This week on Before the Weekend, Peter Schravemade and Kasey McDonald unpack a week of significant developments across the real estate industry.

The pair examine REA Group's new partnerships with major franchise networks including Harcourts and Ray White, and what it could mean for the future of industry data independence and the Real Estate Industry Partners (REIP) initiative.

They also discuss signs of a changing market as listings begin to accumulate in parts of Australia, creating new challenges for agents and vendors alike. As market conditions shift, are we about to see the true value of agent skill and negotiation return to the spotlight?

Victoria features heavily in this week's episode, with discussion around proposed reserve price disclosure laws, rental reforms, and concerns that new legislation could have unintended consequences for buyers, sellers and property managers.

Other topics include:

• The Sydney Morning Herald investigation into agent review systems and pricing accuracy
• The first major property-related AML/CTF prosecution and what it means for the industry
• Whether agents should be giving investment advice
• The role of reviews, ratings and consumer trust
• A lighter look at some of the more creative (and questionable) real estate advertising appearing online
  

If you're working in sales, property management, proptech or simply keeping an eye on the future of the industry, Episode 5 is packed with insights, opinions and discussion points to take into the weekend.

Ahead of her first visit to Australia for REIQ LIFT 2026, Peter Schravemade sits down with Miami-based REALTOR®, architect, technology pioneer and industry leader Ines Hegedus-Garcia.

Ines shares her unique journey from architecture to real estate, explains why leadership starts with having "a seat at the table", and discusses the global challenges currently facing the profession.

The conversation explores artificial intelligence, the future role of agents, and why leaders must resist what she calls "intellectual laziness" in an age of AI-generated content. Ines argues that authenticity, critical thinking and human judgement will become increasingly important as technology continues to evolve.

She also offers a preview of what attendees can expect from her keynote at REIQ LIFT 2026 and discusses why Australia, the Great Barrier Reef and rugby are all on her must-see list.

If you're interested in leadership, technology, innovation and the future of real estate, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

This week on Before the Weekend (Friday 5th June 2026), Peter Schravemade and Kasey McDonald tackle another big week of headlines across the real estate industry.

The conversation begins with the rise of AI-powered prospecting after an ABC investigation into "Daniel", an AI sales caller allegedly contacting prospective property buyers. The pair discuss disclosure, transparency, and whether consumers really care if they're speaking to a machine.

They then unpack a bizarre sign war playing out in Logan, where directional signs fitted with Apple AirTags allegedly led one agent directly to a rival agency's bin. Is it petty competition, social media theatre, or something more concerning?

The discussion shifts to allegations of kickbacks in the strata management sector, exploring contractor relationships, procurement transparency, and whether reform is needed in building management and owners corporations.

Also covered this week:

• Property management trust account fraud in New South Wales
• A Victorian agent fined over licensing and trust account issues
• The importance of due diligence when buying property
• A landlord's failed attempt to recover damage costs after missing a tribunal deadline
• Gold Coast rents overtaking Sydney
• The impact of negative industry headlines on consumer trust
  

Plus, Peter previews an upcoming Quick Bite episode with Miami real estate leader and REIQ LIFT 2026 keynote speaker Ines Hegedus-Garcia.

AI Cold Caller "Daniel"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-02/real-estate-agency-spams-phones-with-fake-ai-salespeople/106732950

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18wmQCvxpB/

https://apple.news/Amyw2SQC9QMex5V126N3tAw

https://www.realestatebusiness.com.au/property-management/31921-pms-reminded-to-be-upfront-after-landlord-loses-11-8k-in-damage-costs

https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/latest-news/estate-agent-mark-reuben-sentenced-for-unlicensed-trading

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msMWxZiz7Kw

https://www.couriermail.com.au/

https://www.couriermail.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-qld/top-harcourts-brisbane-real-estate-agent-james-francis-connors-charged-with-rape/news-story/077722f68cef9d8a411ee392fb7e6358

Episode 3: Housing Headwinds, Industry Change & The Future of Real Estate

This week on Before the Weekend, Peter Schravemade and Kasey McDonald unpack the biggest stories shaping the property industry right now.

Fresh from AREC 2026, they discuss attendance, industry sentiment, and the conversations happening both inside and outside Australia's largest real estate conference.

The centrepiece of the episode is an exclusive interview with Tim Lawless, Executive Research Director at Cotality, who shares his insights on housing affordability, rental pressures, investor participation, construction feasibility, and why Australia may be facing its most significant housing downturn in decades.

Peter and Kasey also explore:

• The growing affordability crisis across Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
• Why renters may have reached their financial limit.
• The unintended consequences of recent negative gearing and capital gains tax changes.
• The challenges facing first home buyers.
• Construction costs, labour shortages and housing supply constraints.
• What a changing market means for agents, principals and property professionals.
  

