REB Podcast Network

Most agencies are chasing scale, acquisitions, and bigger rent rolls, but some of the fastest-growing businesses are doing the exact opposite: staying small, staying personal, and winning clients through service. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock sat down with Ashby Farrell, director of WHITEARCH, to explore why boutique property management is making a comeback and how a one-man operation evolved into a thriving Perth agency. Farrell shares how frustration with the disconnect between sales and property management pushed him to build an agency focused on long-term relationships, accountability, and a level of service he felt was missing elsewhere in the industry. Rather than pursuing aggressive growth, Farrell said that WHITEARCH has prioritised quality over quantity, maintaining direct contact with landlords and taking a hands-on approach that many larger agencies have abandoned. The conversation also examines the changing Perth market, where increasing consolidation among major agencies is creating opportunities for smaller operators to differentiate themselves through personalised service and stronger client relationships.

AI is rapidly changing the way real estate agents market properties, generate leads, and manage their businesses. But while the technology is more accessible than ever, many agents are still unsure how to use it effectively. Ahead of the REB Innovation Summit, Properti's Craig Deveson joins Liam Garman to explore how AI and automation are transforming the Australian real estate industry, and why the agents who embrace these tools now will be best positioned for long-term success. Want to see how you can harness the latest tech to scale your agency? Secure your place at the REB Innovation Summit here. Drawing on years of experience helping agencies leverage technology, Deveson explains why AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance agent performance, not replace it. From automating repetitive marketing tasks to improving visibility across digital channels, he shares how agents can use technology to create more opportunities while spending more time where it matters most: with clients. The discussion explores: How AI and automation are reshaping real estate marketing. Why the most successful agents use technology to amplify, not replace, personal relationships. The common mistakes agents make when adopting new digital tools. Why trusted advisers will become even more valuable in an AI-driven market. Enjoy the podcast.

Most property managers think their job ends at chasing rent and fixing leaky taps, but the truth is far bigger – the real opportunity in the industry right now might be turning investors into wealthier clients, not just managing their properties. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock sits down with Phil Tarrant to expose why property managers may be sitting on the most valuable seat at an investor's table, and why so many agencies are failing to take advantage of it. Rather than simply delivering bad news about repairs, compliance, and lease renewals, Whitlock and Tarrant argue that property managers should be leading broader conversations around portfolio performance, market trends, and long-term wealth creation. The pair point to a major advantage that most advisers spend years building: property managers already have direct access to investors and long-established relationships. However, many agencies remain trapped in transactional business models, and the duo break down what needs to change if property managers want to strengthen client loyalty, justify higher fees, and accelerate growth. As buyer's agents now face growing scrutiny and disruption, the duo argues that property managers have a unique opportunity to claim a larger role in helping investors grow and protect their wealth. 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.

Renters are facing record-low vacancy rates, while property managers are under growing pressure as workloads and expectations intensify. Against this backdrop, tenant education is emerging as a potential reset for how the industry supports long-term stability, benefiting both renters and property managers alike. In this episode of the REB Podcast, host Liam Garman speaks with Paul Tommasini, chief executive officer of inCommunity and the Tenancy Skills Institute, about how structured education pathways for tenants could deliver better outcomes across the rental ecosystem – covering budgeting, maintenance and responsibilities. The discussion explores how stable tenancies are becoming increasingly critical in a tight rental market, and how education-led programs are helping tenants build the skills needed to sustain long-term rental relationships while easing pressure on property managers. Tommasini shares how the Tenancy Skills Institute has evolved from supporting young people experiencing homelessness into a broader national initiative, with more than 27,000 participants completing its tenancy education programs. The conversation also examines how early intervention tools like PM Assist are helping property managers identify issues sooner, connect tenants with support services, and reduce the likelihood of disputes escalating to the tribunal. Finally, the discussion challenges common misconceptions around tenancy breakdowns, highlighting the complex mix of financial stress, communication issues and knowledge gaps that often sit beneath rental disputes. 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.

Investors are reeling from the sudden liquidation of a prominent buyer's agency, but the real fallout will come from the regulatory reckoning it triggers, not just the immediate financial losses. On the Property Buzz podcast, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman from Momentum Media cut through the noise around the collapse of Dashdot and the wave of speculation hitting the property advice sector. The pair warn that the biggest issue right now isn't just the failed business itself, but the broader rise of industry gimmicks and high-pressure sales tactics that leave everyday consumers incredibly vulnerable. They explore how a controversial offshore share transfer to the British Virgin Islands complicates recovery for stranded creditors, while also raising critical questions about the ethics of demanding 100 per cent upfront fees and offering unbacked performance guarantees. The discussion also highlights how the industry is already reacting behind the scenes, with the sudden promotion of sub-scale, unvetted operators to take over affected clients highlighting a severe lack of professional standards. But despite the noise, the message is consistent. The duo warn that until formal regulatory guardrails and licensing requirements are established, the smartest move for property investors is to stick to "boring", proven professionals and avoid being lured in by social media hype.

