The Property Trio (formerly The Property Planner, Buyer and Professor)

Cate Bakos, David Johnston and Mike Mortlock
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Formerly The Property Planner, Buyer and Professor, our show rebranded in 2023 to The Property Trio. Residential property is the only asset class we live in, it is where we raise our families, and it is our most expensive investment, yet property advice remains unregulated. Our objective is to educate time-poor professionals through deep insights from our experts who have provided thousands of Australians with personalised advice and education spanning two decades. In a climate where we are overloaded with information and one size fits all recommendations from the media, well-meaning friends and family and so-called advisers, we will distill the raw truth from the ill-informed. So join the Property Planner, David Johnston, The Property Buyer, Cate Bakos and the Quantity Surveyor, Mike Mortlock as they take you on a journey of discovery through the maze of property, mortgage, and money decisions to empower you to create your ideal lifestyle! Links to your hosts: https://www.catebakos.com.au/ https://propertyplanning.com.au/ https://www.mcgqs.com.au/

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    #329: Climate Change and Property - How to Navigate the Challenges & Avoid Costly Mistakes

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM 🎙️This week on The Property Trio, Mike, Cate and Dave dive into how environmental risks are reshaping the housing market, from skyrocketing insurance premiums to property value discounts in flood-prone areas. 🌏 The scale of the risk is staggering. Drawing on the Climate Council’s At Our Front Door report and the latest insurance data, the Trio unpack what “moderate” and “high-risk” actually mean for everyday Australians. With more than two million homes already exposed, and suburbs like Hawkesbury and Brisbane at the front line, the warnings of 2019 and 2022 are no longer projections, they’re reality.  💰 Insurance has become the frontline battle. The average Australian might pay around $2,200 for home and contents cover, but in high-risk zones, families are seeing $7,000, $12,000, even $30,000 premiums. For some, the flood component alone tops $8,000 annually. The Trio explore how these costs push households into stress, and why underinsurance, (or no insurance at all), is becoming common in vulnerable regions.  🏠 Property markets are already adjusting. Buyers are cautious, lenders are wary, and price discounts are appearing. UTS research showed Richmond homes in 1-in-100 flood zones selling for nearly 11% less, while post-flood Lismore recorded value drops of around 30%. Across Narrabri, Forbes, and even Sydney pockets like Windsor, the same hesitation is taking hold.  📊 The bigger picture matters too. Disasters are costing billions annually, with projections hitting $94 billion per year by 2060 under high-emission scenarios. Banks, heavily exposed to mortgages, face systemic risks, while lower-income households bear the brunt. Yet preparedness lags, with builders, codes, and infrastructure still playing catch-up.  🛠️ So what can investors do? The Trio share a practical five-step checklist:  Use the data—flood maps, hazard reports, and council resources.Get insurance quotes before you buy.Assess the build—look for resilience features.Diversify your portfolio across regions and risks.Stay alert to policy and regulation changes.⚠️ Climate change isn’t just about the weather, it’s about the numbers. Premiums, property values, and policies are shifting now. Smart investors who stress-test their assumptions will stay ahead; those who ignore the data risk owning tomorrow’s troubled assets. Listeners can request Mike's checklist by contacting us. And our gold nuggets!.....  Cate Bakos's gold nugget: Cate takes listeners through her process for checking online quotes through insurers. Not a precise solution on it's own, but a very good gauge for flagging potential issues from the onset.  Mike Mortlock's gold nugget: Mike warns listeners about the reliability (or unreliability) of online insurance calculators for determining insurance rebuild cost estimates.  David Johnston's gold nugget: Dave echoes Mike's point, and reminds our listeners about the importance of adhering to a robust checklist associated with avoiding risks when it comes to property selection.  Show notes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/09/29/climate-change-and-property/ And registrations are open for our early 2026 LIVE session in Melbourne. Seats are limited, so don't delay! Reach out to us to reserve your place.

