Street Secrets 005: Jarrod McCabe of Wakelin Property Advisory | Melbourne - Inner Ring
“The best way to focus on yield is to buy something with strong land value and minimal improvements.” – Jarrod McCabe
Melbourne’s inner ring can look like a goldmine — but without the right fundamentals, investors risk poor performance. In this episode of Street Secrets, buyer’s agent Jarrod McCabe of Wakelin Property Advisory unpacks how to approach Melbourne’s unique market.
With a career spanning more than 25 years, from property valuation to leading advisory work at Wakelin, Jarrod shares why scarcity, land value, and multifaceted demand are the three pillars of smart investing. He explains how urban sprawl, oversupplied apartment towers, and “wrong-side-of-the-street” buys can derail returns.
From the Docklands and Southbank pitfalls to the lifestyle draw of Fitzroy and Hawthorn, Jarrod shows how understanding what locals truly value — transport links, village culture, orientation, and parkland — is critical for long-term growth.
Whether you’re weighing yield vs. growth, or just looking for a safe path into Melbourne’s inner ring, this episode gives you the clarity to invest with confidence.
Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction
01:13 – Meet Jarrod McCabe from Wakelin Property Advisory
01:37 – From Valuer to Buyer’s Agent: Jarrod’s Journey
02:19 – Richard Wakelin’s Legacy in Buyer’s Advocacy
03:47 – Investment Focus and Market Fundamentals
05:39 – Lessons from Melbourne’s Market Challenges
07:29 – Navigating Melbourne’s Inner-Ring Property
20:58 – Why Buyer’s Agents Add Real Value
24:21 – Smart Negotiation Tactics with Agents
29:10 – Teamwork and Experience in Property Buying
33:01 – What Melbourne Buyers Really Pay For
36:20 – Closing Thoughts & How to Reach Jarrod
About the Guest
Jarrod McCabe is a Director at Wakelin Property Advisory, Melbourne’s longest-standing independent buyer’s agency, founded in 1995.
After completing a Bachelor of Business (Property) in 2000, Jarrod began his career as a valuer, gaining experience across residential, commercial, industrial, and rural property. In 2005, he moved to Melbourne to join a multinational valuation firm, and by 2007 was focused on inner-city residential valuations.
Jarrod joined Wakelin in 2010 as a manager, became an Associate Director in 2011, and was appointed Director in 2018. With more than two decades of experience in the property industry, he is known for his valuation-based analysis, disciplined approach to negotiations, and deep knowledge of Melbourne’s market.
Beyond his client work, Jarrod is a regular educator through seminars and webinars, and frequently contributes to the Australian Financial Review and other media outlets.
Connect with Jarrod
- Wakelin Property Advisory - https://wakelin.com.au/
- Wakelin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/wakelin-property-advisory/
- Wakelin Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WakelinPropertyAdvisory/
- Socials:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrod-mccabe-81333034/
- YouTube - https://www.facebook.com/WakelinPropertyAdvisory/
Work with Chris (Alcove)
- Business Webpage Link - https://www.alcove.com.au/
- Phone: 0489 913 227
- Email - hello@alcove.com.au
- Socials:
- LinkedIn (Alcove) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovemb
- LinkedIn (Chris) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alcove.au
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The information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, or credit advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information to your circumstances and seek advice from a licensed financial adviser, mortgage broker, or other qualified professional before making any decision. Canopy Private Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence 558709.