Elevate: The Official Podcast of Elite Agent Magazine

Peter Brewer and Jeff Turner were supposed to fight about whether the traditional real estate office will survive. Instead, they discovered they agree on what matters most – and that's where this episode gets interesting. The debate starts with a deliberately provocative AI-generated definition: high street storefront, listings in the window, desks for agents. Peter immediately challenges it. Jeff argues that if an office exists just to distribute information, it should disappear. But if it exists to host trust? That's different. What emerges is a genuine exploration of what space should mean in an age where AI can build relationships, distil data, and earn consumer trust in ways that feel unnervingly human. The real takeaway isn't about bricks and mortar – it's about presence. Jeff puts it simply: don't outsource your voice, your wisdom, or the one thing that separates you from the machine. The future isn't fewer offices. It's better ones – spaces that feel more human, not less. Whether you're renewing a lease or rethinking your entire model, this conversation gives you a framework for what comes next. #EliteAgent #EdgeCase #RealEstateOffice #PeterBrewer #JeffTurner #AIinRealEstate

Tony Morrison has facilitated one in every four property transactions in Tasmania for years. The CEO of Harcourts Tasmania built a BRW Fast 100 company in his early 20s, then made the counterintuitive decision to join a franchise network – and hasn't looked back. In this conversation with Samantha McLean, Tony shares his "Home Ground Advantage" approach to listing presentations – a method that goes against standard training but dramatically improves conversion rates. He explains why doing your pitch in the office (not the vendor's kitchen) gives you control, brings your whole team into the equation, and helps less confident closers win business they'd otherwise lose. The episode delivers practical advice for agents at every stage: how to rebuild momentum after a dry spell by focusing on buyers, how to have price adjustment conversations without damaging the relationship, and what Tony looks for when hiring. His final message is simple – the agents who build the most relationships earn the most money. If you've been hiding behind emails and social posts, this is your prompt to get face to face. #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #ListingPresentation #TonyMorrison #RealEstateTraining

Candice Whinnett runs two businesses – Code Property Group and Greenhouse Property – and dedicates every Wednesday to AI experimentation. Her team jokes about avoiding the office on Thursdays when she arrives with "47 new ideas." But those ideas have eliminated manual workflows, doubled her remote professional team, and positioned her agencies years ahead of competitors still wondering where to start. In this conversation with Samantha McLean, Candice shares the practical approach that works when you're time-poor and not a tech expert. She builds automations that turn ten manual steps into one checkbox. She treats every AI tool like a new hire – training it, correcting it, giving it time to improve. And she's honest about what doesn't work yet, including her digital twin that still sounds slightly American. The starting point she recommends: build one custom GPT for the task you actively avoid because it's tedious. You can do it in an hour, and the time savings compound from there. #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #PropertyManagement #CandiceWhinnett #RealEstateAI

Richard Manthel saw Australia's AML deadline coming years before most agents even heard of it. Now, with July 2026 fast approaching, real estate agencies face a compliance requirement that's already been battle-tested across the Tasman. In this conversation with Samantha McLean, Richard shares what he learned helping thousands of New Zealand agents navigate their 2019 AML rollout – and why Australian agencies should be planning now, not waiting until May. He breaks down what money laundering through property actually looks like, why senior leadership buy-in matters more than you'd think, and the costly mistake of trying to DIY your compliance programme. The biggest insight? It's not what you know about AML that trips agencies up – it's what you don't know. Getting expert help early prevents the systemic failures that force agencies to go back and fix years of mistakes. As Richard puts it: by July 2027, the agencies who prepared properly will say, "That wasn't as bad as we thought." #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #AMLCompliance #RichardManthel #RealEstateCompliance

While many agents take January off to recharge, top coach and commentator Tom Panos warns that the window between January 15 and February 1 is actually the most critical time for building momentum. In this episode, he explains why starting now, not later, gives you a distinct advantage in a market where listings are tight and buyers are back. He also weighs in on the industry's "underquoting" debate, offering his take on why it generates bidders but not necessarily better prices. Tom Panos needs no introduction—he is the man behind the Real Estate Gym, has coached over 20,000 agents, and calls more than 100 auctions a year. As we head into 2026, Tom shares his blueprint for the "agent of the future," explaining how top performers are already using AI not just to write emails, but to act as their "first employee" and turn video content into an SEO goldmine. What you'll learn in this episode: The "Golden Window" Strategy: Learn why listing and launching between Jan 15 and Feb 1 can secure your vendors a higher price before the market floods in February. The Underquoting Reality Check: Understand Tom's perspective on the difference between "spray and pray" marketing and targeted campaigns, and why high bidder counts don't always translate to higher prices. AI as Your First Employee: Discover the specific AI workflows Tom would use if he were starting at 22 today—from generating "commission-breath-free" video scripts to using psychometric profiling tools like Crystal and Humantic. The Video SEO Shift: Why video is no longer just about social engagement—it's now a primary driver of SEO, with tools like Gemini translating your spoken words into searchable traffic. Chapters 02:15 New Year's Resolutions: The importance of a "Mental Health Friday" 05:30 The "Golden Window": Why waiting until after Australia Day is a mistake 08:45 Market Outlook 2026: Sydney, Melbourne, and the "Fire Emoji" markets (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) 12:20 The Inflation & Interest Rate Equation 13:50 The Underquoting Debate: Ethics vs. Strategy 17:40 The "Speed Camera" Analogy: Why compliance is no longer optional 19:30 AI in Action: How agents are actually using it (Video ideas, Reports, Translation) 24:10 The 22-Year-Old Agent Strategy: How to use AI as your first employee 26:30 Video is the New SEO: How Gemini and search are changing the game 29:45 The Agent of 2026: Efficiency, Brand, and the end of "Cold Calling" 33:20 Final Thoughts & Real Estate Gym Updates Resources Mentioned: Real Estate Gym: Tom's training platform for high-performance agents. Crystal / Humantic: AI tools mentioned by Tom for psychometric assessments of clients before meetings. HeyGen: An AI application Tom uses to translate video content into different languages (e.g., Cantonese, Bulgarian) to build trust in cross-cultural markets. Gemini: Google's AI, noted for its ability to translate video content into SEO juice. Ignite / CRM Reports: Using AI to summarize standard portal reports into punchy text messages for vendors. Connect with Tom Panos Website: tompanos.com.au LinkedIn: Tom Panos (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-panos-3069a818/) Instagram: @tompanos Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateGym #TomPanos #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #2026Trends

Ben White, CEO of Ailo, tackles the biggest question facing property managers today: Is AI a threat to your business or the key to future growth? While agencies split between going all-in and waiting on the sidelines, Ben reveals why AI success isn't about technology at all – it's about understanding how you create value for customers. Key takeaways from this conversation: • Why AI is fundamentally a culture problem, not a tech problem • The two questions that determine whether AI threatens or transforms your property management business • Live demonstration of "vibe coding”, an ROI calculator using just English prompts • Research showing AI actually increases workplace enthusiasm and excitement Chapters 00:00:46 Introduction: AI as Threat or Opportunity for Property Management? 00:03:14 The Cultural Problem: Why Understanding Value Creation Matters 00:05:38 The Four Quadrants: Where Do You Stand on AI and Property Management? 00:08:56 Why Optimism is a Precondition to Seeing the Future 00:09:42 Beyond Rent Collection: Rethinking the Property Management Business Model 00:12:52 From Inspections to Risk Management: Expanding the PM Value Proposition 00:15:28 The Solar Opportunity and Other Adjacent Services 00:19:30 Why AI Won't Replace Property Managers: The Complexity Advantage 00:29:42 Live Vibe Coding: Building a Solar ROI Calculator in Real-Time 00:33:34 The Self-Managed Landlord Opportunity: The Bad Breakup Strategy 00:34:51 AI Features Coming to Allo: Context, Sentiment, and Automated Scheduling 00:36:30 The Future Interaction Model: No Searching, No Forgetting, Just Decisions 00:37:29 Final Wisdom: Optimism as the Precondition to Seeing the Future Discover more resources for ambitious agents at eliteagent.com.au.

