Selling a home isn’t about spending more, it’s about spending smart. In this milestone episode, we break down the biggest money traps we saw in 2025:
• Half-hearted renovations that don’t add value
• Cosmetic upgrades buyers barely notice
• Marketing spend that benefits the agent, not the property
The takeaway? Either do it right, or don’t do it at all. Renovate thoughtfully, market strategically, and focus on real ROI.
Learn from the mistakes of 2025 so you can approach 2026 with clarity, confidence, and results.

Timestamps:

00:00 2025’s Big Seller Mistake: Overspending (and the 2026 reset)
00:27 Renovations: Don’t Half-Do It or You’ll Overcapitalize
01:21 Make It Move-In Ready: Full Reno, Neutral Colors, No ‘Projects’
01:56 Marketing Spend: Go Digital, Be Strategic, Avoid Vanity Campaigns
03:00 ROI vs Ego: When Big Marketing Budgets Actually Make Sense
03:23 Episode 200 Milestone: Thanks, Subscribe, and See You Next Week

Smart agents in 2026 will do three things differently: show up in AI search, move with real-time facts, and act fast. Buyers and sellers aren’t just Googling anymore. They’re asking AI who the best agent is and when to make a move. If you’re not visible there, you’re already behind.
In this episode of Cut to the Chase, we break down how AI is already driving appraisals, why digital profiles matter more than signboards, and how speed and systems now decide who wins negotiations. No jargon. No fluff. Just real talk on how smart agents stay ahead and how sellers protect their price.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: The Future of Smart Agents in 2026
00:25 The Importance of AI in Real Estate
01:05 Maximizing Visibility in AI Searches
02:12 Building a Strong Digital Profile
02:55 Staying Ahead with Real-Time Information
03:41 Leveraging AI for Client Engagement
04:51 Systems and Processes for Success
05:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Stop letting agents kill your sale price.

In this episode of Cut to the Chase, we’re stripping away the real estate fluff and getting down to the "grandfather rules" of value. Why did some Kiwi homes smash record prices in 2025 while others sat gathering dust? It’s not magic, it's Compression Selling.

If you’ve got a property that’s scarce, durable, and "tradable" (meaning a clean LIM, no building report nightmares, and top-tier presentation), you’ve got gold.

But here’s the kicker: the biggest threat to your bank account might be the person you hired to sell the house. Forget the "miracle price" jargon.

Get the strategy right, keep the LIM clean, and let the market do the work.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: What Triggered Offers Last Year?

00:17 Understanding Value: Lessons from Our Grandfathers

00:23 The Value of Gold: Scarcity and Durability

00:50 Real Estate Principles: Scarcity, Durability, and Tradability

01:34 Compression Selling: The Key to Record Prices

01:49 The Role of Agents in Property Pricing

03:00 Strategies Behind Successful Offers

03:45 Conclusion: Key Aspects to Consider in Property