Secrets Of The Top 100 Agents

Borrowing power is no longer decided at the bank – it's being quietly shaped by AI, spending habits, and financial behaviour long before investors ever apply for a loan. On a special crossover episode of Real Estate Business (REB) Podcast and How I Met My Broker, hosts Liam Garman and Hung Chuy sit down with Andrew Morello, winner of The Apprentice Australia, to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way investors build, protect, and lose borrowing capacity in today's market. Morello reveals that what used to take weeks of planning and analysis can now be done in hours, with AI accelerating everything from strategy development to financial modelling – giving some investors a serious speed advantage. The discussion also highlights a growing shift in lending, where AI and open banking tools are enabling lenders to delve deeper into real spending behaviour, meaning small financial habits can now directly influence borrowing outcomes. Chuy and Morello warn that property investors who ignore thi

Many agencies chase growth at any cost, but rapid expansion without structure can create churn and poor service outcomes. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Managed co-founder Alex Whitlock speaks with Active Agents principal Tara Bradbury about building a 400-plus property rent roll in Hervey Bay through sustainable growth, strong systems and client focus. Bradbury explains how technology helped her launch the business in 2019, removing traditional trust accounting pressures and allowing her to focus on service and growth. The conversation also explores rising expectations from both landlords and tenants, with property managers now balancing compliance, communication, and increasingly complex client demands. A key highlight is Bradbury's flat-fee pricing model, which moves away from percentage-based fees in favour of transparency, fairness, and long-term profitability. For agencies looking to scale, the episode is a reminder that success is not just about size, but structure, value, and con

With tighter scrutiny on the property market, traditional buyer's agent strategies could be turned upside down. Will the sector keep booming, or is a brutal consolidation now underway? On this week's episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack the inaugural Australian Buyers Agent Awards, a landmark event that brought together nearly 500 of the nation's top buyer's agents and set a new benchmark for credibility, structure, and accountability. The hosts also dig into the growing consolidation wave, with smaller agencies struggling to survive and many now being absorbed into larger, corporatised networks, shifting the sector nationwide. And finally, the big question: should buyer's agents be required to have real property investment experience before advising clients? In an increasingly complex market, credibility may no longer be optional – it could be the difference between trust and risk.

Most investors treat finance and property management as separate conversations, but that disconnect could be costing them growth, cash flow and long-term strategy. In the latest episode of the PMX Podcast, Managed co-founder Alex Whitlock sits down with Finni Mortgages principal Eva Loisance to unpack one of the most overlooked dynamics in property investing: the powerful yet underutilised relationship between mortgage brokers and property managers. From shaping purchasing decisions before a deal is even signed to optimising portfolio performance long after settlement, Whitlock reveals why his mortgage broker has been a constant strategic partner throughout his 30-year investment journey. Loisance pulls back the curtain on the growing challenges investors face in today's market and why brokers are no longer just loan facilitators, but critical advisers on yield, cash flow and long-term portfolio strategy. The conversation dives into a major missed opportunity across the industry: property managers and brokers

From investor confidence erosion to a class war between landlords and tenants, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman break down all the news coming out of Australia's property market. In this episode of Property Buzz, Tarrant and Garman examine the forces reshaping the market – from investor fatigue in Victoria to the broader economic risks tied to housing affordability. The pair highlight growing concern among investors, particularly in Victoria, where tightening compliance and policy settings are dampening confidence. Tarrant pushes back against what he sees as a "class war" narrative between tenants and landlords, arguing the two are fundamentally linked and that this framing risks distorting policy decisions. The co-host also introduces the idea of a "property investment clock", arguing that cumulative changes – tax, compliance, and rising costs – are steadily eroding the viability of investing, saying that if conditions worsen, the market could face an investor exodus, reducing rental stock and intensifying Austr

What does it really take to win listings, earn trust, and outperform in Australia's most competitive property sector? In luxury real estate, average service gets exposed fast, and reputation is everything. On the REB Podcast, Nick Boyd, CEO of Belle Property, Hockingstuart, and Acton | Belle Property, shares the inside playbook for succeeding at the top end of the market, where elite clients demand discretion, flawless execution, and advisers who understand value beyond price. From creating unforgettable client experiences to marketing prestige homes in a crowded landscape, building high-performance sales cultures, and lifting standards across property management, Boyd reveals what separates premium operators from the pack. He also gets candid on why most agents fail chasing the luxury badge, how trust compounds faster than commission, and the future trends set to reshape Australia's high-end property market. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB

What happens when a former football hopeful stumbles into real estate and decides to ignore the industry rulebook? You get one of Melbourne's fastest-growing property management success stories. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, H & B Real Estate director Tim Harris shares the unfiltered story behind one of Melbourne's most remarkable rent roll growth journeys, scaling from 120 properties to nearly 1,000 in just a few years through acquisitions and a refusal to treat property management as secondary to sales. From stumbling into real estate after sport, to finding the right business partner, navigating his first white-knuckle acquisition, and building a team culture that puts people before profit, Harris shares the explosive journey. He also gets candid about what investors actually want, why pipe dreams kill client relationships, and what it really takes to scale a next-gen agency in one of Australia's most competitive markets. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us

