The Property Diaries

Leanne Taylor is one of the most effervescent, charming and energetic personalities I've had the pleasure of befriending in this amazing industry. Leanne has a wonderful professional history, from hospitality to real estate, project management to an incredibly successful side-hustle.It's a thrill to be able to lasso Leanne and bring her into the studio for long enough to interview her.Leanne has coached others with this particular venture also, but importantly, she's done it on her own and with scale. Focusing on short-stay accommodation options for those who require limited tenure rentals is something she's very passionate about. From overseas visitors catching up with their children and grandchildren, to recently separated folks, Leanne's fully furnished properties have provided much-needed solutions to many over the years.What gives Leanne Taylor such an edge is her incredible zest for customer service, and her irreplaceable warmth and authenticity. No task is ever too much when it comes to her clients.Leanne and Cate talk through how the idea started, what it takes to be a great housing provider of short-stay accommodation, how she's managed a full time job and a business, and best of all, how she's managed to accumulate some of her proeprties without actually owning them. It's a fascinating insight into a magical woman's drive for success.

Redom Syed is a Sydney-based mortgage professional who's tagline speaks volumes; educating homebuyers & property investors about growing wealth through property. Like many of us, Redom's career background is an enthralling one which is peppered with some impressive credentials, valuable insights from his earlier role within APRA (our prudential regulator), and a heartfelt family story that shaped a young boy's aspirations for his future.Redom and Cate chat about how Redom's childhood shaped his love of economics, what some of the observations and learnings were for Redom in his years as a graduate economist, and how macro-prudential tools have shaped our economic outlook in recent years. The pair discuss buffer rates, credit availability, lending restrictions, and they each ponder the outlook for 2023. A gripping episode for the new year.... We hope you enjoy!

Matt Grima is a well-respected, friendly sales executive and auctioneer in Melbourne's lustrous Port Philip, working on some of the highest land-value-per-square-metre properties in our state. Matt works with Marshall White and has enjoyed some exciting successes, both solo and alongside some of his colleagues over the years he's been working in the inner south/east.Matt's early days pre-real estate were actually in journalism and his coverage of the property market in the north-west of the city were the catalyst that sparked his passion for the real estate industry.Fast-forwarding the clock to today, Matt is well-known for his podcast, @zoomcast and plenty of listeners will be familiarised with Matt's friendly voice and quick wit.Matt and Cate have been industry friends for quite a few years now, and they've often enjoyed agent-advocate banter about the rollercoaster that is real estate and the way that they each view the industry through their respective lenses, albeit quite similarly. From advocate/agent dealings to off-market chatter, the two have plenty to chat about.As Cate points out at the start of this episode, it's a culmination of a few coffee catch-ups, and specifically a common throw-away line they share.... "we should do a podcast ep!"So here it is. We hope you enjoy!

In this follow-up interview, Cate interviews Mike specifically about the builder and materials shortage crisis we are all facing, and how this correlates with some of changes identified in the study since the former 1000 Assets Study. From the obvious world event and complete disruptor, (COVID-19) to state-based, onerous rental legislation reforms, low interest rates, tightening vacancy rates, increasing rents and a heightened awareness of buyer's agents, Mike sheds light on some critical changes to the industry,... all identified within the MCG 1000 Assets latest study.Cate and Mike explore some of the data on hand and each reflect on the headwinds we face in the wake of an array of really challenging factors all working against us in tandem.

Cate and Mike have enjoyed a friendship peppered with data analyses, budget night catch ups, the odd white wine over lunch, and a mutual love of the property industry. Mike is a regular guest on The Property Diaries, and following his ground-breaking 1000 Assets Study, we now have 2022's data hot off the press, which showcases some significant changes across the Australian property landscape, and Cate interviews the man himself to talk all about the challenges COVID has thrown us, and how the data illustrates these significant changes."The data assessed in this report runs from January 2016 to March 2022 and encompasses seven sample groups of 1000 properties each."In this interview, Cate interviews Mike about the changes identified in the study since the former 1000 Assets Study. From the obvious world event and complete disruptor, (COVID-19) to state-based, onerous rental legislation reforms, low interest rates, tightening vacancy rates, increasing rents and a heightened awareness of buyer's agents, Mike sheds light on some critical changes to the industry,... all identified within the MCG 1000 Assets latest study.We're very proud to be able to call Mike and Marty friends of Cate Bakos Property, and more so, a knowledgable pair who freely give so much gold to our property industry.

