Property Buzz

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.

Buyer's agents are coming under increasing scrutiny over financial advice in the wake of the Dashdot collapse. But it's not all bad news for investors, with backlash building against the government's tax reforms and rate cuts looming on the horizon. After a challenging few weeks for the real estate industry, this episode of Property Buzz, hosted by Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman, explores whether relief could be emerging as yields return to focus and Australia's major banks flag potential rate cuts. The pair discuss how quarantining losses can provide longer-term tax relief for investors, alongside the shifting political landscape shaping property sentiment. They also turn to the property advice ecosystem, including growing scrutiny around unlicensed financial advice and the standards expected of buyer's agents operating in an increasingly complex environment. The discussion continues around the fallout from the Dashdot collapse, and what it signals for the ongoing professionalisation of the buyer's agent industry.

Investors are reeling from the sudden liquidation of a prominent buyer's agency, but the real fallout will come from the regulatory reckoning it triggers, not just the immediate financial losses. On the Property Buzz podcast, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman from Momentum Media cut through the noise around the collapse of Dashdot and the wave of speculation hitting the property advice sector. The pair warn that the biggest issue right now isn't just the failed business itself, but the broader rise of industry gimmicks and high-pressure sales tactics that leave everyday consumers incredibly vulnerable. They explore how a controversial offshore share transfer to the British Virgin Islands complicates recovery for stranded creditors, while also raising critical questions about the ethics of demanding 100 per cent upfront fees and offering unbacked performance guarantees. The discussion also highlights how the industry is already reacting behind the scenes, with the sudden promotion of sub-scale, unvetted operators to take over affected clients highlighting a severe lack of professional standards. But despite the noise, the message is consistent. The duo warn that until formal regulatory guardrails and licensing requirements are established, the smartest move for property investors is to stick to "boring", proven professionals and avoid being lured in by social media hype.

The budget fallout has begun. With one of Australia's largest buyer's agencies collapsing and consumer confidence disappearing, are there still opportunities in the market? On this week's Property Buzz, hosts Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman break down the growing chaos hitting Australia's property market, from collapsing auction clearance rates and rising investor panic to the turmoil now ripping through the buyer's agency sector. In Sydney, the auction market has fallen to COVID-19-era lows, with more homes now passing in than selling as buyer confidence weakens and uncertainty continues to build. But will increasing yields now reverse this trend? The duo also explore the collapse of buyer's agency Dashdot, highlighting how rising client acquisition costs, weaker sentiment, and tightening lending conditions are placing enormous pressure on property businesses across the country. Additionally, hanging over the entire market are the proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, reforms that could slash borrowing capacity, tighten rental supply and dramatically reshape how Australians invest in property. The pressure is building quickly, and while emotional investors react to fear and headlines, strategic investors will be best positioned when the market stabilises.

Most investors are reacting to the federal budget, but most of it isn't law yet, and the real impact will come from what actually gets passed, not what's announced. On the Property Buzz podcast, Phil Tarrant and Annie Kane from The Adviser cut through the noise around negative gearing, capital gains tax, and the wave of speculation hitting the property market after the latest budget. The pair warn that the biggest issue right now isn't policy change, but misinformation and fatigue, with investors reacting to headlines rather than confirmed legislation. They explore how proposed tax shifts could reshape investment structures, particularly for discretionary trusts and small businesses, while also raising questions about intergenerational fairness and long-term affordability. The discussion also highlights how lenders are already adjusting behind the scenes, with early changes to serviceability rules hinting at how banks are preparing for possible policy outcomes. But despite the noise, the message is consistent. The duo warned that until legislation is finalised, the smartest move is to stay informed, not reactive, and avoid making decisions based on speculation alone.

Budget 2026 has dropped – and insiders say it's not bold reform, but a tax grab that could redraw the winners and losers in Australian property. On Property Buzz, hosts Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman are joined by Tom Panos to break down one of the most consequential budgets in years and why it's already dividing investors, agents, and policymakers. Panos argues that the budget falls short of real tax reform, saying it shuts the door on younger Australians entering the market through changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. Reporting from Canberra, Tarrant flags rising political risk, warning broken pre-election promises could define the budget as much as its economic impact. The discussion outlines winners and losers, with owner-occupiers and service providers potentially gaining while leveraged investors and developers come under pressure. Garman points to rising construction costs, labour shortages, and migration demand as forces that could further tighten rental markets. The trio closes on a warning: the budget's real impact will be measured in affordability, rents, and investor confidence.

With the federal budget days away, Australian property investors are on edge, watching for potential shifts to taxes, interest rates, and housing policy that could reshape the cycle. On Property Buzz, hosts Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman cut through the noise ahead of budget week and break down what it all means for investors. Tarrant flags a cautious mood in the market, with all eyes turning to Canberra as critical policy decisions draw near, while Garman ties current pressure to inflation, rising rates, and labour demand, with ongoing geopolitical tensions only adding to the uncertainty. The pair dig into rising inflation expectations, housing supply constraints, and the government's response through deposit schemes and heated tax debates. Despite widespread talk of investors heading for the exit, stable listings and lending data tell a different story: most are holding firm. The duo wraps with a sharp warning on policy risk, SME impacts, and the dangers of unregulated advice, urging investors to stay sharp heading into the budget.

