Buying Melbourne

Show Notes Melbourne's auction clearance rates have been making headlines, but are they actually telling buyers what's happening in the property market? In this episode, Tristan shares the story of a competitive auction he attended over the weekend, where he missed out on a property that eventually sold for $124,000 above reserve. Despite weaker market conditions, great properties are st...

Show Notes Victoria's new auction and property price transparency rules have started, but what do they actually change for Melbourne buyers? In this episode of Buying Melbourne, Tristan and James revisit the October 2026 reforms, explain the new Property Price Statement replacing the Statement of Information, and look at the seven-day reserve disclosure requirement for auctions and fixed-date...

Show Notes: Victoria goes to the polls on November 28, and property is shaping up to be one of the biggest issues in the election. Labor, the Liberal and Nationals Coalition, the Greens and One Nation are proposing very different approaches to stamp duty, land tax, housing supply, planning, renters and property investment. In this episode, Tristan breaks down what each party has announced so far a...

Show Notes: Everyone wants to buy property below market value, but the best opportunities aren't always obvious. In this episode, Tristan breaks down three of the main ways he looks for undervalued properties in Melbourne: buying off-market before competition arrives, finding stale listings where unrealistic vendor expectations have changed, and reading auction campaigns to identify opportuni...

Show Notes: Victoria's auction rules are about to change significantly, with vendors required to publicly disclose their reserve price at least seven days before an auction or fixed-date sale. But the published reserve doesn't necessarily mean what buyers might assume. In this episode, Tristan breaks down the new rules, including why a vendor can potentially sell below their published re...

Show Notes: Negotiating a property purchase is about much more than simply making the lowest offer possible. In this episode, Tristan breaks down the process he uses when negotiating properties for Tomii clients, from establishing value and understanding the vendor's circumstances through to analysing competing offers and using settlement terms strategically. We also discuss why buyers accide...

Show Notes: Melbourne's property market might be weak, but that doesn't mean every property is struggling to sell. Some homes are passing in and reducing their expectations, while others are still attracting multiple bidders and selling hundreds of thousands above their advertised range. In this episode, Tristan explains why the gap between exceptional and average property is becoming in...

Show Notes: How do you actually know what a property is worth? The advertised price guide is one of the first numbers buyers see, but it shouldn't be the number that determines what you're prepared to pay. In this episode, Tristan breaks down the process he uses to value properties for clients, from finding genuinely comparable sales and adjusting for differences through to understanding...

Show Notes: Spring has officially arrived in Melbourne, but this year's selling season is starting under very different conditions. Property prices have been falling, auction clearance rates remain weak and buyers have become increasingly cautious after three interest rate rises in 2026. In this episode, Tristan looks at what could happen if the traditional increase in spring listings hits a...

Show Notes: In this week’s episode of How’s The Market , we break down the 5 key things to check before you even inspect a property. In a falling market, buying the wrong property or skipping your due diligence can be an expensive mistake - especially when you’re spending $1m+. Before recommending a property to a client, there are several checks we run to understand the risks, the surrounding mark...

Show Notes: In this week’s episode of How’s The Market , we explore why now could be one of the best times to upsize in Melbourne. With the upper end of the market facing weaker auction results and more properties passing in or reducing their prices, buyers with the capacity to move up the property ladder are finding increased opportunities. We look at why some high-end homes are struggling to sel...

Show Notes: In this week’s episode of How’s The Market , we unpack how quoting strategies have changed across Melbourne as the market continues to shift in 2026. With auction clearance rates remaining under pressure and buyer demand becoming more selective, agents are adapting the way they price and sell properties. From higher price guides designed to leave room for negotiation to traditional und...

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...