Capital gains discounts and negative gearing under attack. Trust account theft from dodgy agents off the charts. TikTok stars attacking property investors. Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman break it all down and share critical data on how investors can continue to grow their portfolios. On this week's Property Buzz live, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman cut through the noise on what's making headlines in property: tax reform, dodgy agents, boom suburbs, and common financial misinformation. The federal budget is looming, and with it the very real prospect of the capital gains tax discount dropping from 50 per cent to 33 per cent and negative gearing being capped at two properties. Phil and Liam unpack what that means for investors, and why the full picture is still far from clear. They also dig into the FAST 50 report, highlighting why investors across Australia are tipping regional Victoria and Queensland as boom locations, before turning to the industry's darker side: trust account fraud, agent misconduct, and the qu

What does it actually take to lead a major real estate network in one of Australia's most dynamic markets? Award-winning offices. A focus on people over process. And a CEO who believes trust and transparency aren't optional. On the REB Podcast, Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell joins deputy editor Emilie Lauer to share the story behind REB's back-to-back Major Network of the Year. Pennell reflects on the dedication and collaboration that underpin the network's success, revealing how a culture of shared achievement and ethical leadership drives both growth and resilience. She also outlines Barry Plant's strategic approach to navigating upcoming anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, rising living costs, and a rapidly evolving Victorian property market. From fostering trust in an industry where it's often in short supply to making technology work for people rather than replace them, Pennell explains how Barry Plant balances innovation with human values. She offers insights on regulatory shifts, building sustainable

Fuel costs rising, the economy wobbling, buyer's agents under scrutiny, and negative gearing sparking debate. There's a lot shaking the market. In the latest episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman dive into the issues shaping Australia's property market right now, from dodgy financial advice to a teetering building industry. They examine the growing scrutiny on buyer's agents, highlighting cases where unqualified advice crosses into financial guidance. Phil and Liam stress that proper expertise isn't optional, it's increasingly under the regulator's microscope. The discussion also turns to housing supply, sparked by comments from Jim Penman suggesting negative gearing should be scrapped to encourage more builds. Phil and Liam argue that cutting investor incentives while construction is slowing could worsen affordability rather than improve it.

Most Australians think the Middle East conflict is someone else's problem. They're wrong. In this special crossover episode of the REB Podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and real estate heavyweight Tom Panos ask the question nobody in property is talking about: what happens to Australian housing when the world catches fire? From fuel prices and inflation to construction costs, rents, and investor confidence, this is the most direct conversation yet about how a war thousands of kilometres away could hit your mortgage, your portfolio, and your suburb. They break down why resilience, cash buffers, and a long-term mindset matter more than ever, and how the current environment could actually create opportunity for those who stay disciplined. Don't look away. This one's closer to home than you think.

What does it actually take to build a property management business from scratch in one of Australia's most competitive markets? No trust account. No acquisitions. No inherited rent roll. Just one man, a studio apartment, and a belief that property management had been done wrong for decades. In the latest episode of The Property Management Excellence (PMX) podcast, NU Management founder Grant McKay joins Alex Whitlock to share the unfiltered story behind one of Sydney's fastest-growing boutique agencies, built entirely from scratch in under four years in one of Australia's most competitive markets. From downgrading his lifestyle to fund the startup, to scrapping traditional titles, ditching trust accounting, and obsessing over five-star reviews, McKay reveals the unconventional decisions that fuelled his growth. He also gets candid about the real cost of scaling alone past 100 properties, finding the right people, and what it truly means to be a custodian of someone else's most valuable asset. This is property

In this episode of The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, host Alex Whitlock speaks with Managed's key account manager Mignon Ahrns and customer success team leader Bairave Jeyasothy about how technology is reshaping the property management industry. The guests explore how automation, owner portals, and task-based workflows are reshaping property managers' daily work, giving owners real-time visibility into payments, maintenance, and leases while easing administrative burdens. The episode also examines operational pressures: from trust account reconciliations to constant emails and calls, and how automation lets agencies redirect focus from manual tasks to client relationships and business growth. Finally, the discussion looks at the industry's evolution. With new entrants from sales and accounting, and agencies embracing automation, property management is becoming a more strategic, tech-driven profession.