    41 min

  2. 22 SEPT

    #328: Avoiding Compromised Investments - Should You Buy Now or Save More? Plus the Real Cost of Overpriced New Builds

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM 🎙️This week on The Property Trio, Cate and Dave field two great listener questions. Max, a young investor weighing his options for a second property asks: Should I buy now at 90% LVR and pay lenders mortgage insurance (LMI), or wait until I save for 80% LVR and a lower rate? 💡 Getting in sooner Dave explains that buying at 90% LVR can bring a purchase forward by one to three years, giving valuable time for capital growth. While LMI and slightly higher interest rates add costs, these are often outweighed by early market entry—provided investors maintain cashflow buffers and commit to a long holding period. 📉 Avoid the cheaper asset trap Cate warns that buying a lower-quality property to get in sooner is risky. Compromises in location, dwelling type, or fundamentals can significantly underperform over time. Even small differences in annual growth rates can compound into major wealth gaps.  🎙️ Our second listener question is from from Peter, who’s weighing up what dwelling types to invest in Melbourne with a budget of $500k–$650K.  Peter also asks the Trio whether a new build in Perth could deliver stronger long-term returns. 🏡 Peter shares that he’s been pitched house-and-land and townhouse packages by property investment groups, only to find they’re priced $50k–$100k higher than local builder offerings. This raises red flags for the Trio, who unpack how “introducers” and commission-driven sales can inflate prices and compromise buyers’ outcomes. Cate warns of the dangers of overpaying, the poor land-to-asset ratio of new builds, and the risk of investing in stock that lacks scarcity or uniqueness. 📉 Dave builds on this by explaining how oversupply in fringe estates puts capital growth under pressure. When developers keep releasing new stock, yesterday’s shiny home quickly becomes tomorrow’s dated dwelling. Together, the Trio emphasise that buying brand-new—whether in Melbourne or Perth—comes with hidden risks, from inflated valuations at settlement to lower demand from owner-occupiers down the track. The discussion then pivots to alternative strategies. Rather than chasing fringe house-and-land packages, Cate suggests exploring established units and boutique apartments in well-located Melbourne suburbs where buyers can tap into amenity, strong transport links, and genuine scarcity. Dave adds that regional cities may also present better value within Peter’s budget.  And our gold nuggets!.....  Cate Bakos's gold nugget: Buyers need to understand and apply land-to-asset ratio to every purchase. David Johnston's gold nugget: "I would prefer people get into the market sooner rather than later if they have an appropriate budget, especially given the market we're in with rates falling, the deposit scheme just increasing, prices rising already. And as I touched on, I expect prices to rise at a faster rate in 2026."  Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/09/22/listener-questions-september/

    36 min

  3. 15 SEPT

    #327: Market Update August 2025 – Second Wind for Brisbane, Adelaide & Perth, Listings Stay Tight & Rents Fuel Inflation Concerns

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM In this latest market update episode, the Trio unpack the findings in the August data, and they reflect on the cash rate cut and how 2025's third cash rate cut has impacted the early spring market. 🏡 The Property Trio: Market Movers, Segmentation & City Standouts  It's interesting to see the perennial performers of 2023 and 2024—Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are still delivering. Brisbane’s 1.2% monthly growth even pipped Darwin's (1.1%), while Perth clocked 1.1% and Adelaide added 0.9%. Darwin continues to lead the nation on an annualised basis, but the Trio ask: how much longer can these hot markets run? Cate weighs in on Melbourne, where official growth numbers appear soft compared with the strong buyer competition she’s experiencing on the ground. She attributes this to segmentation, noting that upgraders—often emotionally driven and recently boosted by interest rate cuts—are pushing the middle of the market hardest. Mike backs this up with data: the 50th percentile is outperforming both the bottom and top quartiles. The Trio also highlight that national growth is broadly positive, with every capital except Hobart showing gains over the last three months. Melbourne may be lagging on paper, but it’s just 3% shy of its 2022 peak—a sign of resilience and potential upside. Dave contrasts quartile data across cities, noting that in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the lowest quartile is leading, suggesting investors and latecomers may be driving the final leg of this cycle.  🏡 The Property Trio: Spring Stock, Footy Fever & Market Sentiment  Spring has arrived, but for property watchers, it doesn’t quite feel like the floodgates have opened yet. Cate reminds listeners that we’re only in early September—and for Melbourne, (and much of Victoria), the property market doesn’t hit full stride until after the AFL season finishes. In a city where everything stops for footy, October is traditionally when listing volumes surge. 📈 Agents are reporting stronger appraisal activity and plenty of auction dates locked in, but stock levels remain tight.  🤔 This supply/demand imbalance creates a tricky chicken-and-egg scenario. Vendors don’t want to list until they’ve secured their next home, but in a rising market, especially with rare or fussy briefs, hesitation can stall the cycle. Dave and Mike weigh in on the balancing act sellers face between locking in strong results and avoiding homelessness.  📊 Mike brings the data lens to national listings. Darwin and Brisbane are showing sharp annual contractions in stock, aligning with their recent strong performances. Meanwhile, Melbourne and Hobart are down year-on-year, possibly reflecting weaker sentiment and more cautious vendors. Dave stresses the importance of comparing numbers to five-year averages, reminding listeners that spring always swells supply, but buyer demand doesn’t fluctuate nearly as much.  🌏 The Trio then tackle a puzzling consumer sentiment report: despite an interest rate cut sparking buyer activity on the ground, confidence in the economy has dropped. Global conflict and local unrest may be weighing on Australians’ psyche, even while house price expectations remain firm.  This lively episode blends property insights with cultural context, giving listeners a glimpse of spring 2025’s early signs, the quirks of timing around footy season, and the broader forces shaping confidence in our markets. Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/09/15/ep-327-august-2025-market-update/

