GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic left Southampton for its maiden voyage. At the time, it was all about ambition, scale, and big dreams - an enormous leap into the unknown that had the world watching.

Yes, we all know how that voyage ended. But the departure itself? Still kind of incredible. A bold beginning, full of promise.

And in a slightly less nautical but no less ambitious way, that’s something real estate agents can relate to. Whether you’re new to the industry or just feeling ready to take things in a different direction, every big shift starts with a decision to move. Sometimes that move is messy. Sometimes it’s exciting. Often, it’s both.

And it’s not 1912, so you don’t have to go it alone.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 34 seconds

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FEATURE INTERVIEW

Showbiz sells

Former dancer, talent show judge and Disney choreographer Josh Horner has brought a theatrical twist to real estate, using humour, energy and full-blown showbiz to connect with clients and stand out in a crowded market.

For his latest listing, he pulled on the Indiana Jones hat and brought in showgirls, turning the campaign into a playful, theatrical production. Obviously, Josh’s campaigns are anything but standard, but they’re underpinned by a serious focus on creating emotional engagement and delivering results.

For him, fun isn’t a gimmick; it’s a business tool that helps buyers feel something and sellers feel seen.

The power of feeling

Josh doesn’t just market a home - he builds a scene. “I looked at the property like a rundown theatre,” he says. “And I just thought, this needs sparkle.” When he was handed a tired acreage listing that had already been through four other agents, he shifted the focus entirely.

Rather than obsess over the house’s flaws, he amplified its potential - the dam, the bushland, the adventure. “We need to sell the feeling, the lifestyle, not just the house,” he says. That shift in focus instantly changed the energy of the campaign, and the owner felt it, too.

When theatrics make sense

Josh is the first to admit that his showbiz approach started out as a bit of a crutch. “When I didn’t know what I was doing, the theatrics were my safety net,” he says. “But then they became my strength.” The “sold dancers,” the gnomes, the characters, they weren’t just quirks.

They helped him build trust, make people laugh, and take the edge off a stressful process. “People started saying, ‘That was fun, but you also smashed a record.’ That’s when I knew it worked. That’s when I knew I could actually use this energy for good.”

Real doesn’t mean boring

For Josh, injecting humour and personality into his work isn’t about stealing the spotlight - it’s about giving people something to connect with. “You’ve got two minutes to grab someone’s attention while they’re scrolling in bed,” he says. “If you’re just walking silently through a house trying to look important, you’re wasting it.”

His approach may be unconventional, but it’s deliberate. “Real estate can be fun - and still professional,” he says. “People want to feel something. They want to remember it. If I can give them that, I’ve done my job.”

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed the psychology behind procrastination.

TOGETHER WITH @REALTY

Reignite your career with support, flexibility, and higher rewards

Burnout in real estate is common, but motivation can return with the right systems in place. Reconnecting with what originally drew you to the industry - whether it's flexibility, autonomy, or helping clients, can make a real difference.

With strong support, minimal admin, and one of the highest commission structures in the industry, @realty helps agents reduce stress and focus on what matters.

The ability to work on your terms, backed by a thriving network, creates the space to build a business you enjoy again.

Read more about the @realty difference here.

DEPT OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Retail vacancies shrink as city centres pick up pace

Looks like the “for lease” signs in shop windows are finally starting to thin out. Australia's retail property scene is holding up well, with vacancy rates dropping to 4.7% by December 2024- down from 5.5% the year before. City centres are leading the way, bouncing back from 11.6% to 10%. Sydney, in particular, is setting the pace with a vacancy rate of just 3.9%.

DEPT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Property holds steady amid market volatility

Trump’s new tariffs have rattled global markets, with the Dow Jones seeing major drops and rate cuts now firmly on the table. Amid the uncertainty, residential property is shaping up as a steadier option thanks to consistent demand, physical asset value, and the likely benefits from lower interest rates. While risks remain, like inflation and a potential US-led slowdown, housing offers more predictability than shares right now.

DEPT OF AI

Fresh ideas, without starting from scratch

Real estate professionals often get stuck making small tweaks to familiar strategies, but standing out requires more than just blending in. The SCAMPER technique offers a structured way to rethink what you already do - helping you generate new ideas by simply shifting perspective.

Paired with AI tools like ChatGPT, it becomes a powerful method for tackling everyday challenges, from improving listing presentations to refining client communication. This isn’t about starting over; it’s about seeing what’s already there with fresh eyes.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Inside Rachel McAdams’ stylish Sydney hideaway now for sale

The Woollahra home where Rachel McAdams stayed while filming her latest movie Send Help is now on the market with a $16 million price tag. The five-bedroom Palm Springs-style house, built in 1959 and refreshed by architect Iain Halliday, offers open-plan living and serious privacy.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Harcourts Greater Port Macquarie expands to Laurieton

Fifth-generation local Ross Lindsay leads the newly acquired office, adding to their existing locations in Wauchope, Port Macquarie, Kempsey and South West Rocks. 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

Oh sure, you could buy a house without a buyer’s agent, just like you could cut your own hair or represent yourself in court. What could possibly go wrong?💇🏻‍♀️ 👩🏼‍⚖️

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.

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