Will This Spring Bring More Choice for Victorian Buyers?
Every winter, Victorian buyers begin asking the same question: When will more homes come onto the market? It’s a fair question. Throughout much of winter, the biggest frustration for buyers is the a lack of quality listings. Across Melbourne’s established suburbs, well-positioned homes continue to attract strong enquiry and competitive bidding, yet buyers often find…
Negative gearing on established property still exists, it’s just different
Investing in established property as we knew it has completely changed. On 12 May 2026, the Labour government announced some proposed changes to both negative gearing and capital gains discounts, and since then the proposed changes have been legislated. Negative gearing benefits for those who either owned, (or had entered into a contract) before 7.30pm…
Why Investment-Grade Fundamentals Matter When Buying a Home
For many Australians, buying a home is both an emotional milestone and the largest financial decision they will ever make. It is the place where memories are made, families grow and life unfolds. However, while lifestyle considerations naturally influence purchasing decisions, it is equally important to recognise that a home is often the cornerstone of…
Some good auction stories from the vault
Yesterday I caught up with a good friend of mine, Max. We met almost two decades ago, when I assisted Max and his partner with a property acquisition. As a lawyer who saw the paperwork side of property transactions, Max was ntrigued by the auction process., In fact, he was so intrigued that he asked…
Kingsville is one of the Inner-West’s Best-Kept Secrets
If you’ve spent any time house-hunting in Melbourne’s inner-west, you’ll know the usual suspects by heart. Yarraville has the gorgeous village, restaurants, parklands and the Sun Theatre. Seddon also offers the cafes and restaurants, and superb Victorian cottages. Footscray boasts the food scene, with plenty of bars, restaurants and incredible Indian, African and Vietnamese food,…
Why Buyers Overlook Great Homes: The Visualisation Challenge Explained
Some of the greatest challenges buyers face when inspecting established homes is an inability to visualise simple changes. From paint colour, to a different arrangement of furniture. Not every buyer is able to visualise what the property could become. In fact, staging companies have made a living out of furnishing property to showcase each one…
Should You Buy Now in a Softening Melbourne Market, or Wait?
It’s the question I’m getting asked almost every day right now. And I understand completely why. In just a matter of weeks, Melbourne’s property market has shifted gear. We started 2026 with genuine momentum; strong investor enquiry, first home buyer activity, and a sense that the city was finally turning a corner after some lean…
In 2012, I found the house that I’d never want to leave
I popped up a post the other day on socials and I got a lot of responses. Some people reached out, and it made me appreciate that what I have is very special. Not only that, many people wish they could have this kind of affinity with their own home. When people think about buying…
The Next Phase for Melbourne Rents: Forecasting 20% Growth in Established Suburbs
When policy settings shift, behaviour follows. In property markets, that behavioural change can ripple through entire segments and reshape outcomes in ways that aren’t always initially obvious to those who reshape policy. The proposed removal of negative gearing and changes to capital gains tax for established property are significant policy levers. While much of the…
The Federal Budget and its Uneven Impact Across Property Segments
On Tuesday 12th of May, at 7.30pm, our Federal Treasurer announced some significant tax change proposals. Two in particular, negative gearing and capital gains tax, will have an impact on our property markets. Last week, I wrote a blog about both of these tax arrangements. The proposed changes are significant. And they will absolutely skew…
Capital Gains Tax and Negative Gearing: What Property Investors Need to Understand Right Now
Many people don’t properly understand what Capital Gains Tax and Negative Gearing actually mean, or how each are formulated. With budget night rumour flying, it’s prudent to assume that both are going to change soon. The Albanese government may have entered their second term with a promise that “negative gearing changes were ‘off the table’”,…
Underbidder to Buyer: The Eight-Hour Twist in a Passed-In Auction
There’s a common misconception that auctions end when the hammer falls. In reality, some of the most important moments begin after the crowd disperses. Yesterday was a perfect example. We attended an auction where we were not the highest bidders. We competed against two other buyers, but the property was passed in to another party…
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