Buying Melbourne

Show Notes: In this episode of Buying Melbourne, we break down what the latest interest rate rise actually means for Melbourne buyers — and where the opportunity and risk sits in today’s market. While rate rises often create uncertainty, they also shift buyer behaviour, reduce competition, and change the dynamics of the market. Right now, we’re seeing borrowing capacity shrink, buyer confidence dr...

In this episode of Buying Melbourne , we break down the biggest mistakes first home buyers make  and how to avoid them. Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, yet many buyers walk in thinking they’re prepared… when in reality, the most costly mistakes often feel logical in the moment. From misunderstanding suburbs to relying on price guides, these small...

In this episode of Buying Melbourne, we break down one of the biggest myths in property waiting for spring to buy or sell. Right now, many buyers are sitting on the sidelines, hoping for certainty before making a move. But the reality is, by the time the market feels “safe” again, competition has already returned and prices have already shifted. With softer clearance rates, increased stock levels,...

In this episode of Buying Melbourne, we break down how to upsize in today’s market without taking on unnecessary risk. Right now, there is a genuine opportunity for upsizers across Melbourne - particularly above $1.5M in the inner ring - but it’s also one of the easiest environments to get caught out if you don’t have a clear strategy. With more listings, less confident buyers, and softer conditio...

In this episode of Buying Melbourne, we explore why the next 6 weeks to 6 months could be the most favorable buying conditions for premium Melbourne properties in at least five years. With rising interest rates, record-high listings, low auction clearance rates, and election uncertainty, the upper-end market is creating rare opportunities for savvy buyers to secure inner-ring homes for hundreds of...

Is the current market handing premium Melbourne buyers a rare opportunity? In this episode of Buying Melbourne, Tristan Larkin and James Rankin break down why two consecutive RBA rate hikes, surging listings, and election uncertainty are creating the perfect conditions for savvy buyers to save hundreds of thousands on inner-ring properties above $2M. They share five tactical approaches to negotiat...

Is now a good time to buy in Melbourne’s property market? In this episode of Buying Melbourne , Tristan Larkin and James Rankin unpack why media headlines, bank forecasts, and market predictions often mislead buyers and how to focus on what really matters. From understanding auction trends to ignoring fear-driven news, they reveal practical strategies for confident property decisions. What You&apo...

Are Melbourne buyers leaving $100,000s on the table? In this episode of Buying Melbourne , Tristan Larkin and James Rankin break down the five biggest negotiating mistakes they see Melbourne property buyers make and explain how to avoid them. From pre-auction offers to leveraging contract terms, they show how savvy buyers can save money and secure the property they really want. What You'll Le...

Is Melbourne Australia’s most undervalued property market right now? In this episode of Buying Melbourne , Tristan Larkin is joined by Joel, Head of Strategy at Tomii, to explore why Melbourne could be the next property boom. They dive into auction trends, affordability, investor activity, and future growth hotspots to uncover where the smart money is heading. What You'll Learn: Why recent Me...

Where is Melbourne’s new money actually moving? And what suburbs are attracting high-income millennials and young professionals right now? In this episode of Buying Melbourne, Tristan Larkin and James Rankin unpack the latest income data, auction trends, and on-the-ground agent insights to reveal where young and wealthy buyers are gravitating across Melbourne. From shifting clearance rates to chan...

Buying in Melbourne’s Inner East right now isn’t just about timing, it’s about understanding opportunity, sentiment, and long-term strategy. With rate hikes, auction withdrawals, and fluctuating clearance rates, many buyers are hesitant. But for those prepared, this uncertainty creates a rare chance to secure a property under favourable conditions. In this episode of How’s the Market , Tristan Lar...

SHOW NOTES Melbourne versus Sydney’s Inner East is not just a numbers game. It is about lifestyle, scarcity, and what you value in a home. A $5 million median in Melbourne might get you a terrace in Hawthorn while the same budget in Sydney barely scratches the surface of Bellevue Hill. Beyond dollars, it is about the type of living you want. Leafy streets, heritage estates, clifftop views, or city...

