Posts by Cate Bakos

There is plenty of talk about imminent interest rate rises, heightened petrol prices, inflation, Federal government budget decisions and the impact on the property market, but if we have learnt anything about forecasts and predictions over the last three years, we’ve seen that the banks and many economists’ forecasts haven’t really got it right. Negative…

I am often asked for my thoughts on properties that people are contemplating. Whether it be a BBQ talk, a call from a friend or an enquiry via my email from a prospective client, it happens quite a bit. No property is perfect, but sometimes the imperfections are glaringly obvious at the first click, and…

As Bernard Salt coined in a fantastic lecture a couple of years ago, the HOBO, (home office/broadcasting outlet) emerged rapidly as part of our changing needs once working from home was thrust upon us. Our property searches have changed markedly since COVID struck, but in fact, our search criteria was experiencing significant change for the…

There is a difference between a valuation and an appraisal. It is defined by the qualification held by the person conducting the task, and whether their report can be relied upon in a court of law. An appraisal is the opinion of someone who is experienced and familiar enough with the local area and it…

We all know of and understand lender interest rates. They come in a combination of formats depending on whether we are paying principal and interest, interest only, a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate. Our interest component within our loan repayments schedules is the cost of borrowing the money. The interest portion all…

First home buyers certainly have their challenges and it’s a well-worn path of any property journalist’s when it comes to documenting the tough plight of the firstie. Beyond the task of saving an adequate deposit, or that of managing a fun lifestyle on a tight savings regime, the less spoken-of challenge relates to their broad…

As our treasured January hybrid-break comes to a close, this Sunday blog reflects on the most used, most valuable, and, (at times) the most overlooked formulae. Property investing is not always black and white, in fact it requires a blend of science and emotion, but when it comes to reliable formulas, here are my top…

A really delightful time exploring some of our gorgeous Victorian regions is how I best describe my summer holidays. It’s a work in progress, because I’m accompanied by my laptop and, well, real estate never really stops. I consider each stay a hybrid rest/field trip. We’ve enjoyed little stays in varied locations and each have…

There are plenty of reasons why aspiring property investors and home buyers don’t get their plans off the ground. From analysis paralysis to falling prey to negative bias, the list is long. But one of the most common reasons isn’t what people imagine it could be. Not being on the same page as your partner…

The Penny Challenge is an old quiz that highlights the power of compounding growth. What would you choose? A magic penny that doubles in value every day for a whole month, or a million dollars cash immediately? Studies found that most people who aren’t familiar with the quiz will choose the million dollars. With smartphones…