Buying Melbourne

You've found the perfect property but waiting could cost you tens of thousands or the deal entirely. Tristan Larkin reveals the most powerful buyer tactic: speed. When agents text "Acceptable offer received. All offers due in 4 hours," unprepared buyers scramble and lose. Learn how to do homework early, move decisively, and secure properties before competition materializes. What You...

Properties receiving 35 offers. Growth rates hitting 20% in under 12 months. Lines of 100 people at open homes. If you think Victoria's property market sounds insane right now, you're not wrong. In this episode of How's the Market , Tristan Larkin sits down with his business partners Brodie and Joel from the investment side of Tomii Property to unpack what's really happening ac...

Imagine turning up at auction ready to bid, only to find yourself blown out of the water by buyers paying emotional prices far beyond logic. That’s what many Melbourne buyers are experiencing right now. In this episode of How’s the Market , Tristan Larkin and James Rankin break down why Melbourne auctions feel out of control and what you can do about it. From clearance rates trending sharply upwar...

Imagine buying a beautifully renovated home only to discover months later that the works weren’t council-approved, your insurance won’t cover damage, and you might have to spend tens (or hundreds) of thousands to fix or demolish the improvements. In this episode of How’s The Market , Tristan Larkin and James Rankin unpack Section 137B Reports what they are, what they’re not, and why they matter fo...

FOMO in Melbourne’s Property Market: When to Stretch and When to Walk Away | Ep 41 With interest rate cuts looming, the First Home Guarantee kicking in, and media headlines buzzing about rising prices, Melbourne buyers are rushing back into the market many driven by pure FOMO. But how do you know when stretching your budget makes sense and when it’s smarter to walk away? In this episode of How’s T...

What the First Home Guarantee Changes Mean for Melbourne Buyers | Ep 40 The government’s First Home Guarantee changes are set to take effect on October 1st, and they’re already creating ripples across Melbourne’s property market. From unlimited scheme places to increased price caps and the removal of income limits, these shifts are designed to make it easier for first home buyers to enter the mark...

Do You Really Need a Buyer’s Agent? | Ep 39 Buyer’s agents are becoming a bigger presence across Melbourne’s property market - especially in hotly contested suburbs like Boroondara, Stonnington, Yarra, and Port Phillip. But what does that mean for everyday buyers? Should you consider engaging one yourself, or is it possible to go it alone? In this episode of How’s The Market , we break down the ri...

Melbourne’s Market Outlook – Why the Big Banks Are Lifting Their Price Forecasts | Ep 37 Interest rates are on the move and so are the forecasts. In this episode of How’s The Market, we break down why the big banks have just upped their property price predictions for Melbourne and what it means for buyers and sellers heading into the final stretch of the year. We’ll unpack how lower interest rates...

Timing the Offer: When to Strike in a Private Sale | Ep 36 You don’t need to be Harvey Specter to negotiate like a pro - but you do need the right timing, tactics, and information. In this episode of How’s The Market, we’re diving into the private sale process: when to strike, what questions to ask, and how to position your offer to win without overpaying. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to a...

The Auction Isn’t Over: How to Win When a Property Passes In | Ep 35 Most buyers dread a property passing in —  but in reality, it’s often your best chance to secure a great deal. In this episode, we’re diving into what really happens when a property doesn’t sell under the hammer, and how you can use that moment to your advantage. From understanding what “passed in” actually means, to insider nego...

Pre-auction offers can feel like the fast-track to buying a home  no crowds, no auctions, no stress. But going in early isn’t always the smart move. In fact, it can cost you big if you get it wrong. In this episode, we unpack when a pre-auction offer actually makes sense, how to execute it the right way, and most importantly  when to hold off. Here’s what you’ll learn: When it is the right time to...

Open homes can blur into one big, beige blur. So what should you actually be looking for? In this episode, Tristan and James take you step-by-step through the key things to watch out for — from the street to the shower grout.  Whether you’re buying your first place or your forever home, this is the open home checklist you didn’t know you needed. You’ll learn: What to look for at the estate and str...

What Every Buyer Needs To Know About Building & Pest Inspections | Ep 32  Building & pest reports: essential… yet often misunderstood. In this episode, Tristan and James break down what really goes into these inspections — and what buyers need to know to avoid getting caught out. From dodgy inspector tactics to confusing legal clauses, they unpack the fine print and share tips you won’t he...

