In this episode of Behind The Numbers, we unpack exclusive REIP behavioural data revealing how the market is really moving beneath the headlines.

Seller appraisals strengthened early in the year, signalling renewed intent. Buyer inspections have been active but sensitive to interest rate shifts. And in the rental market, actual lease outcomes are showing tighter conditions than advertised rents suggest.

We also examine the growing conversation around potential changes to the Capital Gains Tax discount. What could this mean for investor confidence, rental supply and long-term market stability?

Joining us are Cate Bakos and Cameron Kusher as we explore how policy signals, investor sentiment and real-time activity are shaping the next phase of the property cycle.

This is not speculation. It’s behaviour.

And the signals matter.

In this episode of Behind The Numbers, we unpack exclusive REIP behavioural data revealing how the market is really moving beneath the headlines.
Seller appraisals strengthened early in the year, signalling renewed intent. Buyer inspections have been active but sensitive to interest rate shifts. And in the rental market, actual lease outcomes are showing tighter conditions than advertised rents suggest.
We also examine the growing conversation around potential changes to the Capital Gains Tax discount. What could this mean for investor confidence, rental supply and long-term market stability?
Joining us are Cate Bakos and Cameron Kusher as we explore how policy signals, investor sentiment and real-time activity are shaping the next phase of the property cycle.
This is not speculation. It&rsquo;s behaviour.
And the signals matter.

Welcome to Behind the Numbers, the podcast that helps you make sense of the Australian real estate market. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, or working as an agent, we break down the latest trends and insights to help you navigate the property landscape with confidence.

I’m your host, Sadhana Smiles, and with over 30 years in real estate, I’ve seen how tricky it can be to keep up with fluctuating prices, clearance rates, and market shifts. That’s why we’re here—to cut through the noise and give you clear, actionable insights.

So, whether you’re planning your next move or just curious about what’s driving the market - let’s dive into the numbers shaping Australian property with a team of experts in the know.

Reach out at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/ 

Welcome to&nbsp;Behind the Numbers, the podcast that helps you make sense of the Australian real estate market. Whether you&rsquo;re buying, selling, investing, or working as an agent, we break down the latest trends and insights to help you navigate the property landscape with confidence.
I&rsquo;m your host, Sadhana Smiles, and with over 30 years in real estate, I&rsquo;ve seen how tricky it can be to keep up with fluctuating prices, clearance rates, and market shifts. That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re here&mdash;to cut through the noise and give you clear, actionable insights.
So, whether you&rsquo;re planning your next move or just curious about what&rsquo;s driving the market - let&rsquo;s dive into the numbers shaping Australian property with a team of experts in the know.
Reach out at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasmiles/</a>&nbsp;

Behind The Numbers

Inside the REIP Data - The First Rental and Sales Signals of 2026  

Australia’s property market has shifted rapidly in 2026. Buyer confidence has weakened, interest rates remain higher for longer and the gap between our capital city markets is becoming harder to ignore.

But is the market heading into a deeper downturn, or are we beginning to see signs of stabilisation?

In this episode of Behind the Numbers, Sadhana Smiles is joined by property market analyst Cameron Kusher to unpack what is really happening across Australia’s residential market.

They discuss the changing behaviour of buyers and sellers, the growing divide between Sydney and Melbourne and markets such as Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the impact of affordability and investor activity, and what current listings, clearance rates and demand indicators are telling us about what comes next.

They also tackle one of the biggest contradictions in Australian housing: if we have a structural shortage of homes, why can property prices still fall?

A practical conversation about the numbers behind the headlines, what agents should be watching now and where the market could be heading into 2027.

Australia&rsquo;s property market has shifted rapidly in 2026. Buyer confidence has weakened, interest rates remain higher for longer and the gap between our capital city markets is becoming harder to ignore.
But is the market heading into a deeper downturn, or are we beginning to see signs of stabilisation?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers, Sadhana Smiles is joined by property market analyst Cameron Kusher to unpack what is really happening across Australia&rsquo;s residential market.
They discuss the changing behaviour of buyers and sellers, the growing divide between Sydney and Melbourne and markets such as Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the impact of affordability and investor activity, and what current listings, clearance rates and demand indicators are telling us about what comes next.
They also tackle one of the biggest contradictions in Australian housing: if we have a structural shortage of homes, why can property prices still fall?
A practical conversation about the numbers behind the headlines, what agents should be watching now and where the market could be heading into 2027.

