
Hosted by Momentum Media · EN

Australia's property market is entering another period of uncertainty, with the SMSF borrowing deadline, interest rate speculation, and shifting buyer demand all set to test the market in the months ahead. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman discuss the SMSF buying rush ahead of the 10 August deadline, what the market could look like once that demand fades, and where opportunities may emerge for prepared buyers. The pair also examine how tighter borrowing conditions are pushing investors towards higher-yielding properties, and why chasing cash flow alone could come at the expense of long-term performance. They also turn their attention to the latest trust account theft case, questioning why fraud continues to plague the industry and whether technology can finally remove one of real estate's biggest ongoing risks.

The days of winning business with an inflated price guide are over. In today's market, accurate appraisals separate top agents from the rest – with those getting the price wrong risking the client, the campaign, and the result. On the REB Podcast, deputy editor Emilie Lauer sits down with Elders trainer, mentor, and coach Sebastian Bonaccorso to discuss why appraisal skills have become more critical than ever as agents navigate a more competitive and considered market. With more than 40 years in the industry and over 11,000 auctions under his belt, Bonaccorso shares why agents must move away from chasing listings through unrealistic expectations and instead build trust by delivering honest, evidence-based appraisals. The discussion explores the skills separating top agents in today's market, from managing vendor expectations, using comparable sales effectively, and building trust from the first conversation through to negotiation and sale. Finally, Bonaccorso explains why today's market is exposing the gap between agents who rely on favourable conditions and those who continue to sharpen their skills, with preparation, transparency, and ongoing training becoming the foundations of long-term success.

The market hasn't beaten great agents. It has exposed the ones who stopped learning. On the REB Business Empowerment Showcase, Liam Garman sits down with coach Michael Sheargold to discuss why today's changing market is separating agents who adapt from those waiting for conditions to improve. Sheargold argues that many agents have only experienced one type of market, leaving them unprepared as buyer behaviour shifts and competition intensifies. He explains why the industry's best performers are focusing on new skills, better conversations, and stronger leadership rather than blaming market conditions. The discussion also explores the responsibility of agency leaders, with Sheargold revealing why coaching, communication, and understanding what success looks like for each team member have become more important than ever. Finally, the pair examine AI's growing role in real estate, why leaders should embrace technology without losing the human element, and how agencies can position themselves for long-term success regardless of where the market heads next.

The agencies winning more landlords won't be the ones simply collecting rent – they'll be the ones proving their value beyond the basics. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock is joined by Jason Back from Broker Essentials to discuss why property management is at a turning point and what agencies can learn from the transformation of mortgage broking. The pair explore why collecting rent and managing maintenance is no longer enough, with landlords increasingly looking for advice, communication, and greater value from their property managers. Back explains how mortgage brokers built trust by solving bigger client problems, and why property managers have a similar opportunity to become strategic partners in an investor's journey. The discussion also highlights why proactive communication, stronger relationships, and a clear value proposition will separate the agencies that grow from those that simply manage properties.

Fear of missing out is back in Australia's property market. As thousands of investors rush to beat the SMSF deadline, the biggest risk isn't missing out – it's buying the wrong property in the process. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant is joined by Alex Whitlock to discuss the growing frenzy surrounding self-managed super funds (SMSF) and why investor urgency is creating new risks. The pair question whether the race to secure finance before the borrowing ban is pushing investors into poor-quality assets, warning against letting marketing hype or tight deadlines dictate long-term investment decisions. Attention then turns to the mortgage market, with borrowing capacities shrinking and investor activity slowing, raising fresh questions about what the next phase of lending could look like for brokers and borrowers alike. Finally, Tarrant and Whitlock explain why investors should look beyond buyer's agents alone, arguing that local property managers can often provide some of the strongest insights into rental demand, cash flow, and the long-term fundamentals of a market.