Overcoming Underquoting – How Agents REALLY Price Properties| Ep 31 Why does underquoting keep catching buyers off guard — especially in Melbourne?  In this episode, Tristan and James dive deep into the pricing game that’s frustrating homebuyers across the city. From vendor conditioning to CMA manipulation, we unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes. You’ll learn: Why underquoting happens...

How To Buy A Property Before Anyone Else Even Sees It | Ep 30 Off-market deals are often hyped as the holy grail of property buying — but are they really as exclusive (or as good) as they seem? In this episode of How’s the Market , I unpack the truth behind off-markets: the real ones, the red flags, and how to actually get access to hidden gems before they hit the portals. You’ll learn: The differ...

Owners Corporations: The Good, Bad & The Ugly | Ep. 29 Owners Corporations (formerly known as Body Corporates) cop a lot of criticism — but is it all justified? In this episode, Tristan and James break down the shocking and the wonderful realities of Owners Corporations in Victoria. From sky-high fees in flashy towers to well-managed, stress-free communities — they cover it all. Whether you&ap...

The Big Question: Should You Buy Now or Wait? | Ep. 28  Every buyer hits this moment: Is now the right time to buy? Or should you wait for prices to drop, interest rates to change, or life to “settle down”? In this episode, Tristan and James break down the most common reasons buyers delay purchasing — and why many of those reasons don’t hold up under the microscope. From media noise and market tim...

Top 5 Auction Mistakes (And How to Actually Win) | EP 26 Bidding at auction can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of buying a home — especially in Melbourne, where over 1,000 homes can go to auction in a single weekend. In this episode, we break down the top 5 mistakes buyers make at auction (and what to do instead). Whether you’re a first home buyer or an upgrader, these real-world strategi...

Why Now Is The Most Confusing Property Market Ever | EP 25 What’s really going on in Melbourne’s housing market? In this episode, we unpack why 2025 has started with such mixed signals — and what it means if you’re buying in Melbourne. We explore the surprising price movements across different suburbs, the growing gap between Melbourne and other capitals like Perth and Adelaide, and the sharp incr...

What are pre-settlement inspections, do you need to do them and what should you be checking? In this episode we answer all the above. PLUS - download our free pre-settlement inspection checklist below: Pre-Settlement Inspection Checklist - DOWNLOAD Welcome to How’s The Market, a podcast for First Home Buyers and Upgraders that gives you tips, tricks & up to date real estate information from on...

In this week’s episode we will be doing a market update across Melbourne. If you would like to read the full version and look at all the numbers, you can check out this weeks blog below: https://www.tomii.com.au/blog/hows-the-market-melbournes-market-update In The Media Article Link: https://www.realestate.com.au/news/will-rising-interest-rates-put-the-brakes-on-australias-property-market-recovery...

In this week’s episode we will be showing you the best free property tools that you can use to help you get an edge when analysing properties fast! Welcome to How’s The Market, a podcast for First Home Buyers and Upgraders that gives you tips, tricks & up to date real estate information from on the ground across Melbourne & Geelong. Make sure to check out www.tomii.com.au to get access to...

In this week’s episode, we will be outlining the basics of every government grant available to first-home buyers in Victoria. Read the full blog below: www.tomii.com.au/blog/every-government-grant-you-need-to-know-as-a-first-home-buyer-in-victoria Stamp Duty Calculator Welcome to How’s The Market, a podcast for First Home Buyers and Upgraders that gives you tips, tricks & up to date real estat...

In this week’s episode, we deep dive into the shocking and wonderful sides of owners corporations in Victoria. Owners corporations (previously known as Body Corporates) in Victoria don’t have the best reputation. Many first-home buyers come to us and say they wish to buy a unit or apartment that isn’t in an owner's corporation, without even truly understanding what an owner's corporation...

In this week’s episode we will be doing a market update across Melbourne. If you would like to read the full version and look at all the numbers, you can check out this weeks block below: https://www.tomii.com.au/blog/melbournes-market-outlook-for-2023-to-2024 Welcome to How’s The Market, a podcast for First Home Buyers and Upgraders that gives you tips, tricks & up to date real estate informa...