In the second part of their discussion on the REB Podcast, managing editor Liam Garman and deputy editor Emilie Lauer explore how investors can position their portfolios for 2026 as market conditions shift.

The conversation focuses on rising demand driven by government schemes, constrained housing supply, and the need for more disciplined, price-sensitive strategies.

The pair urge investors to use the slower summer period to review cash flow, equity, rental performance, and portfolio structure, rather than chasing outdated hotspots.

Additionally, they warn that widely publicised postcodes and AI-driven research tools can inflate demand and erode opportunity, reinforcing the importance of on-the-ground research and experienced advice.

Looking ahead, diversification, particularly into commercial property, is emerging as a key theme for 2026.

Garman and Lauer also stress the need for emotional discipline, cautioning against rushed end-of-year decisions, and highlight goal-setting and investor well-being as essential foundations for long-term success.

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.

In this episode of the REB Podcast, Liam Garman and deputy editor Emilie Lauer break down the year that was in Australian property, examining which markets surged, where momentum stalled, and why demand-side policy is setting the scene for further growth into 2026.

The conversation explores interest rate predictions, refinancing options, and the economic forces driving inflation, highlighting why expert advice has become critical in an increasingly complex market.

Garman and Lauer also unpack regional performance across the country, shifting buyer priorities, and the rise of the "compromise or miss out" mindset reshaping purchasing decisions, particularly among younger buyers.

Looking ahead, they discuss why strategy will be central to navigating the next phase of the property cycle and tease part two of the series, focused on building sustainable, long-term property outcomes in 2026.

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.

In this episode of REB Podcast, Phil Tarrant sits down with Jonathan Bell, founder of Housemark, to discuss the evolving role of property management in Australia.

According to Bell, property managers often form the longest-lasting relationship an investor will have in their journey, making their role critical to portfolio success.

Since founding Housemark in 2019, Bell has grown the company to manage 3,500 properties across Queensland and Victoria, focusing exclusively on property management rather than sales.

He stresses that investing in people, training, and processes allows agencies to retain top talent and deliver superior service to landlords and tenants.

Technology and economies of scale are key to Housemark's efficiency, enabling innovative solutions like roaming property managers and dedicated investment services.

Bell also emphasises the importance of treating investment properties like a business, balancing rental yields with tenant satisfaction to maximise returns.

Looking ahead, Housemark aims to manage 10,000 properties across five locations while elevating industry standards and promoting property management as a respected profession.

For investors, this duo underlines that a proactive, knowledgeable property manager can directly impact portfolio performance, yields, and long-term success.

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.

Host and co-founder of FOUNDIT, Angus Ferguson sits down with Pete Mathews - former REINSW President, REIA board member, leading auctioneer, agency operator and proptech co-founder - to unpack what real innovation in real estate looks like and why discipline beats hype.

From writing 65 letters to land his first role to building and exiting businesses, Pete shares how process sets you free, why he solves his own problems first then scales, and the moment he stopped chasing growth-at-all-costs to put profit and focus back at the centre.

In this episode of the REB Podcast, deputy editor Emilie Lauer sits down with the Rise Initiative's Kylie Davis to unpack why wellbeing has become one of the industry's most urgent issues – and why agents can't afford to ignore it heading into 2026.

Davis explains why wellbeing shouldn't feel like just another item on an already overwhelming to-do list, arguing instead for small, sustainable habits that help agents manage stress before it escalates into burnout.

Drawing on her own experiences, Davis highlights the emotional toll property transactions can have on buyers and sellers, and why agents often find themselves acting as "first responders" to clients in crisis.

The conversation explores how agents can support highly stressed buyers and sellers without absorbing that pressure themselves, why switching off over the holiday period is so difficult in a commission-based industry, and how a gradual wind-down can make all the difference.

Davis also challenges agencies and networks to move beyond outdated "harden up" mentalities, outlining their legal and moral responsibility to actively support staff wellbeing.

Looking ahead, she discusses the role technology and artificial intelligence (AI) could play in identifying stress patterns early – while warning that human connection remains irreplaceable.

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.

In this episode of the REB Business Empowerment Showcase Podcast, editor Liam Garman sits down with Kate Bain and Lucy Zheng from National Australia Bank (NAB) to unpack the economic, technological, and regulatory forces redefining Australian real estate – and what agents need to do now to stay competitive.

Bain, executive of professional services at NAB, shares a macro view of the market, explaining how rate movements, confidence shifts, and structural supply challenges are shaping conditions across residential, retail, and office sectors. She outlines why resilience has defined the past year, but why complacency is a growing risk as the market normalises.

Zheng, business banking executive for professional services, brings the on-the-ground perspective from working closely with agencies nationwide. She explores the pressure points agents are grappling with daily, from cash flow and margin compression to talent attraction, retention, and the cultural tensions around hybrid work.

The conversation also dives into artificial intelligence, with both guests making it clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer optional. They discuss how agents are already using AI in marketing, virtual inspections, and customer engagement, and why trust, relationships, and human judgement will become even more valuable as technology accelerates.

Looking ahead to 2026, Bain and Zheng highlight succession planning, compliance readiness, and leadership depth as critical priorities, particularly with new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) obligations on the horizon. They close by outlining how NAB is supporting agents beyond banking, helping businesses future-proof, lift productivity, and navigate the next phase of industry change with confidence.

In this episode of the REB Business Empowerment Showcase, editor Liam Garman sits down with Giordano Stepancic, founder and CEO of Property Credit, to explore how the company is transforming property transactions with innovative finance solutions and enhanced vendor support.

Stepancic explains Property Credit's holistic approach, going beyond funding to support marketing, repairs, and compliance, while giving home owners access to their property equity throughout the sale process.

He also shows how agents can move from traditional sales roles to solution providers, turning complex transactions into seamless experiences, helping agents to stand out in a competitive market.

The discussion highlights how buyers and sellers can navigate timing challenges, leveraging equity in current homes to secure new purchases, all underpinned by a focus on human connection in a tech-driven industry.

They close by exploring the company's expansion across Australia and New Zealand, demonstrating how a customer-first mindset, integrated solutions, and agent empowerment are setting new benchmarks for real estate.

In this episode of the REB Business Empowerment Showcase, REB deputy editor Emilie Lauer sits down with A Home for All chair and LJ Hooker CEO Christine Mikhael and committee member Natalie Hortz to discuss how the industry is coming together to address the nation's homelessness crisis.

Mikhael and Hortz discuss the foundation's rapid progress, raising over $1 million in just two months, and highlight the often-overlooked realities of hidden homelessness, including couch surfing, living in cars, or moving between temporary accommodations.

The conversation also delves into domestic and family violence as a key driver of homelessness, and how the foundation is carefully directing resources to make the most difference for women and children in need.

The episode closes with a call to action for real estate professionals and beyond, exploring ways to get involved from fundraising and volunteering to immersive awareness events like "A Night Without Home".

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, Twitter 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.