 The Property Market Has Changed. Here’s What the Data Says with Cameron Kusher

When someone loses motivation, leaders often respond with more targets, more accountability and another burst of “rah-rah” energy. But what if the real issue sits beneath the behaviour we can see?

In this episode of Behind the Numbers: The Leadership Series, Sadhana Smiles speaks with executive coach and leadership consultant Holly Cole-Havens about what really shapes motivation and performance.

They explore the role leaders play in influencing their team’s energy, why motivation often follows action, and how pressure, personal habits and workplace culture affect our capacity to perform.

Holly also explains why leaders need white space in their calendars to manage people well, how to respond when a high performer damages the team, and why the emotional highs and lows of success can make sustained performance harder.

Holly will continue this conversation in her session, Understanding Motivation Through Neuroscience, at The Business of Real Estate Conference on the Gold Coast.

When someone loses motivation, leaders often respond with more targets, more accountability and another burst of &ldquo;rah-rah&rdquo; energy. But what if the real issue sits beneath the behaviour we can see?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers: The Leadership Series, Sadhana Smiles speaks with executive coach and leadership consultant Holly Cole-Havens about what really shapes motivation and performance.
They explore the role leaders play in influencing their team&rsquo;s energy, why motivation often follows action, and how pressure, personal habits and workplace culture affect our capacity to perform.
Holly also explains why leaders need white space in their calendars to manage people well, how to respond when a high performer damages the team, and why the emotional highs and lows of success can make sustained performance harder.
Holly will continue this conversation in her session, Understanding Motivation Through Neuroscience, at The Business of Real Estate Conference on the Gold Coast.

The Motivation Myth: What Leaders Get Wrong About Performance with Holly Cole Havens

What does it really take to build a team that performs under pressure without burning people out?

In this episode of Behind the Numbers: The Leadership Series, Sadhana Smiles is joined by Drew Ginn OAM, four-time Olympian, triple Olympic gold medallist, member of Australia’s legendary Oarsome Foursome and General Manager of Marshall White Bayside.

Drew shares what he learned when, at just 21, he joined an established championship crew and had to earn trust, find his place and learn how four ambitious individuals could move as one.

The conversation explores the less visible side of elite performance: honest feedback, shared accountability, recovery, injury and the personal cost of constantly striving to be the best. Drew also challenges the belief that high performance means operating at 100 per cent every day. People are not machines, and sustainable success requires leaders to understand when to push, when to reset and what each person needs to perform.

Today, Drew applies those lessons inside real estate. He discusses how he builds team culture at Marshall White Bayside, develops people across every role and creates an environment where performance and wellbeing strengthen one another.

Behind the Numbers: The Leadership Series is presented in partnership with the RISE Initiative, working to improve mental health and wellbeing across the real estate industry.

What does it really take to build a team that performs under pressure without burning people out?
In this episode of Behind the Numbers: The Leadership Series, Sadhana Smiles is joined by Drew Ginn OAM, four-time Olympian, triple Olympic gold medallist, member of Australia&rsquo;s legendary Oarsome Foursome and General Manager of Marshall White Bayside.
Drew shares what he learned when, at just 21, he joined an established championship crew and had to earn trust, find his place and learn how four ambitious individuals could move as one.
The conversation explores the less visible side of elite performance: honest feedback, shared accountability, recovery, injury and the personal cost of constantly striving to be the best. Drew also challenges the belief that high performance means operating at 100 per cent every day. People are not machines, and sustainable success requires leaders to understand when to push, when to reset and what each person needs to perform.
Today, Drew applies those lessons inside real estate. He discusses how he builds team culture at Marshall White Bayside, develops people across every role and creates an environment where performance and wellbeing strengthen one another.
Behind the Numbers: The Leadership Series is presented in partnership with the RISE Initiative, working to improve mental health and wellbeing across the real estate industry.

Inside the REIP Data - The First Rental and Sales Signals of 2026

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