The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate

As digital platforms and online portals become more sophisticated, the relationship between sellers, agents, and buyers have shifted as well… But to what degree?  How are buyers’ data and information being treated in the online space? Is your privacy as a buyer compromised? Should you consider buying property in an online portal?  Today, we are joined by Simon Hope, General Manager of Product for Residential at REA Group, to help us understand the nuts and bolts of search engines, online property portals, data collection, and loads more!  If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode!   Episode Highlights: REA’s grand vision [02:10]  Are real estate agents creating friction between buyers and sellers? [05:35] The property pricing problem with agents [08:11]  How REA is addressing real estate pricing and trust issues [11:30] What information do online platforms collect from buyers? [14:07] How REA helps agents and buyers [18:06] The shifting conditions of online privacy and behaviour [21:23] Who owns the data buyers enter in online portals?  [23:52] REA’s answer to cybercrime and off market sales [26:44] Buying property on vs off portal [32:00] Will online portals replace real estate agents in the future? [37:27] REA’s plans on domestic market expansion [38:49] Navigating and embracing innovative property solutions [43:37] Should there be concerns over the amount of data online portals hold? [47:01]   Links from the Show: REA News: Vendors selling their homes off-market could be costing themselves plenty REA Website   Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au  Find this episode on our website:https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/221  If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re answering real estate questions our awesome listeners sent in!What are entry level prices for the Sydney property market? How do you price property in a volatile market? How much are you losing when you overcapitalise?We’re diving into these questions and more as we talk about market research, the ripple effect, bridesmaid suburbs, and heaps more!If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au!See you in the episode! Episode Highlights: Is the Sydney market unachievable? [01:02] When should you sell property and reinvest? [08:58] Factors to consider before selling your property [12:39] How Veronica researches property prices [19:45] Will the current premium markets plateau any time soon? [25:31] Are ‘bridesmaid’ suburbs worth it? [31:20] Characteristics of good-performing properties [36:31] The problem with overcapitalising on your property [42:39] How to avoid overcapitalising [46:01]  Links from the Show: Home Buyer Academy’s FREE Course Suburb Trends July 2021 | Best metrics to measure growth? Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au  Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/220  If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian property market has faced many unexpected changes during the end of last year up to the first quarter of 2022. So, how is it holding up? What global events are affecting the market? Is the rental market improving this year? Is the Australian social class gap slowing down the market?  In today’s Suburb Trends episode, our resident geek Kent Lardner joins us as we take a look at the statistics and discuss the changing market conditions in the country, property inventory, areas going strong, areas showing signs of softening, and heaps more!  If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode! Episode Highlights: Data gathering methods used [01:04] The status of property inventory and sales volume [02:30] How government grants are affecting the market [04:58] A summary of market conditions [08:33] Strong areas and Melbourne’s surprising comeback [12:58] Global issues challenging the property market  [15:19] The rental crisis and the problem with homelessness [18:42] The effect of reopening borders to the rental market [22:00] Rental price delays and the “Landlord Pride” theory [26:03] On indexing and the mentality behind determining property value [28:41] Is buying a unit or apartment (finally) a good idea? [34:43] How the Australian social class gap affects buyer options [41:09] A list of robust property markets [46:28] The price data anomaly [52:22] Links from the Show: Suburb Trends July 2020 | Micro vs Macro Markets w/ Kent Lardner Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au  Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/219  If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that statistically, over 4,000 people die each year due to asbestos exposure? Not only that - one out of three properties in Australia contain asbestos, and most occupants aren’t even aware of it!  