    59 min

  4. 8 SEPT

    #326: All Things Granny Flats – Insights on Investment, Lending and Lifestyle

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM 🎙️ In this episode of The Property Trio, Dave Johnston, Cate Bakos, and Mike Mortlock unpack a fantastic listener question from Jade about granny flats in Melbourne. With her mum considering upsizing and building a $250,000 granny flat for multi-generational living, Jade wanted to know: is it a smart value-add or just an expensive lifestyle decision? 🏡 Cate’s Take – Lifestyle Over Capital Growth Cate kicks off by stressing the key distinction between lifestyle value and market value. Granny flats can be brilliant for families — providing affordable housing for parents, in-laws, or adult kids — but they rarely deliver strong capital growth. Most mainstream buyers in Melbourne simply prefer a bigger backyard over a second dwelling, and in some cases, granny flats can even detract from resale appeal. Cate highlights that the decision must come down to family priorities rather than assumptions about adding financial value. 💰 Mike’s Numbers – Costs, Yields & Depreciation Mike digs into the data. While Sydney has seen investors boost yields with granny flats, Melbourne’s stricter planning rules make it harder. With build costs often ranging from $150,000 to $300,000, the risk of overcapitalisation is real. For family use, there’s no rental income to offset expenses, and lenders generally don’t assign much extra value to granny flats unless fully approved and rentable. There can be depreciation benefits, but only if income is being generated. ⚖️ Regulations – Small Second Homes vs Dependent Person’s Units A major theme of the discussion is Victoria’s new planning changes. Cate explains the difference between “Small Second Homes” (up to 60m², rentable, no planning permit needed in most cases) and “Dependent Person’s Units” (for family use only, often requiring removal when no longer occupied). Understanding these distinctions is vital — the wrong choice could trigger compliance headaches, fines, or even council orders. 👨‍👩‍👦 The Verdict – Family First, Investment Second The Trio wrap up with clear advice: granny flats can be fantastic for family needs — affordable, practical, and supportive of multi-generational living. But from an investment perspective, they’re rarely a capital growth driver in Melbourne. For Jade, the decision should hinge on lifestyle benefits, not financial returns. And our gold nuggets!.....  Cate Bakos's gold nugget: The mainstream market preferences must be considered when weighing up overcapitalisation threats. Mike Mortlock's gold nugget: Mike considers the cost-benefit proposition of a granny flat build. His live modelling suggests a payback period of 16 years; a significant amount of time. David Johnston's gold nugget: "Go and talk to anyone you know who has built a granny flat, and find out mroe about their experience, return on investment, and their overall outcome."  Show notes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/09/07/granny-flats/

    42 min

  5. 1 SEPT

    #325: Clearing the Deposit Hurdle - Why the Old 20% Benchmark No Longer Stacks Up and How Buyers Are Adapting

