Rewarding Property Decisions with Jarrod McCabe of Wakelin Property Advisory

With Melbourne property prices remaining subdued, the gap between rental costs and mortgage repayments has narrowed, which means first-time buyers, particularly renters, are finding homeownership more attractive and attainable.  This shift is leading to an unusual trend: renters are increasingly able to purchase their rented properties from their rental providers. Historically, while common to exp...

The property investment landscape is overflowing with opinions and commentary, some helpful, some a distraction and some downright misleading. At Rewarding Property Decisions, our mission is to cut through the noise and empower you with the knowledge you need to make truly rewarding property choices. As we often say, “Investing in property makes sense, investing in the right property takes knowled...

Beyond the well known municipal and lifestyle features that deservedly make Melbourne one of the world’s most livable cities, lie the hidden suburban gems and insider secrets that only locals know about. We’re not talking about the well known suburb draw cards, like Edinburgh Gardens, Albert Park Lake or Lygon Street.  We're looking at the places that don’t typically make the tourist maps and ‘wha...

As the cost of living crisis continues to squeeze Victorians, many are seeking affordable housing and lifestyle alternatives in regional areas. As a former country boy, it got Jarrod thinking - could the regional migration initially sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic be experiencing a second wave, this time caused by the cost of living crisis, and should investors take note? 

Like other major cities around the world, Melbourne has undergone significant gentrification of once undesirable, working class suburbs.  But how has the city’s gentrification process taken shape over the decades, and what are the dynamics to consider as we look to the future?  Jarrod explores several key factors that drive Melbourne’s gentrification process, and understanding these can be crucial...

Buying a property is a massive decision. It doesn't matter whether it's your first home, fifth or sixth investment property. The decision needs to be grounded in research and backed up by tangible evidence to ensure you’re putting your best foot forward.   Jarrod McCabe looks at the key research steps you need to take before you launch into the buying process.

As winter approaches, the property market tends to slow down.  But that doesn't mean you should, if you’re looking to buy. Jarrod looks at the key mistakes to avoid this winter.  The best opportunities aren't tied to the season, but to your readiness to act. 

Each generation’s economic and social experience is different, and goes a long way to shaping their property investment journey. However, most agree their first property purchase was the hardest. This is especially true now, given the rapid price rises in recent years. So is there still an appetite amongst the younger generation – ‘Gen Z’ – to enter the market.  To explore this Jarrod enlisted the...

Technology advancements have transformed the real estate sector over the past quarter-century.  While there is no doubt new technology has provided greater information, access, and convenience for both buyers and sellers, there are also areas of risk and concern.  Jarrod explores the key technological shifts across the local property market over the last 25 years, and how you can leverage them to...

Interest rates tempered the Melbourne property market in 2023, but the anticipated easing of rates later this year could revive buyer confidence and spark increased market activity and competition. Stuart Wemyss, Director at ProSolution Private Clients provided valuable insights to  The Wakelin Property Report  as one of its expert contributors. He joined Jarrod to discuss the influence of interes...

Melbourne’s surging rental market is just one of the five pivotal factors poised to shape property investment in 2024. These insights are explored in this year’s Wakelin Property Report , offering strategic keys to leverage each trend for successful investment outcomes. Rebecca Berry, Partner and Head of Property Management at Belle Property St Kilda & Brighton, lends her knowledge to the repo...

Melbourne’s rental market is running hot. Early 2024 has seen huge numbers at open for inspections, leading to significant rent increases for owners.  This surge, while typical from mid-January to mid-March, has been intensified by an exceptionally low vacancy rate and lack of supply, creating a unique window for investors to seek premium rental rates. Wakelin Property Advisor, Jordan Telfer, join...

We've been highlighting our most popular Rewarding Property Decisions episodes over the summer break.  Taking out the number one position is our episode "What to inspect at an open for inspection."    As the market warm ups after some quiet months, listings begin to increase for what is typically a busy selling season.   That obviously increases opportunities for buyers, but it also multiplies the...

While we're away on our summer break, we're sharing with you our most popular Rewarding Property Decisions episodes, receiving the highest number of downloads.  Coming in at number two is our episode "Is a holiday home a good investment?" - perfect timing, given the season.   We often receive enquiries at this time of year from clients considering purchasing a holiday home, upon dreamily returning...

While we're enjoying a break over the Australian summer, we thought we’d share with you our most popular Rewarding Property Decisions episodes, receiving the highest number of downloads.    Coming in at number three is our episode "Melbourne apartments: under vs over capitalising."    Jarrod was joined by Jordan Telfer to look at how to get the most from your apartment investment.  It's important...

While most people have their eyes firmly fixed towards the festive season and holiday break once we tick over into December, it’s a useful time to look back on the Spring property market that has just passed, to gather some takeaways and learnings. This Spring lacked the intensity and hype of some previous years, but was still marked with some notable discussion points, robust market activity, and...

With Jarrod's background in valuations, he has always been fascinated by property price movements. Particularly the complex interplay of factors influencing their directions, both up and down. Over the years, he's determined that the main drivers can be grouped into three major categories – the general economy, the property market, and the property itself.  Jarrod explores these categories and how...

Buying a property is one of the biggest decisions of your lifetime.  There’s a multitude of crucial practical and financial considerations to navigate prior to purchasing a property. But what about the psychological perspective? It’s often overlooked, but it’s a critical aspect to consider when you’re on the hunt for a property. Over the years, we've found two main mental barriers that trip-up pro...

As Spring selling season heads further into November, Jarrod and Wakelin’s Property Team Manager, Brenton Potter explore whether it's better to jump in and buy property now, or hold off until market activity picks up in the new year.

While every Spring sees Melbourne’s property market activity intensify, each year’s selling season has particular dynamics shaping the state of play between buyers and sellers. Jarrod spoke to one of Melbourne's leading real estate agents, Stuart Evans, Director of Marshall White in Boroondara about the shifts and trends impacting Melbourne’s 2023 Spring market. Understand the key issues to optimi...

We’re now entering the heart of Melbourne’s Spring property market – when buyer competition is usually at its most fierce. This upward shift can often wrong foot buyers, who fail to meet the market and resist paying a necessary premium for quality properties. What often unfolds can be a painful, but an all too common scenario. The market races away. High-quality properties, once within their price...

As cost of living pressures escalate, home ownership becomes increasingly challenging, and the rental supply dwindles, fierce political, social, and industry debate has intensified – unfairly pitting renters against property investors. While at Wakelin, we don't claim to have all the answers, we do aim to cut through the emotions and rhetoric to offer practical and pragmatic insight.  Jarrod McCab...

Melbourne’s Spring property season is upon us and many vendors will be gearing-up for their sales campaigns.  It’s typically a time when market activity is at its most lively and buyers are out in force - so often it’s a good time to sell for vendors. But, even in the most frenzied of Spring markets, a badly run sales campaign can see the strongest of properties fall flat.  Jarrod uncovers 6 commo...

Interest rates, uncertain market dynamics and the initial specter of rental caps have seen many investors left pondering the future viability of their property investments. Some of the questions we’ve been fielding include whether to retain or sell a property. If the decision is to sell, what renovations are worthwhile? Likewise, if they continue to hold, what works need to be carried out for rent...

Time is an important resource within property investment, just as it is throughout all aspects of our life. In the third edition of our Reminiscing with Richard series, Jarrod and Richard explain why the key to successful property investment is all about time spent in the market, rather than getting caught up trying to time the market.  Time is such a valuable and irreplaceable resource. Using it...