Most property management businesses never break through the growth ceiling, but this agency scaled from a garage to 3,500 properties in just seven years. Here is how they did it. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock sits down with Housemark CEO Natalie South to share the systems, structure, and leadership model behind one of Australia's fastest-growing property management businesses. South said that while traditional models often fail to scale, Housemark's focus on relationships, specialised roles, and operational structure has enabled the business to grow rapidly without sacrificing service. The duo highlights the importance of direct communication with landlords, team development, and the creation of clear career pathways to attract and retain top talent. The episode also explores Housemark's expansion into Victoria, where legislative complexity and lower management fees are creating both challenges and opportunities for growth. South shares how technology can improve efficiency and customer experience, but warns that systems alone are not enough without the right people and processes behind them. The duo emphasises that building a property management powerhouse isn't about managing more properties; it's about building a business designed to scale.

Most agents are still trying to win listings like it's 2021, but in today's softer market, they're losing ground fast. Vendors are getting pickier, and they're choosing agents who show up as trusted advisors armed with data, strategy, and certainty, not just a confident handshake. On the REB Podcast, deputy editor Emilie Lauer sits down with PRD chief economist Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo to break down how agents can stay competitive as market conditions tighten and investor sentiment shifts. Mardiasmo explains how rising rates, global uncertainty, and the latest federal budget changes have reshaped buyer and seller behaviour, putting increased pressure on agents to move beyond transactional selling and become trusted advisors. The discussion highlights why agents who understand both macroeconomic trends and hyper-local market data are outperforming competitors, particularly as listings become harder to secure and clients demand deeper insights. The episode also explores why Brisbane has remained more resilient than Sydney and Melbourne, with infrastructure demand and Olympic-driven supply constraints continuing to support the Queensland market. Mardiasmo also points to the growing trend of residential investors shifting into commercial assets like strip retail and industrial property as they search for stronger returns and greater stability. In a market filled with uncertainty, the duo urges agents to know their numbers if they want to win the listings. 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.

Most investors are reacting to the federal budget, but most of it isn't law yet, and the real impact will come from what actually gets passed, not what's announced. On the Property Buzz podcast, Phil Tarrant and Annie Kane from The Adviser cut through the noise around negative gearing, capital gains tax, and the wave of speculation hitting the property market after the latest budget. The pair warn that the biggest issue right now isn't policy change, but misinformation and fatigue, with investors reacting to headlines rather than confirmed legislation. They explore how proposed tax shifts could reshape investment structures, particularly for discretionary trusts and small businesses, while also raising questions about intergenerational fairness and long-term affordability. The discussion also highlights how lenders are already adjusting behind the scenes, with early changes to serviceability rules hinting at how banks are preparing for possible policy outcomes. But despite the noise, the message is consistent. The duo warned that until legislation is finalised, the smartest move is to stay informed, not reactive, and avoid making decisions based on speculation alone.

Australian agencies are entering a new operating reality where compliance reform, economic volatility, and rapid AI adoption are converging into a perfect storm, forcing leaders to rethink how they run and protect their businesses. In this episode of the REB Business Empowerment Showcase, host Liam Garman speaks with National Australia Bank (NAB) executives Kate Bain and Lucy Zheng about the forces reshaping Australian real estate, from macroeconomic pressure to frontline operational realities, and what it takes to stay ahead in 2026. With anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) reforms due in July, agencies face urgent changes to onboarding, risk, and due diligence, requiring immediate operational uplift across systems, training, and workflows. Early movers will reduce friction and regulatory exposure, while late adopters risk a costly compliance scramble once enforcement begins. At the same time, shifting interest rates and weakening confidence are reshaping buyer behaviour, with borrowing capacity and sentiment moving quickly. Artificial intelligence (AI) is also accelerating across real estate operations, improving efficiency in areas like lead handling and forecasting while introducing new risks around data integrity and privacy. Bain and Zheng share insights into how principals and directors can stay ahead, including where to seek professional banking and advisory support to navigate ongoing regulatory, economic, and operational change.

Budget 2026 has dropped – and insiders say it's not bold reform, but a tax grab that could redraw the winners and losers in Australian property. On Property Buzz, hosts Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman are joined by Tom Panos to break down one of the most consequential budgets in years and why it's already dividing investors, agents, and policymakers. Panos argues that the budget falls short of real tax reform, saying it shuts the door on younger Australians entering the market through changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. Reporting from Canberra, Tarrant flags rising political risk, warning broken pre-election promises could define the budget as much as its economic impact. The discussion outlines winners and losers, with owner-occupiers and service providers potentially gaining while leveraged investors and developers come under pressure. Garman points to rising construction costs, labour shortages, and migration demand as forces that could further tighten rental markets. The trio closes on a warning: the budget's real impact will be measured in affordability, rents, and investor confidence.

High workloads and challenging clients are only part of the story. Outdated systems and manual processes are quietly draining time, energy, and focus. Could automation be the circuit breaker the industry desperately needs? On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock speaks with Phil Tarrant and Bairave Jeyasothy from Managed about how payments and legacy trust accounting are contributing to industry burnout. Manual reconciliations, fragmented systems, and compliance complexity are still dominating workflows, despite major advances in automation elsewhere. The discussion explores how digital wallets and automated payments are reducing admin, improving transparency, and removing repetitive tasks across the rental ecosystem. And the genesis of the challenge is obvious: property management has fallen behind other industries in payment innovation, and that gap is now fuelling inefficiency and burnout. The shift is not about replacing property managers. It is about removing friction so they can focus on relationships and higher-value work and build long-term, sustainable, and growth-focused businesses.