REB Podcast Network

In a tougher property management market, agencies can't rely on gut instinct alone. The data behind their rent roll could reveal where clients are at risk of leaving, and where the next growth opportunities lie. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock is joined by Michael Johnson, director at Agile Market Intelligence, to explore why agencies need to become more evidence-based to protect their rent roll and keep growing. The pair look at the warning signs that could signal owner churn, from slow call-backs and email response times to a lack of proactive communication, and why tracking these measures could help agencies fix service issues before clients walk. The conversation turns to organic growth, with client surveys, net promoter scores (NPS), and investor profiling helping agencies understand what they do well, identify their strongest advocates, and turn existing relationships into referral opportunities. Johnson also explains why agencies don't need to spend big to build their local profile, with targeted marketing, community sponsorships, signage, and regular digital updates helping businesses stay visible and build familiarity in the markets they serve.

Australia's property market is becoming increasingly divided, with falling prices, rising rents, rate pressures, and government policy creating both challenges and opportunities for investors. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant is joined by Tom Panos to discuss changing market conditions, the mood among Australia's top agents, and what the shift means for both property professionals and investors. The pair look at vendor management and the need for agents to be honest about market conditions, from weaker clearance rates and declining prices to the sharp divide between premium and more affordable properties. The conversation turns to government policy, housing supply, and the broader economy, including the potential impact of higher interest rates and growing pressure on small businesses. For investors, the picture looks different, with decreasing prices and rising rents creating opportunities for those with the borrowing capacity and cash flow to act, while Panos argues Australia's underlying appeal remains strong.

Making it to the top of real estate takes more than listings and sales, with resilience, consistency, and relationships proving critical to building a lasting career. Live from the REB Top 100 Agents event in partnership with Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Emilie Lauer is joined by Suzanne Hibberd from Abode Property on Real Estate Exposed to discuss what it takes to reach the top of the real estate industry and stay there. Hibberd reflects on more than 30 years in the industry, including the hard work, rejection, and relationships behind her success, as well as what it meant to be recognised among Australia's leading agents. The conversation looks at competing in a tougher market, managing high listing volumes, and working across different price points, with Hibberd sharing why strong vendor relationships and realistic expectations remain central to her approach. Hibberd also shares the mindset and skills she believes separate top agents from the rest, from resilience and consistency to listening, finding strong mentors, and backing yourself through the highs and lows of real estate. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook , X and LinkedIn . If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au for more insights.

A 700-property acquisition has tripled Belle Property's rent roll in one move, putting the agency's growth strategy, team structure, and appetite for further expansion in focus. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock is joined by Alistair Shearer, soon-to-be director, officer in effective control at Belle Property, to discuss the acquisition and what comes next. Shearer explains why Seaford was the right market for Belle Property, bringing a stronger investor presence while fitting within the agency's existing Mornington Peninsula footprint. The pair look at what it takes to be acquisition-ready, from having the right technology and team structure in place to integrating hundreds of properties without letting service levels slip. They also discuss managing a rapidly growing team, from communicating the business vision and defining new roles to keeping staff engaged as the agency expands. With the Seaford deal expected to be one of many, the conversation turns to what makes an acquisition worth pursuing and why geographic alignment matters when building a larger property management business.

Higher inflation, a struggling construction sector, and falling listings are raising fresh questions about where the property market goes next. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman examine the latest inflation figures and what they could mean for interest rates, mortgages, and property prices. The pair look at why several major banks are tipping higher rates, and whether another hike could put further pressure on households already dealing with rising living costs. They also unpack the collapse of a major building company, with thousands of homes left in limbo, and what the fallout could mean for Australia's already stretched housing supply. With new listings sitting below the five-year average, the conversation turns to affordability, construction costs, and whether weaker conditions could eventually create opportunities for buyers and investors.