Is the bar to entry in real estate too low, or is "high regulation" just a gatekeeper that kills innovation? In this episode of EDGE CASE, we tackle the industry's most controversial question: Will raising professional standards limit our access to talent? We forced two of the biggest brains in the business to flip a coin and argue the case. THE DEBATE CARD: The Affirmative (John Foong): Argues that raising standards kills diversity and that the best talent often comes from outside the traditional mould (the "Uber" defence). The Negative (Jacob Caine): Argues that low barriers to entry have created a massive trust deficit and that we must treat real estate like a true profession (the "Doctor" defence). THE TWIST: They flipped a coin to decide who would argue which side. Stick around for Round 6, where they drop the act and reveal what they actually believe. In this episode: (00:00) The "Kim Kardashian" real estate theory (04:52) The Coin Flip: Who argues what? (06:50) Round 1: John Foong on why standards kill talent (08:58) Round 1: Jacob Caine on the "Trust Deficit" (11:05) Round 2: Cross-Examination (Uber vs. Taxis) (16:57) Round 3: Evidence Bombs & Ethics Rankings (28:50) TRUTH REVEAL: What do they actually think? Guest Bios: Jacob Caine is the President of the REIA and CEO of Ray White Commercial (VIC/TAS). He is a vocal advocate for professionalizing the industry. John Foong is a global tech leader with a resume spanning Google, Uber, and Domain. He brings a Silicon Valley perspective on disruption and hiring at scale. Connect with our guests: Jacob Caine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobcaine/ John Foong on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfoong/ Cast Your Vote: Who won the debate? Cast your vote in Monday's Elite Agent Brief: http://thebrief.eliteagent.com/ Subscribe to Elite Agent: Website: https://eliteagent.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/eliteagentmag The Brief: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com #RealEstate #PropTech #Debate #Recruitment #Leadership #EdgeCase

My guest today has a resume unlike any other agent I've interviewed. He is a former Hollywood executive, he has dived 12,800 feet to the wreck of the Titanic, and he was the agent responsible for listing the world-famous "Breaking Bad" house. David Christensen (eXp Realty) joins us to discuss how he applies Hollywood storytelling to real estate marketing. We dive deep into the strategy behind listing a modest Albuquerque home for nearly $4 million by reframing its value proposition from "residential" to "commercial attraction." Beyond the big deals, David shares his powerful personal story of losing everything, finding sobriety, and rebuilding his "Second Act" to become a top-producing luxury agent in New England. Key Takeaways: The Valuation Reframe: Why the "Breaking Bad" house wasn't sold as a home, but as a business opportunity. Hollywood Skills: Why listening and patience (learned from the music industry) are an agent's best weapons. The Titanic Perspective: How visiting the ocean floor changed David's perspective on pressure and life. White Glove Service: Why luxury is a feeling, not a price point.

In 2020, amidst the uncertainty of the pandemic, Tom Harrison's business coach gave him a stern warning: "Do NOT sign that paperwork." Taking sole ownership of a real estate agency during lockdowns seemed like madness. Tom signed anyway. In this episode, we sit down with Tom Harrison to discuss how he ignored expert advice to navigate chaos, scaled his team from 13 to 50 people, and ultimately led Harrison Agents to win "Large Residential Agency of the Year" at the REIT Awards. Tom shares his "fork in the road" philosophy, why he turned down major franchises to protect his creative independence, and how he is blending 180 years of family legacy with an "AI-first" approach to the future. "I'd rather make half the money and have my own destiny and have my own brand, than go with the brand and it's just about the money." — Tom Harrison. What you'll learn in this episode The Decision: In that moment, Tom ignored his business coach to buy the business during lockdown. The Growth: The exact mindset shift required to go from a "nice business" to a market share-winning agency. The Future: How Harrison Agents is adopting an "AI-first" approach to stay ahead of the competition. The Brand: Why staying independent was the only way to satisfy Tom's creative vision. The Structure: Why hiring "A-Graders" for roles like HR and Ops (instead of trying to wear every hat) was the key to scaling past 13 staff. Chapters Chapters 00:00:47 The COVID Gamble: Signing Papers Against All Advice 00:05:55 The Fork in the Road Philosophy: Day-to-Day Decision Making 00:07:22 Independence Over Franchising: The Creative Outlet Question 00:11:15 Scaling from 13 to 50: The Talent Challenge in Tasmania 00:13:45 Real Estate as a Creative Company: Blending Legacy and Innovation 00:16:49 The Tasmanian Advantage: Exiting the Matrix 00:17:42 Football, Community, and Values-Aligned People 00:23:50 AI First: Excitement Over Fear 00:27:17 Rapid Fire Advice: Database, Leverage, and Quiet Time Links Mentioned: Harrison Agents: Tom's award-winning agency (https://www.harrisonagents.com.au/) Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT): The industry body behind the Awards for Excellence (https://reit.com.au/) Old Launcestonians Football Club: Where Tom serves as Vice President and Life Member (https://www.oldlauncestonians.com.au/) ChatGPT: AI assistant for content creation and analysis (http://openai.com/chatgpt) Connect with Tom Harrison Website: https://www.harrisonagents.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomharrisonagents/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomharrison_agents/ Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate

In boardrooms around the world, executives invest millions in team-building retreats and quirky office perks, while shareholders ask just one thing: show us the results. Is a "great culture" just pizza parties and ping-pong tables, or is it the non-negotiable foundation for sustainable profit? What happens when you take that controversial question and force two of property management's most respected leaders to argue opposite sides? Welcome to EDGE CASE — our new debate series where we test assumptions, challenge the status quo, and expose what people really think. TODAY'S BIG QUESTION: Is company culture overrated, and are results all that really matter? THE TWIST: They flipped a coin to decide who would argue which side — they may be arguing against their own beliefs. IN THIS ROUND Tameka Smith — With over two decades in property management, she's founded and sold a boutique rent roll, been named REIA's Australian Property Manager of the Year, and was recently made an Associate of the REIA. Sophie Lyon — A 30-year industry veteran and Partner at Real+, Sophie has worked with iconic Melbourne brands and now focuses on training the next generation of property management leaders. ABOUT EDGE CASE We're here to challenge traditional thinking in an era of disruption and change. Each episode tackles a controversial topic the industry whispers about — but rarely talks about out loud. This is intellectual combat designed to make the entire real estate industry smarter. THE FORMAT: Round 1: Opening arguments Round 2: Cross-examination Round 3: Evidence bombs Round 4: Direct confrontation Round 5: Rebuttals Round 6: TRUTH REVEAL (they drop the act) VOTE: Do real estate agents still deserve their bad reputation? Cast your vote in Monday's Elite Agent Brief (http://thebrief.eliteagent.com/) SUBSCRIBE: Don't miss upcoming EDGE CASE episodes — where bold minds debate the questions that shape the future of real estate. Chapters Chapters 00:00:54 Welcome to Edge Case: Meet Your Debaters 00:07:09 Opening Statements: Culture vs Results 00:11:02 Round 2: Cross-Examination Gets Heated 00:14:36 The Data Battle: Amazon, Netflix, and Toxic Cultures 00:18:14 Final Arguments: Finding the Balance 00:21:05 Truth Reveal: What They Really Believe 00:23:42 Perks vs Authentic Culture: The Real Distinction 00:31:31 Gen Z, Expectations, and the Future of Work Connect with Tameka Smith Website: www.tamekasmith.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tameka-smith-084142104 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamekasmith2/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamekasmithconsultingAU/ Connect with Sophie Lyon Real+: https://realplus.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophielyon Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #TamekaSmith #SophieLyon #RealEstateLeadership #RealEstateAgents