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM 🎙️ In this eye-opening episode, Dave, Cate and Mike dig into brand-new research on housing affordability from MCG Quantity Surveyors. But instead of looking at mortgage repayments, this report flips the focus to deposits — an obvious entry hurdle for buyers. What they uncover is staggering: the time it takes to save a 20% deposit has tripled or even quadrupled since the 1970s. However, the Trio also delve into the deposit size and question whether 20% is all that applicable in today's day and age. 📊 Mike explains why deposits matter more than repayments in understanding affordability. Back in 1975, saving a 20% deposit took around six months of income. Today, it takes two years or more — before repayments even begin. Prices have risen 30–40× since the mid-70s, while wages have only grown 10×. The gap is where affordability has collapsed, and it’s clearly visible across every Australian capital city. 🏡 Cate takes us through the hard numbers: Sydney’s deposit multiple has jumped from 29 weeks of income in 1975 to 121 weeks today. Melbourne has moved from 32 to 97, Brisbane from 28 to 104, and Adelaide from 35 to 114. Even Hobart, once the most affordable, has shifted from 40 to 93. These figures make one thing clear — buying into the market now requires a far longer savings journey, even at a reduced deposit size. 💰 Cate shares a Sydney case study. In 1975, a family needed just $6,860 for a 20% deposit — achievable in seven months. Fast forward to 2025, and the required deposit has blown out to $282,000. At today’s incomes, that’s more than two years of full earnings. Factoring in tax, rent and everyday living costs, translates to a decade or more of disciplined saving. 📉 Brisbane paints a similar picture. Back in 1975, buyers could scrape together a deposit in six months. Today, despite lower house prices compared to Sydney, Brisbane buyers still face a two-year deposit hurdle. With house prices in Brisbane and Adelaide surging 70% since COVID, affordability in these “cheaper” markets has eroded just as sharply. 🏦 The Trio also break down the role of government schemes — from first-home buyer grants to stamp duty concessions. While these policies help individuals in the short term, they’re stimulatory, adding buying power but pushing prices up. The result? Affordability worsens for those left out of the schemes, and the saving treadmill just speeds up. Yet Dave and Cate shed light on some of the advantages and initiatives on offer for today's first home buyers. Is the 20% hurdle a fair one to contrast to the old days? 🚦Dave reminds listeners that the affordability gulf isn’t about monthly repayments — it’s about the growing difficulty of getting through the deposit door. But he also promises to share a counter episode on deposits! Stay tuned... And our gold nuggets!..... Cate Bakos's gold nugget: Cate explains the difference between the deposit and the servicing. Both are very important, but mutually exclusive. David Johnston's gold nugget: Dave has some great suggestions for our first homebuyer listeners, from planning, to assessing their needs, to starting with a smaller property as a stepping stone. "You need to be pragmatic, because the earlier you get into the property market, the better." Mike Mortlock's gold nugget: Mike conducts this research because he loves to start a conversation. He also mentions some statistics that Alan Kohler shared on the ABC (see notes in our shownotes). Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/09/01/clearing-the-deposit-hurdle/

    41 min

  6. 25 AUG

    #324: Unpacking Investor Challenges – The Build, Hold or Sell Vacant Land Conundrum