After a long hiatus, Cate kicks off 2022's first interview with a talented and experienced Western Australian Buyer's Agent, Ray Chua from Momentum Wealth. Having turned his attention to property after working in industry as an engineer, Ray bought with him a highly analytical focus, a keen interest in an asset class that fascinated him, and a quest to help people navigate something that is rarely black and white.Ray speaks openly with Cate about his lengthy career so far as a buyer's agent, how he started working in the property industry, and what it's been like riding Perth's waves of buyer demand, market corrections, and... well, the challenges of tackling a market that has quite a few differentiating elements from the East Coast markets.Ray shares some good local price-point, real life examples of properties in his home city and breaks down for our listeners some representative suburbs for $500,000, $1M and $2M budgets. He and Cate chat about rental yields, market drivers, and the specific reasons why Ray believes in the long term growth prospects of this beautiful city.We are thrilled to have hosted this exciting interview and very grateful to Ray for sharing his wisdom. We hope you enjoy!

Chris Bates returns to the studio, and this time Chris and Cate chat about some common mistakes that buyers make; particularly at the planning phase. They kick off the conversation around holiday houses and challenge some popular trends that have gripped since COVID struck our shores. Chris, (in his ever-pragmatic way) offers our listeners some great tips, and as always; he introspectively shares his own weaknesses when it comes to holiday houses."....you fall in love with the fantasy, not the logistics."Chris' financial planning sensibility, combined with his willingness to ask the burning questions make for a wonderful episode.Cate and Chris crossed paths some ten years ago and the pair have remained firm friends as their individual businesses have flourished. We hope you enjoy!

In his own, candid style, Chris shares his advisory approach when guiding his finance clients. From success stories to roadblocks that buyers commonly face, Cate and Chris find some common ground and even chat about some recent happy case studies. Chris delves into a host of challenging human buying habits, from self-sabotaging to a fear of paying too much, and offers some great examples of advice he's used in the past.Cate and Chris have known each other for nearly a decade now, and it has been fantastic to bring to life some of Chris' philosophies when it comes to buying sensibly, and buying well.

Our second episode of The Property Diaries covers more about life in the world of buyers agency, and in Stacey's stellar way of quizzing Cate, she brings out a lot more information from Cate about her own personal approach to property investing, and how she applies these learnings when guiding her clients.Are you new to purchasing property, or wanting to expand your portfolio, but not sure what a Buyer’s Agent actually does?Cate speaks from the heart about her own journey and also shares her most valuable lessons fro her early years."You can't just do what Uncle Bob told you, you need to work out your own strategy and it has to come from YOU."Cate's 'buy and hold' strategy is one of many property strategies. In episode two, Cate speaks about the various property investment strategies that others have applied, what they all entail, and the pros and cons of the various strategies.We hope you enjoy!

Our first episode of The Property Diaries is an exciting introduction for our listeners. Cate and Stacey chat about life in the property industry, their initial meeting history, and they delve into their own reasons for being… well, so nuts about property.Are you new to purchasing property, or wanting to expand your portfolio, but not sure what a Buyer’s Agent actually does?This podcast promises to deliver an exciting and colourful bouquet of on-the-ground experiences, real life stories, tips and tactics, interesting guests, (including some particularly uproarious agents), and some clanging buyer mistakes they’ve been tasked to clean up.

For our fifty-fifth episode, one of the most dynamic and fun contributors in the property world joins Cate in the studio. Belinda Botzolis is an engaging personality and a qualified property valuer from Herron Todd White, based in Sydney. Belinda's passionate personality and upfront valuations approach is a wonderfully refreshing insight for our listeners. She sheds light on many of the challenges she sees purchasers facing, and she generously shares her insights for our listeners in her charismatic way. We all hope you enjoy this sun ray of Belinda.. and we plan to get her back in the studio for more insights.