Property managers are drowning in admin. What if you could save two hours every day? That's an entire month per year. (As Nikki says, "I'd be in Italy.") In this episode of Thought Leaders, we sit down with Nikki D'Agostino, a director, consultant, and mum of two who just won two major REIWA awards: Strata Manager of the Year and Strata Management Agency of the Year. Nikki runs multiple businesses by "automating the mundane to focus on the meaningful." She reveals her "human-first" AI strategy for eliminating the "soul-destroying" busy work (like arrears calls and paperwork) so her team can focus on the 1,600+ owners who need a human touch. In this episode, you will learn: The Monday Task Audit: How to track every task you do for one day, feed it to ChatGPT, and have AI build a matrix of what you must Automate, Delegate, or Eliminate. Agentic AI: Why Nikki is deploying AI agents to handle arrears calls, payment plans, and paperwork, freeing up her team for high-value human interaction. The Human-First Strategy: How the future isn't about replacing people but about creating better humans who excel at relationships and problem-solving. Nikki's AI Toolkit: The exact tools she uses (like Fixer, Notebook LLM, and HeyGen) to save 6+ hours every single week. Stick around to the very end to hear the exact prompt Nikki uses to build her entire "operating system" in ChatGPT and the one bottleneck she would eliminate for every property manager if she had a magic wand. Connect with Nikki https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkidagostino/ https://theefficiencyco.com.au/ https://rezzi.com.au/strata-management/ Chapters Chapters 00:02:18 Meet Nikki Dagestino: The Multi-Hat Wearing Efficiency Expert 00:03:29 Rezzi Strata: Bringing Accountability to an Unregulated Industry 00:04:41 The Efficiency Co Philosophy: Automate the Mundane, Focus on the Meaningful 00:05:13 AML Compliance: What Real Estate Needs to Know for 2025 00:07:12 The Soul-Destroying Tasks: Agentic AI Takes on Arrears Calls 00:09:22 Building Custom GPTs for Every Strata Scheme 00:12:00 The 6-Hour Weekly Time Save: Email Management with AI 00:24:14 The Monday Task Audit: Your First Step to AI Efficiency 00:19:23 Offshore Teams Plus AI: The Ultimate Productivity Hack 00:22:35 The Future Workplace: Social Sciences Over Math Skills 00:26:15 Your Homework: The Matrix Exercise That Changes Everything Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT - AI assistant for content creation and analysis (http://openai.com/chatgpt) Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate

What if one action could increase your listing win rate by 400%? According to 15 years of proprietary data from Ray White, it can. On this episode of Thought Leaders, host Samantha McLean sits down with Ray White's Chief Strategy Officer, Mark McLeod , to reveal the data-backed secret to a 400% higher listing advantage. Mark explains exactly what this action is, why it works, and the uncomfortable truth about why so many agents still don't do it. This conversation dives deep into the data from over a thousand offices, revealing what truly separates high-performing teams from everyone else. Want to get the full framework? Mark and Sam recently launched the Performance Coaching Sprint, a FREE 5-day email course that distils what Ray White's data actually reveals about coaching effectiveness. Get it here — https://coachlab.eliteagent.education What you'll learn in this episode The 400% Listing Advantage: The specific action agents who meet vendors inside the property take that gives them a 400% higher win rate. Why Skills are "Overrated": Why Mark's data shows that resilience and consistency, not exceptional skill, are the keys to a thriving business. Coaching vs. Managing: Most leaders think they're coaching when they're just managing. Mark explains the difference and why it's costing you millions. RCMs (Relationship Commencement Meetings): How to reframe the "appraisal" to build a real relationship and win future business. The Hierarchy of Communication: The 5-tier framework for building familiarity before you ask for the appraisal. Chapters Chapters 00:02:10 Why Skills Are Overrated: The Data Behind Success 00:05:23 The 400% Listing Advantage: Meeting Inside vs Desktop Appraisals 00:06:30 Relationship Commencement Meetings: Reframing the Appraisal 00:07:58 The Hyper-Local Strategy: Volume x Consistency + Relevancy 00:09:47 Building Trust Through the Communication Hierarchy 00:12:55 Coaching vs Managing: The Critical Difference 00:15:41 Making It Ultra Important: The Leadership Obsession Test 00:18:13 The Raincoat Principle: Why Consistency Beats Intensity 00:19:38 15 Years of Data Evolution: The Generational Change 00:21:22 AI and the Future of Performance Coaching 00:23:29 Final Challenge: Believe in Something Bigger Resources Mentioned: GUEST: Mark McLeod, Chief Strategy Officer at Ray White HOST: Samantha McLean, Elite Agent Connect with Mark McLeod LinkedIn Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate

How does a former Westpac mortgage broker become the #1 auction agent in the Belle Property network? Norman So, Principal and Agent at Belle Property Strathfield, has recently been named Belle Property's #1 auction agent and ranks #7 among all NSW agents. His journey from bank employee to one of Belle Property's top performers — now targeting $4M+ in annual GCI — demonstrates the power of market specialisation, innovative marketing, and systematic team building. Norman didn't just change careers; he transformed real estate marketing in Sydney's competitive western corridor. Starting with apartments in Homebush and quickly dominating Strathfield, his record-breaking $16.6 million sale redefined the suburb's price ceiling. Now running over 200 auctions annually, Norman credits his success to three game-changing strategies: leveraging influencer marketing, creating collaborative team structures, and maintaining relentless client communication. Meet Your Host: Claudio Encina Stepping in as host this week on behalf of Samantha McLean, Claudio is a former seven-figure real estate agent who built a thriving team, only to realise that success without fulfilment comes at a high cost. After feeling stressed, disconnected, and overwhelmed, he transformed his approach with expert coaching to create a model that delivers freedom, scale, and financial success. Today, Claudio has helped over 1,000 agents implement this model, enabling them to dominate their markets while living a life full of meaningful experiences. He believes that if your business doesn't work for you, then it's not working. What you'll learn in this episode Why Norman conducts 200+ auctions annually and how his team structure makes it possible The influencer marketing strategy that generated two $4.9M duplex sales from a single 140K-view post How one influencer property walkthrough can attract buyers who weren't even looking to purchase Why Norman still calls his coach weekly despite 13+ years of experience The daily structure and goal-setting system behind Norman's $4M+ annual GCI target Chapters Chapters 00:02:14 From Westpac mortgage broker to real estate: Why Norman made the switch 00:04:35 The apartment-to-luxury transition: How Norman secured his first house listing 00:08:27 Team structure revealed: How two EBUs collaborate for 200+ annual sales 00:11:30 Influencer marketing breakthrough: 60% of properties now use this strategy 00:13:50 Three essential success principles for new agents (including working for free) Connect with Norman So LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norman-so-050391a5/ Email: norman.so@belleproperty.com Instagram: @bellebynso Connect with Claudio Encina Website: https://www.claudioencina.com/ Email: claudio@claudioencina.com Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #ClaudioEncina #NormanSo #InfluencerMarketing #AuctionAgent

In this must-watch episode, Samantha McLean challenges herself to create an episode of thought leaders with her digital twin, two AI Co-hosts Sarah Chen and Marcus Rodriguez and AI generated B-Roll. The entire episode was built with tools like HeyGen Runway, Claude, NotebookLM, and Mind Studio… all in under eight hours (but, of course, with a human in the loop!). Join the next AI First Agent Accelerator Cohort https://aiagentcourse.com What you'll learn in this episode 1. The 8-Step AI Transformation Formula The simple, repeatable process that takes any business task and makes it ready to optimise, automate, and scale with AI. 2. The J-Curve of Productivity Ever feel like AI makes everything slower before it gets better? That's the J-Curve. Most agents bail right at the bottom of it — the exact spot where exponential results are about to kick in. Learn to ride it out. 3. The ‘Human in the Loop' Principle AI isn't your autopilot — it's your copilot. The best agents use it to handle the predictable stuff so they can show up more human in the moments that matter — like delivering that handwritten note or settlement gift that wins lifelong fans. 4. Storytelling SEO with AILSA Every sale tells a story — but are you letting Google and the AIs hear it? Learn how AILSA (AI Local Storytelling Assistant) turns your every just sold into SEO-optimised, editorial-style content that builds your digital authority over time.

