GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT

Celebrate the creativity behind standout listings, clever property styling, and the agents who write headlines that sell homes before the first open. Whether it's a bold renovation, a themed open home, or just a perfectly placed pop of colour in a living room, National Creativity Day is the perfect excuse to showcase the imagination that sets great agents apart.

Today’s read time: 6 minutes, 23 seconds

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DATA

”Over 60% of all listings are listed by the top 20% of agents”

The decade-long journey behind more than half of all listings

In an industry that often glorifies the “overnight success,” new data from Jordan Tormey, Strategy Analyst at Ray White Group, offers a reality check and a compelling case for the long game.

After analysing over a decade’s worth of agent activity across major Australian property portals, Jordan studied more than 35,000 actively listing agents. His goal? To uncover what long-term success actually looks like in real estate. Spoiler: It’s not about fast starts or flashy beginnings.

The top performers aren’t newcomers

Jordan’s findings are stark: in 2024, the top 20% of agents—those listing more than 60% of all properties nationally had a median industry tenure of 10 years. These aren’t just good agents; they’re the dominant forces in the market, and they didn’t get there overnight.

“All the people in that top 20 per cent are at that 10-year median of tenure,” he says. And the trend holds across the board: performance scales with experience. The middle 40% of agents typically have 6–7 years of experience, while even the bottom tier often brings 3–5 years to the table.

Progress, not perfection

This progression underscores a powerful truth: real performance takes time. While it’s easy to be dazzled by short-term metrics or newcomers who make a splash, Jordan’s data suggests that consistent, sustained effort wins out in the long run.

Importantly, this shifts the narrative around what agents should aspire to. It’s not about being a rookie rockstar it’s about being a seasoned professional who has built a business, a brand, and a loyal client base over time.

A career, not a sprint

This research serves as a reminder that real estate isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. The low barrier to entry might make it tempting to expect quick results, but Tormey’s data encourages a more grounded mindset: show up, stick with it, and grow deliberately.

For agency leaders, it’s a valuable lesson in recruitment and retention. For agents early in their journey, it’s a reason to play the long game, focus on development, and understand that expertise and market share compound with time. As Jordan’s research makes clear, if you want to dominate, you have to stay.

Read the full article here.

ICYMI, yesterday we discussed why tenants should also be treated like VIP clients.

TOGETHER WITH REACH

Vennu books a win at 2025 Top of the Props

Vennu was named winner of the 2025 Top of the Props pitch battle, hosted by REACH Australia and New Zealand on the Gold Coast recently. One of seven PropTech finalists, Vennu impressed judges with its smart platform for booking under-utilised community spaces.

Founder Suzanne Campbell received $10,000 in prize money and a $5,000 partnership package from MRI Software. Judges praised the pitch for its clarity, real-world impact, and growth potential. Nick Melrose from Scale.app won the People’s Choice Award.

Read about the pitch that won Vennu $10k here.

DEPT OF NZ RATE CUTS

RBNZ cuts again … but don’t expect a fire sale

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand just made its sixth rate cut, trimming the OCR to 3.25%, but it’s more "gentle nudge" than "full-blown stimulus." CoreLogic’s Kelvin Davidson says more cuts are likely, but don’t hold your breath; they’re not guaranteed at every meeting. Ray White’s Nerida Conisbee calls it “welcome news” for buyers, with mortgage relief on the way and regional markets like West Coast and Southland looking even more appealing.

DEPT OF AUCTIONS

Auction market hits fever pitch before long weekend

Australia's capital cities are experiencing a spike in auction activity with 2,816 homes scheduled to go under the hammer this week - the third busiest auction week of the year. Melbourne leads with 1,371 listings, while Sydney follows with 1,095. The combined clearance rate recently hit 65.1%, the highest in 11 months, before an expected drop next week due to the King's Birthday long weekend.

DEPT OF AI

Are tenants ready for an AI landlord?

What happens when your landlord is a chatbot? AI expert Samantha McLean explores how AI is stepping into the role of property manager by handling repairs, rent reminders, and even apartment tours. Some tenants love the speed and 24/7 service; others miss the human touch (and worry the bots are spying on them). A quick scan of comments shows a clear generational divide and a lot of side-eye at anything too “automated.” Bottom line? AI might fix the tap faster, but it’s not replacing your favourite property manager just yet.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Own the home where Kubrick created his masterpieces

Stanley Kubrick's former Victorian residence in Hertfordshire has hit the market for £6.95 million. The legendary filmmaker lived at Abbots Mead for 14 years, creating classics like "2001: A Space Odyssey," "A Clockwork Orange," and "The Shining" within its walls.

The nine-bedroom estate spans 7,700 square feet on two acres and includes luxury amenities like a heated pool, sauna, and even a separate four-bedroom house on the grounds. A blue plaque commemorates this piece of cinema history.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Cath Hart steps down as REIWA chief

The CEO is leaving after three years that saw significant transformation, advocacy wins and membership growth at the real estate institute. More here.

Award-winning team expands Ray White's west Auckland presence

Paul Vujnovich and Trish Adams bring their 33-person team to lead offices in Glen Eden, Te Atatū Peninsula and Kumeu as part of a strategic merger. More here.

Professionals Real Estate unveils complete transformation

Sean Hanneberry is leading the multi-million dollar rebrand and business overhaul as CEO, with new technology platforms and a refreshed look for all 190 shopfronts by year-end. 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

That “offer accepted” high? Worth every ghosted buyer, awkward silence, and near-miss settlement. #agentlife 🙌🏻😊

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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