

Thought Leaders – Real Estate Re-imagined (formerly The Elevate Podcast)
Elite Agent
Thought Leaders – Real Estate Re-imagined spotlights the outside-the-box minds rewriting how property is sold, leased and managed worldwide. Host Samantha McLean, editor of Elite Agent, shares frank, inspiring conversations with real estate practitioners as well as founders and entrepreneurs from outside the industry. Expect actionable playbooks on AI-powered prospecting, climate-change resilience, brand storytelling, next-gen leadership and talent retention. Each episode distils data and tactics you can apply immediately—whether you’re chasing your first million in GCI, steering a multi-office network or craving a better work-life balance. Subscribe to reimagine what’s possible and thrive in real estate’s new era.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 28, 2021 • 31min
When is the right time to lead? Andrew Cocks
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
As the owner of Richardson &Wrench, Andrew Cocks is a straight shooter who believes in empowering the business owners and agents within his brand.
Since becoming executive director of the group 2009, and then owner in 2016, he has undertaken a full rebrand of the franchise and implemented a suite of tools to support agents looking to go into business themselves.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Andrew shares his insight into what to do when you are ready to step into your own business, advice for leaders helping their people to take the step up, and the lessons he’s learned in a lengthy business career.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Andrew also discuss:
Where the market is now and where it’s headed
How Andrew went from a career in the army to owning a real estate brand (by way of tourism and hospitality)
The thinking behind the rebrand of Richardson & Wrench
When and how to provide the right support to agents at the right time
The nine fundamentals of real estate, and why no business leader can be a master of all domains
How to simplify the business start-up process
The three biggest lessons Andrew has learned in his business career and why they’re important to everyone
Top tips for productivity
And so much more…
Links and resources mentioned
Richardson & Wrench
Andrew on Elite Agent
AREC 2017 interview: Andrew Cocks of Richardson & Wrench
A budget right for its time
Stamp duty: A bad tax that has to go
Andrew Cocks: First home buyers seize the moment
Here we go again
Connect with Andrew
Website
LinkedIn

May 25, 2021 • 31min
Super fast customer service in just a few zaps: Anton Babkov & Tom McCarthy
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
As an industry, real estate hears a lot about software and automation. But the challenge lies in deploying technology in the right places, then automating to add real value for clients when it comes to the human touch.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Anton Babkov and Tom McCarthy of Rexlabs explain that’s where tools like Zapier come in.
Offering unlimited potential to join the software dots, it allows agencies to automate mundane, repetitive tasks, so they can focus what they do best – which is (and always will be) building real relationships with real people.
As Anton and Tom explain, Zapier is a game changer when it comes to selectively automating specific tasks to improve productivity, efficiency and the real estate experience.
Meanwhile, the potential it offers for open homes, property management, business development and marketing has only just begun to be explored…
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In this episode, Samantha, Anton and Tom also discuss:
Why Anton’s excited about Zapier and the opportunity it offers real estate
Where agencies get automation wrong
Why automation is never about replacing the human experience
How Zapier quickly and easily revolutionises the automation process
Great use cases for Zapier, including hands-free open homes that allow agents to connect with buyers
Why Zapier plays a role in business development for property management
How clever agents are already deploying the tool
What’s coming up for Rex, including a sneak peek into their new property management software, which Anton says is simply extraordinary.
Links and resources mentioned
Rex
Rex and Zapier
Introducing Rex Zaps
Rex Integrations
Zapier
Rexfest
Anton Babkov and Rex on Elite Agent
Fresh ways to revive an old listing, without asking
Retargeting recipes
New Rex features helps agents get priorities straight
Rex online learning program aims to foster closer ties with users
Rex’s visual dashboards provide sales insight
Trigger happy: Rex announces integration with automated tech tool Zapier
Connect with Anton Babkov
LinkedIn
Connect with Tom McCarthy
LinkedIn

May 21, 2021 • 25min
From rookie to rapid expansion: Avi Khan
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
How do you go from being a rookie agent to running three successful offices in just seven short years?
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Samantha McLean chats with an agent who has done just that.
After opening his first office in the Brisbane suburb of Marsden in 2018, Avi Khan now has market dominance in Logan and goals to increase that share far beyond that.
In the process he’s built a culture that focuses on growth by consensus, and allows the agents within his business to make their own mark.
Having just rebranded as the Ray White AKG, Avi shares his essential tips on how to build a great culture, his secrets to growth, and the ethos behind his unwavering focus on true customer service.
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Samantha and Avi also discuss:
The key ingredients that create great culture within his business, while attracting top sellers and ensuring they stay
What the real issue is for agents in a high-volume market (and it’s not lack of listings)
Avi’s simple approach to the process of buying and selling that keeps clients coming back
How he achieved an incredible 4.9 Google rating for property management, and whyt that starts with the way you treat property managers
How and why his approach to recruitment has changed over the years
How he balances marketing his business and each agent’s personal brand. Each is important, he says, but can work together
Why he constantly reassesses his goals and where they will take AKG in the period ahead
Links and resources mentioned
Gavin Rubenstein
Megan Jaffe
Avi on Elite Agent
New Ray White office opens in Marsden
Positivity paves the way for productivity
Familiar faces take the reins at Ray White Beenleigh
Ray White Marsden principal Avi Khan opens new office at Daisy Hill
Connect with Avi Khan
Website
Ray White profile
LinkedIn
Facebook