What happens when a real estate agent makes the radical decision to turn down million-dollar listings to focus exclusively on apartments? Luke Saville's journey proves that strategic niching isn't just smart business – it's revolutionary. Meet Luke Saville A multi-award-winning agent and auctioneer with over 500 auctions to his name, Luke is The Agency's apartment specialist who's transformed his business by saying "no" to everything outside his niche. Operating primarily in Hawthorn, Victoria, he has earned a reputation as Melbourne's go-to apartment expert, generating extraordinary results through authentic social media storytelling and laser-focused market positioning. Meet Your Host: Claudio Encina Stepping in as host this week on behalf of Samantha McLean, Claudio is a former seven-figure real estate agent who built a thriving team, only to realize that success without fulfilment comes at a high cost. After feeling stressed, disconnected, and overwhelmed, he transformed his approach with expert coaching to create a model that delivers freedom, scale, and financial success. Today, Claudio has helped over 1,000 agents implement this model, enabling them to dominate their markets while living a life full of meaningful experiences. He believes that if your business doesn't work for you, then it's not working. What You'll Learn In This Episode How to identify and commit to your profitable niche (even when it means saying no to big commissions) The social media strategy that generated 26 direct property sales in 12 months Luke's storytelling framework for listing descriptions that sell properties sight-unseen Why raw, authentic content outperforms polished marketing videos The psychology behind niching down and becoming known for "something" rather than everything Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Meet Luke Saville, The Apartment Specialist 00:02:05 The Power of Saying No: Turning Down $3 Million Houses 00:04:23 26 Properties Sold Through Social Media - No Advertising 00:05:12 The Collingwood Property That Changed Everything 00:06:18 Storytelling That Sells: Revolutionary Listing Descriptions 00:09:02 The New Zealand Buyer Who Bought Sight Unseen 00:10:54 Following the Attention: Why Every Agent Needs Social Media 00:12:02 AI, Raw Content, and Live Auctions on TikTok 00:13:36 Work-Life Balance: Managing 100+ Sales with Young Kids 00:15:26 Advice for Struggling Agents Connect with Luke Saville Email: lukesaville@theagency.com.au  Phone: +61 437 720 806 Instagram: lukesaville_ Connect with Claudio Encina Website: https://www.claudioencina.com/ Email: claudio@claudioencina.com Discover More From Elite Agent Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #LukeSaville #SocialMediaStrategy #ClaudioEncina

Are real estate agents trusted advisors helping families achieve dreams — or commission-hungry operators who've earned their notorious reputation? When industry ethics rankings put agents below politicians, it's time for an uncomfortable conversation. So what happens when you take that controversial question and force two respected industry veterans to argue opposite sides? Welcome to EDGE CASE — our new debate series where we test assumptions, challenge the status quo, and expose what people really think. TODAY'S BIG QUESTION: Do real estate agents still deserve their bad reputation? THE TWIST: They flipped a coin to decide who would argue which side — they may be arguing against their own beliefs. IN THIS ROUND Dion Besser (Besser + Co) — 26 years of straight-talking experience across Melbourne and London. Luke Evans (The Agency, NSW) — With experience managing hundreds of agents across diverse markets, he's seen every side of the trust debate. WHY EDGE CASE EXISTS We're here to challenge traditional thinking in an era of disruption and change. Each episode tackles a controversial topic the industry whispers about — but rarely talks about out loud. This is intellectual combat designed to make the entire real estate industry smarter. THE FORMAT: Round 1: Opening arguments Round 2: Cross-examination Round 3: Evidence bombs Round 4: Direct confrontation Round 5: Rebuttals Round 6: TRUTH REVEAL (they drop the act) VOTE: Do real estate agents still deserve their bad reputation? Cast your vote in Monday's Elite Agent Brief (http://thebrief.eliteagent.com/) SUBSCRIBE: Don't miss upcoming EDGE CASE episodes — where bold minds debate the questions that shape the future of real estate. Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 Do Agents Still Deserve Their Bad Reputation? 00:00:55 Welcome to Edge Case 00:01:27 Meet the Debaters: Dion Besser and Luke Evans 00:02:48 Topic Selection and Coin Toss 00:06:15 Opening Statements: The Case Against Agents 00:08:20 Opening Rebuttal: Defending Modern Agents 00:09:50 Cross-Examination: Why Do Scandals Keep Recurring? 00:16:53 Evidence Battle: Ethics Rankings vs Prosecution Stats 00:22:20 The Underquoting Debate 00:24:42 Truth Reveal: What They Really Think 00:30:26 Final Advice: How to Improve the Industry Connect with Dion Besser Website: www.besserco.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dionbesser_bessercorealestate/ Email: dion@besserco.com.au Phone: +614 12 556 443 Connect with Luke Evans Website: https://www.lukeevans.io/ The Agency: https://theagency.com.au/team/luke-evans Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luke_evans.io/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-evans-745519168/ Email: lukeevans@theagency.com.au Phone: +614 02 378 655 Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #DionBesser #LukeEvans #RealEstateLeadership #RealEstateAgents

What if 90% of real estate agents are using AI completely wrong – while the top 10% quietly dominate their markets? Most agents think AI means throwing everything into ChatGPT and hoping for the best. But Ryan J. Coyne, Chief Experience Officer at SERHANT and the tech mastermind behind one of the world's most followed real estate brands, reveals why that approach is killing your conversion rates. In this deep conversation, Coyne shares how agents using a psychology-first AI approach saw a 144% increase in gross commission income – not by replacing humanity, but by amplifying it strategically. Meet Ryan J. Coyne Known simply as "Coyne," he's been pioneering AI integration in real estate since 2020 – years before most agents knew what ChatGPT was. As CXO at SERHANT, he's helped build a global real estate empire that leverages cutting-edge technology without losing the human connection. What you'll learn in this episode Why AI adoption timing doesn't actually matter – and how you can start today and still compete with early adopters The "humanity amplification" strategy: identifying where your human touch makes the biggest difference How to use personality profiling (Crystal + DISC) combined with AI to create personalised client experiences The psychology-first AI approach that converts 144% better than traditional methods Why agents need to stop asking "Will AI replace me?" and start asking "Where does my humanity make the most difference?" Practical prompts that turn generic AI responses into your authentic voice Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:06 Meet Ryan Coyne: The Tech Mastermind Behind SERHANT 00:03:09 The Electronics Store Hustle That Changed Everything 00:07:06 Why Real Estate Agents Don't Need to Be Tech Experts 00:09:57 Your AI Journey: Why You Can Start Today and Still Win 00:11:45 Humanity as the New Premium 00:13:30 Where Your Humanity Makes the Most Difference 00:16:18 Inside SERHANT Simple: Insta-cart for Real Estate Agents 00:18:39 Crystal Knows: The 144% Commission Boost Secret 00:24:52 From CTO to Chief Experience Officer 00:31:13 Advanced AI Prompts 00:34:14 Final Wisdom: Self-Awareness Is Your Superpower Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT - AI assistant for content creation and analysis (http://openai.com/chatgpt) SERHANT. S.MPLE - AI productivity tool (https://www.simple.serhant.com/) Crystal Knows - AI platform providing personality insights to improve communication (https://www.crystalknows.com/) Connect with Coyne LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ryanjcoyne Instagram: instagram.com/ryanjcoyne Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #AustralianRealEstate #SERHANT #RyanJCoyne