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM 🎙️ Should I Build or Hold? A Listener’s Dilemma with a Vacant Block in Tasmania In this week’s episode of The Property Trio, we tackle a thoughtful listener question from Lauren, who finds herself at a crossroads with her property journey. Living in inner-Geelong and loving the lifestyle, Lauren is currently priced out of the local housing market for her own home. But with a block of land she purchased in Tasmania back in 2022, she’s weighing up whether to build an investment property on the land, or take a different approach to reach her financial and property goals. 🏡 Lauren’s Situation Lauren bought her block of land for $180,000 (with $150,000 still owing), and she’s been told by local agents that demand for built homes in the area is strong. With building costs estimated at $330,000 and potential rental returns of $550–$595 per week, the numbers initially sound promising. On a healthy income of $100,000, paying just $1,000 in rent for her share house, Lauren has managed to save a 5% deposit. Adding to the opportunity, her sister has offered to go guarantor for the remaining 15%—a generous offer that could help her avoid costly lenders’ mortgage insurance. 💡 The Questions But Lauren has some big considerations: Is sitting on vacant land in a market with oversupply a sound move, or is it better to build?How should she assess the Tasmanian growth drivers, and are there risks she hasn’t yet considered?What does the land-to-asset ratio tell us about this strategy?How could she think about a close family member's offer of guarantor, and what safeguards should they both put in place?Most importantly, how will taking on this investment impact her ability to borrow for her own future home? Will the rental income and equity help her, or will lenders view the added debt as a hurdle?📈 The Trio Weigh In Cate, Dave, and Mike unpack the intricacies of Lauren’s situation, looking at the opportunity through the lenses of lifestyle, risk, and financial strategy. Dave's team have modelled some borrowing capacity details to assist the Trio when weighing up the possibilities for Lauren's scenario; Borrowing capacity for home purchase:  Current position: Existing $150,000 loan (for land) and $6,000 Credit card = borrowing capacity of $316,000 for home purchaseClosing the credit card: Existing $150,000 loan (for land) = borrowing capacity of $345,000 for home purchaseProceeding with the construction and closes the credit card: Existing loan increased to $478,000 (land and construction) = borrowing capacity of $240,000 for home purchaseSelling the land and closes credit card: borrowing capacity of $492,000 for home purchaseLauren has a HECS balance of $50,000 with approx. monthly repayments of $472 that is also dampening the borrowing capacity. Dave goes into some great detail on lending policy constraints and enablers with regards to the impact of HECS. The scenario modelled suggests a further borrowing capacity lift to $558,000 could be possible, and he also shares the impact of further rate cuts too. How do the potential solutions pan out? Tune in to find out... From forward planning to assessing milestones, and from understanding bank servicing calculations to weighing the risks of construction in a shifting market, the Trio leave no stone unturned.  And our gold nuggets!.....  Cate Bakos's gold nugget: It's important to ask yourself the question, "what's the end goal?" David Johnston's gold nugget: Getting good strategic mortgage broking advice can make the difference between sitting in limbo, and making an educated decision with the options on hand.  Mike Mortlock's gold nugget: Mike talks about the importance of having experts who are able to help guide clients through journeys such as this. "There is so much to it. It's not really a zero/one binary situation." Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/08/25/unpacking-investor-challenges/

    42 min

  7. 18 AUG

    #323: Market Update July 2025 – Darwin Soars, RBA Flags More Cuts Ahead, Rents Re-Accelerate & Vacancy Rates Tighten

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM In this latest market update episode, the Trio unpack the findings in the July data, and they reflect on the recent cash rate cut and what this could mean for the market. 🏡 Capital City Highlights Darwin leads the chase by a very large margin and Mike touches on the chances of double-digit growth for 2025. Cate notes that every capital is sitting in positive growth territory for the past month, and while Darwin is galloping, Perth's 0.9% increase in one month is impressive too. Could Darwin's median value eclipse that of Hobart's? The Trio ponder the growth and pay credit to William, a lovely listener who tempted the Trio to create an episode on Darwin at the beginning of the year. 📈 What is happening with rents? Is affordability biting, and behaviours changing in response to this? Mike suggests some possible reasons why the pace of rental growth is slowing down. Factoring in share housing, increasing household formation rates, re-partnering of couples following COVID, and a slowdown in skilled migration have all contributed to a slow down in rental growth.  💰 Rental Yields & Investor Trends Gross rental yields tell an interesting story for some of our cities. Brisbane's rental yield has shown a subtle shift downwards. Recently on par with Melbourne and Adelaide for some time, the slight reduction signals the fact that the rental growth hasn't kept up with the capital growth.  Hobart's tight stock supply has the Trio talking. A city of over a quarter of a million people only has 335 available dwellings; surely a challenging imbalance, and one that explains the tight vacancy rate. 📉 Listings Drop, Pressure Builds Total listing numbers are down when contrasted against the same time last year, but not all cities are exhibiting tighter stock numbers. Cate reflects on the Old Listings data and draws on the annual change for Darwin in particular. What does this indicate about investor behaviour, and does it signal a risk for investors who aren't selecting carefully? 📊 The RBA Rate Decision The Trio chat about Governor Michelle Bullock's speech about the recent rate cut. Cate was surprised at our Reserve Board Governor's openness about further rate cuts. When contrasted against her previous board meeting speeches, her willingness to boldly discuss more cash rate cuts was stark. Productivity continues to remain a key concern, and in the face of reasonably strong employment figures and lower inflation levels, it seems the RBA have more challenges to keep an eye on. Lastly, Dave wraps up with a great overview of productivity and what it means for our nation.   Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/08/18/ep-323-july-2025-market-update/

