The Property Couch 588 | Is THIS Australia’s ‘Best Value’ Property Market? - Chat with Greville Pabst
Mar 12, 2026
Shane Pope, Melbourne-based buyer's advocate who works with owner-occupiers at the coalface of auctions. Greville Pabst, seasoned property valuation expert and founder of WBP Property Group. They debate why Melbourne underperformed, how policy shifted investor demand, owner-occupier takeover of suburbs, auction dynamics and whether Melbourne or regional Victoria could deliver the best value over the next decade.
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Why Melbourne Missed The Last Property Boom
- Melbourne has underperformed for about a decade despite strong government spending and infrastructure projects.
- Greville Pabst argues private demand collapsed (especially after COVID) and policy changes removed investor appetite, causing missed national property boom participation.
Prepare For Investor Exodus After Tax Shocks
- Expect investor exit to continue when capital growth stalls and taxes increase, which shifts buyer profile toward owner-occupiers.
- Greville highlights land tax and tenancy reforms as the tipping points forcing landlords to sell.
Downsizer Beat Investors At Moonee Ponds Auction
- Ben described a Moonee Ponds auction where a downsizer in her 60s paid $1.39m for a tidy two-bedroom, beating investors.
- The sale shows owner-occupiers dominate sub-$1.4m inner markets when properties suit downsizer needs.