The AI revolution is hitting property management hard – will traditional inspections be the first casualty? Technology is transforming every corner of property management faster than ever before. From smart sensors that detect water leaks to AI-powered maintenance requests, the industry is racing toward a digital future. But nowhere is this transformation more contentious than property inspections. Welcome to EDGE CASE – where we test assumptions and expose what people REALLY think. We convinced two industry experts to argue opposite sides of the question dividing every property management office. TODAY'S BIG QUESTION: "Will virtual property inspections completely replace physical inspections within five years?" THE TWIST: They flipped a coin to decide who would argue which side. They may be arguing against their beliefs — you won't know who until the "truth reveal" at 30:00. IN THIS ROUND Kylie Walker ("That Property Mum") — Co-founder of iThink Property, host of The Property Management podcast, educator focused on technology, automation, and strategic growth. Tara Bradbury — Principal licensee of Active Agents in Hervey Bay, founder of BDM Academy, 20+years in real estate with record-breaking results (268 new rental listings in one year, 30 in one month). WHY EDGE CASE EXISTS: We're here to challenge traditional thinking in an era of disruption and change. Each Edge Case episode takes a controversial statement that the industry whispers about but never properly debates. We convince brilliant minds to argue BOTH sides – expanding how we all think about the biggest challenges facing property. This is intellectual combat designed to make the entire industry smarter. THE FORMAT: Round 1: Opening arguments Round 2: Cross-examination Round 3: Evidence bombs Round 4: Direct confrontation Round 5: Rebuttals Round 6: TRUTH REVEAL (they drop the act) VOTE: Do you think virtual inspections will completely replace physical ones within five years? Cast your vote in Monday's Elite Agent Brief ( http://thebrief.eliteagent.com/) SUBSCRIBE: For more Edge Cases coming your way. Chapters Chapters 00:00:55 Welcome to Edge Case 00:01:32 Meet the Debaters: Kylie Walker & Tara Bradbury 00:04:00 Topic Selection: Virtual vs Physical Inspections 00:06:00 Debate Format Explained 00:08:56 Round 1: Opening Statements 00:11:09 Kylie's Case for Virtual Inspections 00:13:17 Tara's Defense of Physical Inspections 00:14:52 Round 2: Cross-Examination Questions 00:17:27 Round 3: Statistics and Evidence Battle 00:22:04 Data Deep Dive: Industry Stats 00:26:04 Round 4: Direct Confrontation 00:28:00 Round 5: Final Arguments 00:30:00 Round 6: Truth Reveal - What They Really Believe 00:32:00 Future Discussion 00:35:05 Property Management in 2030 00:39:03 Closing Thoughts Connect with Kylie Walker Website: https://www.thatpropertymum.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/thatpropertymum Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thatpropertymum Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpropertymum_/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thatpropertymum Connect with Tara Bradbury Website: https://activeagents.com.au/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/activeagents/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/activeagents.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/activeagentsherveybay?igsh=MWtiN3Jmbm5jMnEyaw%3D%3D YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@activeagentsherveybay2849 Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #PropertyManagement #PropertyInspections #KylieWalker #TaraBradbury #ThatPropertyMum #ActiveAgents

When BresicWhitney and The Woollahra Group merged in June last year, it created one of Sydney's most powerful property firms. But merging 100+ agents, two decades of data, and distinct company cultures wasn't as straight-forward as it sounds on paper. In this raw conversation, Thomas McGlynn (CEO, BresicWhitney) and Randall Kemp (Founder, The Woollahra Group) reveal what really happened behind the headlines – the challenges, the people who left, and the unexpected complications as lessons for the future. Key Takeaways: The radical transparency approach that kept the team together Why they chose real equity over "shadow equity" for key players The months of "dating" and reference checking before committing Why some team members couldn't handle the change and left The labour-intensive data migration that took more time than anticipated How legislation changes mid-merger provided additional challenges.

Shawn Hayes transformed LJ Hooker Southwest WA from a single office to a 4-location, 73-person operation – and AI tools played a massive role in their growth. Here's exactly how they did it. Key Takeaways: SMS campaigns sharing neighbourhood sales data get 10x more responses than "want an appraisal?" messages AI doesn't replace the personal touch – it creates more time for meaningful connections One-on-one training beats group sessions for tech adoption Start with early adopters, let success stories convert the sceptics Chapters Chapters 00:01:28 From trainee to operations manager – Shawn's 23-year journey 00:03:50 The Darwin market surprise – high-rise apartments and off-the-plan sales 00:06:53 Current operation: 73 staff across 4 offices 00:09:24 First AI experiments – from fear to amazement 00:12:16 The indispensable AI tool: Rita SMS automation 00:14:25 Pull vs push marketing – why value-first messaging works 00:18:36 How AI handles responses (and when humans take over) 00:21:03 The "suggested call list" feature that finds hidden opportunities 00:24:29 Four types of AI users in organisations 00:26:21 30-minute one-on-one training sessions that actually work 00:30:04 Measuring AI impact on appraisal requests 00:31:35 GoList: The lead allocation tool that saves hours daily 00:35:03 Implementation advice: Soft intros beat hard sells 00:40:25 Why personal touch matters more in an AI world Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT - AI assistant for content creation and analysis (http://openai.com/chatgpt) RiTA – SMS automation and lead nurturing (https://www.cotality.com/au/products/rita) GoList – AI-powered lead allocation system (https://www.golist.com.au/) Rex Software – Property management and CRM platform (https://www.rexsoftware.com) REIWA Innovate Conference – A ground-breaking event about the future of Real Estate (https://members.reiwa.com.au/s/innovate) Ready to Harness AI to Win More Listings? Get our free 5-day AI Crash Course and learn how to avoid 5 expensive business mistakes that lead to wasted time, lost listings and missed deals. Sign up now: https://aicourse.eliteagent.com/ About Shawn Hayes Regional Operations Manager at LJ Hooker Southwest WA. 23 years in real estate, from receptionist to managing 73 staff across Bunbury, Collie, Busselton and Dunsborough offices. LinkedIn: (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-hayes-528829115/) Facebook: Shawn Hayes – LJ Hooker Property South West (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578757919631) Website: LJ Hooker Southwest WA (https://southwestwa.ljhooker.com.au/) Contact: 08 97 91 6880 Email: shawn.hayes@ljhsouthwest.com.au About Thought Leaders The weekly show where Australia's top real estate operators reveal how they're reinventing the industry. Hosted by Samantha McLean, featuring practical strategies from agents, agency owners, and industry innovators who are driving measurable results. Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropTech #AustralianRealEstate #ShawnHayes #SamanthaMcLean #LeadGeneration #PropertyManagement #RealEstateTraining #TeamManagement #LJHooker #SMSMarketing

