Property Buzz: Buyer's agents under scrutiny as Dashdot fallout exposes cracks – is it time for property managers to take centre stage?

PMX: The boutique agency strategy winning over landlords

Most agencies are chasing scale, acquisitions, and bigger rent rolls, but some of the fastest-growing businesses are doing the exact opposite: staying small, staying personal, and winning clients through service. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock sat down with Ashby Farrell, director of WHITEARCH, to explore why boutique property management is making a comeback and how a one-man operation evolved into a thriving Perth agency. Farrell shares how frustration with the disconnect between sales and property management pushed him to build an agency focused on long-term relationships, accountability, and a level of service he felt was missing elsewhere in the industry. Rather than pursuing aggressive growth, Farrell said that WHITEARCH has prioritised quality over quantity, maintaining direct contact with landlords and taking a hands-on approach that many larger agencies have abandoned. The conversation also examines the changing Perth market, where increasing consolidation among major agencies is creating opportunities for smaller operators to differentiate themselves through personalised service and stronger client relationships.

Property Buzz: Buyer's agents under scrutiny as Dashdot fallout exposes cracks – is it time for property managers to take centre stage?

Following the collapse of leading Australian buyer's agency Dashdot, questions are emerging about the quality and transparency of property advice being offered to investors. As confidence wavers, investors are left asking how to properly conduct due diligence and what the evolving property landscape will mean for future decisions. In this episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack the wave of disruption sweeping through Australian real estate, including a close examination of the liquidator's report into the Dashdot collapse. With $16.5 million in liabilities, 695 creditors, and $10.5 million tied up in "prepaid services & refunds", Tarrant questions whether the numbers fully stack up, suggesting the sector may be heading into a period of overdue rationalisation. The discussion then turns to the broader advisory landscape, with the pair questioning whether the traditional dominance of buyer's agents will give way to more tailored, locally grounded insights from property managers who hold long-term, on-the-ground experience in asset performance and tenant demand. They also examine Canberra's recent tax backflips, unpacking the policy shifts and mathematical blind spots that continue to shape housing affordability and influence property prices.

REB Business Empowerment Showcase: AI isn't just transforming how agents work. It's transforming how they win attention online

AI is rapidly changing the way real estate agents market properties, generate leads, and manage their businesses. But while the technology is more accessible than ever, many agents are still unsure how to use it effectively. Ahead of the REB Innovation Summit [https://www.realestatebusiness.com.au/real-estate-innovation-summit/], Properti's Craig Deveson joins Liam Garman to explore how AI and automation are transforming the Australian real estate industry, and why the agents who embrace these tools now will be best positioned for long-term success. Want to see how you can harness the latest tech to scale your agency? Secure your place at the REB Innovation Summit here [https://www.realestatebusiness.com.au/real-estate-innovation-summit/]. Drawing on years of experience helping agencies leverage technology, Deveson explains why AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance agent performance, not replace it. From automating repetitive marketing tasks to improving visibility across digital channels, he shares how agents can use technology to create more opportunities while spending more time where it matters most: with clients. The discussion explores: * How AI and automation are reshaping real estate marketing. * Why the most successful agents use technology to amplify, not replace, personal relationships. * The common mistakes agents make when adopting new digital tools. * Why trusted advisers will become even more valuable in an AI-driven market. Enjoy the podcast.

REB Business Empowerment Showcase: Most agents have the data. Few know how to tell the story

Most agents walk into an appraisal armed with pages of statistics, market reports, and sales figures. But the best agents walk in with a story. Ahead of the second annual REB Innovation Summit [https://click.email.momentummedia.au/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5MTF9AA0AAAAAAH2qQ_ptT0NSGsNx7ghYl4izT0AxUGvfD8fFw2UbhBgvY5UXQxkQaeHi6MOn5b5ur98dPLOf-IQ4D0RDcfOPyqDAdYPF71AyWZ0], Property Analytics founder Andrew Stone joins Liam Garman to unpack why data alone doesn't win listings, and how agents can use market insights to build trust, demonstrate expertise, and convert more vendors. Want to see how you can harness the latest tech to scale your agency? Secure your place at the REB Innovation Summit here [https://click.email.momentummedia.au/?qs=ABB7InYiOjEsImQiOjQ5MTF9AA0AAAAAAH2qQ_pubniZxTZHqfQc41zzkIQ1mgkbRKwH-Xq0_NNtAGGmvwd1-2-M4HGtS79IEAR2g-XowSJvDlRZxov-utH64Robn09gw8c]. Drawing on more than 15 years in property analytics, Stone explains why many agents either overwhelm vendors with information or fail to provide enough context to make data meaningful. Instead, he argues that successful agents are those who can connect the numbers to outcomes that matter. The discussion explores: * The common appraisal mistakes costing agents listings. * How leading agents use data to tell compelling stories. * Why credibility and trust will become even more important in an AI-driven industry. * The simple shift that can improve conversion rates immediately. Enjoy the podcast.

PMX: The wealth-building opportunity hiding inside every rent roll

Most property managers think their job ends at chasing rent and fixing leaky taps, but the truth is far bigger – the real opportunity in the industry right now might be turning investors into wealthier clients, not just managing their properties. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Alex Whitlock sits down with Phil Tarrant to expose why property managers may be sitting on the most valuable seat at an investor's table, and why so many agencies are failing to take advantage of it. Rather than simply delivering bad news about repairs, compliance, and lease renewals, Whitlock and Tarrant argue that property managers should be leading broader conversations around portfolio performance, market trends, and long-term wealth creation. The pair point to a major advantage that most advisers spend years building: property managers already have direct access to investors and long-established relationships. However, many agencies remain trapped in transactional business models, and the duo break down what needs to change if property managers want to strengthen client loyalty, justify higher fees, and accelerate growth. As buyer's agents now face growing scrutiny and disruption, the duo argues that property managers have a unique opportunity to claim a larger role in helping investors grow and protect their wealth. Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts [https://apple.co/2yvaRZK] (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook [https://bit.ly/2gr90k8], X [https://bit.ly/2gryU77] and LinkedIn [https://bit.ly/2yqssV8]. 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 editor@realestatebusiness.com.au [editor@realestatebusiness.com.au] for more insights.