From 1 July, one compliance mistake could cost real estate agencies millions. The problem? Many still don't realise the new rules apply to them. On the REB Business Empowerment Showcase podcast, Liam Garman sits down with Visibl co-founder Kaan Yüksel to break down the new anti-money laundering (AML) laws now reshaping Australian real estate and why every agency needs to act before regulators come knocking. The pair explain how Tranche 2 reforms extend AML obligations to selling agents, principals, directors, and buyer's agents, with agencies now required to verify the identities of both buyers and sellers as part of every transaction. The discussion explores why real estate has become a key target for money laundering, the costly compliance mistakes agencies are most likely to make, and how technology is helping businesses manage the growing administrative burden. Finally, Garman and Yüksel warn that with penalties of up to $33 million per breach, AML compliance is no longer just another box to tick – it's becoming one of the biggest operational risks facing Australian real estate businesses.

The agencies winning more landlords aren't just managing properties anymore. They're helping investors build wealth, and it's changing what clients expect from property managers. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock and buyer's agent Ross Le Quesne break down the shift reshaping property management – and why the winners are becoming trusted advisers, not just rent collectors. Le Quesne argues the best agencies are moving beyond maintenance and compliance, helping investors improve cash flow, unlock value, and make smarter long-term decisions about their assets. The pair also reveals the costly mistakes many landlords make, from underestimating ownership costs to overlooking simple upgrades that can significantly boost rental returns. Finally, Whitlock and Le Quesne explain why agencies that educate investors, communicate proactively, and think beyond day-to-day property management will be the ones that attract more landlords – and keep them.

Tax changes may have stolen the headlines, but Australia's property market is increasingly being shaped by immigration, housing supply, and political decisions that investors can't afford to ignore. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant is joined by Steve Kuper to connect the dots between politics, geopolitics, and property, revealing how government decisions, immigration policy, and global uncertainty are beginning to reshape Australia's housing market. The duo examines the rush of investors scrambling to buy residential property through self-managed super funds before the borrowing ban takes effect, questioning whether urgency is driving sound investment decisions or expensive mistakes. Attention then turns to Canberra, where the fallout from recent tax reforms continues to divide investors, raising fresh questions about housing affordability, fairness, and whether government policy is solving the problem or creating new ones. The discussion also explores Australia's immigration settings, revealing why a growing mismatch between skilled migration and construction labour is adding further pressure to an already constrained housing market. Finally, Tarrant and Kuper look beyond Australia's borders, discussing why geopolitical tensions are no longer just a foreign affairs issue and how global instability could increasingly influence property markets, investor confidence, and the nation's economic outlook.

In today's market, growth isn't just about growing a rent roll. It's about becoming the agency that landlords, talent, and clients actively choose and actually want to be part of. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock is joined by Phil Tarrant and Michael Magee to discuss the shift from simply growing rent rolls to building businesses that attract top talent, loyal clients, and long-term growth. The trio pull back the curtain on what goes into creating one of Australia's biggest property management events, and explain why industry recognition has become a genuine commercial advantage rather than just another trophy. Attention then turns to the focus of this year's PMX Conference, building an attraction business, with the conversation highlighting the agencies investing in culture, leadership, and client experience to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. As the profession evolves, Whitlock, Tarrant, and Magee agree that the future belongs to agencies that can clearly articulate their value, embrace innovation, and build businesses people genuinely want to work with and work for.

Everyone wants to know why housing has become so unaffordable. But what if the policies designed to fix the crisis are actually making it worse? On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman question whether recent tax reforms, lending changes, and housing policies could have unintended consequences for investors, developers, and first home buyers alike. From the crackdown on investor taxes to broader housing reforms, the pair examine whether the government's approach will genuinely improve affordability or simply reduce housing supply and place even more pressure on the market. They also explore Australia's increasingly fragmented property landscape, where Sydney and Melbourne continue to soften while Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth tell a very different story, proving there is no such thing as a single Australian property market. The conversation then shifts to the broader economy, examining how higher interest rates, persistent inflation, and growing employment uncertainty could shape borrowing power, property values, and investor confidence in the months ahead. Finally, the duo assess the potential fallout from changes to self-managed super funds, posing one critical question: if individual investors are gradually pushed out of the market, who will fund Australia's next generation of housing?