Inner East vs Inner North isn't just about a postcode. It’s about the lifestyle tribe you belong to. A buyer moving from Sydney's Surry Hills will naturally gravitate toward the North's warehouse cool. The exact same buyer, if they prioritize elite schooling and prestige, will find their home in the East. This choice is a fundamental reflection of how you want to live and move throu...

Heritage vs modern homes in the inner east isn't just about preference. It's about what shaped you. A first home buyer who grew up in Hawthorne wants terraces. The exact same buyer, if they grew up in Mulgrave, wants modern. That's a fundamental difference for the same person. But the real story behind this preference is far more complex than just nostalgia alone. In this episode of...

The postcode price gap in Melbourne isn't just about location. A fully rebuilt Victorian home in Windsor is quoted at $3.6-$3.9 million. The exact same home, placed two minutes away in Toorak, would fetch $6.5 million. That's a $2.6 million difference for a two-minute drive. But the real story behind this gap is far more complex than postcodes alone. In this episode of Buying Melbourne,...

The buy-first-or-sell-first question isn't about personal preference. It's about market conditions. Real estate agents push you to sell first because that's when they get paid. Mortgage brokers want certainty on borrowing capacity. But the right answer depends entirely on the market you're selling into, your property type, and your financial position. In this episode of Buying...

Melbourne's property market has split into three distinct worlds. Turnkey homes are selling fast with buyers paying premiums for certainty. Unrenovated properties are sitting longer with buyers demanding heavy discounts. Build sites are only attracting committed buyers with deep pockets. With construction costs volatile, renovation budgets blowing out, and banks tightening lending, buyers are...

Five townhouses built in a Chinese factory, shipped to Australia, and craned into place just sold out in three weeks in Craigieburn. Build time? Eight weeks from slab to occupancy certificate versus the standard ten to twelve months. Cost? Twenty percent cheaper than volume builders. Welcome to the prefab revolution that could either solve Australia's housing crisis or spark the biggest indus...

Melbourne's property market isn't one market. It's five completely different markets operating in isolation. While sub-$1 million properties in Frankston surge 20% and clearance rates hold steady, the $2 million-plus market is brutally split between renovated properties selling $300K-400K over range and unrenovated homes passing in everywhere. In this episode of Buying Melbourne, Tr...

In May 2025, Victoria's property market will face its most dramatic regulatory change yet: agents will be required to publish the vendor's reserve price seven days before auction. It's a bold move designed to combat underquoting, but will it actually protect buyers, or will it just create more problems than it solves? In this episode of Buying Melbourne, Tristan Larkin and James Ran...

Underquoting has been a frustrating reality of the Melbourne property market for years, but as of November 2025, new regulations are attempting to change the game. The question is: will they actually make a difference, or just add more complexity without solving the problem? In this episode of Buying Melbourne, Tristan Larkin and James Rankin dissect the new underquoting laws that have just come i...

Crime isn't just making headlines, it's directly changing what buyers want and what they're willing to pay for Melbourne property. If you've been wondering whether safety concerns are affecting the market, the answer is clear: they absolutely are. In this episode of How's the Market, Tristan Larkin and James Rankin break down the real impact of rising crime on Melbourne pr...

Melbourne’s property market is moving in two very different directions, and understanding this split is essential if you are buying, selling, or following the drama from The Block. In this episode of How’s The Market, James Rankin explains what is happening across Melbourne’s inner-east and Bayside areas and why different buyer groups such as first home buyers, upsizers, downsizers, and investors...

Thinking about buying your first home? The timeline might surprise you. Most first home buyers take 9-12 months from start to settlement, and understanding why can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. In this episode of How's the Market, James Rankin and Tristan Larkin break down the five critical stages of the property buying journey. With Melbourne's clearance rates sitting...

December isn't just about Christmas shopping, it might be the best time of year to buy property in Melbourne. If you've been waiting for the perfect moment to secure a deal, this could be it. In this episode of How's the Market, Tristan Larkin breaks down why December creates unique opportunities for savvy buyers. With auction clearance rates at 58.3% in Melbourne and just 45% in pr...