We convinced two brilliant minds to argue opposite sides of one of the most controversial topics in real estate! What happens when you take a commonly held belief in the industry and get two brilliant minds to defend positions they might not even believe? Welcome to EDGE CASE – where we test assumptions and expose what people REALLY think. TODAY'S BIG QUESTION: "Do star agents deserve special treatment, even if it ruffles feathers?" THE TWIST: They flipped a coin to decide who would argue which side. One of them is arguing AGAINST their actual beliefs. You won't know who until the "truth reveal" at 45:00. IN THIS ROUND Dom "The Dominator" Thurbon – World top 10 debater, sold his company to EY, PM One Conference MC. Fiona Blayney – 30-year industry veteran who's pretty much seen it all, creator of PM One Conference. WHY EDGE CASE EXISTS: We're here to challenge traditional thinking in an era of disruption and change. Each Edge Case episode takes a controversial statement that the industry whispers about but never properly debates. We convince brilliant minds to argue BOTH sides – expanding how we all think about the biggest challenges facing property. This is intellectual combat designed to make the entire industry smarter. THE FORMAT:  Round 1: Opening arguments Round 2: Cross-examination Round 3: Evidence bombs Round 4: Direct confrontation Round 5: Rebuttals Round 6: TRUTH REVEAL (they drop the act)  VOTE: Should YOUR million-dollar agents get million-dollar treatment? Cast your vote in Monday's Elite Agent Brief (thebrief.eliteagent.com) SUBSCRIBE: For more Edge Cases coming your way. Connect with Dom Thurbon Website: www.domthurbon.com and www.alchemylabs.net LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-thurbon-95b56836/ Connect with Fiona Blayney Website: www.realplus.com.au and pm1.com.au LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/fionablayney/ Join Fiona Blayney and Dom Thurbon at the PM One Conference in Sydney! Get your tickets here: www.pm1.com.au Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Should your million dollar agents get million dollar treatment? 00:00:38 Meet the Host and Debaters 00:05:28 Debate Setup: Choosing the Controversial Topic 00:09:37 Opening Statements: Affirmative vs. Negative 00:15:10 Round 2: Question Time and Clarifications 00:24:44 Round 3: Data, Evidence, and Industry Research 00:30:55 Rapid Fire Scenarios and Real-World Dilemmas 00:36:50 Truth Reveal: What Do They Really Think? 00:44:21 Leadership Advice and Sustainable Team Performance 00:49:31 Closing Thoughts Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #FionaBlayney #DomThurbon #PMOne #EdgeCase #RealEstateManagement

Ever wondered why some agents consistently win listings while others struggle month after month? The answer isn't better presentation skills or flashy marketing – it's mastering what Adam Joske calls "the biggest hole in our business." Adam Joske isn't your typical real estate coach. This REIV Residential Salesperson of the Year (2015) built a database of 4,000 contacts with 90% accuracy, consistently beating stronger presenters by playing the long game. After spearheading Belle Properties' Victorian expansion and breaking records for over 25 years, Adam now works intensively with just a handful of agents at a time – helping them double their income by fixing the industry's nurture problem. What you'll learn in this episode of Thought Leaders Why the 6 month - 2 year period is where 90% of agents disappear – and how to dominate this space From A to Advocate – Adam's database categorisation system, and how he segments 4,000 contacts for targeted communication How to turn your newsletter into a revenue stream with local business partnerships AI-powered efficiency - Create market reports in 5 minutes using ChatGPT and CoreLogic data Why throwing money at sporting clubs fails – and what community involvement works instead Chapters Chapters 00:00:50 The lightbulb moment: Identifying the industry's biggest hole 00:04:40 How to beat stronger presenters every time using systematic nurture 00:09:10 Building a 4,000-contact database with 90% accuracy 00:14:40 Segmentation strategy: Sending relevant listings to targeted audiences 00:16:30 Market reports that work: Facts over fluff approach 00:19:00 Ron's transformation: Reconnecting with 1,000 past clients 00:24:20 The A to Advocate categorisation system explained 00:34:50 Newsletter sponsorship: Getting local businesses to fund your marketing 00:39:10 First steps to building your nurture system Subscribe for weekly real estate insights that ambitious agents use to build competitive advantage. Hit the notification bell to never miss strategies from industry thought leaders. About Adam Joske Multi-award winning Melbourne real estate leader with 30+ years selling experience. Now operates as freelance consultant working with select agents to implement systematic client nurturing. His approach focuses on relationship building over lead generation, helping agents create predictable income streams through database mastery. Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT - AI assistant for content creation and analysis (http://openai.com/chatgpt) Cotality (formerly CoreLogic Australia) - Property data and analytics provider (https://www.cotality.com) Connect with Adam Joske LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjoske/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adam.joske/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adam_joske/ Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AustralianRealEstate #AdamJoske #RealEstateCoaching #ClientNurture #DatabaseManagement

“Be a trailblazer - not a follower!” That's Antonia Mercorella's advice for standing out by 2032. As the CEO who modernised a 100-year-old institution, she knows something about thinking differently. Antonia Mercorella didn't follow the traditional path to becoming Australia's most influential real estate institute CEO. As Queensland's first female and youngest REIQ leader, she's spent 10 years proving that sustainable change starts with solid foundations – not flashy initiatives. From theatre stages to courtrooms to boardrooms, her unconventional background equipped her with the negotiation skills and communication expertise that transformed a century-old institution into Australia's most forward-thinking industry body. Essential Insights for Real Estate Leaders Why "boring" governance work creates competitive advantage The member vs non-member decision that changed everything AI implementation guidelines with legal safeguards – consent-based approaches that protect your business Cross-industry learning strategies for staying ahead of market shifts (why real estate agents should study medicine and other sectors) Leadership development pathways for women in real estate (practical mentoring approaches that work) Chapters Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview 00:03:33 Antonia's Early Career and Pivot to Theatre 00:06:14 Lessons from Theatre, Communication, and Negotiation 00:15:38 Modernising the REIQ: Foundations and Governance 00:20:44 Innovation, Technology, and Realworks Platform 00:24:47 Seller Disclosure Law Reform and Compliance 00:30:35 Mandatory CPD and Elevating Professionalism 00:34:50 AI, Data Privacy, and the Future of Real Estate 00:40:30 Preparing for the Future: Olympics, Trends, and Trailblazing 00:44:09 Women in Leadership and Mentoring the Next Generation 00:48:16 Final Reflections and Takeaways

Can AI Replace Real Estate Relationships? What if the secret to thriving with AI isn't learning to be more like a machine – but discovering how to be more authentically human? That's the counterintuitive insight from Tara Christianson, who's spent over a decade helping agents navigate the intersection of technology and genuine connection. After delivering over 45 presentations across five Australian states, Tara has discovered something remarkable: the agents winning with AI aren't the ones replacing human touch with automation – they're the ones using technology to amplify their humanity. What you'll learn in this episode The "doorman fallacy" – why efficient doesn't always mean effective in client relationships How to use AI to analyse your Google reviews and craft a unique value proposition that actually resonates The three-pillar framework for digital presence: Talk, Listen, Engage (and why AI changes everything about execution) Chapters Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT - AI assistant for content creation and analysis (http://openai.com/chatgpt) Perplexity - AI search and research tool (http://perplexity.ai) Claude - AI assistant for writing and analysis (http://claude.ai) Notion - AI-powered workspace for organisation (http://notion.so) HeyGen - Create AI avatar videos (http://heygen.com) Loom - Video messaging and AI features (http://loom.com) Signull on Substack - AI and tech insights (https://substack.com/) Connect with Tara Christianson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tchristianson/ Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #RealEstateAI #PropertyTech #AgentTraining #DigitalTransformation #RealEstateInnovation #AustralianRealEstate #AgentLeadership #PropTech2025 #RealEstateStrategy #AIForAgents #EliteAgent #ThoughtLeaders #TaraChristianson #REAGroup #RealEstateCoaching