In this episode of the REB Podcast, InvestorKit CEO and founder Arjun Paliwal joins host Liam Garman to unpack what defines an elite buyer's agent: from data-led investing, to technology and building a culture of excellence. Fresh from winning Buyer's Agency of the Year at the Real Estate Business Awards for the third time, Paliwal reflects on building InvestorKit and the philosophy behind its rapid growth. The conversation explores how Paliwal's background in banking and finance shaped his approach to property investing, highlighting the role of curiosity, data analysis, and strategic portfolio planning in identifying emerging markets ahead of the curve. Paliwal also challenges common assumptions about the buyer's agent sector, warning that many investors rely on inspiration, hype, or simplistic formulas rather than rigorous analysis and long-term planning. He explains that elite buyer's agents differentiate themselves through specialised teams, deep research capability, and disciplined due diligence rather

In this episode of the REB Podcast, deputy editor Emilie Lauer speaks with Laing+Simmons head of people and growth Jacqui Barnes about the changing dynamics for women across the property industry. The discussion explores how women are now increasingly moving into sales and leadership roles, although challenges such as gender bias and sexual harassment still persist, particularly for those early in their careers. Barnes argues that stronger leadership development is critical for the sector, as many agency leaders are former high-performing sales agents who have not received formal leadership training. The conversation also examines how many successful female agents thrive through relationship-driven prospecting, referrals, and community networks rather than traditional cold-calling approaches. Barnes concludes by outlining the importance of building supportive networks and gathering better industry data, discussing her new survey designed to understand the barriers and opportunities shaping women's careers in

In this episode of the REB Podcast, deputy editor Emilie Lauer sits down with URBAN X co-founder Steph Kong to explore how their predominantly female workforce is shaping culture, leadership, and performance in real estate. Kong shares how URBAN X evolved into a business with 80 per cent female leadership and a workforce that is 90 per cent women – not through deliberate strategy, but through the nature of roles focused on compliance, process, and communication. The discussion explores how a strong culture, built on clear values, accountability, and constant communication, has helped the business scale while maintaining a high-performing team. Kong explains why creating an ownership mindset – supported by clear key performance indicators, structured feedback, and strong onboarding – is essential for developing future leaders and retaining talent. The episode also examines the cultural challenges that still exist across the real estate sector, including toxic workplaces and ego-driven environments that can dri

In this episode of the REB Podcast, deputy editor Emilie Lauer sits down with Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo, chief economist at PRD, to discuss how real estate agents can harness data to grow their footprint. Dr Mardiasmo unpacks how the explosion of accessible data has changed the balance of power between agents and consumers. Where market intelligence once came from industry knowledge, buyers and sellers now arrive armed with Google searches, artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and price trackers – meaning you need to be more accurate than ever. The discussion examines how agents can differentiate themselves in a data-saturated market, with Mardiasmo arguing that value now lies in interpretation, crafting clear and credible narratives. The episode also dives into the risks of oversimplification, the importance of data literacy across agencies, and why business data is critical for smarter resourcing and competitive strategy. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podc

In this episode of The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, REB's Alex Whitlock sits down with Alistair Shearer, partner and head of property management at Belle Property, Mornington and Mount Eliza, to explore the hidden value of property management for your business. Whitlock and Shearer discuss why many property owners don't fully appreciate what their managers do, and how a lack of communication about services can make fees seem expensive. They explain how educating owners about processes and aligning management strategies with long-term goals helps build trust, demonstrate value, and strengthen client relationships. The pair also dive into growth strategies for agencies: how assessing operational capacity, addressing pressure points, and pursuing both organic growth and acquisitions in a considered way can scale a business without creating unnecessary risk. Finally, they cover the human side of property management: turning the manager-owner relationship from transactional to advisory, fostering

In this episode of the REB Podcast, editor Liam Garman sits down with DiJones CEO Dean Mackie and COO Brent May to explore what it takes to be the "agent of tomorrow" and how you can thrive in the rapidly evolving real estate market. They discuss the speed of industry changes, from anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) reforms and Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) compliance to the disruptive impact of generative AI, and how top agents can balance innovation with the human connection. Mackie explains the philosophy behind agents needing to "unlearn" outdated habits, while May reveals how enhanced databasing must form a key centrepiece of the agent's strategy – allowing them to find buyers before going to market. The conversation turns to how competition is reshaping commission structure and the role of technology in marketing and property discovery, providing a pragmatic roadmap for agents and leaders navigating digital transformation and market consolidation.

In this episode of the REB Podcast, editor Liam Garman sits down with Lloyd Ernst, founder and CEO of Cloudstaff, for a deep dive into how principals and directors can build scalable, future-ready, and tech-enabled real estate businesses. Ernst reflects on his business's journey, founding companies that have since become multinational, providing insight into how remote workforces that align with local culture and performance objectives are fundamental for growth in today's real estate market. Ernst and Garman then dive into the challenges of building trust and accountability across offshore teams, how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping workflows, and why the next generation of agencies will operate more like tech-enabled service companies than traditional offices. They then explore how Cloudstaff helps companies do this securely, overseeing cyber risks and enabling staff to effectively support the business. Finally, Ernst offers practical insights for principals on how to leverage remote teams of any s