In this Quick Bite episode of Before the Weekend, Peter Schravemade is joined by Toby Balazs, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, to unpack the growing wave of regulatory pressure facing Victorian real estate professionals.

Toby discusses the proposed disclosure of auction reserve prices, changes to rental legislation, the impact of more than 150 Residential Tenancies Act changes, pressure on property managers, investor confidence, housing supply, Section 27 deposit release, AML obligations and the practical realities for agents trying to operate in a heavily regulated market.

The conversation also explores whether new rules designed to improve fairness and transparency may create unintended consequences for buyers, vendors, renters, rental providers and the wider Victorian property sector.

Reference / download link

Consumer Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 PDF Available at the website: www.beforetheweekend.com

In Episode 7 of Before the Weekend, Kasey McDonald and Peter Schravemade unpack a week where confidence became the central theme across Australian real estate.

They discuss falling auction clearance rates, Domain's forecasts for Sydney and Melbourne price falls, investor uncertainty following federal budget changes, Victoria's latest rental reforms, REIQ's Realworks transition, and the growing conversation around price transparency sparked by the Property Seeker Chrome extension.

Peter also shares key takeaways from the PIPA Summit and REISA Revolution, including AI, AML, energy efficiency ratings and the shift from transaction-focused agents to trusted advisers.

This week's feature interview is with Avi Kahn from Ray White AKG, who joins Kasey to discuss leadership, culture, growth, industry reputation, training, technology and why he would abolish price guides across Australia.

In Episode 6 of Before the Weekend, Peter Schravemade and Kasey McDonald unpack a huge week in Australian real estate, beginning with the collapse of buyer’s agency Dashdot and the serious questions it raises about upfront fees, consumer protection, trust and the property investment advice sector.

The episode also covers Queensland’s worsening rental supply crisis, with new analysis suggesting the state has lost nearly 13,000 rental bedrooms over three years, plus a Gold Coast prestige sales feud that asks who really gets to define market value: the selling agent, the buyer’s agent, the auction floor or the final buyer.

Peter and Kasey also discuss another trust account misuse case in Victoria, a Sunshine Coast unfair dismissal claim dismissed after just one week of employment, and Ben Ikin’s move into proptech as CEO of SearchX.

The feature conversation then turns to REA Group’s growing network of strategic partnerships, with Adrian Knowles, CEO of Harcourts Australia, joining to explain the Harcourts and REA Group deal, and Sadhana Smiles from REIP responding to questions about data sovereignty, REIP Nexus, proptech partnerships and whether the industry is moving closer to or further away from control of its own data.

It is a long episode, but an important one, covering trust, data, portals, technology, agency risk and the future direction of the real estate industry.

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.