AML rules have changed the game for real estate, with agencies now facing new compliance obligations, serious penalties, and a learning curve that could catch many off guard. On the REB Discover podcast, Liam Garman is joined by John Nguyen, founder and managing director of AML Partners, to break down what the new rules mean for real estate professionals. The pair look at the new AML obligations facing agents, property managers, and strata managers, including risk assessments, compliance programs, compliance officers, and suspicious activity reporting. They also examine where agencies could come unstuck, from relying on conflicting advice to failing to properly identify and assess the risks within their own business. The conversation then explores how agencies can approach AML without letting compliance become another operational headache, including the role of technology, outsourcing, and specialist expertise. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook , X and LinkedIn . If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au for more insights.

A landmark court case has cracked open a legal grey area around outsourced trust accounting in property sales, while a wave of poor buyer's agent deals is dumping problem properties straight into property managers' laps. This week's episode unpacks what this means for PMs across Australia. The buyer's agent sector is in the middle of a shake-up, and many PMs are copping the fallout. In this episode of The Property Management Excellence Podcast, REB's Alex Whitlock, Liam Garman, and Emilie Lauer dig into why so many BA-sourced properties are landing on PMs' desks with overvalued rental CMAs. A last-minute rush to buy through SMSFs ahead of superannuation changes has also flooded the market with suboptimal purchases: properties bought in haste, now needing to be leased in a market that won't necessarily deliver the returns investors were promised. The trio then unpack a recent legal flashpoint: an NSW court case that has thrown outsourced trust accounting for sales into question, with particular reference to client disclosure.

From rising debt and unemployment to migration, gig workers, and buyer's agents, Australia's economic shifts are creating fresh questions about the strength of the property market and what comes next. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman examine the week's biggest property and economic developments, connecting the dots between policy, jobs, migration, and what they could mean for the market. The pair discuss Australia's growing debt, pressure on state budgets and a cooling jobs market, questioning what weaker economic conditions could mean for interest rates, house prices, and household wealth. They also turn to migration and remittances, the gig economy, and rising labour costs, examining how broader policy decisions could flow through to consumers, businesses, and the property market. The conversation wraps with a look at the buyer's agency sector, including the prospect of consolidation and why investors may need to look beyond bold market predictions when choosing who to trust with their next property move.

With more data at their fingertips than ever, agents who know which numbers matter can gain an edge. From pipeline health and competitor performance to sharper vendor conversations and better decisions, here's how to turn data into a competitive advantage On the REB Discover podcast, Liam Garman is joined by Damian Merchan, founder and CEO of Sonar AI, to explore how AI and data are changing the way real estate businesses measure performance and compete. The pair look at why having more data does not necessarily mean better decisions, and which numbers agents should actually be watching: from pipeline health and conversion rates to listing performance. They examine how competitor data can show agents where they sit in the market, who they are up against, and where there may be opportunities to improve their performance. The focus then shifts to vendor conversations, with data giving agents stronger evidence when discussing pricing, market shifts, and listing performance rather than relying on instinct alone. For principals and sales managers, the duo looks at how better data can reveal performance gaps across a team, identify where coaching is needed, and give leaders a clearer picture of what is driving results. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook , X and LinkedIn . If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au for more insights.

Property management can be easy to commoditise, but the fastest-growing agencies are finding ways to stand out. From customer experience to culture and systems, the right foundations can change the growth trajectory. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock is joined by Nick Georges from Wingman Group to explore what separates fast-starting property management businesses from the rest. The pair look at why having a clear customer proposition matters, how agencies can define their X factor, and why landlords need to feel they are getting more than a basic service. They also discuss the foundations of a high-growth property management business, from hiring the right people and building strong processes to using technology and offshore support without losing the customer focus. The conversation also explores leadership, proactive communication, and the role of culture in creating a property management operation that can scale.

A government bailout, banks fighting harder for borrowers, and buyer activity falling: Australia's property market is showing cracks as economic pressure starts to build. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman tackle the government's decision to support the Tomago aluminium smelter, questioning whether taxpayer money should be used to rescue struggling businesses. The conversation then turns to property, including the growing debate around third-party trust accounts and what a recent NSW court case could mean for the industry. The pair also look at banks ramping up refinancing offers and cashbacks as mortgage volumes soften, while buyer activity and property prices come under pressure across parts of the country. They then discuss whether a deeper property correction could spill into the broader economy, including household wealth, consumer spending, and the prospect of future rate cuts.