    49 min

  8. 11 AUG

    #322: Expert Tips for Interpreting Data - Why Suburb Medians and Cheap Buys Can Be a Trap for Property Buyer

    Got a question for the trio? https://forms.zohopublic.com/propertyplanningaustralia/form/GotaquestionforthePropertyTrio/formperma/zYCQAxzE_24CVlDafP1ozyzwtmB-8m1iCNtCTgDvHXM 🎙In this episode, Dave is joined by Cate and Mike to tackle two common traps for investors: over-reliance on suburb-level data and the temptation of “bargains” in the bottom quartile of property prices. 💸 Cate kicks things off by sharing her concerns about investors—especially first-timers—being seduced by cheap properties promoted in suburb data reports. Many of these are in low socio-economic areas or regions with limited long-term growth potential. While high rental yields might appear attractive, these properties often lack the owner-occupier appeal that drives sustained capital growth. Cate warns that when investors flock to a small area, values can spike briefly before stagnating, sometimes leaving the last buyers in trouble.  📊 Mike reinforces this by breaking down the pitfalls of suburb medians. While they’re easily accessible, they can be dangerously misleading without context. Instead, Mike suggests filtering data by dwelling type, looking at sales dispersion, DOM (days on market), vendor discounting, and percentage of stock on market for a clearer sense of supply and demand.   🗺 Cate stresses that suburbs are not homogenous—each street, pocket, and dwelling can vary widely. She’s seen investors buy sight-unseen in so-called “hot suburbs” only to end up with properties in undesirable streets or with hidden zoning issues. True due diligence goes beyond numbers to include lifestyle appeal, orientation, and neighbourhood quality. Dave reinforces a key point: just because a property sits within a “good” suburb doesn’t mean it’s a good purchase. 🏖 The conversation shifts to Kent’s “Four Pillars” research—a balanced lifestyle scorecard that equally weights proximity to beach, nature, urban amenities, and family infrastructure. Mike explains how areas scoring well across all four pillars, such as parts of Warringah, Townsville, and Perth, show strong long-term fundamentals. Cate notes that lifestyle appeal often underpins resilience and growth over decades, not just during a boom cycle.  🚩 As the trio wraps up, Cate’s biggest red flag is ultra-tight days on market compared with neighbouring suburbs—a sign that investor FOMO, (fear of missing out) may be inflating prices. Mike’s warning is to focus on supply constraints, like zoning or heritage overlays, which can underpin long-term capital growth.  Dave wraps up the episode and encourages investors not to be fooled by cheap price tags or simplified stats. They should treat data as a conversation starter, not a final verdict, and prioritise properties that appeal to a broad base of owner-occupiers. Long-term fundamentals, lifestyle drivers, and thorough due diligence win every time. And our gold nuggets!.....  Cate Bakos's gold nugget: Delve further if you are engaging a Buyers Agent who is reliant on this suburb data. Cate shares some good questions for consumers to ask. David Johnston's gold nugget: Dave delves into the psychology of property. What is it that makes people gravitate to particular suburbs and specific properties? "Whatever points someone might be making to you with a sea of data, the underlying principle is this: How many people in Australia would like to live in that property, in that street, in that location? That's going to drive up your rent and your value over the next ten, twenty, thirty years."  Mike Mortlock's gold nugget: Mike talks about the necessity of understanding the growth drivers, (and specifically the owner-occupier appeal) of the investment purchase.  Shownotes:  https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2025/08/11/expert-tips-for-interpreting-data/

    43 min
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About

Formerly The Property Planner, Buyer and Professor, our show rebranded in 2023 to The Property Trio. Residential property is the only asset class we live in, it is where we raise our families, and it is our most expensive investment, yet property advice remains unregulated. Our objective is to educate time-poor professionals through deep insights from our experts who have provided thousands of Australians with personalised advice and education spanning two decades. In a climate where we are overloaded with information and one size fits all recommendations from the media, well-meaning friends and family and so-called advisers, we will distill the raw truth from the ill-informed. So join the Property Planner, David Johnston, The Property Buyer, Cate Bakos and the Quantity Surveyor, Mike Mortlock as they take you on a journey of discovery through the maze of property, mortgage, and money decisions to empower you to create your ideal lifestyle! Links to your hosts: https://www.catebakos.com.au/ https://propertyplanning.com.au/ https://www.mcgqs.com.au/

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