Posts by Cate Bakos

Last night my nineteen year old daughter and I went to a fabulous 21st birthday party. My childhood friend’s daughter is now 21, and her special evening was buzzing with chatter, music, beautiful speeches and friendly folks. Gab and I had a great time. Gab made a new friend and the pair sat together talking…

Car spaces on title can seem a ridiculous debate for anyone who lives in the outer suburbs or in the country. But where land is at a premium, this conversation often pops up. Any good buyer’s agent will steer their clients away from a unit that doesn’t offer parking on title. But when it comes…

On Thursday 23 October 2025, something quite magical happened for one, committed young man’s early career. But something more magical happened for an industry association that has spanned 89 years, (founded as the Real Estate and Stock Institute in 1936). Christopher Sybenga is an enthusiastic nineteen year old who is no stranger to many real…

Renovating can be one of the most rewarding and stressful experiences a homeowner can undertake. Whether it’s transforming an old, character home or updating a tired investment property, a renovation can impact both lifestyle and value. But before diving in, it’s essential to pause and ask yourself some hard questions. A well-planned renovation starts long…

For most buyers, selecting a home isn’t just a financial decision — it’s an emotional one. It’s where we picture our morning coffees, our dinners with friends, and our lives unfolding. But I’m constantly asked by clients whether their home purchase can also be a smart investment. And the short answer is: yes, it absolutely…

The sub-$950,000 housing options in Melbourne are under extreme demand currently. This part of the market that matters most to first-home buyers, upgraders on a budget, and many investors. It’s also the part of the market that’s been the first to respond to the 2025 rate cuts and government stimulus, and the first to reveal…

It’s hard to overstate how deeply Australian Rules Football is woven into the fabric of our cities and towns. For some, the AFL season marks time more clearly than the calendar itself; pre-season training, round one, mid-season byes, finals, and of course the Grand Final. But for those of us who study property markets, footy…

When the property market heats up, buyers often find themselves in a tough spot. Stock levels drop, competition surges, and prices start moving upward faster than many people expect. Our current Melbourne market feels like this right now, particularly in the sub-$950,000 segment of the market. The ‘affordable’ markets have been strengthening at pace since…

It’s a question I hear every single week: “Cate, should I make a pre-auction offer?” The motivation is usually clear. A buyer has found a home they’ve fallen for, and the thought of losing it under the hammer is unbearable. On the surface, a pre-auction offer seems like the smart, proactive move. It takes the…

Melbourne’s reported capital growth data has consistently shown our city experiencing modest gains since the start of 2025. The monthly median dwelling value growth has hovered between 0.2% and 0.7%, with strength in the middle quartile of the market, including both houses and units. In the first half of the year, auctions felt more competitive,…