The episode also features highlights from Peter's interview with Jacqui Barnes following the release of her groundbreaking Real Women in Real Estate Report. The discussion explores leadership, career progression, agency culture, retention, workplace behaviour, and the future of women in real estate.

Whether you're an agent, property manager, business owner, investor or industry leader, this episode offers practical insights into the forces shaping Australian real estate today.

Leanne Pilkington - Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Real Estate

Fresh from AREC and just days after receiving the prestigious REIA President’s Award at the REIA NAFE, Leanne Pilkington joins Peter Schravemade for a candid Quick Bite recorded at the Loose Moose on the Gold Coast.

In this fast-moving conversation, Leanne reflects on the changing face of AREC, the influx of first-time attendees and New Zealand agents, and why industry recognition means more when it comes from your peers. She shares stories from her early days answering phones in her father’s real estate office at just 12 years old, through to becoming one of the most influential voices in Australian real estate leadership.

The discussion also dives into:

• The evolution of women in real estate leadership
• The origins of Real Women in Real Estate
• Concerns around industry standards and bad behaviour
• The importance of culture and choosing the right agency
• Why flexibility matters for retaining talent
• Her work with Head Start Homes helping people transition from social housing into home ownership
• Thoughts on legacy, leadership, and giving back to the next generation
  

This Quick Bite is honest, thoughtful, and packed with perspective from someone who has helped shape the Australian property industry over multiple decades.

In this Quick Bite episode of Before the Weekend, Peter Schravemade sits down in Melbourne with Antonia Mercorella, CEO of the REIQ, for a timely conversation about the growing challenge of entering the Australian property market.

Recorded in the wake of the Federal Budget, the discussion moves beyond politics and headlines to explore the real issues affecting first-home buyers, including housing supply shortages, financial literacy, lending complexity, rentvesting, and the confidence gap many younger Australians are feeling.

Peter and Antonia unpack:

• Why home ownership feels further away for younger generations
• The importance of financial literacy and understanding lending
• Buying with friends or family as a pathway into the market
• Rentvesting and purchasing outside preferred suburbs
• How market data and technology are changing buyer behaviour
• The role proptech tools can play in helping buyers prepare financially

The episode also references organisations and tools including the REIQ, REIV, and ScaleApp.

A practical and grounded conversation for anyone trying to understand today’s housing market and find a pathway into home ownership.

REISA Revolution 2026 is fast approaching, and in this quick bite episode of Before the Weekend, Peter Schravemade catches up with Andrea Heading, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of South Australia.

Andrea shares what attendees can expect from this year’s “Future Fit” conference, including a strong focus on AI, keynote speaker Professor Toby Walsh, dedicated sales and property management streams, and the networking opportunities that continue to make Revolution one of South Australia’s standout real estate events.

If you’re in real estate, proptech, property management, or leadership, this is a great preview of what’s ahead at Revolution 2026 in Adelaide.

Conference details via REISA Revolution 2026

Episode 2 of the Before the Weekend podcast dives into the biggest conversations shaping Australian real estate right now, recorded live from Melbourne ahead of the prestigious Austros and National Awards for Excellence.

Peter Schravemade and Kasey McDonald unpack the role auctions play in measuring market confidence, the changing state of industry conferences like AREC, and what’s really happening behind the scenes across Australia’s real estate landscape.

This episode also features exclusive interviews with:

• Jacob Cain, discussing housing policy, the Federal Budget, auction culture, industry advocacy, and the future of real estate professionalism in Australia.
• Anna Post from the National Association of Realtors, sharing insights into how the US real estate market operates compared to Australia, including buyer representation, MLS systems, and international collaboration opportunities.

The episode also explores one of the biggest emerging stories in property technology:

• Google’s re-entry into real estate search
• What it could mean for portals like REA and Domain
• How AI-driven property search is changing consumer behaviour
• Why agents need to start paying attention to who owns listing data, imagery, and digital assets

A candid, industry-focused conversation covering auctions, advocacy, proptech, conferences, portals, AI, and the future of real estate in Australia and beyond.

In the inaugural episode of Before the Weekend, hosts Peter Schravemade and Kasey McDonald unpack some of the biggest issues currently impacting the Australian real estate industry.

Joined by special guests Hayley Mitchell, Ashleigh Goodchild and Antonia Mercorella, the episode covers:

• Victoria’s new prescribed rental application form and the reaction from property managers
• Western Australia’s rental reforms and the end of no-grounds terminations
• The federal budget, negative gearing and investor sentiment
• Industry conduct, compliance and underquoting crackdowns
• Consumer trust, regulation and the future of real estate professionalism
• AML/CTF changes and what agents need to prepare for before July 2026

A practical, fast-moving conversation designed to help agents, property managers and industry leaders head into the weekend informed and prepared.