REB Podcast Network

In this episode of the REB Podcast, deputy editor Emilie Lauer sits down with Hermione Gardiner, CEO and founder of Sidekick, to explore how property managers can transition from a reactive mindset to a proactive, growth-focused approach.

Gardiner reflects on her career journey, from an accidental start in property management to leading one of Sydney's most dynamic businesses.

She shares how systemising processes, freeing up time, and leveraging technology can help managers shift from constant firefighting to strategic growth and stronger client relationships.

Gardiner will also be sharing her insights live at the upcoming REB Property Management Excellence Conference (PMX), where she'll guide property managers on how to future-proof their businesses for long-term success.

The conversation dives into the biggest pain points facing property managers today – from tech overwhelm to time pressures – and how to turn these challenges into opportunities for efficiency and innovation.

Gardiner also discusses the importance of branding and communication, encouraging property managers to take pride in their role as strategic partners in their clients' investment journeys.

She emphasises that a proactive mindset, supported by the right systems and tools, is key to transforming not just performance but also workplace culture.

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 [email protected] for more insights.

Joel Tomaino and Angus Ferguson, co-founders of FOUNDIT, share the real origin story: how two operators from the school yard have teamed up to fix Australia's broken property system.

From burnout to pivotal business ideas, this is where it all began.

This is DAYZERO with FOUNDIT.

In this episode of the REB podcast, host Liam Garman sits down with MRI Software's Dr Sarah Bell to unpack the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate and how businesses can stay ahead of the innovation curve.

Dr Bell breaks down the foundations of a successful AI strategy, from building connected data systems to aligning technology choices with an agency's service model, whether high-touch and premium or efficient and low-cost.

The discussion also covers "AI enfeeblement" – over-reliance on machines leading to the loss of critical thinking – and explains how agents can use AI to amplify rather than replace human creativity and decision-making.

Drawing on her background in research and data analysis, as well as hands-on experience as a property manager and agent, Dr Bell shares how her work bridges the gap between scientific rigour and real-world real estate practice – and why that blend is key to unlocking AI's potential.

Finally, the episode delves into the ethical side of AI, with Dr Bell emphasising the importance of data ownership, transparency and trust as the industry grows increasingly data-driven.

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 [email protected] for more insights.

FOUNDIT co-founder and DAYZERO host Angus Ferguson is joined by FOUNDIT's founding partner, buyers' agent Sabeen Akbani, who brings a sharp edge to the property game.

Sabeen Akbani shares her journey from her beginnings in Dubai to carving out a name in the Australian market—and why she believes the buyer experience is overdue for a reset. Plus, what drew her to FOUNDIT's mission and model.

In this episode of the REB podcast, host Emilie Lauer sits down with Holly Longmuir, managing director of Buxton Mornington Peninsula, to discuss how real estate, leadership and culture have evolved over nearly four decades.

Holly reflects on her start in the industry, from answering phones in her father's agency in the late 1980s to leading five thriving offices today, and the lessons she's learned about resilience, adaptability and maintaining integrity in an ever-changing market.

The conversation explores how technology has transformed the speed and transparency of real estate, creating more informed clients and reshaping the agent's role, while reinforcing that relationships, trust and empathy remain at the heart of success.

Holly also shares how her leadership approach has matured from aggression to assertiveness, fostering a culture of collaboration, mentorship and emotional intelligence across her team.

Turning to the Mornington Peninsula market, Holly explains how data and analytics guide her strategies, from tracking migration trends to navigating the region's diverse micro-markets.

Finally, she reflects on the growing influence of women in real estate and how the profession is being redefined by skill, inclusivity and shared values, not gender.

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 [email protected] for more insights.

In this episode of the REB Business Empowerment Showcase, host Emilie Lauer speaks with the chair of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), Lachlan Vidler, to unpack the current state and key trends of Australia's real estate investment market.

The discussion delves into the latest PIPA investor sentiment survey which reveals the key challenges for property investors, the impact of the three rate cuts, surging demand, limited stock, and rapidly rising property prices.

