Kareena Ballard needs very little introduction in WA real estate.

From starting her career in nursing to building Jones Ballard alongside her son Adrian, Kareena has shaped the industry at both a business and leadership level. She’s the first female President of REIWA and the Real Estate Institute of Australia, and recently had the Kareena Ballard Achievement Award announced in her honour.

In this episode we discuss career pivots, leadership and what really matters whether you’re just starting out or well into your career and wondering what’s next.

If you’re in real estate for the long haul, this one’s worth a listen.

We hit episode 100 and brought back a familiar voice to mark the milestone.

Mark Grogan from O’Neil Real Estate joins Jess and Shane for his third appearance on The Crunch to talk all things Perth property as we head into 2026.

We cover:
• Why 2026 already feels like “the 13th month of 2025”
• Buyer behaviour in a low stock, high-pressure market
• The reality of subject to sale offers and why they’re no longer the ugly cousin
• How stock shortages are changing the way people buy and sell
• What’s really going on with agents in a market where listings are scarce but competition is brutal
• Why some sellers might be leaving money on the table by selling too fast
• The impact of investor activity, interstate buyers and shifting suburb perceptions

This is an episode worth tuning into/.

In this episode of The Crunch, we’re joined again by REIWA President Suzanne Brown to unpack what actually played out across WA real estate in 2025 and what agents and property managers should be watching as we head into 2026.

Suzanne breaks down the real market drivers behind the headlines, where the pressure points showed up for sales and property management, and what surprised even those closest to the industry. We also look ahead to 2026, covering expectations around supply, demand, regulation, and where agents should be focusing their energy as conditions continue to shift.

Former pro athlete turned Perth real estate agent, Corey Adamson joins The Crunch.

Corey’s path to property is anything but standard. From US professional baseball to elite WA footy then back home into real estate, his career has been built on discipline, pressure and performance.

In this episode we unpack:
• How his sports background shaped his mindset in business
• The transition from professional sport to selling property
• Working alongside Paul Tonich and what that partnership has taught him
• Using social media as a serious business tool, not just content for content’s sake
• Standing out in a crowded Perth market without losing authenticity

Plenty of practical takeaways for agents, plus a few good stories along the way.

This week we’re joined by Tim Lane, Executive Manager of Policy & Advocacy at REIWA, to unpack the incoming Anti Money Laundering reforms and what they actually mean for WA real estate agents.

From July 2026, many agents will fall under the AML/CTF regime for the first time. That means new compliance obligations, new processes, and very real consequences if you get it wrong.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the new AML reforms are and why real estate is now in scope

• Which real estate activities and businesses are affected

• What agents will need to do differently day to day

• Customer due diligence, reporting obligations and record keeping in plain English

• Common concerns REIWA is hearing from WA agents

• What agents should be doing now to avoid a last-minute scramble

If you’re a sales agent, business owner or running an agency in WA, this is one episode you don’t want to skip.

AML Resources -

REIWA AML Home page:  https://members.reiwa.com.au/s/advocacy/anti-money-laundering

Includes the webinar recordings, FAQs, back issues of newsletters.

AUSTRAC: https://www.austrac.gov.au/amlctf-reform

REIWA and First AML partnership: https://members.reiwa.com.au/s/products/first-aml

With over 30 years in property, Andrew Graham has seen it all — from residential PM to leading the charge in commercial.

Now Executive Chairman of Burgess Rawson WA, he joins us to unpack the current state of Perth’s commercial market (industrial, office, retail) and advice for resi agents eyeing a shift. This one’s full of takeaways for agents, PMs and anyone serious about real estate in WA.

In this episode, we sit down with REIWA’s new CEO, Blaine Slater — a fresh face to real estate with a big background in leadership.

After two decades at TSA Group, Blaine’s taking on one of the most important roles in WA property.

We chat about what drew him to REIWA, his vision for the year ahead, and how he plans to make the organisation more relevant for today’s agents.

In just her first year in real estate, Katie Berry from Opal Real Estate sold 45 homes worth nearly $35 million — earning her the title of REIWA Rookie of the Year.

In this episode of The Crunch, Katie shares how she broke into the industry, what it took to thrive in one of Perth’s tightest listing markets in years, and the mindset and systems that helped her achieve standout success.

We also talk about the importance of choosing the right office, the role her team at Opal played in her journey, and what’s next for one of WA’s brightest rising stars.

🎙️ Hosted by Shane Beaumont & Jess Donnelly
Presented by REIWA

From the Netherlands to the WA coastline — Nikki de Rijcke’s real estate story is one of resilience, growth and serious results.

As Director of JW Residential, Nikki has led her boutique agency to win Top Boutique Office by Listings Sold at the 2025 REIWA Awards, while also ranking in the Top 5 Assisted Salespersons by Listings Sold.

In this episode, Nikki joins Shane and Jess to talk about her journey into real estate, the lessons learned building a business through change, and how hard work leads to results.

If you’re an agent looking for practical insight and motivation from someone who’s done the hard yards — this one’s for you.

Real estate is high-pressure, and mental health can take a hit. Engel Prendergast from Mental Strides joins us to share practical tips for managing stress, spotting when someone’s struggling, and building resilience in this fast-paced industry.

Shane also gets personal, sharing his own experiences and strategies for surviving, and thriving , through the highs and lows. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the game for years, this episode is packed with advice you can use right away.