Rewarding Property Decisions with Jarrod McCabe of Wakelin Property Advisory

Most clients come to us with the obvious questions well prepared – what's my property worth, where should I buy, which agent should I use.  But some of the most consequential questions are the ones that never get asked. In this episode, Jarrod walks through the questions and actions that buyers and sellers routinely overlook – and explains why the answers can make a material difference to the outc...

A renter and an investor walk into the same property – and see completely different things. One wants comfort, condition and convenience. The other wants scarcity, growth potential and the ability to add value over time. More often than not, those priorities point in different directions. In this episode, Jarrod and Jordan put this to the test with two real North Fitzroy properties – a recently re...

With Melbourne offering genuine value relative to other capitals and the family home sitting in an increasingly attractive tax position, it's no surprise that expat enquiry has been picking up. Uncertain times have a way of drawing people home. But buying a family home from overseas – or immediately upon return – is a very different exercise from a standard purchase. The planning, the timing and t...

The federal budget has delivered the most significant changes to property investment tax settings in a generation. Negative gearing for established property is being wound back. The capital gains tax discount is being replaced. And the spruikers are already circling with off-the-plan offers. So what does this actually mean – and what should investors do? In this episode, Jarrod and Jordan cut thro...

AI can now deliver median prices, sale histories and demographics in seconds. But when it comes to assessing the value of a specific property, the technology has real limitations – and buyers who treat AI-generated valuations as fact risk making decisions based on flawed data. In this episode, Jarrod examines how AI valuation tools work, where they fall short, and what a physical inspection reveal...

The most costly mistakes in property investment rarely happen at auction. They happen weeks or months earlier, when the wrong objective takes hold and shapes every decision that follows – from the stock you look at to the price you're willing to pay. In this episode, Jarrod unpacks the common traps that lead investors toward the wrong property, and explains why capital growth should always come fi...

High interest rates, cost of living pressures and global instability have kept Melbourne's property market subdued – but a flat market is not the same as an easy one. Stock thins out, competition concentrates in unexpected pockets, and the gap between genuine value and simply cheap widens.   So how do you buy well in these conditions? In this episode, Jarrod walks through the key considerations fo...

As older apartment buildings across Melbourne's middle ring continue to age, we're seeing more cases where the underlying land value has started to exceed the value of the building itself. That's creating opportunities – but also complexity – for owners considering a group sale to a developer. It's a very different process from selling a single property, with far more moving parts and far more pot...

The Victorian Government wants to build 300,000 new homes by 2051 around 60 train and tram activity centres across Melbourne. It's a bold plan to tackle housing affordability by focusing development in established locations rather than pushing Melbourne's boundaries further outward. But will it work – and what does it mean for property investors? In this episode, Jarrod applies a SWOT analysis to...

The first instalment of the 2026 Wakelin Melbourne Property Report showed where we are: investor activity is back, interstate capital has moved first, and a February rate rise has put that renewed confidence on notice.​ Part two is about how to think from here. In this episode, Jarrod steps away from the month‑to‑month noise and works through six tensions that will shape Melbourne’s housing invest...

Melbourne's property market has started 2026 at a defining inflection point. The momentum has been undeniable. Wakelin's proprietary data reveals a 87% surge in investor enquiries through 2025, with interstate buyers leading the charge. But we now face a new test. The February rate rise has challenged that sentiment just as it was consolidating. So, where does that leave the market in 2026? In the...

Welcome to the Rewarding Property Decisions ‘best of’ summer series. While we’re taking some time off over summer, we thought we’d share with you our most popular episodes in 2025. This one caught us by surprise at first. Our number one episode for 2025 is “Villa Units: Melbourne’s Overlooked Investment Gem.”    I suppose it’s understandable that this episode was popular, as people look for afford...

Welcome to the Rewarding Property Decisions ‘best of’ summer series. The countdown is back again this summer, while we enjoy our break. Coming in at number two was a hot topic for 2025 regarding the movements in the Melbourne property market – ‘Winter is here, but Melbourne’s property market is warming up’.      Winter is coming, but Melbourne’s market signals are burning bright.  In this episode,...

