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.

What does it actually take to lead a major real estate network in one of Australia's most dynamic markets? Award-winning offices. A focus on people over process. And a CEO who believes trust and transparency aren't optional.

On the REB Podcast, Barry Plant CEO Lisa Pennell joins deputy editor Emilie Lauer to share the story behind REB's back-to-back Major Network of the Year.

Pennell reflects on the dedication and collaboration that underpin the network's success, revealing how a culture of shared achievement and ethical leadership drives both growth and resilience. She also outlines Barry Plant's strategic approach to navigating upcoming anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, rising living costs, and a rapidly evolving Victorian property market.

From fostering trust in an industry where it's often in short supply to making technology work for people rather than replace them, Pennell explains how Barry Plant balances innovation with human values. She offers insights on regulatory shifts, building sustainable growth, and why a strong moral compass is the foundation of real estate leadership.

Enjoy the podcast,
The REB team

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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 for more insights.

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.