May 14, 2021 • 52min
How to improve your listing conversion rate: John Hellaby
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
John Hellaby is the Chief Digital Strategist at online offer management company MarketBuy.
As part of a varied career that started out in IT and gaming, John also spent time as a real estate agent, is the founder of Check My House Price and is a Facebook Certified Media Planning Professional.
He has designed and executed campaigns that have sold a wide range of products on Facebook, including rodeo tickets, real estate and even meat pies.
In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, John shares his expert insight into social media content that makes you the first agent people think of and overcomes two of the biggest listing presentation hurdles before you even walk through the door.
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In this podcast, Samantha and John also discuss:
Why video should be the tool of choice for connecting with potential clients
How your Facebook strategy should change in the wake of the iOS14 privacy opt-in
What video content best resonates with people to build the ‘know, like and trust’ factor
Why Facebook and Instagram remain the favoured channels for reaching potential clients
How to avoid the most common mistakes agents make on social
How MarketBuy is helping agents offer new options of sale
The role Check My House Price plays in securing listings
Links and Resources mentioned
Jason Savage – All Properties Group
Check My House Price
MarketBuy
Brian Tracy
MarketBuy on Elite Agent
To market, to market
The tech platforms that will change your results
Online platform allows buyers to purchase from home
Connect with John Hellaby
Website
Facebook
LinkedIn

May 7, 2021 • 34min
Lessons in Listing – with five top-performers
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
With demand for properties outstripping supply in many regions at the present, securing available listings is critical.
In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, we’ve tapped into the vault of knowledge we have on hand from some of the best practitioners in the real estate business to cover all angles of securing listings.
Featuring words of wisdom from Claudio Encina, Chari Emirzade, Jeremy Wilkinson, Tim Heavyside, and Josh Tesolin, this episode encompasses everything from phone prospecting to lead conversion and closing the deal.
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In this episode:
Coach and mentor Claudio Encina discusses:
The big mistakes agents are currently making
How to find the leak in your pipeline
Why conversion is crucial
The four questions every agent should be able to answer
High volume salesperson Chari Emirzade of Barry Plant Geelong discusses:
Why his focus is phone prospecting to secure listings
When he calls people and what he says
How he embraced the phone prospecting mindset
Why it’s all part of his bigger sales plan
2020 AREA winner Jeremy Wilkinson discusses:
How he taps his database to build long-term relationships that lead to listings
Why 30 calls a day sets him up for success
How he prepares for a listing presentation
Why it pays to look the part
Fletchers Real Estate auctioneer, agent and sales coach Tim Heavyside discusses:
How to set up in advance of a listing presentation
What he discusses with potential vendors during a listing presentation
Why body language plays a role
How he focuses his mind to bring the right energy
High performing agent Josh Tesolin of Ray White Quakers Hill discusses:
Why energy sells even in a listing presentation
How a point of difference assists
Why closing is critical
How to close the listing deal and have the vendor sign up then and there
Links and resources mentioned
Claudio Encina
How to secure listings in a tight market: Claudio Encina
Complete Elite community experience with action guide and video
Sales Caffeine coaching program
Chari Emirzade
Mastering the art of high-volume sales: Chari Emirzade
Complete Elite Community experience with action guide and video
Jeremy Wilkinson
How one appraisal a day can take you to the top: Jeremy Wilkinson
Complete Elite community experience with action guide and video
Jeremy Wilkinson: Keep your eye on the goal
Tim Heavyside
The art of the chase: Tim Heavyside
Complete Elite Community experience with action guide and video
Josh Tesolin
How Josh Tesolin wrote $1 million in his first year of real estate

May 4, 2021 • 21min
How to be genuinely ‘you’ and win at real estate: Heidi Howe
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Heidi Howe is the director of Harcourts St Helens in Tasmania. After a career in banking and a stint as a pub owner, she ‘accidentally’ fell into real estate, progressed to sales agent, and now owns the business.
Heidi was also recently named the very worthy winner of Elite Agent’s Transform challenge for 2021.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Heidi shares what she learned in the most recent challenge, the insights that resonated, and also discusses a true community initiative that offers a soft introduction to clients plus a very real point of difference.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Heidi also discuss:
How Heidi came up with a community-minded pitch that won her Transform
What her favourites takeaways were from the challenge
How her own property investment experience shapes her service offering
Why she believes real estate is all about being your genuine self
How her team is implementing new strategies courtesy of Transform
How she balances sales, running a business and her family life
Why community has always been at the core of her focus
Links and resources mentioned
Transform 2021
The Coastal Column
Heidi Howe on Elite Agent
Heidi Howe of Harcourts St Helens named winner of Transform 2021
Connect with Heidi
Website

