Leanne Taylor is one of the most effervescent, charming and energetic personalities I've had the pleasure of befriending in this amazing industry. Leanne has a wonderful professional history, from hospitality to real estate, project management to an incredibly successful side-hustle. It's a thrill to be able to lasso Leanne and bring her into the studio for long enough to interview her. Leanne has coached others with this particular venture also, but importantly, she's done it on her own...

Redom Syed is a Sydney-based mortgage professional who's tagline speaks volumes; educating homebuyers & property investors about growing wealth through property. Like many of us, Redom's career background is an enthralling one which is peppered with some impressive credentials, valuable insights from his earlier role within APRA (our prudential regulator), and a heartfelt family story that shaped a young boy's aspirations for his future. Redom and Cate chat about how Redom's childhood...

Matt Grima is a well-respected, friendly sales executive and auctioneer in Melbourne's lustrous Port Philip, working on some of the highest land-value-per-square-metre properties in our state. Matt works with Marshall White and has enjoyed some exciting successes, both solo and alongside some of his colleagues over the years he's been working in the inner south/east. Matt's early days pre-real estate were actually in journalism and his coverage of the property market in the north-west of the...

In this follow-up interview, Cate interviews Mike specifically about the builder and materials shortage crisis we are all facing, and how this correlates with some of changes identified in the study since the former 1000 Assets Study. From the obvious world event and complete disruptor, (COVID-19) to state-based, onerous rental legislation reforms, low interest rates, tightening vacancy rates, increasing rents and a heightened awareness of buyer's agents, Mike sheds light on some critical...

Cate and Mike have enjoyed a friendship peppered with data analyses, budget night catch ups, the odd white wine over lunch, and a mutual love of the property industry. Mike is a regular guest on The Property Diaries, and following his ground-breaking 1000 Assets Study, we now have 2022's data hot off the press, which showcases some significant changes across the Australian property landscape, and Cate interviews the man himself to talk all about the challenges COVID has thrown us, and how the...

After a long hiatus, Cate kicks off 2022's first interview with a talented and experienced Western Australian Buyer's Agent, Ray Chua from Momentum Wealth. Having turned his attention to property after working in industry as an engineer, Ray bought with him a highly analytical focus, a keen interest in an asset class that fascinated him, and a quest to help people navigate something that is rarely black and white. Ray speaks openly with Cate about his lengthy career so far as a buyer's...

Chris Bates returns to the studio, and this time Chris and Cate chat about some common mistakes that buyers make; particularly at the planning phase. They kick off the conversation around holiday houses and challenge some popular trends that have gripped since COVID struck our shores. Chris, (in his ever-pragmatic way) offers our listeners some great tips, and as always; he introspectively shares his own weaknesses when it comes to holiday houses. "....you fall in love with the fantasy,...

In his own, candid style, Chris shares his advisory approach when guiding his finance clients. From success stories to roadblocks that buyers commonly face, Cate and Chris find some common ground and even chat about some recent happy case studies. Chris delves into a host of challenging human buying habits, from self-sabotaging to a fear of paying too much, and offers some great examples of advice he's used in the past. Cate and Chris have known each other for nearly a decade now, and it...

Our second episode of The Property Diaries covers more about life in the world of buyers agency, and in Stacey's stellar way of quizzing Cate, she brings out a lot more information from Cate about her own personal approach to property investing, and how she applies these learnings when guiding her clients. Are you new to purchasing property, or wanting to expand your portfolio, but not sure what a Buyer’s Agent actually does? Cate speaks from the heart about her own journey and also shares...

Our first episode of The Property Diaries is an exciting introduction for our listeners. Cate and Stacey chat about life in the property industry, their initial meeting history, and they delve into their own reasons for being… well, so nuts about property. Are you new to purchasing property, or wanting to expand your portfolio, but not sure what a Buyer’s Agent actually does? This podcast promises to deliver an exciting and colourful bouquet of on-the-ground experiences, real life...

For our fifty-fifth episode, one of the most dynamic and fun contributors in the property world joins Cate in the studio. Belinda Botzolis is an engaging personality and a qualified property valuer from Herron Todd White, based in Sydney. Belinda's passionate personality and upfront valuations approach is a wonderfully refreshing insight for our listeners. She sheds light on many of the challenges she sees purchasers facing, and she generously shares her insights for our listeners in her...

For the fifty-fourth episode, Cate is thrilled to interview one of the nicest (and youngest) gentlemen in the industry; Geelong’s very own Michael Marmora. Michael shares some superb insights on his local market and sheds light on the rapid transformation of the city he’s called home for 22 years. From heightened buyer demand to grappling with the impact of lockdowns and Melbourne based buyers, Michael and Cate discuss Geelong’s growth trajectory in detail. Michael gives us an exciting...

