REB Podcast Network

20 steps to resolve one maintenance issue. Work orders sitting unresolved for months. Property managers walking out from burnout. Nidus Group's Lina Lim says the industry's reliance on manual processes is unsustainable, and she's helping build an AI solution that could fundamentally change how agencies operate. On this episode of the PMX Podcast, host Alex Whitlock is joined by Lim and Fixer co-founders Manas Maheshwari and Lovelin Gandhi to unpack the growing workload crisis in property management and how AI could help solve it. Lim reveals how a single maintenance request can involve 20 manual steps, with some work orders awaiting landlord approval for months. She explains why existing technology is failing to reduce administrative workloads, leaving property managers frustrated, overwhelmed and increasingly burnt out. The team discusses how they developed an AI platform designed to manage maintenance requests, coordinate trades and reduce manual follow-ups. Rather than navigating multiple dashboards, property managers can instruct an AI assistant to handle routine tasks, freeing them to focus on clients and growing their rent rolls. They also explore why staff initially feared AI would replace their jobs, how disconnected systems are creating unnecessary work, and the opportunity to integrate property management, finance and accounting to deliver better outcomes for landlords.

Distressed property listings have surged 42 per cent, but Australians are quietly stockpiling billions in mortgage offsets. As another RBA rate hike squeezes borrowers, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack the risks of bridging loans and parental guarantees in a falling market, and whether the government could be forced to backtrack on its controversial property tax reforms. On this episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack Australia's cooling property market, with national listings up 19.3 per cent, distressed listings climbing 42.3 per cent and another rate hike putting borrowers under pressure. The pair examine a 168 per cent jump in bridging loan submissions and the risks of buying before selling in a falling market. They also warn about the hidden dangers of parental guarantees, negative equity and commercial property margin calls, and why investors need to understand their exposure. But it's not all doom and gloom. Garman reveals that Westpac's mortgage offset balances have climbed from $71 billion to $81 billion in just 12 months, with National Australia Bank (NAB) reporting a similar trend. Are Australians preparing for a recession, or stockpiling cash for their next investment? The hosts also challenge the popular 18.6-year property cycle theory, questioning whether its apparent accuracy is simply coincidence, and debate whether the government will be forced to wind back its self-managed super fund (SMSF) lending restrictions and negative gearing reforms. Finally, it's listener questions, with the pair tackling debt recycling, the impact of falling property transactions on government tax revenue, and when investors should consider selling rather than continuing to fund a struggling portfolio.

AUSTRAC has begun enforcement action against real estate businesses that have failed to meet their AML/CTF obligations, with no grace period for non-compliance. AML Partners' John Nguyen explains why software alone won't protect agencies, the dangers of going it alone, and what businesses must do to avoid falling foul of the regulator. On this episode of REB Discover, REB editor Liam Garman is joined by AML Partners founder John Nguyen to unpack AUSTRAC's compliance crackdown and why real estate businesses need a functioning AML/CTF program now, not just a policy on paper. With roughly half of the expected 80,000 businesses yet to register, Nguyen reveals that AUSTRAC has begun issuing 11-page information requests, giving recipients just two weeks to respond. The pair examine why agencies attempting to manage compliance in-house could be exposing themselves to significant risks, particularly when navigating complex company and trust structures. Nguyen explains why purchasing AML software is not enough to satisfy regulatory obligations, and how outsourcing compliance to experienced specialists can reduce costs while providing the expertise needed to identify suspicious transactions. Finally, they unpack what happens when clients refuse to provide identification, the obligations around suspicious matter reporting, and why businesses must maintain documented evidence of compliance ahead of mandatory independent audits every three years.

Sales are softening, and agencies across Australia are doubling down on their rent roll. REB has officially revealed its Stellar Agencies 2026, ranking the top 10 property management businesses by growth, not size. On this episode of The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, host Alex Whitlock is joined by REB editor Liam Garman to reveal the Stellar Agencies 2026: REB's top 10 property management businesses with the greatest growth in properties under management. With sales softening, more agencies are doubling down on property management and recent research has indicated that two-in-three agencies are focusing on property management for their next phase of growth. The Stellar Agencies show who is winning that race. The hosts count down all 10, revealing each business's growth in properties under management, whether it grew organically or through acquisition, and which software it runs on. The mix shows there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and that fast growth can come from very different strategies. Whitlock and Garman also explain why scaling too fast can sink the economics, why culture and client service matter more than software, and what to expect from the top 10 in the months ahead, with a representative from each business joining the podcast to unpack how they did it.

France is already paying billions to service its debt. Australia could be heading down the same path, with only a narrow window to turn things around. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman compare Australia's fiscal position with France's, examining rising debt costs, bond yields, tax settings, and public sector growth.  Garman warns Australia could be only a few years behind as government spending and debt servicing put increasing pressure on the economy. The pair revisit France's failed wealth tax experiment and Greece's experience with spending cuts, before examining Australia's own warning signs, including weaker employment, falling stamp duty revenue, and fewer capital gains to tax. They also compare personal, company, and capital gains tax settings, and debate whether further property tax changes could push investors out of the market. Tarrant is sharply critical of the federal government and the ATO, predicting a royal commission and further political battles over property taxes before the next election. The discussion also covers the impact of the SMSF residential property ban on development, rising construction costs, and the risks facing first home buyers caught in falling apartment markets. To get in involved, leave questions for Phil and Liam, or simply share videos or memes - join the Whatsapp group here.