Knowing this, why is this issue yet to be addressed properly? How serious is this problem, and how can you make sure that you’re safe from it? Martin North of Asbestos Awareness Australia will walk us through everything we need to know about asbestos and how to deal with it, and the dangerous consequences its presence poses in property. We’ll also discuss myths about asbestos, the lack of action most people have, accreditation for asbestos removal, and more. If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode! Episode Highlights: A warning for property owners [01:38] The problem with asbestos [03:53] Are Australians aware of this asbestos issue? [08:50] The dangers of not knowing if there’s asbestos in your property [11:56] Is asbestos fine on your property as long as it’s not disturbed? [16:59] The lack of action towards asbestos [20:34] More women are being diagnosed with mesothelioma due to DIYs [25:39] Driving political change that addresses the issue [28:23] The urgency when dealing with asbestos [34:54]  Debunking the myths about asbestos [37:25] Checking a service provider’s accreditation for asbestos removal [39:36] How the UK deals with the dangers of asbestos [42:10] Don’t just leave it to the government [45:00] Remember to wear a mask and other protective equipment [49:17]   Links from the Show: Visit Asbestos Awareness Australia About Martin: Martin North is the founder of Digital Finance Analytics and curates the YouTube Channel Walk The World, where he covers finance and property news with a distinctively Australian flavour. In addition, he is a founding director of Asbestos Awareness Australia, a registered charity which was established with his wife Gill, last year. Gill was a Professor of Law and diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer which is caused by random exposure to asbestos. Before her death in December last year, she had spent the past 3 years researching the story of asbestos. Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au  Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/218  If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting property advice is one of the most important steps to take when investing in real estate. However, there is no guarantee that every property advisor in the industry has received the right level of education, which can be pretty risky, especially for investors. What are the dangers inherent in the unregulated nature of real estate? How does this low barrier to entry for buyer’s agents affect consumers?  In this episode, Peter Koulizos of PIPA is going to help us understand the educational gap issue and its impact on the real estate market. We’ll talk about the absence of regulation governing property investment advisors, accessibility of good advice, the future of the property market in Australia when it comes to education, and more! If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode!   Episode Highlights: What is “property advice”? [02:09] Difference between a property investment advisor and a buyer’s agent [04:28] What qualifications are needed to become a property investment advisor? [06:12] Why is there no need for regulation? [10:50] Regulations in property & becoming a property investment advisor [15:10] Overregulation for some professionals in real estate [18:25] Property investment hot-spotting [21:55] Resistance in the property industry [25:41] Paying for good property advice [27:59] Mistakes some people make when purchasing properties [34:10] Yield vs growth: What is more important when it comes to property? [35:46] Capital growth gives you a tax liability (for good) [38:01] Identifying if someone’s methodology works [41:01]   Links from the Show: For property investment advice, visit the PIPA website  Episode 207: Suburb Trends December 2021 | Exploring the Dark Side of Property Data Episode 213: Why Do Real Estate Agents Have Such a Bad Reputation? | John Cunningham, Cunninghams Real Estate About Peter: Known as “The Property Professor”, Peter Koulizos holds a teaching degree, Masters of Business (Property) and Master of Urban & Regional Planning. Peter is currently the Program Director of the Master of Property at Adelaide University. Peter has been teaching in real estate and investment for over 25 years. Peter also personally invests/develops property and currently holds several properties. He has published two books; “The Property Professor’s Top Australian Suburbs” and “Property vs Shares”. His third book will be out soon.   Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au    Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/217    If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes it takes a sensational event to bring attention to major problems. Take, for example, the evacuation of approximately 3,000 people in Sydney’s Opal Tower and Mascot Towers. Through these two stories dominating the headlines, Sydney's dysfunctional planning and development system has been highlighted. How big is this problem? How can both ordinary citizens and our governments address this issue? Laura Crommelin of UNSW shares with us her findings on the research she has conducted into building defects in strata, the truth about building defects, problems with design and construct contracts, and everything about the hazards that may be present in a building. If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode!   