REB Podcast Network

Hosted by Momentum Media

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Episodes

832

Latest episode

Sep 2026

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About the show

Welcome to the REB Podcast Network! Our hosts are regularly joined by some of the biggest names in Australia's real estate and property circles, covering off all the latest news, trends, insights and education. With REB widely regarded as the leading real estate content brand in Australia, we provide unparalleled access to the industry's rising stars and the most revered professionals, the newest tech, as well as cutting-edge developments in the business world.

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60 recent

September 11, 202649 min

Property Buzz: Banking shake-up, refinancing surge, and trust tax turmoil

Borrowers are switching lenders in search of better deals while proposed trust tax changes could force investors to rethink how they structure their property wealth. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant is joined by Julian Barnes to break down the biggest developments across banking, mortgage lending, and property finance. The pair look at AI's growing role in banking and what it could mean for mortgage brokers, despite brokers now accounting for 81.6 per cent of the home loan market. They also discuss the surge in refinancing, with 1,800 borrowers switching lenders each day. The conversation then turns to proposed trust tax reforms, including a 30 per cent minimum tax on discretionary trusts and changes planned for 2028, which have left advisers working through the potential impact. With inflation, unemployment, and interest rate uncertainty adding to the pressure, the pair consider what these changes mean for borrowers and property investors.

September 10, 202616 min

Real Estate Exposed: Career lessons from an REB Top 100 agent

Reaching the top of the real estate industry takes more than chasing gross commission income (GCI), with resilience, relationships, and knowing when to step back proving critical to long-term success. On Real Estate Exposed, REB deputy editor Emilie Lauer is joined by Matthew Smythe from Belle Property Neutral Bay to discuss what it takes to build a successful career and remain competitive after two decades in the industry. Smythe reflects on starting out at 30, entering a relatively unknown brand and building his name through relentless prospecting and cold calling. He explains how his definition of success has changed over time, with family, great clients, and enjoying the journey becoming just as important as GCI. The conversation turns to the changing role of the agent, with Smythe arguing that sales data alone no longer creates a point of difference. Instead, agents need to understand what the numbers mean for each client, uncover their motivations, and help them make decisions around the next stage of their lives. Smythe also explains why building a strong team has been critical to his longevity, allowing him to focus on relationships while others handle administration and prospecting. He shares the importance of working efficiently rather than simply working longer hours, while maintaining balance and enjoying the highs and lows of the industry.

September 8, 202637 min

PMX: Is your rent roll ready for its next growth phase?

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.

September 4, 202621 min

Property Buzz: The market is changing. What comes next?

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.

September 3, 202614 min

Real Estate Exposed: What separates the top 100 agents from the rest?

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.

September 1, 202634 min

PMX: Inside Belle Property's 700-property expansion

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.

August 28, 202658 min

Property Buzz: Inflation bites, builders collapse, and rate rises

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.

August 26, 202641 min

REB Discover: AML crackdown: The new obligations that could expose your agency

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.

August 25, 202642 min

PMX: Legal storm brews over trust accounts, buyer's agents face shake-up: What PMs must know

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.

August 21, 202638 min

Property Buzz: Is the property market heading for a reality check?

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.