For the fifty-fourth episode, Cate is thrilled to interview one of the nicest (and youngest) gentlemen in the industry; Geelong’s very own Michael Marmora.Michael shares some superb insights on his local market and sheds light on the rapid transformation of the city he’s called home for 22 years. From heightened buyer demand to grappling with the impact of lockdowns and Melbourne based buyers, Michael and Cate discuss Geelong’s growth trajectory in detail. Michael gives us an exciting insight into the daily life in a busy Geelong real estate agency office, including the demands that local agents currently face as they are coming to terms with the increased popularity of Victoria’s second largest city. In his charming, understated and respectful manner, Michael also shares with Cate his own career background; specifically how he originally entered the real estate industry and how someone so young got an exciting break into the world of property. Michael’s story is quite inspirational for those who are dreaming of a career in real estate and he is testament to the importance of having passion and determination to make an challenging role a stunning success. We hope you enjoy!

Stacey is back with Cate in the virtual studio and as part two of this special episode set and she is asking Cate all about Phase two of her unique “Co-involved Service”. Outlining how it all unfolds once a client has received their tailored Property Purchase Strategy and very own buying guidebook, Cate details what they will need to look for and what their important role is throughout this partnership. Using a traffic light concept, a client will report into Cate with ratings of each short-listed property. Cate will mentor with feedback along the inspection journey, and will take the reins to proceed through all due diligence on properties of interest. This process educates a client while they are safely in the hands of one of the most experienced Buyer’s Advocates in the industry. Cate’s watchful eye and guiding hand ensure every client is both instructed and supported on this significant journey. Are you keen to have a partner in your search for a quality property asset? Is fear or lack of experience holding you back from succeeding? Have you become discouraged in your search continually missing out? Listen as Cate answers Stacey’s questions all about how Phase 2 rolls out and how a client can play their part to achieve the best results from this unique service.

Stacey is delighted to host this first episode of a double feature set in which she and Cate discuss one of Cate’s favourite types of property buying assignments. “The Co-involved Service” is a unique, targeted property buying strategy and search that caters to those keen to learn through a truly hands-on approach. The individual strategy for a co-involved client is underpinned by a weekly search itinerary - a quality selection of professionally screened offerings - and it is an education in selection, due-diligence, pre-purchase strategy, auction bidding, negotiation and many other aspects that make up a guided journey through to a client’s successful purchase of a quality property asset. The support a client receives continues all the way to settlement! And the many benefits of this truly mentored style of education last for many years beyond that. So, have you been missing out? Is your buying strategy not working? Do you have a strategy? Are you afraid you’ll make a mistake? Those keen to learn and perhaps wondering if a professional can help them, will love hearing Cate’s answers to everything Stacey knows they want to ask.

This week, we're thrilled to welcome Marty Sadlier into the studio to talk with us about a much-overlooked, but really important issue; *under-insurance*. "In simple terms, Under-insurance is when the policy holder insures for less than the true value."Marty runs a business that our listeners are already familiar with; MCG Quantity Surveying. Alongside his business partner and co-owner, Mike Mortlock, Marty is also firmly across all things quantity surveying. In this podcast, Marty talks openly about a highly problematic and systemic issue that many Australians won't even realise they are potentially falling prey to.So what is the history and extent of under-insurance in Australia? It's a sobering conversation.Marty and Cate discuss building replacement cost estimation for insurance purposes, the common ways that property owners currently come up with their insurance cover sum and the difference between a QS and Valuer, among other elements.In his wonderfully passionate manner, Marty shares some real life stories and casts a spotlight on something that every investor should be aware of.

"The MCG Quantity Surveyors Rental Loss Index highlights the top 10 suburbs in Australia, ranked by rental losses due to rental vacancies. The index uses total rental listings greater than 21 days for the suburb, multiplied by the suburbs aggregated median rent to provide a total rental lost index per suburb."In this interview, Cate interviews MIke about the index, how it was initiated, and what he's learnt along the way since it's launch.The MCG Rental Loss Index promises to be one another valuable piece of every investor's jigsaw puzzle when it comes to accurate due diligence. We're very proud to be able to call Mike and Marty friends of Cate Bakos Property, and more so, a knowledgable pair who freely give so much gold to our property industry.