Lachlan highlights the difficulty of adding new stock to the market, citing construction hurdles, regulatory red tape, and high costs that limit both large- and small-scale investors.

According to the survey, policy changes, compliance costs, and land tax pressures are prompting some investors to sell.

Melbourne has emerged as a top choice for investment due to relative affordability, with Brisbane and regional markets also attracting attention, thanks to strong infrastructure and lifestyle appeal.

While nearly 60 per cent still consider it a good time to invest, Lachlan expresses cautious optimism, noting potential rate cuts and first home buyer schemes while urging investors to avoid FOMO and plan strategically.

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 [email protected] for more insights.

In this episode of the REB podcast, host Alex Whitlock sits down with Nick Boyd, CEO of Belle Property and Hockingstuart, to discuss the future of sales and property management – from maximising the human connection to building brand loyalty.

The conversation explores Nick's philosophy on coaching and mentorship, which he sees as critical to performance and career longevity, and how this focus has supported the network's growth from 40 offices to over 200 nationwide.

The discussion turns to the rise of technology and AI, with Nick emphasising that while AI can enhance consumer-to-brand interactions, the human relationship remains the foundation of trust and success in real estate.

The pair then unpack the dynamics of today's market, noting the balance across most regions while highlighting opportunities in Queensland and Perth, and the role of skilled agents in delivering outcomes for clients.

Finally, Nick outlines his vision for the future – a profession gaining gravitas, built on trust, performance, and the enduring value of relationships.

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 [email protected] for more insights.

In this episode of the REB podcast, host Liam Garman speaks with DiJones CEO Dean Mackie and Brent May, chief operating officer, about how the company is transforming real estate through technology, culture, and innovation.

Dean and Brent share how DiJones is balancing growth with cultural evolution, focusing on building a team that is ready to embrace digital transformation and AI-driven change.

They explain how a decentralised workforce allows the company to operate efficiently from anywhere, while centralised operations provide scale and resources to support offices and enhance the client experience.

The conversation also explores DiJones' innovative approach to buyer engagement. Proprietary technology enables personalised, responsive service across the entire user journey, recognising that most buyers are also sellers.

Dean highlights the importance of cultural cohesion, noting that the company carefully aligns its team with its vision and values to create a high-performance environment.

In this episode of the REB podcast, editor Liam Garman sits down with Rebecca Moroney, CEO and founder of Wayscape, to unpack how agentic AI is set to revolutionise real estate.

Rebecca shares how AI can work with agents, not replace them – slashing the time spent on admin and freeing up more hours for clients.

She outlines how Wayscape integrates with CRM systems, automating tasks like transcription, CMA creation and appraisals in seconds while maintaining accurate records of every client interaction.

Rebecca will also showcase how AI is revolutionising real estate live at the upcoming REB Innovation Summit.

She also highlights the importance of data and personalisation, with Wayscape's small language model trained specifically for real estate to deliver relevant, precise insights.

The conversation explores the opportunities and challenges of adopting AI responsibly, with Rebecca noting the need for agents to stay within professional boundaries while leveraging technology to enhance their service.

Looking ahead, she predicts that AI-powered, consolidated platforms will become the norm, giving agents faster access to information, more opportunities to serve clients, and ultimately stronger returns.

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 [email protected] for more insights.

In this episode of the REB podcast, host Liam Garman speaks with Craig Deveson, founder and CEO of Properti, about how artificial intelligence is transforming the real estate industry.

Craig explains how Properti turns every listing into a "growth flywheel", helping agents win more listings, streamline the sales process and engage the typically passive 40 per cent of the market.

The platform integrates appraisal proposals, social launches, portal amplification and sales workflows, using smart templates and automation to reduce content creation time by up to 90 per cent.

A standout feature is the AI-powered agent system, which allows agents to perform complex tasks through simple voice or text commands.

Craig highlights that the platform generates leads far more efficiently than traditional portals, often producing 10 times the results for a similar cost.

He also acknowledges that resistance to technology remains a challenge but emphasises that principals don't need to be tech experts themselves – they just need someone to champion innovation.

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 [email protected] for more insights.