Posts by Cate Bakos
Paying the deposit
As well understood as a deposit is, it’s not uncommon for deposit payments to be a cause of confusion, (and sometimes concern). As with any significant commercial transaction, any executed contract must be accompanied by a consideration. A consideration is merely a part payment, (usually a small portion of the desired deposit payment). In previous…
Read MoreReal Estate and Behavioural Economics
I recently listened to Professor Richard Thaler speak on the ABC about his work in the field of economics. In 2017, Thaler was awarded a Nobel prize in his field for his work on Behavioural Economics and his work has been instrumental in government policy, retail, health, and many other applications. What intrigued me when…
Read MoreRight-sizing… doing it right
We often work with down-sizers… empty nesters… or more commonly termed “right-sizers”. Typically this demographic is older, the kids have moved out long ago and their focus is on lifestyle. Specifically, they are determined to introduce more convenience, less maintenance and increased pedestrian amenity to their life. The term “right-sizer” refers to a growing number…
Read MoreTwo bedroom cottages in Melbourne
Melbourne’s inner 10km radius suburbs boast many beautiful properties; specifically turn-of-the-century worker’s cottages within the suburbs closer to the CBD. Back in the late 1800’s our inner suburbs were not necessarily home to the wealthy. Our more affluent families sought their family homes on larger blocks in the likes of Malvern, Armadale and some of…
Read MorePositive property attributes that deserve a value-weighting
We assess properties every day, including rigorous comparable sales analysis. Many properties we spot have a standard array of attributes that are easy to compare to others’, however sometimes we spot a property that has a really special offering. Assigning a value-weighting can be challenging, but in cases like these, they deserve a weighting. The…
Read MoreWhy are auctions cancelled?
We are often asked this question, and whether it be a buyer’s market or a seller’s market, auction cancellations can strike for various reasons. In this current COVID lockdown climate, it isn’t a surprise to see auction cancellations strike, but what are the driving forces that often initiate an auction cancellation? Today’s Sunday Blog explores.…
Read MoreEscape from the city?…Or need a bigger place?
This question has been on my mind for quite some time. One of the advantages a Buyer’s Agent gets is market feedback in real time. Unlike those who have to wait it out for delayed data reports, we are fielding buyer calls and getting a gauge of sentiment from the coal face, every single day.…
Read MoreThe five biggest mistakes buyers make in a seller’s market
Every.single.day we are approached with requests for help. In this challenging climate, buyers are reaching out for professional assistance to help navigate our current seller’s market. Many of these buyers could technically prepare their own brief, back-test the feasibility of their purchase strategy and go out to the open for inspections themselves, however in many…
Read MoreNavigating online auctions
Now that half of our country’s population are in lockdown, real estate, (like many other industries) have had to adapt historically standard practices in an effort continue trading. From digital contract execution to virtual inspections, many agents have embraced such methods for some years, but the truth is that COVID-19 lockdowns have shaken up how…
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