With insights from Laura Valenti, John Foong, Dr Nicola Powell, Thomas McGlynn, and Rachel Atkin, this comprehensive look into 2025 offers actionable advice for navigating an evolving market, fostering relationships, and staying ahead in an ever-changing landscape.
Laura Valenti, REIQ Board Director and Principal/Director of Property Management at McGrath Estate Agents, has been driven by addressing social injustice, and 2025 will certainly be no different.
“I have a low tolerance level for injustice,” Laura said. “As property managers, we are privy to many situations such as domestic violence in tenancies, and if we can do something to help someone, then I feel that we should. This industry has been good to me, and now that my circle of influence has widened, I feel it is my obligation to do all I can to help those in a less fortunate position.”
Laura’s approach to leadership is equally focused on building a strong, driven team, a commitment that has led her agency to win awards like REIQ Agency of the Year.
“We have a strong loyal upper management team which has been with our company for over 10 years. David, my business partner, and I have very different strengths – he is more big-picture strategy and I am all about the processes. We have clear goals that we share with the team to bring them on the journey with us.”
For newcomers to property management in 2025, Laura’s advice is simple yet impactful: “It’s all about the agency that you join. Look for a team with lots of experience, low staff turnover, and a leader that’s focused on property management. Take every opportunity to learn all aspects of the job because this makes you more valuable and you will progress in your career.”
Looking ahead, Laura sees challenges on the horizon, particularly fee pressures and legislative changes.
“Pressure to lower fees is the highest I have ever experienced, and this will likely continue for the next few years. We have to continually show the value we provide to our clients, and this is a big part of our training. Changes in legislation is another huge challenge, and we devote a lot of time and resources towards updating our processes and training our team.”
John Foong, Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director of Agent Experience at Domain, emphasises the importance of adaptability, technology, and giving back as key themes for real estate agents navigating 2025.
When it comes to challenges and opportunities for agents, John highlights the unpredictability of the market.
“The biggest challenge: Driven by interest rate cut speculation, uncertainty persists on buyer interest and there’s plenty of stock—what’s an agent to do to get the property sold?” he asks. Yet, for those who rise to the occasion, there’s immense potential.
“The biggest opportunity: An agent that has a track record of getting the right price in the right time by matching vendor expectations with buyer willingness to pay will see disproportionate business, including listings being shifted from other agents. Whoever can use data to frequently guide their vendors and give them a great experience in a volatile and unpredictable market will ultimately build their brand and win the next listing.”
John’s background in digital transformation gives him a unique perspective on tools agents should embrace. He points to learning-focused technology as game-changers. “Elite Agent does an amazing job in promoting how AI can be used to help agents save time and get the edge, so I won’t say more on that apart from please subscribe and read/listen to/try those curated ideas.”
He adds, “In an ever-changing world, the most important tools are the ones that help you constantly learn. So having an amazing podcast app… audiobook app… and most recently, NotebookLM by Google, which converts any webpage, YouTube video, PDF or text into a personalised podcast, can be invaluable.”
Reflecting on shifting client expectations, John draws comparisons to his experience in the travel industry.
“Over the last two decades, customers have become more savvy and powerful. They have access to as much information, searches, and prices as a travel agent does,” he said, noting parallels with real estate.
“Consumers are demanding insights, as they can access the data themselves. Thus, to survive, one has to be a local market expert, and develop insights that combine your experience, conversations and data.”
Dr Nicola Powell, Chief of Research and Economics at Domain, also shared her thoughts on what lies ahead for 2025, calling it a year of significant challenges and potential transformations.
“With the federal election on the horizon and housing front and centre on the political agenda, 2025 is bound to bring its fair share of challenges,” Dr Nicola said.
She explained that depending on which party takes office, we could see a raft of policy changes aimed at reshaping the housing market.
“We could see a wave of targeted measures like first-home buyer incentives, reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax, and even structural changes like replacing stamp duty with a land tax.”