Cate caught a glimpse of a fabulous blog of Pete's on his blogspot page... a sensible reminder to investors to consider a "black swan event". It caught her eye because it's a timely reminder that things *can* go wrong; and we all need to make sure we are prepared. As Investopedia explains: "What Is a Black Swan?..A black swan is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterised by their extreme rarity, severe impact, and the widespread insistence they were obvious in hindsight.A black swan is an extremely rare event with severe consequences. It cannot be predicted beforehand, though after the fact, many falsely claim it should have been predictable.Black swan events can cause catastrophic damage to an economy by negatively impacting markets and investments, but even the use of robust modelling cannot prevent a black swan event.Reliance on standard forecasting tools can both fail to predict and potentially increase vulnerability to black swans by propagating risk and offering false security."Pete and Cate met back in 2017 and they have shared interviews, articles, webinars and budget nights, to name a few economist/geeky moments.Their love of the Australian property market, combined wth their affinity for investment principles has helped them become firm friends and industry colleagues. Pete runs a fabulous daily blogspot, in addition to a Brisbane-based buyer's agency business. The pair swap insights and opinions on a regular basis.

Returning to record together in their 8th episode of this series, Cate and Stacey delve into this particular human behaviour and explore the potential cost of falling prey to social proof.What is “social proof” in the world of property buying and why do buyers need to be prepared for this unexpected element?  Stacey and Cate discuss how the wrong response to this phenomenon can lead to real property buying regrets. Understanding social proof and its role in our pre-purchase analysis can protect and position a buyer for success and confidence no matter what the “market” around them is doing.

Returning to record together in their 7th episode of this series, Cate and Stacey shed light on this important question. While our hot property market continues to face complex forces, we are experiencing a noticeable Buyer/Seller imbalance. The resultant stock shortage continues as fearful vendors sit on their hands and properties are held back from the market. Buyers become increasingly frustrated in this “Chicken and egg” scenario and sometimes exhibit irrational behaviours such as over-spending or even buying the WRONG property in moments of desperation. Sharing concrete tips for what to weigh up Cate is in the hot seat as Stacey asks questions and drills down to all the information that should be considered in these scenarios. Its’ not all serious though… Stacey reminds Cate to share a favourite account of how she helped one family who were juggling settlements that didn’t line up and what they did about it together. Stacey and Cate hope this episode makes for a valuable resource as buyers and sellers unlock this puzzle.We hope you enjoy!

In their sixth episode returning to the studio, Stacey and Cate decided to tackle some tips for buyers in this heated market.Buyers are being currently being challenged by high bidder numbers, tough competition and tight campaign timeframes. The cause of this difficult environment is three-fold; a heady trifecta of heightened consumer confidence, record low interest rates and a stock shortage. Cate and Stacey talk about the risks involved with 'killer bids', from valuation shortfalls to later regret. They share some of their own client experiences and they talk about some of the subtle tactics they employ in a hot seller's market in an effort to have a successful acquisition journey.Cate unpacks The Magic Quadrant; a tool she's used to help buyers determine a realistic and feasible strategy since 2011. Breaking down the four main segments of the quadrant helps buyers work through their priority levels and shines a light on the piece that they are least reluctant to change."It only requires moving one piece of the puzzle to make this work", she often says to her clients.Stacey and Cate have known each other for over seven years now, and with their shared passion for property and their deep involvement in client-journeys, they thrive on bringing to life some of the more memorable experiences they've shared.In her warm and effusive way, Stacey probes Cate with some wonderful questions in an effort to give their listeners some exciting insight into the world of property negotiations. Having based her property career in Melbourne for almost twenty years now, Cate's breadth of negotiation and campaign experience is targeted beautifully by her co-host.Stacey is an energetic interviewer, a dedicated Buyer's Agent and renovator with a great collection of real-life tales to share. The duo try to keep it as authentic as possible, and with a hint of education and loads of fun.Cate and Stacey are having a lot of fun prepping more episodes for this special series and they look forward to bringing more investor and buyer's agent stories to light in the coming weeks… stay tuned.We hope you enjoy!