Posts by Cate Bakos

Investor activity has increased markedly over the past two years. The previous peak of property investment activity was during our post-COVID era, when interest rates were reduced to record lows. This Cotality chart below shows the impact of successive interest rate cuts from May 2022. Buyer activity slowed across both investors and owner-occupiers, but once…

I’ve written many times over the years about common investor mistakes, but our economic and real estate climate has changed substantially since I’ve been a buyers agent. Some of the previous mistakes I’ve written about could be amplified these days. And some new risks have emerged. Today’s blog samples the seven biggest mistakes many investors…

In the high-stakes world of Melbourne property auctions, social proof can be both a powerful motivator and a perilous trap. As a buyer’s advocate, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the actions of others can sway even the most prepared buyers, leading them to make decisions that deviate from their initial strategies. Yesterday, at a highly competitive…

A quarter of a decade ago, units in our capital city broadly performed well. Investors enjoyed their capital growth, and the increased rental yield has always been a drawcard for unit owners. However, from 2010 onwards, the median growth of apartments has been lacklustre to say the least. Factors including oversupply, high strata costs and…

We have always been supporters of the need for a great, independent, and local property manager. I’ve written extensively about this, including identifying the measure of a great property manager. More than ever before, Victorian property managers professionally cover so much. The magnitude of our legislative changes have been unmatched by any other state, and…

Auction pass-ins are sometimes predicted, but when they strike it still creates a challenge for most buyers. Social proof is the culprit, but understanding the reason why the property passed in can often help. I’ve previously written about social proof and the negative impact it can have on pass-in negotiation outcomes. This blog aims to…

Now that we’ve seen the RBA pivot to rate cuts after a period of tightening, the question on every buyer, seller, and investor’s mind is: What does this mean for the property market? The answer depends on a lot of variables, but segmenting areas by price point is an interesting consideration. Rate cuts tend to…

The West Gate Tunnel Project officially commenced major construction in early January 2018, following the signing of contracts in December 2017. This marked the beginning of a significant infrastructure effort aimed at providing an alternative to the West Gate Bridge and alleviating congestion in Melbourne’s west. Over this time, road closures, gridlocked traffic, night works…

Understanding Victoria’s Housing Choice and Transport Zone & Built Form Overlays in Activity Centres When buying property in Melbourne—especially in inner or middle-ring suburbs—planning zones and overlays can make or break a purchase. Whether we are assisting a seasoned investor or a first homebuyer, understanding the implications of Activity Centres, and specifically the Housing Choice…

Last night’s landslide Labour win doesn’t really alter property buyer sentiment. Despite the fact that Labour was tipped to win, buyers did what they always do. They sat back, ready to make their move only once the election was behind us. The shock of the Victorian land tax changes have washed away and investors have…