Sunday Blog - Expert property investment insights

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Deposit bonds: good or bad?

By Cate Bakos | September 22, 2024

We are often asked about deposit bonds, especially when agents or vendors reject a request from a buyer to use one. What are they? Is there a risk? And when are they particularly useful? Today’s blog answers all of these questions. A deposit bond can be used effectively when a purchaser has the means to…

@melbourne Night

What will trigger Melbourne’s recovery?

By Cate Bakos | September 15, 2024

Melbourne has faced some tough headwinds since the pandemic. The tough lockdowns saw strong internal migration, both from our capital city to other states, and from our city to our local regions. The chart below shows Melbourne’s arrivals and departures during three data collection dates during the COVID pandemic. The Census chart below shows the…

@renovation Boronia

Renovating an investment property

By Cate Bakos | September 8, 2024

Investor appetites for improvements and renovations have waned in recent years. This is due to several reasons; expensive materials and trades, a builder shortage, and challenges associated with rental laws and access to the property. Increased compliance requirements and rental reforms are forcing many investors to tackle a renovation though. Ideally, we prefer to select…

@terrace In Seddon

Micro Gluts

By Cate Bakos | September 1, 2024

Melbourne’s sale volumes have increased markedly. Unlike several other capital cities, buyer are spoilt for choice right now. The particular categories of buyers who are currently facing optimal buying conditions are the first homebuyers, imminent renovators, and down-sizers. This is due to the sheer numbers of exiting investors who are selling their investment properties. In…

@Auction Fitzroy Square

Social proof in a buyer’s market

By Cate Bakos | August 25, 2024

We are all familiar with the theory of social proof. Everyone else is doing it, so it must be good. When it comes to property, there are multiple ways that social proof can strike. Sometimes it will completely foil a good plan. When it comes to real estate, social proof is a far bigger threat…

@auction Pic

Can you buy at auction subject to building inspection?

By Cate Bakos | August 18, 2024

Auctions are interesting. People assume that all auction purchases must be unconditional, but technically this isn’t correct. However, if an agent has interested buyers who plan to bid, they will almost-always insist on bids being unconditional. This can be difficult for buyers who aren’t feeling confident about their chances of success. Buyers don’t like to…

@Melbourne At Night

Minimum budget for investing in Melbourne?

By Cate Bakos | August 11, 2024

I am often asked by prospective buyers, “Cate, what is the minimum budget recommendation you have for Melbourne?”. Sometimes, a client’s budget may be better-suited to a region, but for those who are keen on Melbourne, it’s important to consider the pro’s and cons of certain price points before jumping in. Melbourne has certainly been…

@worried

Under Offer

By Cate Bakos | August 4, 2024

When our clients purchase, it’s not unusual for them to spot the property online with a scheduled open for inspection. This can be alarming, especially after they’ve cracked the champagne and told their family and friends that they have bought. So, why is the property still being advertised for sale if it’s sold? The answer…

@balloons

A decade on!

By Cate Bakos | July 28, 2024

This weekend we’ve celebrated a significant milestone. Our business marks its tenth anniversary and it’s a wonderful chance to reflect on the privilege we’ve shared, working as trusted advisors with our clients on many, many special journeys. We had a great chance to bond together in Port Douglas and welcome Pip into the crew. Renee,…

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LMI: A necessary evil?

By Cate Bakos | July 21, 2024

Lender’s Mortgage Insurance is not well understood by many, but there are plenty of quirks and benefits to be aware of when it comes to buying property. Lenders Mortgage Insurance, (LMI) is quite a costly insurance. It benefits the lender, not the borrower, and in most cases, the lender passes this cost on fully to…

Cate Square Buyer Inspections

Six buyer hacks for getting the most out of property inspections

By Cate Bakos | July 14, 2024

Saturdays can feel long for those on the property hunt, but with some insider tips, productivity and success rates can dramatically change. While Saturdays aren’t the only days to inspect properties, they are the main days for open for inspection activity. Agents aren’t always available to chat though, and often the properties of interest have…

For Sale By Owner

Dealing directly with vendors?

By Cate Bakos | July 7, 2024

We are often asked by prospective clients if we will door knock, or letterbox drop notes directly to owners. This is not a favoured approach, and for several reasons. It is easy to imagine how a vendor will feel if they receive a letter in the letterbox from one buyer who is particularly keen to…

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