How do you bring AI into your agency — without losing the personal touch that made you successful in the first place? Kirstin Dunn started Semple Property Group from her dining room table back in 2013. Since then, she's grown the business to over $54 million, all through strong relationships and exceptional service. Now, she's taking things to the next level — integrating AI tools across every part of her operation. In this episode, Kirstin shares how she's saving hundreds of hours for her team while still delivering the standout service her clients love. In this episode, you'll learn: How one AI tool helped save 17+ hours per week The moment Kirstin realised AI could transform her workflows How to spot the right workflows for automation Which AI tools are powering her business today Her team-friendly for easy adoption Why she uses a one-in, one-out rule for AI subscriptions How she trains her team to get the most out of each new tool Chapters: [FLIGHTCAST_CHAPTERS] Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT: https://openai.com/ Fyxer AI: https://www.fyxer.com/ Go List: https://www.golist.com.au/ RiTA: https://www.cotality.com/au/products/rita Connect with Kirstin Dunn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstin-dunn-7a92a631/ Semple Property Group: https://www.semplepg.com.au/ Discover More From Elite Agent & Samantha McLean Join the Spark Community for Innovation in Real Estate: https://spark.eliteagent.com Sign up for The Brief for Daily Real Estate News: https://thebrief.eliteagent.com Explore AI Tools, Prompts and Workflows for Real Estate: https://aipoweredagents.com Connect with Elite Agent on Socials Instagram: @eliteagentmag Twitter/X: https://x.com/eliteagentmag LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eliteagentmag/ #PropertyManagement #RealEstateAustralia #PropTech #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyManagers Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction & AI in Business 00:00:33 Meet Kirsten Dunn 00:02:13 Early Adoption: Embracing AI & Overcoming Fears 00:04:49 AI Tools in Action: From Reviews to Inbox Management 00:08:46 Building an AI-Ready Team 00:10:49 Experimenting with AI Tools 00:12:53 Deep Dive: Using Go List & RiTA 00:18:30 Training, Quality Control & AI Ethics 00:23:02 Client Reactions & The Human Touch 00:26:31 Advice for AI Adoption in Real Estate 00:29:08 Final Reflections & Kirstin's Recommendation To Take Action

What if everything you've been taught about property management is fundamentally wrong? In this game-changing episode of Thought Leaders, Ben White, co-founder and CEO of ailo (processing transactions for 250,000+ users nationwide), reveals why the traditional "production line" approach to property management is undermining profits and driving away talent. As the co-founder and CEO of Ailo, Ben is now leading the charge toward what he calls "The Third Wave", – where superior investor experience, powered by technology, decides who wins. In this episode, you'll discover: Why property managers could earn 50% more (and the pay structure holding them back)How to transform regulatory compliance from cost centre to profit centreThe big profit opportunity hiding in all new legislationWhy treating property management like McDonald's is your biggest mistakeHow AI will expand services, not replace property managersThe mindset shift from "collecting rent" to "community relationships" Ready to implement The Third Wave in your agency?

What happens when your clients (or their parents) start fact-checking every recommendation you make with ChatGPT? This desperate comment from a Reddit post reveals what's happening when clients start trusting ChatGPT more than their agents. So, in this episode, Samantha McLean reveals the four strategies for protecting your deals from AI hijacking while turning this "threat" into your biggest competitive advantage. What You'll Learn: • How to handle the real estate ChatGPT expert • The “Above the Line” framework that makes clients value you above the technology • 4 proven scripts for dealing with AI-informed clients • Why being defensive (or offensive) kills deals (and what to do instead!) Resources Mentioned:

TL;DR: Today we're releasing a new episode of our Thought Leaders podcast that unpacks the practical side of growing a values-led agency. Dion Besser explains how he stabilised a team that tripled overnight, balanced culture with accountability, and kept clients loyal through volatile markets. Listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify—and sign up to get it in your inbox each week. Dion Besser has spent more than two decades living what keeps a real estate business steady when markets, regulations, and staffing levels change simultaneously. After gaining experience in London, he returned to Melbourne to found Besser & Co., where a 2022 acquisition saw his staff list jump from eight to 24 in a single day. Instead of patching problems on the fly, he doubled down on a simple playbook: start with clear values, document the right way to work, and let those guardrails drive performance. Today, that 20-strong crew runs on transparency, honest feedback, and a habit of celebrating small wins. In this conversation, Dion explains how he hires, trains, and motivates people so that the next growth spurt feels orderly, not chaotic. “Most of the skills in real estate can be taught. What I look for is trust, loyalty, openness, accountability, drive.” Values come first—hire for character, train for skill Dion screens candidates with personality tests to see how they handle feedback before they even start. If they push back, they won't suit an environment built on constructive candour. With values aligned, new hires step straight into detailed playbooks—everything from rent reviews to auction campaigns—so expectations never feel fuzzy. Culture is a journey—celebrate wins before cracks widen “It really is a journey for our clients and it's a journey for our staff.” When an acquisition stretched the team, morale dipped until Dion formed a “Culture Collective” that meets monthly to spotlight quick victories—five-star reviews, seamless VCAT cases, record rent per square metre—and flag tension early. Regular recognition reset the mood and curbed turnover. Intrinsic meets extrinsic—design rewards beyond the paycheck “Find out what motivates them, and help them achieve that.” Commission still matters, but Dion ties KPIs to personal goals like clearing tasks daily or making 80 calls a week. When agents hit targets they set themselves, the reward lands deeper than trophies—and retention climbs because progress feels personal. Patience and persistence—guide clients through choppy markets “If you can't take your clients on a longer journey, you'll find yourself losing business.” With Melbourne prices wobbling and tenancy laws changing, Besser coaches his team to prep vendors and landlords for longer campaigns. Clear timelines, frequent check-ins and upfront reality checks convert possible frustration into trust—even when the news isn't great. Own your agency choice—interview the interviewer “Ask a potential employer: What path to success do you have for me?” For newcomers eyeing 2025, Dion flips the script: treat job interviews like due diligence. If an office can't outline a documented growth track—training, database strategy, social-media playbook—move on. The right environment, he says, is half the battle. Listen or watch → YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify What's one cultural tweak you've made that instantly lifted team performance? Jump into the comments or tag us on LinkedIn.