With policy uncertainty mounting, the property market is on edge. Could looming tax changes reshape the investment landscape, or will investors return to basics with fixer-uppers and disciplined acquisition strategies? On the Property Buzz podcast, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman cut through the chatter around potential changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, and what it could mean for investors, home owners, and broader market confidence. They unpack why, despite the headlines, property prices are still rising, as home owners hold onto their properties for longer, resulting in tighter listings. Garman and Tarrant then return to fundamentals. With ongoing uncertainty, is it time to get back to the basics of property investing: flipping, renovations, cosmetic upgrades, and granny flats, supported by disciplined spending to drive growth? They wrap up by taking aim at risky property advice circulating online from so-called "experts" and some of the common mistakes investors continue to make.

With tighter scrutiny on the property market, traditional buyer's agent strategies could be turned upside down. Will the sector keep booming, or is a brutal consolidation now underway? On this week's episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack the inaugural Australian Buyers Agent Awards, a landmark event that brought together nearly 500 of the nation's top buyer's agents and set a new benchmark for credibility, structure, and accountability. The hosts also dig into the growing consolidation wave, with smaller agencies struggling to survive and many now being absorbed into larger, corporatised networks, shifting the sector nationwide. And finally, the big question: should buyer's agents be required to have real property investment experience before advising clients? In an increasingly complex market, credibility may no longer be optional – it could be the difference between trust and risk.

From investor confidence erosion to a class war between landlords and tenants, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman break down all the news coming out of Australia's property market. In this episode of Property Buzz, Tarrant and Garman examine the forces reshaping the market – from investor fatigue in Victoria to the broader economic risks tied to housing affordability. The pair highlight growing concern among investors, particularly in Victoria, where tightening compliance and policy settings are dampening confidence. Tarrant pushes back against what he sees as a "class war" narrative between tenants and landlords, arguing the two are fundamentally linked and that this framing risks distorting policy decisions. The co-host also introduces the idea of a "property investment clock", arguing that cumulative changes – tax, compliance, and rising costs – are steadily eroding the viability of investing, saying that if conditions worsen, the market could face an investor exodus, reducing rental stock and intensifying Australia's housing shortage.

Capital gains discounts and negative gearing under attack. Trust account theft from dodgy agents off the charts. TikTok stars attacking property investors. Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman break it all down and share critical data on how investors can continue to grow their portfolios. On this week's Property Buzz live, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman cut through the noise on what's making headlines in property: tax reform, dodgy agents, boom suburbs, and common financial misinformation. The federal budget is looming, and with it the very real prospect of the capital gains tax discount dropping from 50 per cent to 33 per cent and negative gearing being capped at two properties. Phil and Liam unpack what that means for investors, and why the full picture is still far from clear. They also dig into the FAST 50 report, highlighting why investors across Australia are tipping regional Victoria and Queensland as boom locations, before turning to the industry's darker side: trust account fraud, agent misconduct, and the quiet danger of incentive kicker schemes that leave vendors thousands of dollars worse off. Finally, the pair take aim at a viral TikTok video claiming corporate investors are deliberately engineering Australia's housing crisis, and deliver a timely reminder that in the age of financial influencers, separating fact from noise isn't optional. It's essential.

Fuel costs rising, the economy wobbling, buyer's agents under scrutiny, and negative gearing sparking debate. There's a lot shaking the market. In the latest episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman dive into the issues shaping Australia's property market right now, from dodgy financial advice to a teetering building industry. They examine the growing scrutiny on buyer's agents, highlighting cases where unqualified advice crosses into financial guidance. Phil and Liam stress that proper expertise isn't optional, it's increasingly under the regulator's microscope. The discussion also turns to housing supply, sparked by comments from Jim Penman suggesting negative gearing should be scrapped to encourage more builds. Phil and Liam argue that cutting investor incentives while construction is slowing could worsen affordability rather than improve it.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Australian residential dwelling values hits a new high; NSW reviews options to boost housing supply; and Businesses reassess their office needs for the years ahead

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Home values fall in a 30 per cent of Australian suburbs; The bill to enlist real estate agents in anti-money laundering efforts has arrived; and RBA reform hits a roadblock.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: An unscrupulous agent forced to repay his clients losses; What's happening with the Housing Australia Future Fund; and Have renters felt relief from slowing prices?