Episode Highlights: Why Laura decided to tackle Sydney’s building defects in her research [01:54] The challenge of finding out the truth [06:52] Coming up with a definition of a ‘defect’ [10:44] What are the most common building defects? [12:21] Design and construct contract and its issues in residential construction [14:39]  When does the government get involved in these building problems? [19:38] Is the government’s strata building bond inspection scheme a good move? [22:23] Data blindness when purchasing brand new properties [25:37] The star-rating system for developers [29:21] Do developers and builders care about the building defect issues? [32:57] Luxury and quality may go together, but what about affordability? [37:09] How can we get out of this mess in the property industry? [43:15]  The light at the end of the tunnel [47:02] Laura's property dumbo [49:35] Being aware of the defect issues before you suffer from them [53:11] Creating a standard for record-keeping in strata properties [56:06]   Links from the Show: Cracks in the Compact City: Defects in Strata Episode 188: Is your property fire safe? | Rob Broadhead, 2020 Fire Protection Episode 176: Developers are in the Government’s crosshairs | David Chandler, NSW Building Commissioner Episode 206: Buyers Beware: Who Controls Your Access to Information? | Dr. Nicole Johnston, Deakin University Episode 112: Pandemic Crisis, What Will Happen to the Market | Veronica Morgan & Chris Bates   About Laura: Laura Crommelin is a Senior Lecturer in the City Planning Program at UNSW Sydney, teaching planning law and governance and working on research related to urban and housing policy. She is also a Fellow at UNSW's City Futures Research Centre. Laura’s research interests cover a range of trends and issues in post-industrial cities, including urban renewal, urban governance, digital disruptions (e.g. Airbnb), place branding, and DIY urban revitalisation practices.   Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au    Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/216    If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days, the supply of build-to-rent properties, or “multi-family dwellings”  is steadily rising. But how much will it affect the market overall? Should we be concerned about the potential risks this growing segment poses? How about the opportunity costs and losses in today’s booming market? What do we make of that? Join today’s Suburb Trends episode, along with our resident data geek Kent Lardner, as we cover the rise of build-to-rent properties, how it might impact mum & dad high rise investors, Kent’s Win-Loss Ratio, and heaps more! If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode!   Episode Highlights: Approaching the rise of build-to-rent properties [1:21] Why are people making build-to-rent properties when there’s an oversupply? [03:08] Yield drives “corporate landlord” behaviour [05:22] Build-to-rent assets are a totally different product [09:02] How attractive are build-to-rent properties to long-term tenants? [12:20] Are there plenty of build-to-rent properties available today? [15:45] A theory about why they’re called “multi-family” properties [17:27] The high risk individual apartment holders face [19:12] Looking at the “boom” and what’s happened (& will happen) in the market [25:15] The danger of the housing affordability push [29:00] Opportunity costs (and losses) in a booming market [35:27] Kent’s Win-Loss Ratio [37:36] Price growth in properties along northern beaches due to COVID [43:17] Locations with the worst win-loss ratios [46:01] The gap between privileged investors versus those on a tight budget [53:21] What’s in the next Suburb Trends episode? [56:34]   Links from the Show: Episode 104: Build-To-Rent the new standard for renters | Adam Hirst, Mirvac   Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? https://www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au    Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/215 If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alternative property investment can be great for your portfolio if you know how to do it properly and with the right advisors around you! Salena Kulkarni of Inkosi Wealth joins us as we delve into a different type of property investing (which may sound a bit risky) that may offer another path to success if you do it the right way. We’ll discuss further what an alternative investment is and how it differs from the traditional route.  If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode!   Episode Highlights: What is alternative investing? [02:20] What does market “inefficiency” mean? [02:58] The element of luck in property investment outcomes [06:15] Examples of alternative investments [08:20] Is the belief “high risks, high rewards” an actual fact? [13:56] Alternative investing for people just starting out in property [19:02] Alternative investment as a concept (and in the real world) [22:08] What happens to the capital if you invest for retirement? [28:13] Salena’s “shirt loss” story that you can learn from [32:19] A successful alternative investing story [41:24] Creating a plan & mindset for alternative investing [45:15] Changes in the properties in Australia [49:49] Salena’s property dumbo [52:41] Lessons we can learn from Salena [58:22]   Links from the Show: The Alternative Investing Podcast  Episode 1: Who is really making the decisions when you bid at auction? The Freedom Warrior: How to Build A Bigger Life Through Alternative Property Investment Strategies Check out Inkosi Wealth   About Salena: Salena Kulkarni has been a chartered accountant for 25 years, a certified property investment adviser and a wealth strategist. She has helped 100’s of investors build wealth and shave decades off their timeline to hit their financial freedom. Her focus over the last 12 years has been on building an expansive network of exclusive off-market opportunities and sharing them with discerning investors who want investments that outperform the market and offer measurable return on investment.   Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? https://www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au    Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/214    If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Research shows that only 5% of Australians see real estate agents as honest and ethical. Why do real estate agents have such a bad reputation? Why is there so little transparency in the property market? Can agents find a way to earn the trust of buyers and sellers? John Cunningham of Cunninghams Real Estate joins us for a look into building trust and showing transparency to consumers in the property market. We also dive into how the lack of transparency leads to distrust, accountability in the real estate industry, finding the right agents, and a whole lot more! If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode!   Episode Highlights: Update on the Pathway to Professionalism project for real estate agents [02:10] Looking past disillusionment in the industry & staying driven [04:10] The importance of full transparency in negotiations [07:03] Trusting real estate agents: A challenge among consumers [10:50] Putting regulations in place to address consumer concerns [11:32] The issue with real estate agents getting around the regulations [15:11] Taking a look at consumer reviews [23:32] Are all real estate agents great? [31:16] Consumers don’t trust real estate agents - yet give them business [34:37] How can consumers find the right agents? [40:03] Consumers only understand 40% of their property transactions [44:22] John’s property dumbo [45:31]   Link from the Show: Episode 12: The Big Disruption About to Shake Up Real Estate Agents  Episode 122: Pandemics, Property & Purchasing http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/8691-image-of-professions-2021-april-2021-202104260655   About John: Opening Cunninghams in 1991 with his wife, Ann, John integrated this philosophy into the burgeoning 4 office, 75+ team member business it is today on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Since then, John's innovative and personal approach coupled with his expertise and intimate knowledge of the market, have set Cunninghams as a benchmark business in the industry.   Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au    Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/213   If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property buyers—investors and owners alike—tend to have a personal opinion on where the property market is heading in the future. Individually, you’re likely to take these opinions with a grain of salt. But as a whole, these pieces of information present us with a snapshot of how consumer confidence might affect market behavior. Today, we will learn more from REBAA’s President, Cate Bakos, as we talk about the results from the second Buyer Barometer Survey showing what Australian buyers think about the property market. We’ll get clues on the year ahead, the factors affecting buyer behaviour in the property market, rental drivers, and other insights. If you enjoy the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au! See you in the episode!   Episode Highlights: An overview of the 2021 Buyer Barometer Survey [01:53] Some of the surprising findings in the survey [03:52] Key differences in the results compared with last year’s [07:51] Insights into the most desirable property location in 2022 [09:03] Factors affecting the buyers’ property investment decisions [10:35] Investor mentality vs. owner-occupier mentality [12:12] Measuring how people are reacting to the hot market [14:25] The eviction moratorium’s impact on investors [16:00] Findings on the rental movement in the property market [20:42] What drives rents up or down? [25:02] Statistics on buyers willing to buy property sight unseen [31:58] The dangers of using borderless buyer’s agents [34:30] Why buyers shouldn’t just follow what’s popular [41:25]   Links from the Show: 2021 REBAA & PTA Buyer Barometer Survey   About Cate: Cate Bakos is a fully-licensed buyer’s agent and Qualified Property Investment Advisor (PIPA). Purchasing her first property at 21, Cate continued to invest in property whilst developing her career in sales and marketing with Orica (formerly ICI). In 2003, Cate won a marketing and bursary award, however her passion for real estate saw her make the decision to move into the property industry as a sales agent in Melbourne’s Bayside. Cate currently holds the position of President for REBAA (Real Estate Buyers Agents’ Association (national body) and is a proud PIPA member with a QPIA (Qualified Property Investment Advisor) status.   Connect with Us: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: hello@wealthful.com.au  Send in your questions to: questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au    Find this episode on our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/212   If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.