Sunday Blog

This week we have spotted some ‘forecasted’ price drops in the media with claims of some 20-30% likely to impact our markets. We are not seeing any such signs in our current markets. There is no doubt that COVID-19 will have an impact on segments of our market, but it is important for us to…

In the midst of the COVID-19 shutdown, our challenges in the real estate industry in Victoria deepened when Consumer Affairs issued a notice to all agencies on the eve of our Easter long weekend. The message was clear; no private inspections with consumers were to take place in any owner-occupied or tenanted properties. The only…

Five years ago, while inspecting a line up of properties in Ballarat for a client, the agent I’d asked to show me through the properties stopped outside the second one, turned to me and said, “Cate, I need to tell you this. Something not-so-great happened in this house. I know how much you care about…

It’s been two and a half weeks since this pandemic was announced, and a lot has happened in two and a half weeks. A lot of turmoil, a lot of upset, a lot of announcements and a lot of change. Who knew we’d be thrust into the various situations we find ourselves in? And who…

There is no doubt about it. Buyer’s Agents are finding that a significant portion of their current clients are opting to put their search on hold, but not all clients are doing so. In fact, roughly half of our clients have been clear that their purchase strategy and timeframe stay on course as per their…

This would be my latest Sunday blog ever. It’s 10pm. I don’t think I’ve ever worked continuously through a weekend like I have this weekend. It’s been utterly strange. From last minute boardroom auction notifications to urgent agent calls, alerting me to a property selling, weekend solicitor reviews and hurried second inspections, buyer behaviour has…

We are often asked the question, “will I recoup the fee I pay from your negotiating power?” The answer is, “maybe, but not necessarily.” It is almost impossible to measure. We can’t simulate the same negotiation again with a DIY negotiator as the variable. Consumers seek the services of a Buyers Agent for multiple reasons,…

Now that Melbourne’s dismal property market downturn is behind us and auction clearance rates have struck 80%, many property pundits are contemplating their missed opportunity and feeling despondent about the fact that they could have, (-but didn’t) purchase an investment property in the pre-election, buyer’s market conditions. Taking this property as a case in point; past clients…