Stacey is back with Cate in the virtual studio and as part two of this special episode set and she is asking Cate all about Phase two of her unique “Co-involved Service”. Outlining how it all unfolds once a client has received their tailored Property Purchase Strategy and very own buying guidebook, Cate details what they will need to look for and what their important role is throughout this partnership. Using a traffic light concept, a client will report into Cate with ratings of each...

Stacey is delighted to host this first episode of a double feature set in which she and Cate discuss one of Cate’s favourite types of property buying assignments. “The Co-involved Service” is a unique, targeted property buying strategy and search that caters to those keen to learn through a truly hands-on approach. The individual strategy for a co-involved client is underpinned by a weekly search itinerary - a quality selection of professionally screened offerings - and it is an education...

This week, we're thrilled to welcome Marty Sadlier into the studio to talk with us about a much-overlooked, but really important issue; *under-insurance*. "In simple terms, Under-insurance is when the policy holder insures for less than the true value." Marty runs a business that our listeners are already familiar with; MCG Quantity Surveying. Alongside his business partner and co-owner, Mike Mortlock, Marty is also firmly across all things quantity surveying. In this podcast, Marty talks...

"The MCG Quantity Surveyors Rental Loss Index highlights the top 10 suburbs in Australia, ranked by rental losses due to rental vacancies. The index uses total rental listings greater than 21 days for the suburb, multiplied by the suburbs aggregated median rent to provide a total rental lost index per suburb." In this interview, Cate interviews MIke about the index, how it was initiated, and what he's learnt along the way since it's launch. The MCG Rental Loss Index promises to be one...

Cate caught a glimpse of a fabulous blog of Pete's on his blogspot page... a sensible reminder to investors to consider a "black swan event". It caught her eye because it's a timely reminder that things *can* go wrong; and we all need to make sure we are prepared. As Investopedia explains: "What Is a Black Swan?.. A black swan is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterised by their...

Returning to record together in their 8th episode of this series, Cate and Stacey delve into this particular human behaviour and explore the potential cost of falling prey to social proof. What is “social proof” in the world of property buying and why do buyers need to be prepared for this unexpected element?  Stacey and Cate discuss how the wrong response to this phenomenon can lead to real property buying regrets. Understanding social proof and its role in our pre-purchase analysis can...

Returning to record together in their 7th episode of this series, Cate and Stacey shed light on this important question. While our hot property market continues to face complex forces, we are experiencing a noticeable Buyer/Seller imbalance. The resultant stock shortage continues as fearful vendors sit on their hands and properties are held back from the market. Buyers become increasingly frustrated in this “Chicken and egg” scenario and sometimes exhibit irrational behaviours such as...

In their sixth episode returning to the studio, Stacey and Cate decided to tackle some tips for buyers in this heated market. Buyers are being currently being challenged by high bidder numbers, tough competition and tight campaign timeframes. The cause of this difficult environment is three-fold; a heady trifecta of heightened consumer confidence, record low interest rates and a stock shortage. Cate and Stacey talk about the risks involved with 'killer bids', from valuation shortfalls to...

In their fifth episode returning to the studio, Stacey and Cate chat all things private sales, and in particular the various twists and turns that private sale campaigns can take. Unlike auction scenarios, private sales are not governed by rules like auctions are. This time, it's all about *establishing* the agent's rules, understanding the questions to ask and being prepared for how the negotiations can pivot. Stacey and Cate have known each other for over seven years now, and with their...

In their fourth episode returning to the studio, Stacey and Cate chat all things AUCTIONS, from how to glean valuable tips from the agents, to how they put on their best game face to bid. Stacey and Cate have been tackling auctions together for almost five years now, and they decided to answer some of the most burning questions their buyers often ask. In her warm and effusive way, Stacey probes Cate with some wonderful questions in an effort to give their listeners some wonderful insight...

In their third episode returning to the studio, Stacey and Cate cast a special focus onto hot markets; a very timely episode to canvas given the exceptionally tough conditions buyers are currently facing around our nation in MANY cities. Stacey shares some of her examples of a hot market from her experiences of late in her home town; Geelong. Geelong has been one of the star performers throughout COVID-19 and it is no stranger to tight days on market, hefty price increases and excruciatingly...

In their second episode returning to the studio, Stacey puts Cate back in the hotseat and asks all of the questions she can muster that relate to second-time investors. What makes investors return? What precludes some? And why is it a diminishing number as the magnitude of investment properties held by Aussie investors increases? From poorly executed strategies to terrible motivations, Stacey prods Cate with every impressive question imaginable. The two enjoy their banter, and hope that...