Episodes

Podcastepisodesevery Friday

New episodes every Friday. The Before the Weekend wrap on Australian real estate, plus Quick Bites with industry leaders. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or right here.

EP. 10

Before the Weekend

LIFT 2026, Proptech Pulse and a Cooling Market

17 July 2026 · 1h 3m

Episode 10 marks a milestone for Before the Weekend, recorded fresh from one of the biggest weeks of the year for Queensland real estate and proptech. Peter Schravemade and Kasey McDonald give their honest assessment of REIQ LIFT 2026, including the strongest sessions, the energy in the room and the recurring message that technology only creates value when people can adopt, connect and trust it. Kasey also speaks with REISA Chair Cain Cooke about South Australia's resilient market, the importance of becoming a trusted adviser and using technology to create more time for human conversations. The pair recap Top of the Props, where Homesnoop claimed the judges' award and Crayons CRM won People's Choice, before unpacking the inaugural Proptech Pulse 2026. The report surveyed 146 Australian and New Zealand proptech leaders and found that change management, integration and customer adoption are now bigger challenges than building the technology itself. They also examine Queensland's sharp quarterly fall in property transactions, claims that Sydney's market is dead, rising rents, the meaning of genuinely affordable housing, concerns prompted by updates to Forms Live contracts, and an agency incentive program designed to reward property managers on the same footing as sales teams.

EP. 09

Before the Weekend

Realworks, LIFT and Market Confidence

10 Jul 2026 · 62 min

This week on Before the Weekend, Kasey McDonald and Peter Schravemade are joined by REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella for a timely conversation about the Realworks forms transition, what Queensland agencies should be checking inside their businesses, and why compliant forms still sit at the centre of agency risk. The episode also previews REIQ LIFT, Top of the Props and the upcoming PropTech Pulse report, with a focus on practical technology, industry collaboration and the need for real estate businesses to build flexible, secure and compliant tech stacks. Kasey and Peter then move through a packed national news block: the hidden government costs built into new housing, warnings of a possible house price correction, the Bank of Mum and Dad pulling back, NSW Fair Trading action against Netstrata, Victorian rental advertising fines, Section 27 changes, NSW rental reforms and failed sale re-letting rules. The episode closes with quick mentions on AML, SMS Sender ID registration and Mike DelPrete's take on the shift from portal wars to pressure on portals.

EP. 08

Before the Weekend

Realworks, trust and the new compliance burden for real estate

3 Jul 2026 · 81 min

This week on Before the Weekend, Kasey McDonald and Peter Schravemade unpack one of the biggest operational stories to hit Queensland real estate this year: the Realworks transition, the end of REIQ's relationship with Dynamic Methods, and what it means for forms, templates, historical documents and compliance workflows. The conversation looks beyond the software problem and asks whether real estate forms have become critical industry infrastructure. Kasey and Peter also cover falling property industry confidence, Queensland's decline in dwelling approvals, the SMSF borrowing debate, the start of AML/CTF obligations for real estate, ACMA's SMS Sender ID and spam compliance changes, a cautious shift in buyer behaviour, allegations around misleading property images, and a QCAT compensation decision involving a real estate salesperson. The common thread is trust: trust in platforms, trust in forms, trust in communications, trust in compliance systems and trust in the professionals who carry the risk on the ground.

EP. QB·05

Quick Bite

Victoria's Real Estate Reform Storm with Toby Balazs

26 Jun 2026 · 33 min

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.

EP. 07

Before the Weekend

Confidence Check: Market Corrections, Pricing Pressure and People-First Leadership

26 Jun 2026 · 90 min

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.

EP. 06

Before the Weekend

Dashdot Collapse, REA's Data Deals and the Fight for Industry Control

19 Jun 2026 · 90 min

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.

EP. 05

Before the Weekend

Transparency, Trust and Turbulence in Real Estate

11 Jun 2026 · 60 min

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.

EP. QB·04

Quick Bite

AI, Leadership and Why Real Estate Must Avoid Intellectual Laziness

5 Jun 2026 · 15 min

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 are interested in leadership, technology, innovation and the future of real estate, this is a conversation you will not want to miss.

EP. 04

Before the Weekend

AI Cold Callers, Sign Wars and Strata Kickbacks

5 Jun 2026 · 60 min

This week on Before the Weekend, 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, and 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.

EP. 03

Before the Weekend

Housing Headwinds, Industry Change and the Future of Real Estate

29 May 2026 · 85 min

Fresh from AREC 2026, Peter and Kasey sit down with Cotality's Tim Lawless on housing affordability, rental stress and the looming downturn, then dig into Jacqui Barnes' Real Women in Real Estate Report 2026 on leadership, culture and retention.

EP. QB·03

Quick Bite

Leadership, Legacy and the Future of Real Estate

28 May 2026 · 26 min

Fresh from AREC and days after her REIA President's Award, Leanne Pilkington joins Pete at the Loose Moose for a candid Quick Bite on leadership, culture, and the future of Australian real estate.

EP. QB·02

Quick Bite

The Confidence Gap

22 May 2026 · 15 min

A Quick Bite recorded live at the REIV in Abbotsford with Antonia Mercorella, CEO of the REIQ. A grounded conversation about the real challenges facing first-home buyers in Australia, from supply and financial literacy to co-buying, rentvesting and the confidence gap.

EP. QB·01

Quick Bite

Andrea Heading on REISA Revolution 2026

22 May 2026 · 3 min

A Quick Bite with REISA CEO Andrea Heading on Revolution 2026. This year's theme is Future Fit, with an AI keynote from Professor Toby Walsh, split sales and property management streams, and Macquarie networking drinks at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide on June 24.

EP. 002

Before the Weekend

Auctions, AREC and Google's return to real estate

22 May 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

Pete, live from Melbourne ahead of AREC and the National Awards for Excellence, joins Kasey to unpack auctions as a measure of market confidence, the state of industry conferences, and Google's re-entry into property search. Plus exclusive interviews with Jacob Caine and Anna Post from the National Association of Realtors.

EP. 001

Before the Weekend

The Inaugural Episode

15 May 2026 · 1 hr 5 min

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.