A North Sydney agent brawl, a $1.2 million cyber scam near miss, and a court battle over property deposits: the latest real estate drama goes well beyond the auction floor. On Real Estate Exposed, Liam Garman and Emilie Lauer examine some of the industry's most contentious stories, from alleged agent misconduct to cyber security threats and the fight over who should hold property deposits. The pair discuss an alleged altercation involving rival agents on Sydney's Lower North Shore, and what public incidents like this can mean for professional reputations in an increasingly competitive market. They also look at a near miss involving a $1.2 million settlement redirection scam, highlighting how a sophisticated email fraud was stopped before the funds disappeared and why real estate businesses remain vulnerable to cyber crime. The conversation then turns to the growing debate around third-party trust accounts and "deposit flicking", following an NSW Supreme Court case that has reignited questions over transparency, consent, and the handling of property deposits. With regulators reviewing the rules, the episode examines what the case could mean for agencies and the future of third-party arrangements. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook , X and LinkedIn . If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you'd like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au for more insights.

A month on from "AML Day", most agencies have ticked the visible boxes: enrolled with AUSTRAC, named a compliance officer, and sent staff through initial training. But ticking those boxes isn't the same as running a program that actually holds up and keeps your business safe. On this REB Business Empowerment Showcase, Liam Garman sits down again with Kaan Yuksel, managing director and founder of Visibl, to explore the gap between compliance on paper and compliance in practice, and how agencies can close it. Yuksel explains what "paper compliance" really looks like in reality: an AML program written once and left on a shelf, staff who've done the bare minimum training, and a compliance officer who hasn't built the habit of actually engaging with their own program. The conversation turns practical, covering how agencies can build compliance into everyday workflows, from sending KYC verification alongside listing agreements, to making AML a standing item in team and business meetings, and why encouraging staff to raise red flags, even ones that turn out to be nothing, matters more than getting it right every time. Garman and Yuksel also revisit the penalties for getting it wrong, from AUSTRAC fines through to the reputational fallout in a trust-based industry, before Yuksel shares his advice for agencies still finding their feet a month into the regime.

Growing a property management business from 50 to more than 1,000 properties takes more than winning rent rolls. It requires systems, specialised teams, and a strategy built to scale. Here is how this Melbourne agency did it. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock sits down with H & B Real Estate's head of property management Tim Oldenburg to reveal how the agency transformed its approach to growth. Oldenburg shares how H & B Real Estate moved away from the traditional property manager-does-everything model, instead building specialised teams and systems designed to make the business less dependent on individual staff. The conversation also looks at growth through acquisition, including the due diligence required before taking on a new rent roll and the opportunities that can emerge from improving underperforming portfolios. Whitlock and Oldenburg discuss the landlord relationship, why understanding the customer proposition matters, and how agencies can build a property management operation that continues to perform as it grows. With H & B Real Estate targeting further expansion over the next five years, the pair share the lessons behind its growth journey and what other property management businesses can learn from its approach.

Property, politics, and policy collided this week as government funding, SMSF changes, housing affordability, and market narratives fuelled fresh debate. But behind the headlines, what do these shifts actually mean for buyers, sellers, and investors? On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman dive into the growing tension between politics, property, and public debate, exploring why housing remains one of Australia's most contested issues. The pair discuss how market forecasts can often depend on who is delivering them, with selling agents, buyer's agents, and commentators frequently presenting different versions of the same data. They also look at the impact of government policy on property, including the future of self-managed super fund (SMSF) investment, the shift towards commercial opportunities, and how changing rules could influence investor decisions. The duo then explores builder incentives, immigration and housing demand, negative equity, and whether current policy settings are addressing the challenges facing the market.

