the ASX with CoStar hinting at major upgrades to content, tech, and marketing.

INDUSTRY REFORM

’One Approval’ to rule them all? HIA thinks so

The Housing Industry Association wants to scrap the planning maze and replace it with a single, streamlined approval for new homes on residential land, and they’re not mucking around. Their updated One House One Approval plan claims it could shave nearly $11k off the cost of a new build, cut wait times from nearly three months to under 30 days, and finally put an end to the red tape tangle that’s stalling housing supply.

UK HOUSING

UK market finds its feet after stamp duty shock

The UK market took a tumble in April as transactions dropped 64% after the stamp duty holiday wrapped - but it’s far from out for the count. A whopping 97% of homes are still hitting their asking price, and with the Bank of England trimming rates to 4.25%, buyers haven’t lost their nerve. Rural homes continue to steal the spotlight, with five-year price growth of 23% compared to 18% in the cities.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Sting's historic Georgian mansion hits the market

A 300-year-old Grade II listed Georgian property once owned by rock star Sting has been listed for AUD$24M. Located in London's Hampstead area, the 4,300-square-foot residence features five bedrooms and preserves period details including arched windows and original fireplaces. The musician owned the home at the height of The Police's fame in the early 1980s, and later claimed his solo album "The Dream of the Blue Turtles" was inspired by a dream about the property's garden.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Matt White named CEO of Ray White Rural and Livestock

The fourth-generation family member will take over from Stephen Nell who transitions to Executive Director after eight years in the top job. More here.

Nicole Price joins Harcourts South Australia

The new Property Operations Manager brings extensive experience in property management and business development to drive growth across the state. 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

Real estate agents: with you every step of the way - right up to the front door on moving day … and beyond. 🚪📦

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

Wishing you a productive day!

Elite Agent is the definitive platform for ambitious agents and industry players. Thought Leaders is the weekly show where top operators reveal how they’re reinventing real estate. AI-Powered Agents is your playbook for deploying AI that sells homes and scales teams.

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.

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