GOOD MORNING FROM ELITE AGENT 👋

Real estate runs on caffeine - and not just during auction week. From 6 am listing appointments to late-night offer calls, coffee is the quiet partner in every deal. Today’s the perfect excuse to thank the flat whites, long blacks and oat-milk lattes that keep agents sharp for vendor meetings, buyer negotiations and marathon Saturday opens. So, here’s to the brew that fuels every contract signed and every “just one more inspection.” Happy National Coffee Day to everyone hustling between listings; may your next cup be strong and your next sale even stronger.

Today’s read time: 5 minutes, 12 seconds

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TIME MANAGEMENT

What it your time worth?

Every minute counts

Time is like money, you only get so much each day, so spend it wisely. Drawing on 20 years of experience in the property industry, Samantha Xerri, Coach/Consultant at Real+, shares practical ways to reclaim hours and focus on what really matters: building relationships and adding value where technology can’t. “When you treat your day like a budget, each time-dollar becomes an investment, not an expense.”

Use smarter tools

Stop rewriting the same documents!

“If you're repeatedly rewriting the same documents, lease renewals, rent increase notices or maintenance advice, it’s time for better templates.”

A solid template should offer options, such as “lease renewal with rent increase” or “without rent increase”, so you’re not reinventing the wheel. Samantha says you can take it further by automating routine messages such as arrears notices or repair replies, so tasks happen while “you’re not looking, helping you reclaim your valuable time.”

Let AI plan your day

Tools such as ChatGPT can prioritise your to-do list based on your available time and ideal schedule. AI can help reduce decision fatigue, flag low-value tasks, and keep your workload manageable, so you stay focused on the work that matters most.

Commit only to what you can handle

Overloading your week leads straight to burnout. Calculate what’s realistic, stick to it, and free yourself from trying to squeeze 160 hours into 40. With the right systems in place, you’ll have time to strengthen relationships - the true premium in a tech-driven industry.

Read the full story here.

ICYMI, last week we highlighted how affordability and yields are driving investors to regional areas.

SALE OF THE WEEK

Mount Colah $1.97M Auction Success

Nick Berman (McGrath Hornsby) secured $1.97 million for 3 Telopea Street, Mount Colah, with five bidders pushing well above the suburb's house median of $1.715 million.

This story was created using Ailsa, our conversational AI tool, which is currently in beta. Agents phone in their sales details and receive professional, SEO-optimised stories within 24 hours, published on Elite Agent and ready to share on your website and across your socials.

Join the Ailsa waitlist: We’re currently accepting a few more beta testers for the service. If you’d like to be considered, join the waitlist here.

THOUGHT LEADERS EDGE CASE

Will Virtual Inspections Replace Physical Ones Within Five Years?

It's the question every property manager is grappling with: Are we heading toward a fully digital inspection world, or will boots on the ground always be essential? The pandemic gave us a taste of virtual-only inspections. Now the industry is split on whether that future is inevitable – or desirable.

Kylie argues:
"Imagine a world where property inspections are done in the blink of an eye. No more waiting around for agents. Virtual inspections reduce operational costs by 30% for real estate businesses."

Tara counters:
"Technology is impressive, but trust is earned. Property management demands more than a camera. It requires judgment, accountability, and presence."

Watch and/or listen to the debate here

STEADY SENTIMENT

Confidence steady, government frustration

The property industry’s confidence index held at 124 in September, pointing to steady optimism despite patchy conditions. Staffing levels are tipped to rise nationwide, though Queensland flagged weaker forward work schedules. All markets hopeful of interest rates to fall and finance to ease, fuelling stronger price growth forecasts, particularly in housing and industrial assets. But frustration with government policy lingers, with housing supply and property taxes topping the list of concerns.

ACT-ING UP

Essential workers face housing stress as Canberra prices top $1m

Essential workers are being priced out of Canberra, with Property Council research showing even dual-income frontline couples can’t afford detached homes. Median prices now exceed $1 million, while taxes and compliance make up a third of new home costs. With single-income workers pushed into rental stress, the Council is urging faster approvals, “Missing Middle” reforms and tax relief to keep key staff living in the capital.

GULF ROYAL REAL ESTATE

Gulf royals step up global push with AUD$1.05bn London deal

Middle Eastern developer Arada, backed by Saudi and Emirati royalty, is buying a 75 per cent stake in London’s Regal for A$1.05 billion. The developer has a pipeline of 10,000 homes and will be rebranded as Arada London, with its leadership team staying on.

The deal follows Arada’s entry into Australia in 2024, marking its second major international move and flush with cash from Dubai’s five-year property boom, Gulf developers are looking abroad for growth. Arada says it will triple Regal’s residential pipeline within three years. The expansion comes as the UK struggles to meet ambitious housing targets amid rising costs and economic uncertainty.

CELEBRITY HOMES

Aubrey Plaza lists Los Feliz home

Actor Aubrey Plaza has put her Los Feliz Oaks home on the market for $6.5M (AUD$10M), eight months after the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena. The 1928-built Spanish-style residence, purchased for $4.7M (AUD$7.2M) in 2022, features four bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a wine cellar, screening room, and pool. Demand for character homes in the high-profile hillside enclave remains strong.

MOVERS + SHAKERS

Marion Badenoch joins The Rubinstein Group

The luxury property specialist brings 13 years of experience to Gavin Rubinstein's Rose Bay team. More here.

Fabian Ekker named Head of Property Management at Belle Property

The internal promotion recognises his expertise in overseeing large-scale rent rolls and developing national property management systems. 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

Sold! Time to celebrate… oh wait - now I need another listing. Back to the grind (and the coffee machine). ☕💼

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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