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Warning given to buyers relying on AI; Why wealth taxes could come into play; and Reduced auction activity sees improved sales success.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Australians are resorting to side hustles to meet housing costs; Rental growth flatlines; and A dip in auctions marks a slow start to spring.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: The worst states for home approvals revealed; What the latest economic indicators might mean for the RBA; and Victoria's STRA tax meets further opposition

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Melbourne is now Australia's sixth-cheapest city for median home prices; The HIA reveals the worst states for new home approvals; and The Real Estate Institute of Victoria calls for more housing diversity.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: A new buyer cohort comes to the forefront as Chinese investors retreat; How 50-year-old technology is Tricking Property Hunters; and The auction success rate dips despite the weather warming up.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: A new proposal for a National Renters Protection authority; Victoria's underquoting taskforce becomes permanent; and Airbnb puts its weight into a political fight

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: NSW wins back $9 million from first home buyers ‘gaming the system'; Property transaction scams are on the rise this spring; and The ACT finalises its Territory Plan for housing reform.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Strata firm convicted in a worker fatality; CPI drops as housing expenses rise; and Queensland introduces new minimum rental standards

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: The unique draws of Australia's most tightly held suburbs; Record levels of housing stress in Victoria; and Increased in-store shopping leads to a demand for retail space.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: 2021 revealed as the favourite year for home buying; What happened when a Mandurah builder went bust; and Five Sydney suburbs receiving a rise in attention.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Alerts raised over real estate scams; What's happening in the student housing sector; and Another rising week for auctions.

Covering the biggest property stories of August, join Grace Ormsby, Juliet Helmke, Orana Durney-Benson and Sebastian Holloman as they run through the latest breaking news about a tenancy class action, chat through the grim recent findings of the People's Commission into the Housing Crisis, and unpack the NSW Government's directive for public servants to “work from work.”

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: 10 Melbourne suburbs have been named for high-density development; Intercity migration has cooled to pre-pandemic levels; and Australian auction volumes are on the up.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Perth agency under fire for lodging Tenancy Bonds late; Trump's election campaign leads US buyers to consider Aussie move; and The Gold Coast becomes Australia's Second Most Expensive house.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: A commission report exposes the grim reality of the housing crisis; Adelaide faces another strike from ‘bitumen bandits'; and Maclean might be one of Australia's best tiny towns.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Aussies in average jobs cannot afford the median home price; WA safety and security rebate sees strong uptake; and Sydney tops global luxury list for rental price increases.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Regional migration is here to stay; A WA builder answers for misdeeds; and Auctions continue to heat up.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: How is financial regulation impacting first home buyers?; The latest in NSW's mission to reform the strata sector; and Auction volumes warm up in anticipation of Spring.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: A NSW inquiry into protections for residents building their own homes; The outlook on this year's Spring selling season; and Sydney ranks high in the world's top ‘workcation' cities.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Builder Profits are back on the up; Home loans costing Aussies triple the property price; and How cold weather is impacting property sales.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: A national campaign to seek feedback on property services training; A new bill backing property owners impacted by mining; and The NSW rental market still at crisis levels.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: A Melbourne real estate agent has been banned after misusing rental bonds; Underquoting training is now mandatory for NSW agents; and The preliminary clearance rate increased in last week's auction market.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: One in five Australians have lived with an ex to save money on housing; Perth Unit Prices hit decade-high; and auction volumes get ready for Spring.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Lawyers lead the way in property transactions; Rent rises hit a ceiling; and Another agent fined for trust account abuse.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: 70% of Australia is facing extreme rental pain; A Melbourne agent has been jailed for trust account abuse; and The NSW government's ‘Return to Work' directive is poised to shake up property.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: The RBA delivers the August cash rate call; Australia's silent crisis; and The buyers and sellers struggling most with today's property market. .

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Perth house prices could hit $740,000 by 2025; Low supply has created a ‘perfect storm' in NSW; and Auction clearance rates plummet.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Real Estate Institute of Australia CEO to take on a new challenge; Auction Volumes take a dip; and Is the great Australian dream over?

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Victoria unlocks land for housing developments; Council rates rise for Gold Coast high-rise residents; and A WA supervisor fined for a botched renovation

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: A deregistered builder has left over 230 unfinished homes in the lurch; South Australia has been named Australia's best-performing economy; and Have low building approvals put Australia's yearly housing target in jeopardy?

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: New ambassador to improve tenant education; Victoria's property market is still struggling; and Could the New South Wales No-Grounds Eviction Ban Wipe Out Investors?

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: NSW announces a ban on no-grounds evictions; Albanese names a new federal housing minister; and Australia's auction clearance rate sees a rise.

Covering the biggest property stories of the month, join Grace Ormsby and Orana Durney-Benson as they talk about the real estate agents making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, run through the latest zoning updates for Sydney, and recap the latest rental reforms across the country.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Australia beats the US for the world's biggest houses; Is the nation experiencing an investor exodus; and Here's what to expect in this week's auctions. 

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: The four critical priorities for commercial real estate; Generational disagreement over the housing affordability crisis; and How Queensland can improve its housing policy.

Welcome to Property Buzz, your daily dose of property news. In today's podcast: Former agency director found guilty of trust account fraud; Major Rental Reforms in WA Kick Off Next Week; and Why big houses are becoming more popular despite the cost-of-living crunch