Welcome to the Rewarding Property Decisions ‘best of’ summer series. The countdown is back again this summer, while we enjoy our break. Coming in at number three is the ever-popular Q & O format.  This episode was hosted by my colleagues Jordan and Brenton. They were happy to answer some great questions from our listeners.     Momentum began to build in Melbourne’s property market in 2025 – an...

With the holiday season upon us, many Melburnians are packing the car and heading for the coast – but which direction are you pointing the bonnet? East to the Mornington Peninsula or west to the Bellarine? In this episode, Jarrod compares Victoria’s two favourite coastal playgrounds across seven key battlegrounds – from beaches and wineries to golf and property – to uncover what truly sets them ap...

The Victorian Government has signalled significant reforms that would require vendors to publish their reserve price at least seven days before an auction. In this week's episode, Jarrod McCabe and Jordan Telfer explain why this rule – while well-intentioned – clashes with the commercial reality of auction campaigns, and why a published reserve rarely provides the price certainty buyers crave. In...

For many buyers, the agent’s quote range is the first filter they use when searching for a property. But in today’s market, relying on that figure as your sole source of truth can lead to missed opportunities or wasted inspection costs. Residential property is a unique asset class driven as much by human emotion as it is by financial logic. Understanding the difference between ‘market manipulation...

Victoria’s rental landscape is shifting with a new suite of reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act, effective from 25 November 2025. These updates aim to raise standards and address poor practices, urging investors to focus on proactive compliance to avoid fines, disputes, or challenges in a competitive leasing market.​ In this week's episode, Jarrod is joined by Wakelin Property Advisor Jordan...

Melbourne's spring property market is heating up, with first-home buyers returning thanks to federal incentives slashing deposits to 5%.   While inner-suburb houses stay out of reach for many, apartments are gaining traction as an accessible entry point – but only if you focus on the right ones for long-term growth.   In this week's episode, Jarrod explains why notional land value – your proportio...

Selling property from a deceased estate stirs profound emotions and risks disputes among family members. Yet a structured approach can maximise value, provide fair closure, and honour the deceased's legacy. In this episode Jarrod discusses: The key differences between executors and beneficiaries, and why early role clarification reduces tension Defining sale goals, from joint ownership to buyouts,...

With Spring auctions numbers ramping up and Melbourne's property demand set to intensify, mastering the powerplays between bidders, vendors, and agents is crucial – but how do you adapt to win in this unpredictable arena? In this episode Jarrod discusses: The auctioneer/agent's tools: setting quotes, bids, and vendor insertions to shape the process Vendors as ultimate deciders: timing the reserve...

First-time buyers are driving demand for two-bedroom apartments this Spring, but costly mistakes in the property market can set newcomers back years – so how do you avoid them and build lasting wealth? In this episode Jarrod discusses: Not waiting for finance: start educating yourself early on priorities, locations, and property types Using government grants wisely without letting them steer you t...

With remote property investment gaining traction, savvy investors are buying interstate or in other cities to diversify and capture growth in undervalued markets like Melbourne's current landscape. But what are the keys to success? In this episode Jarrod discusses: Why go remote: for diversification, reduced risks, tax benefits, and opportunities in markets at different cycles Where to invest: cap...

For the first time in Jarrod’s career, Melbourne’s property investment market is being led by interstate buyers – a shift revealed in Wakelin’s 2025 Spring Property Report that could influence the city’s next growth cycle.    With interstate enquiries climbing to 57% from 17% in 2022 and local interest falling to 39%, the trend signals building momentum and new opportunities – but what will it mea...

It’s a story every seller hopes for – a trusted long-term renter eager to buy the property as soon as it hits the market. But is the ‘obvious sale’ always the best outcome? In this episode, Jarrod reveals a behind-the-scenes look at a St Kilda home sale where rigorous planning and dual-strategy paid off. You’ll hear: Why skipping a full campaign can put your result at risk How running a parallel p...