Parliamentary wrangling, rental reforms, industry news and agency moves – here’s what dominated real estate headlines in 2024. On this episode of Secrets of the top 100 Agents, REB editor Juliet Helmke is joined by journalists Sebastian Holloman and Liv Adams to discuss the year in review.

The trio rehash the government policies that struggled to make their way through Parliament this year, and set the scene for their future in 2025. They also take a look at where some of the states that are making big changes to rental regulations currently stand, so that the industry is well-informed heading into 2025.

Together, Juliet, Sebastian and Liv recount some of the big industry changes that took place over the past 12 months, and pay tribute to the agencies going out of their way to give back to their communities.

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.

Whether a business leader or industry professional, everyone can benefit from taking stock of what they’ve achieved in 2024 and use it proactively to set goals for 2025.

On this episode of Secrets of the Top 100 Agents, host Juliet Helmke speaks with Jacqui Barnes, Laing+Simmons head of people and growth, about how she helps the network’s businesses and professionals strategise for the year ahead.

Jacqui delves into some of the factors that are set to influence real estate businesses in 2025, and how they can prepare to tackle them with their team.

The duo share strategies on setting goals that are both motivating and achievable. Jacqui explains the method she encourages professionals to use for creating measurable outcomes, and shares the best advice she’s heard for starting a new year strong.

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 a nation that has embraced auctions, the reputation of this sales strategy is mixed. But according to one auctioneer, the experience can always be positive if the professionals involved communicate right. On this episode of Secrets of the Top 100 Agents, Aaron Davis, Harcourts’ new head of auctions Australia, talks with REB’s Juliet Helmke to discuss making the jump over the Tasman from the New Zealand market into Australia, and how he’s approaching being a mentor to the network’s up-and-coming auctioneers in the nation.

Aaron shares some of the lessons he learnt as a young professional – including the biggest mistake he sees young auctioneers are making – and his thoughts on who is suited to the job.

The duo discuss gender diversity in the auctioneering world, and what’s required to encourage more women to enter the fold. Aaron also gives his views on why auctions can benefit all parties, so long as the professionals involved are upfront and honest in their communication.

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.

Training, education and upskilling are integral to excelling in real estate, and different types of businesses will approach these tasks in different ways.

On this episode of REB’s Business Empowerment Showcase, host Phil Tarrant speaks with Christine Mikhael, chief executive officer of LJ Hooker, about her journey into real estate and how a chance offer to work in property management led her to the top job in one of the biggest real estate networks in Australia.

Christine shares her experience working in both an independent model as well as a number of big real estate brands, and explains her perspective on the pros and cons that business leaders must weigh when deciding how to structure their businesses.

The duo discuss the modernisation of the real estate industry, and how LJ Hooker has adapted to suit the times. Christine also talks about what’s ahead for the network in 2025.

What does it mean for a suburb to be both liveable and affordable? 

In this episode of Secrets of the Top 100 Agents, REB’s Juliet Helmke speaks with Dr Diaswati Mardiasmo, chief economist at PRD, to unpack the network’s latest report in a series its been issuing for 10 years, that defines not only the suburbs with a below-average price point, but those that also offer high amenity.

The duo discuss the market segments that have been gaining steam, and delve into how buyer preferences have been increasingly changing, with new attitudes to lifestyle set to define what’s selling in 2025.

Diaswati spotlights some of the surprising hotspots identified in the report across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and beyond. She shares what the firm has learnt doing these reports over 10 years, and provides insight into what economic factors will define the market in the year ahead.

The REB editorial team breaks down the latest real estate news and explores how these developments are shaping the industry today, laying the groundwork for what’s ahead in the months and years to come. On this episode of Secrets of the Top 100 Agents, hosts Juliet Helmke and Sebastian Holloman examine the federal government’s stalled housing policies and explore their chances of passing in the final parliamentary sessions of the year. The duo also delve into what markets are running hot in Australia’s multispeed property market, and assess whether a slight rise in the national vacancy rate signals positive change, before discussing how the winning designs of NSW’s pattern book initiative could offer an innovative solution to the state’s housing shortage.

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.

One of the most valuable assets of a real estate agency is its data – but only if business leaders and personnel know how to use it.

On this episode of PropTech Pulse, REB’s Juliet Helmke speaks with Josh Symons, head of real estate solutions at CoreLogic, which took out the coveted award for AI Innovator in the category of Real Estate at the inaugural edition of the Australian AI Awards.

Josh explains the value that real estate agencies are often sitting on in the form of their deep trove of data, and how AI tools can help to mine its potential to deliver better results for agencies and their staff.

The duo delve into common perceptions around AI, and talk about how, contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t dehumanise the process of doing business, but can actually act as a tool to make key relationships stronger.

Prospecting, nurturing leads, and managing customer relationships – new tools are set to shake up how real estate professionals manage all these tasks.

On this episode of Proptech Pulse, REB’s Juliet Helmke is joined by Seth Watts, co-founder of CampaignAgent, who recently took home the prestigious honour of being named AI Leader of the Year - Enterprise, at the inaugural Australian AI Awards.

Known for his presentations as the AI Guy, which help real estate professionals prepare for coming tech changes in the real estate space, Seth talks about the techniques he believes agents should employ to stay ahead of the curve.

As the AI landscape continues to evolve, Seth encourages a bottom-up approach to AI adoption, advocating for experimentation and problem-solving at the individual level. The duo discuss whether current perceptions of this technology match with their practical applications in reality, and how tech is likely to shake up the industry in 2025.

The Australian property landscape has changed dramatically in recent history, and much of that is driven by a shift in how consumers are searching for properties to meet their needs. On this episode of REB’s Business Empowerment Showcase, host Juliet Helmke is joined by Trent Casson, managing director of residential at View Media Group, to discuss how the company is shaking up the property marketing landscape.

Trent talks about the different approach View Media Group has taken with its listings portal, view.com.au, and why the company has made a strategic choice to make it as accessible as possible.

He explains how performance marketing underpins the firm’s strategy for connecting people across the landscape of real estate transactions. The duo also discuss how property marketing has changed in just a few short years, and the tools that agents are harnessing to enhance their client services.

Real estate professionals are known to be early tech adopters. But one area of the industry has been notably slow to adapt to new advancements. On this episode of Secrets of the Top 100 Agents, Adam Holster, NAB professional services banking executive, and Luke Johnston, director of Johnston Donoghue Property, join host Juliet Helmke to talk about why it’s time agencies embrace new payment systems. Adam explains why this is an area of interest for NAB, and how the bank has approached the pain points in payment processing across the real estate industry, with its new platform, NAB Portal Pay. As one of the first users of the offering, Luke shares how it maximises efficiencies in his business. The trio talk about the risks associated with real estate transactions and why it’s important that businesses keep their systems up-to-date. They discuss what’s coming down the pike in terms of tech advancements in this space, and how agencies can stay ahead of the curve.

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.

It’s unlike off-the-plan or the traditional existing home market, and one sales duo has recognised that the post-completion market for new apartments needs a very specific touch.

Noemi Guttmann and Rylee Ritchie, sales agents at Sydney’s Ayre Real Estate, join host Juliet Helmke on this episode of Secrets of the Top 100 Agents to discuss the niche market that they’ve grown into a specialist focus.

Noemi and Rylee explain the type of buyers that need to be appealed to when marketing new builds post-completion. They unpack the risks that developers face in leaving stock lingering for too long, and discuss some of the mistakes that can take place when continuing to sell new dwellings after they’ve been completed.

The trio talk about how this sector is likely to grow given the emphasis on high-density building, and share their thoughts on how apartment living is gaining traction in Australian society.