Elite Agent
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Four decades of doing things differently: inside TOOP+TOOP’s enduring success
Most real estate agencies don’t make it to 40 - but TOOP+TOOP isn’t most agencies. From late-night signboard experiments to in-house coders and a firm “no bots allowed” policy, this Adelaide outfit has spent four decades doing things its own way. Here's how a family business turned legacy player is still rewriting the rules.
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When buyers go quiet: Why pausing beats pitching every time
When homebuyers go quiet after inspections, it's rarely disinterest, it's decision fatigue. Modern real estate requires agents to abandon scripts and create breathing room with thoughtful questions that help overwhelmed clients articulate their feelings about potential homes.
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“It’s about legacy, not just property”: Henry Wong on why Asian buyers are shaping Australia’s real estate future
Asian buyers have become a major force in the Australian property market—often purchasing without finance, competing at the top end, and thinking across generations. But tapping into this wealth requires more than just a good listing and a few translated flyers. REMAX agent Henry Wong shares what agents need to understand about family structures, cultural nuances, and the trust-based networks…
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Five hidden costs in property management (and how to eliminate them)
Property management agencies face five hidden costs draining profits: talent turnover, manual compliance processes, growth limitations, reactive operations, and diminishing returns on expansion. With Australia needing to manage more properties with fewer staff, agencies must transform operations or risk falling behind competitors who've already embraced automation and scalability.
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Why a lack of after-sale support is costing you millions
Andrew McCulloch says it’s time agents took a page from the car salesman’s playbook, because in real estate, the follow-up is everything.
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BresicWhitney acquires top-performing Eastern Suburbs business
The acquisition of The Woollahra Group delivers long-term value and opportunity, with former Principal Randall Kemp also joining BresicWhitney as a shareholder in the business.
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Sidekick launches free 21-day challenge to help property managers beat burnout
Sidekick launches a free 21-day challenge to combat the burnout crisis sweeping Australia's property management industry. Starting June 9, the initiative offers daily two-minute tips, expert sessions, and community support to help overwhelmed professionals reclaim control and rediscover workplace satisfaction.
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Creating a workplace that people want to be in
Despite remote work capabilities, Ben Kingsberry invested in a state-of-the-art office space, believing that culture thrives where people want to be. His open-plan headquarters has become more than a workplace; it's a social hub counterbalancing industry pressures and new attracting talent.
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Vennu wins 2025 Top of the Props pitch battle
Seven PropTech startups from across Australia and New Zealand went head-to-head in a live pitch battle on the Gold Coast, with one standout business taking home the top prize and industry recognition from a panel of expert judges.
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Are tenants ready for an AI Landlord?
There is some innovative stuff happening in the US in property management. But are consumers ready for it?
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EOFY insurance check: Are you prepared?
As EOFY approaches, real estate agents should review their business insurance policies to ensure adequate protection against industry-specific risks. From Professional Indemnity to Cyber Liability coverage, identifying gaps now can prevent costly claims and underinsurance later.
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Why Suzanne Brown has flipped the script to treat tenants like VIP clients
Suzanne Brown, Director of Rentwest Solutions and President of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA), doesn’t believe tenants should be treated as an afterthought. In fact, she sees them as future buyers, landlords, and long-term clients, and treats them accordingly.
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Samantha can’t come to the phone right now…
Need a PA to answer your phone for you - Meet Lucy your new voice AI.
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From A-League to auctions: Adam Pearce on the winning mindset that powers top performing agents
When it comes to the mindset of top performers, former A-League goalkeeper Adam Pearce doesn’t see a difference between elite sport and elite real estate.
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Global trade wars create unexpected property boom for Australia
Global trade tensions and tariffs are expected to create a property boom in Australia as redirected Chinese goods flood the market, leading to lower prices and increased affordability, while interest rate cuts signal a shift towards easier borrowing conditions. Agents must prepare strategically to capitalize on this upcoming opportunity.
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How real estate agents are using personality-driven AI to outpace the robots
Real estate agents can combat AI replacement by leveraging human connection and personality-driven strategies, using custom chatbots to enhance client interactions and create deeper relationships while maintaining their authentic voice.
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Australia 2035: migration, density and climate risk will reshape the future
Australia's property market by 2035 will be shaped by significant migration from India, urban densification, and climate risk. With a growing population and changing demographics, real estate agents must adapt to new buyer dynamics and address insurance challenges to thrive in an evolving landscape.
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How Edward Pack reclaimed pride and performance in real estate
Edward Pack transformed his real estate career by committing fully, eliminating backup plans, acquiring extensive knowledge, and maintaining consistent performance despite challenges. His journey illustrates that success stems from commitment and psychological resilience rather than just technical skills.