Curtis Thomson is something of a systems whisperer for industries bogged down by manual processes. Having cut his teeth in the construction world and then co-founding and scaling the field service management software Simpro across the globe, he witnessed firsthand how disjointed systems and repetitive tasks can drain businesses and the people within them. He saw friends in the trades working grueling hours only to face business failure and personal hardship, sparking a passion to solve these efficiency problems with technology. Now, Curtis brings his outsider perspective and deep experience in streamlining complex operations to the property management sector with Our Property. Property management, as he notes, is rife with accepted pain points—manual trust accounting, compliance burdens, endless maintenance cycles, and the thankless task of arrears management. Thomson sees a future where technology handles the "donkey work", allowing property managers to escape mediocrity and focus on high-value activities like building relationships and growing portfolios. The conversation dives into the practical application of automation and AI to solve core property management challenges. It's not just about surface-level fixes, but fundamentally rethinking processes like trust accounting, maintenance coordination, and even arrears collection to build more resilient, efficient, and ultimately more human-centric property management businesses. Breaking Free from "How It's Always Been Done"—The Inertia Problem A recurring theme is the industry's tendency to stick with outdated processes simply because "that's the way we've always done it". Curtis argues this isn't unique to property management but a common human trait. He shared an anecdote about a customer acknowledging their agency hadn't changed in 20 years and was actively trying to reconfigure. Escaping this inertia requires honestly evaluating which tasks add value versus which are just "busy work". Curtis notes, "A lot of the time it's just, we just keep doing it this way because it's just the way we've always done it". He stresses the importance of questioning processes: "Are you adding value to the conversation with the landlord right now? Are you adding value to the tenancy right now? Like, is it, is this good for the customer? Is this good for the business? If not, Why are you doing that?". Trust Accounting Reimagined—Automating Compliance and Reducing Risk Trust accounting has always been a major compliance headache. Thomson explains how Our Property integrates the trust account differently, automating many manual reconciliation and disbursement tasks. This approach aims to eliminate human error and the associated risks, effectively outsourcing the compliance burden. Untangling Maintenance—Coordination Through Automation Maintenance is another area plagued by inefficiency. It involves numerous moving parts: capturing requests, coordinating trades, getting approvals, managing quotes, and handling keys. Thomson highlights the potential for automation to manage these complex workflows based on predefined rules and landlord preferences. He points out the absurdity of manual follow-ups: "Why am I having to chase the trade to bring the keys back? Can't the systems just do that for me?". Technology can handle routing emergency jobs, managing quote requirements, and even suggesting trades based on performance data, freeing property managers from constant chasing. Personalised Arrears Management—AI as the 'Bad Cop' Nobody enjoys chasing arrears. Curtis sees AI as perfectly suited to handle this often unpleasant task, moving beyond generic templates to personalised communication campaigns based on tenant behaviour and communication history. The system can determine each individual's best messaging style (soft or firm) and channel (email or SMS). When a human intervention is needed,

Today we're proud to release the first episode of our brand new podcast "Thought Leaders". In this episode, Samantha McLean goes in depth with Andrew McCulloch, former CEO of Ray White NSW/ACT turned business owner of Ray White Shore Group. Andrew McCulloch is a master of real estate transformation. He's spent his career understanding what makes high-performing agencies tick—first as a top salesperson, then as a corporate leader who helped double New South Wales's market share. Now, as the owner of Ray White Shore Group on the Gold Coast, Andrew is applying every lesson he's learned about recruitment, leadership, and technology to build his dream agency from the ground up. In this episode, Samantha McLean talks to Andrew about what he learned from examining hundreds of real estate businesses over decades. They discuss why the most valuable approach to leadership is about relationships, not recruitment; how studying Sydney's top performers like Josh Tesolin and Gavin Rubinstein show the power of high performing cultures; Andrew's belief that commission splits matter far less than providing value and support; and why he's betting on AI to transform everything from admin tasks to customer relationships. You can check out their full conversation here: If you want a quick summary, here are some of the themes they touch on: Leadership is everything—pick the right leader, not just the right brand Andrew spent years recruiting top performers like Vivian Yap and Josh Tesolin to Ray White. His secret? He never tried to recruit them at all. Instead, he built genuine relationships. "Don't focus on them joining the business, focus on building a good relationship with them," he explains. He'd go to family dinners with Vivian, meet her in Bali on holiday, and simply care about the person first. This philosophy extends to his advice for agents: "The number one thing that you should be considering is pick the right leader...because that's so important in your success or failure." Don't underestimate the power of competitive culture to break performance ceilings When Ray White introduced leaderboards through their Pulse app, Andrew watched something extraordinary happen. Top performers like Josh Tesolin, Vivian Yap, and Gavin Rubinstein began pushing each other to new heights—from writing $3 million to eventually $10 million in commissions. "I don't believe that any one of them would be writing those levels if it wasn't for the other," Andrew observes. He calls this the end of self-limiting beliefs: "Until people have seen that it can be done, they can't do it." Value trumps cost every time—whether it's franchise fees or commission splits Having worked under different models throughout his career, Andrew learned a painful lesson early on. At 20, he left Ray White's 60% split for an independent offering 90% with no franchise fee—and made less money than ever before. "I didn't have all of the bells and whistles and all the stuff that I thought I didn't need," he recalls. His advice? "Stop looking at costs. The cost is irrelevant. Look at value." He now pays substantial franchise fees but gets his money's worth, knowing that support systems enable agents to focus on what matters: building relationships and making sales. Customer service doesn't end at settlement—and that's where the opportunity lies Seventy percent of property sellers don't return to their original agent—a statistic that horrifies Andrew. Taking inspiration from the car industry's after-sales service, he's created a dedicated role at Shore Group focused purely on post-settlement care. "The automotive industry does this so much better than us," he notes, describing how dealerships maintain relationships long after the sale. His customer service team handles everything from anniversary letters to market updates, an investment he believes was costing his business $2-3 million annually in lost repeat...

What's inside (2 min): Why Elevate is evolving into Thought Leaders Sneak peek of tomorrow's debut guest How to watch the new video show on YouTube Links & Resources

After 466 episodes of Elevate, we're launching into a new era with two exceptional compilations of the sharpest insights, best strategies, and timeless advice from some of Sam's favourite episodes.

In this episode of Elevate, Harcourts Kingsberry CEO Ben Kingsberry shares why real estate leaders need to rethink their approach to technology, the hidden cost of over-automation, and how creating a workplace people want to be in is transforming his business from the inside out.

Lauren Robinson built a high-performing property management business at 29, and now she's sharing why she wishes she had done it even sooner.

Many aspiring real estate entrepreneurs rush into agency ownership without proper preparation, setting themselves up for preventable challenges. In this episode, Sally Patch shares tips for launching smoothly, avoiding common pitfalls, and building a thriving business from day one.

Andrew Chamberlain, Managing Director of Blackshaw Real Estate, reveals the secrets to successfully running a business with his wife, Belinda while keeping their relationship stronger than ever.

"Everyone has stories to tell that other people are interested in. Whatever level you're at." - Pioneer of UK online real estate and eXp growth leader Adam Day shares how to build influence and succeed in a changing market

"The Only Reason Properties Don't Sell is Operator Error" - BresicWhitney CEO and new REINSW President shares why 2025's challenges are your biggest opportunity

Respected industry leader Mark Cohen shares how AI is helping agents do more deals with less desk time.

Join Daniel Daggers, a leader in luxury real estate, on The Elevate Podcast as he shares insights into his journey, building DDRE Global, and how technology is reshaping the property market. Gain valuable advice on personal branding, navigating geopolitical challenges, and succeeding in the dynamic world of real estate.

Join REIV President Jacob Caine on the Elevate Podcast as he reveals the massive opportunities waiting for agents who embrace AI and sustainability.

*"The more value you give away for free, the less valuable you become."* It's not exactly what you'd expect to hear from a real estate coach. But Steve Shull isn't your typical coach.

The property market stands at an interesting point as we move into 2025: Will smart tech speed up sales? How might the election shift buyer behaviour? And what happens to prices when interest rates drop?

What's the secret to creating a workplace where agents actually work together and collaborate in an industry that is focused on individual performance?

How can real estate leaders maintain consistency amongst market shifts and constant industry “noise”?

"Reunited and it feels so good..."

James Short, a renowned coach in the real estate industry, shares his insights on mastering mindset, time management, and financial success in real estate.

Aisha Coe shares how her blend of empathy, strategic thinking and a commitment to giving back has shaped her success across two continents while envisioning a future where technology and well-being transform the real estate industry.

Co-founder and director of Place Real Estate Paul Curtain is a leader who has helped shape the Queensland real estate landscape over the past two decades.

CEO of Harcourts, Adrian Knowles, knows a thing or two about leading a successful organisation and building the right type of culture.

After 20 years in real estate, Property Management Operations Manager at Harcourts, Rachel Atkin understands what it takes to grow and maintain a rent roll.