Underquoting crackdowns, a $1 million defamation payout, and another political housing blunder – this week, Real Estate Exposed unpacks the biggest stories shaking the real estate industry and what they mean for agents. On Real Estate Exposed, Liam Garman and Emilie Lauer break down the biggest headlines shaping Australia's real estate industry. The pair examine Victoria's latest underquoting crackdown, unpacking the allegations against a major agency, the penalties agents could face, and why regulators are stepping up enforcement across the state. They also discuss the $1 million defamation case that sent shockwaves through the industry, exploring what it means for agents navigating social media, referrals, and reputation in an increasingly connected market. The pair then dives into the latest political housing debate, including confusion around negative equity, and why policy decisions continue to create uncertainty for property professionals, investors, and home buyers alike.

The technology agents rely on every day is changing fast. From AI and mobile-first CRMs to smarter automation, the next generation of real estate software could transform how agencies operate. On the REB Business Empowerment Showcase, Emilie Lauer sits down with LockedOn co-founders Luke Newton and Iain French to share the story behind the CRM, from spotting a gap in the market more than a decade ago to rebuilding the platform as the industry evolved. The trio explore how the industry's expectations have changed, shifting towards mobile-first CRMs – faster, simpler technology that helps agents spend less time on administration and more time winning business. Newton and French also discuss the rise of AI, the importance of protecting client data, and how customer feedback continues to shape the platform as technology and legislation continue to evolve. The trio also discuss how changing market conditions, compliance and customer expectations are shaping the next generation of real estate software – and what agencies need to do to keep up.

AI is changing property management faster than ever, but the biggest challenge isn't the technology; it's building systems that solve real problems for agencies. Here's what you need to know to stay ahead. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock is joined by Bairave Jeyasothy and Louis Amon from Managed to take listeners behind the scenes of building one of Australia's fastest-evolving property management platforms. The trio reveal how customer feedback shapes every product decision, why automation has become the biggest priority for agencies, and how AI is changing the way property managers work behind the scenes. They also lift the lid on the technology powering automated payments, explain why trust accounts are becoming a thing of the past, and discuss the challenge of balancing new features with keeping a platform running smoothly. The conversation also explores the rise of agencies building their own AI-powered workflows, the opportunities this creates, and why understanding the fundamentals of technology will become just as important as adopting the latest tools.

The property industry is facing a trust test, with questionable advice, buyer's agent practices, and rushed investment decisions putting buyers on alert. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack the biggest issues facing property investors right now, from misleading investment advice and buyer's agent concerns to the rush before major self-managed super fund (SMSF) changes take effect. The pair discuss the growing scrutiny around buyer's agents, questioning whether some business models have prioritised sales over investor outcomes. They also examine the latest developments from the Dashdot collapse, including concerns around upfront fees, investment advice, and the impact on customers left out of pocket. The duo explores why some investors are being drawn towards questionable opportunities, from expensive apartment purchases to promises of easy returns, and why due diligence remains critical in a shifting market. Tarrant and Garman then turn to the SMSF borrowing changes, the rush to secure deals before the deadline, and whether policy decisions are accurately reflecting the realities of the property market. The episode also looks at housing affordability, falling prices, and what a more cautious market means for investors trying to make their next move.

The biggest stories in real estate rarely end with the headline. From industry controversies and market shake-ups to the topics everyone is talking about behind closed doors, REB's new podcast Real Estate Exposed is here to cut through the noise. In the debut episode of Real Estate Exposed, Liam Garman and Emilie Lauer break down the major developments shaping the real estate industry, giving agents deeper context. The pair tackle the collapse of buyer's agency Dashdot and the controversial launch of its founders' new business venture, questioning what it means for trust, accountability, and the wider industry while hundreds of former clients remain out of pocket. The conversation also examines the rush of self-managed super fund (SMSF) buyers racing to beat the August deadline, what happens when that demand disappears, and why some agents are already preparing for a very different market. Along the way, the duo share the stories catching the industry's attention, reveal what they're hearing from agents across the country, and explain why Real Estate Exposed is set to become the go-to podcast for the conversations happening behind the headlines.