Dr Nicola also highlighted the importance of affordable housing and construction activity in the year ahead. “There might also be stronger support for affordable housing projects and policies aimed at stimulating construction activity,” she noted.
Economic conditions are also set to play a role, with Dr Nicola pointing to a potential rate cut in the second quarter of the year.
“These potential shifts, combined with a likely first interest rate cut in the second quarter of 2025, will play a big role in shaping demand, influencing who’s buying, and affecting prices and market confidence in different segments,” she said.
As the year unfolds, Nicola is keen to use Domain’s research to help people navigate these changes.
“As we head into a year of potential policy overhauls and market shifts, I look forward to using our insights to empower everyone involved in the housing conversation,” she concluded.
Thomas McGlynn, CEO of BresicWhitney and President of the Real Estate Institute of New South Wales (REINSW), offered a broad perspective on the challenges, opportunities, and priorities for the real estate industry as it heads into 2025.
From navigating a shifting market to addressing the housing crisis, his insights reflect a focus on innovation, leadership, and balance.
Reflecting back on 2024, Thomas described it as a year that rewarded agents who prioritised long-term relationships.
“I think that the property market in general has been quite bumpy this year. And I think that those that are willing to play the long game over the last decade, or even the last five years, really benefited this year,” he said.
“The agents that have great relationships are the ones that win out because people are looking for experience. They’re looking for a safe set of hands. And they’re looking for someone that they can trust is going to give them the right opinion, not just any opinion.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Thomas sees a market divided by contrasting halves.
“I think next year is going to be a tale of two halves where the first half I think will be fairly similar, but if interest rates start coming down, you know, around the middle of next year, which it seems likely, I think that we’ll probably start to see some really great conditions for sellers in the back of the next year,” he said.
In his advice to agents, Thomas emphasised education and preparation. “We’re talking with our team on ensuring that they’re educating people constantly. The education part doesn’t start just when you’re engaged by a client to sell or help them buy. It starts when the relationship starts or it starts when that first initial conversation starts.”
Further, as REINSW President, Thomas outlined three key focus areas for 2025: industry engagement, addressing the housing crisis, and navigating the future of technology.
“Property, economics, and politics are going to be a bit of a combination,” he said, referencing the federal election and its implications for the housing market. He also highlighted the role of AI and technology, saying, “It’s going to be more relevant next year than ever before with how we can utilise new technologies to help support our member base.”
Thomas closed with advice for agents to seek balance in all aspects of their lives. “It’s really important to look at all areas of your life and try and create balance… When you have a focus on all areas of your life, it becomes easier to be present and relevant with your customers,” he said.
For Rachel Atkin, Harcourts Property Management Operations Manager for Victoria, relationships, adaptability, and emotional intelligence will be key in 2025.
“Focus on relationships first,” Rachel advised.
“Agents who lead with empathy, authenticity, and a true commitment to understanding the needs of their clients, whether they are Renters or Rental Providers, will naturally build trust and long-term success. Embracing technology while staying grounded in people-first practices is also critical for navigating uncertainty.”
Looking ahead to 2025, Rachel stressed the need for emotional intelligence and flexibility.
“Agents need to prioritise emotional intelligence and adaptability. Active listening, thoughtful communication, and being able to pivot when market conditions change will set great agents apart. Additionally, fostering a culture of mentorship and collaboration within teams is vital for growth and sustainability.”
As a leader, Rachel takes a balanced approach to supporting her team’s professional and personal development.
“I strive to lead by example, balancing accountability with care. It’s important to celebrate wins (big or small) and to create an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered. Personal fulfilment often comes when people feel their work aligns with their values, so I encourage my team to bring their whole selves to work and to focus on what they can uniquely contribute.”
For agents aiming to make 2025 their best year yet, Rachel’s advice is clear: “Start with clarity: define your ‘why’ and ensure it aligns with your actions. Lean into opportunities for professional development, seek out mentors, and don’t shy away from challenges – they’re where the growth happens. Above all, be resilient, authentic, and deeply human in every interaction.”