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Zoom’s over. Now what? Smarter ways to capture (and actually use) your best ideas
Want to create your own 'Otter'? Here are some prompts you can use with Claude or ChatGPT
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Meet the billion-dollar real estate agent
Clayton Orrigo doesn’t fit the mould. No designer suits. No keynote reels. No cold calling. Yet his team is the #1 performer in Manhattan, moving over USD$1 billion in property each year. Speaking at AREC for the first time, the Hudson Advisory Group founder broke down the unconventional mindset behind his rise—and why being “annoyingly accessible” might just be the…
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Tony O’Doherty’s early obsession led to burnout, but it also revealed the 30:1 formula for long-term real estate success
Tony O'Doherty, Principal of McGrath Bulimba and Brisbane’s top-ranked agent on RateMyAgent, shares the 30:1 rule behind his success.
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From terminal illness to top of the luxury market: Mauricio Umansky’s playbook for becoming the 1%
Mauricio Umansky was born blind in one eye with a rare blood disease and odds stacked fifty thousand to one against him. Today, he’s the founder of The Agency, a Netflix star, and the man behind some of America’s biggest property deals. Speaking at AREC, he delivered a clear message to agents: average won’t cut it.
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Tim Grover: “You are in the business of rejection … embrace it”
If you can't handle rejection - you're in the wrong job. Tim Grover, the high-performance strategist who coached Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, is not interested in feelings, he is interested in winning. In a no holds-barred presentation at AREC, Tim breaks down why most people will never reach the top - and how to think differently if you want…
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No shortcut through fear: A big wave surfer’s lesson for real estate agents
Mark Mathews shares how fear management in big wave surfing parallels real estate success, emphasising that experience is key to overcoming fear. He advocates for gratitude practices, like sending appreciation texts, to build resilience and strengthen connections in the face of rejection and market pressures.
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The Real Estate Agent Who Went Through Five Assistants in One Year
Adrian Oddi, a successful real estate agent, faced burnout and health issues after years of high sales. Following a cancer diagnosis, he redefined success by prioritizing health, family, and personal happiness over work, advocating for a balanced approach to life and career in real estate.
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Oliver Lavers: The $906 Coffee and Other Expensive Mistakes
Intro: Thirteen years ago, Oliver Lavers was earning just $40K a year, borrowing money to get around, and ready to walk away from real estate. Today, he brings in $5 million in annual commissions. The turning point? A breakdown that forced him to get crystal clear on his “why” - and commit like never before.
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Instagram Queen: The Real Estate Agent Who Built an $800 Million Empire One Post at a Time
Lana Samuels transformed her Instagram into a powerful marketing tool, generating over $800 million in sales. By treating social media as a business platform, she sold a $7.1 million property off-market through a single post, emphasizing the importance of online presence and storytelling in real estate.
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33 Top Tips from AREC 2025 Day 1
From Will Guidara's hospitality magic to surfing champion Mark Mathews' lessons on commitment, AREC 2025 delivered game-changing insights for agents ready to rise above the noise. These 33 distilled strategies cut through the fluff—covering everything from negotiating fearlessly and protecting your energy to turning social media into a profit engine. Whether you're battling market uncertainty or building unshakeable client relationships,…
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Kamala Harris: The Vice-President who ate ‘No’ for breakfast tells real estate agents how to win
The 49th Vice President shared hard-won lessons from staring down Wall Street's biggest players, offering real estate professionals a blueprint for turning rejection into negotiation gold through preparation and genuine empathy.
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The traits separating elite from average agents
Top real estate agents succeed through clarity of vision, a strong professional identity, and disciplined resilience, emphasizing self-belief and daily improvement over technical skills alone. Walker's approach encourages agents to focus on internal growth to enhance their professional relationships and success.
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Entrepreneur’s rejection formula for real estate success
Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of The Diary of a CEO podcast, has revealed how the failure of his first business laid the groundwork for everything that followed. Speaking at AREC, the Social Chain founder told agents that learning to listen to customers—and reframing rejection as part of the process—was what changed the game.
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What a $2 hot dog can teach real estate agents about unforgettable service
At AREC, restaurateur and hospitality expert Will Guidara shared how a $2 street hot dog—served at a Michelin-starred restaurant—became the most talked-about moment of his career. His message to real estate agents was clear: success doesn’t come from following the script, but from delivering moments so thoughtful they become unforgettable.
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Execution over ego: Josh Phegan’s blueprint for thriving when every day brings something new
Josh Phegan opened his AREC keynote with a blunt assessment of why some agents are struggling ... and it’s not the market.
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