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.