PMX: The property manager who ditched percentage fees and built a 400+ portfolio anyway

Many agencies chase growth at any cost, but rapid expansion without structure can create churn and poor service outcomes. On The Property Management Excellence (PMX) Podcast, Managed co-founder Alex Whitlock speaks with Active Agents principal Tara Bradbury about building a 400-plus property rent roll in Hervey Bay through sustainable growth, strong systems and client focus. Bradbury explains how technology helped her launch the business in 2019, removing traditional trust accounting pressures and allowing her to focus on service and growth. The conversation also explores rising expectations from both landlords and tenants, with property managers now balancing compliance, communication, and increasingly complex client demands. A key highlight is Bradbury's flat-fee pricing model, which moves away from percentage-based fees in favour of transparency, fairness, and long-term profitability. For agencies looking to scale, the episode is a reminder that success is not just about size, but structure, value, and consistency.