Apr 30, 2021 • 50min
How to create your dream team
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
When do you take on a PA, how do you find the right staff, and how should you structure your growing real estate business?
These are some of the biggest questions agents and leaders have as they look to build on their success.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Samantha McLean is joined by a panel of expert leaders who have been there and done that, building their teams and businesses from the ground up.
Taken from the most recent Transform, the panel includes Hayley Van de Ven of RE/MAX Results, Grant Smith of Century 21 Buderim, and Will Honey of The Property Collective.
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Samantha and the panel also discuss:
What to look for when recruiting
The importance of systems and procedures
How to manage the client expectation
Changing your business model to accommodate extra staff
How to manage multiple locations
Which KPIs to track
The top tips for onboarding new recruits
Links and resources mentioned:
How to find and use your personal point of difference: David Walker
Hayley, Will and Grant on Elite Agent:
Born to compete: Hayley Van de Ven
Integrity, honesty and passion: Grant Smith
Connect with Hayley
Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Will
Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Grant
Website
Facebook

Apr 23, 2021 • 47min
Finding new revenue models in real estate: Scott Bateman and Brock Fisher
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Scott Bateman is the CEO of property management software platform Kolmeo, while Brock Fisher is its Head of Strategy.
Both have extensive experience in the property management sector,with insight into business growth, operation, and efficiency.
The duo also played a major role in the most recent Transform program, where they proved popular coaches on topics such as differentiation and automation.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Scott and Brock share their in-depth insight into how agencies can look at the landscape through a very different lens to differentiate and increase their revenue.
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In this podcast, Samantha, Scott and Brock also discuss:
Why differentiation isn’t just about better service
How to think differently about revenue
Why you should be taking away not adding to improve efficiency
The Apple v JB Hi-Fi effect
How to assess what to automate, delegate or outsource
Why you should start with the customer experience and work backwards
Where to begin when it comes to working on your processes
Links and Resources mentioned
Agency of Change podcast
Malcolm Gladwell
Scott and Brock on Elite Agent
Brock Fisher: Outsourcing vs delegation vs automating
Scott Bateman: Critical thinking
Looking back, moving forward
Connect with Scott
Website
LinkedIn
Connect with Brock
Website
LinkedIn

Apr 20, 2021 • 27min
Tony Blamey of Domain: From property portal to solutions provider
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Tony Blamey is the Chief Commercial Officer of Domain.
As part of his role, Tony has responsibility for a whole host of businesses within the Domain group including residential, agent services, and customer experience.
He has also been instrumental in guiding the organisation through recent change as Domain expands from property portal to real estate solutions provider.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Tony shares the thinking behind Domain’s new focus on facilitating the ‘complete agent journey’, along with the tools that have recently been released to help agents list, market, and sell property.
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In this podcast, Samantha and Tony also discuss:
Why Domain is shifting its strategy
How the new tools fit together and work
What trends Domain is currently seeing in the market
Why tech adoption helps agencies attract talent
How Domain sought to assist the industry during the uncertainty of 2020
Plus more…
Links and resources mentioned
Real Time Agent
Pricefinder
Homepass
MarketNow
Early Access
Tony Blamey on Elite Agent
Tony Blamey: Expect the unexpected
Domain to close the door on private landlords
Partnering for experience
Domain print titles to start publishing again
Connect with Tony
Website
LinkedIn

Apr 16, 2021 • 35min
Your personal Insta strategy, sorted with Ellen Farley
This episode of the Elevate podcast is brought to you by Connect Now
Ellen Farley is a senior digital strategist with LJ Hooker. Working from the group’s head office, Ellen’s role involves coaching offices and agents on digital marketing and social media.
In this episode of the Elevate podcast, Ellen takes a deep dive into the power of Instagram and video when it comes to building authentic connections in real estate.
Want more from this episode?
Get access to the full episode guide, quick video tips, tools and more by joining our community or becoming a subscriber
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In this podcast, Samantha and Ellen also discuss:
The tools available in Instagram, including Stories, Reels, and IGTV
What to post and when to do it
How to find topics that authentically connect with an audience
Why meaningful engagement with your audience is critical
How to use paid posts to drive interest in organic content
The top tools and apps agents should be using to make social media easier
Why social media is not about perfection, but rather the real you
Links and resources mentioned
Chelsea Peitz’s ‘Voice of Social Sales’
Braden Lamb
Ellen’s top apps
Creator Studio
BigVu
Fanpage Karma
Connect with Ellen
LinkedIn


