Posts by Cate Bakos

A pass-in auction result is more prevalent in a softer or declining market. There are all sorts of tips and ideas that I can share when this results, but all of the advice on the planet won’t help a buyer if they are letting their own fears threaten their strategy. I often say to our…

We are actively assessing the rate of change of demographic data, and as we approach our most recent Census data-release date, we are a bit gripped with excitement to commence yet another hefty round of suburb analysis. Over the past decade we’ve combined our coal-face observations; from organic buyer demand increases and attitudinal changes from…

There is so much talk of doom and gloom in the media and it’s making it very difficult for many buyers and sellers to make informed decisions. Bad news seems to sell papers. Since our first interest rate rise in eleven years, the most commonly asked question I’ve been fielding is, “Cate, is it a…

It’s easy to find fault in our individual investing journeys, particularly when we consider all of our valuable learnings over the decades and reflect on some of the early decisions we made. A number of my own acquisitions were made preceding my time as a buyers agent and I often reflect on the things that…

So many people have done it, my little family included. Back in 2012 we made the bold decision to shift our life from beachside Aspendale to inner-west’s Yarraville. The move was not a consideration we took lightly. Our friends, my husband’s work, our daughter’s school, my family… they were all around Aspendale. But after a…

We’re all familiar with the various ways that lockdowns and COVID-19 shaped our preferences and criteria when it comes to selecting real estate. Some of those changes have been hallmarks of the era, while others are more permanent. But 2022 is different for various reasons. We have conflict in Ukraine, supply chain woes, inflationary pressures…

For ten days now, I’ve been asked this question. I’ve reflected on the stark contrast between this month’s consumer reaction to a 0.25% rate increase, versus our reaction to such an increase in the years that consecutive rate increases were applied. For owner occupiers and investors alike, as much as we didn’t like the rate…

This week I met a lovely new industry friend who was introduced to me by a mutual connection. We chatted all things real estate and I was intrigued by his adaptation to his role, on so many levels. He left his former industry to pursue real estate but also managed a complete relocation from Turkey…