Street Secrets

“I think we can do better than this property. Let's walk away from this one.” – Cathy McGowan Buying property in Sydney’s North Shore and Hills looks simple from the outside—desirable schools, leafy streets, and strong demand. But beneath the surface, there are traps most buyers don’t see until years later. In this episode, Chris Bates speaks with Cathy McGowan, founder of McGowan Property Buyers...

“Some of those things are not written on the internet — you can’t Google this stuff. You’ve got to live it.” — Matthew Ward Matthew Ward has spent over 25 years working in property across Central NSW — first as a valuer, then as a buyer’s agent deeply embedded in the region. In this episode, Matthew and Chris unpack what truly drives value across regional centres like Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo, Wagg...

“Adelaide has always been slow and steady — we’re not volatile like the Eastern states.” — Jess Ellam Adelaide has quietly become one of Australia’s most compelling property markets — but only if you understand how it actually works. In this episode of Street Secrets, Chris Bates sits down with Adelaide buyer’s agent Jess Ellam to break down the realities behind the city’s growth. With over 20 yea...

“Buying property is both an art and a science—you can’t ignore either.” - Andrew Hancock The Sutherland Shire is one of Sydney’s most misunderstood property markets. Strong lifestyle appeal, tight supply, and improving infrastructure have quietly underpinned long-term demand. Chris Bates is joined by Andrew Hancock, a Shire-based buyer’s agent with a unique background as a commercial airline pilot...

“Over the last five years, we’ve helped 10 local selling agents buy their own homes — and that trust doesn’t happen by accident.” — Will Hosking The Northern Beaches look simple from the outside — great lifestyle, strong demand, limited supply. But beneath the surface, it’s one of Sydney’s most nuanced markets. Chris Bates is joined by Will Hosking, co-founder of PMC Property Buyers, to break down...

“Land and location matter most — not every square metre of Brisbane land is created equal.” - Melinda Jennison Brisbane’s market is shifting fast — tight listings, surging demand, and a structural supply imbalance that isn’t easing anytime soon. In this episode, Melinda Jennison breaks down what’s really happening at ground level. Melinda is the current President of REBAA and Founder of Streamline...

"If investors flood a suburb and locals can’t afford to buy there anymore, that’s when you know the downside risk is real." — Matthew Hughes Perth has delivered one of Australia’s strongest post-COVID runs, but the story behind that growth is far more nuanced. In this episode, Matthew Hughes lays out the structural shifts shaping Perth today — and the risks many investors are overlooking. As found...

“Sub-market areas will outperform a postcode every day of the week.” — Tony Coughran The Gold Coast is booming, but it’s also one of Australia’s most misunderstood markets. In this episode, we strip back the layers with someone who has lived, valued, and bought through every cycle for the past 25 years. Tony Coughran began in property valuation, assessing thousands of homes across the Coast—before...

“There was a recent study where South Canberra ranked as the best place in Australia to raise a family.” This episode goes deep into how Canberra really works. Not the clichés — but the lived-in nuances that only a lifelong local like Claire Corby can unpack. Claire shares her journey from tax advisory to property investing to becoming one of Canberra’s earliest full-time buyer’s agents. With more...

“What’s super fascinating about supply and demand on the South Coast is actually the geography. We’ve got an ocean, an escarpment, a cliff, and a string of national parks — and those natural boundaries limit housing supply incredibly to tight little pockets.” The South Coast isn’t just a lifestyle escape. For nearly 20 years, Matt Knight has watched it evolve — from sleepy surf towns to one of NSW...

“Buy where people want to live, not where they have to live.” — Ray Chua With two decades in Perth real estate, Ray Chua has seen every cycle — from mining booms to market slumps — and knows exactly what separates smart investors from emotional buyers. Ray, founder of Buyer’s Advocate Perth, brings an engineering mind to the art of buying property: systems, signals, and strategy. He reveals why un...

“Anyone who thinks they’ve done well because they’ve been in property for five years is kidding themselves.” – Meighan Wells Brisbane veteran Meighan Wells has been buying homes and investments long before buyer’s agents were a trend. In this episode, she explains why experience, local knowledge, and understanding agent psychology still matter more than ever. Meighan breaks down how to spot Brisba...

“The biggest infrastructure project that this country has seen is really revolutionizing the Western Sydney area that's gonna create thousands and thousands of jobs.” – Ben Plohl Sydney’s West is no longer the sleeping giant of real estate. Between the Metro expansion, the new Western Sydney Airport, and billions flowing into infrastructure, the region is becoming Australia’s next major economic e...

“People are drawn to the Central Coast for two things — affordability and lifestyle.” – Matt Sharp Australia’s Central Coast has transformed from a weekend escape into a thriving property hotspot. But beneath the coastal calm lies a complex, competitive market — one that only locals truly understand. In this episode of Street Secrets , Chris Bates chats with Matt Sharp , Founder and Director of Sh...

“The best way to focus on yield is to buy something with strong land value and minimal improvements.” – Jarrod McCabe Melbourne’s inner ring can look like a goldmine — but without the right fundamentals, investors risk poor performance. In this episode of Street Secrets, buyer’s agent Jarrod McCabe of Wakelin Property Advisory unpacks how to approach Melbourne’s unique market. With a career spanni...

“Our motto is simple: buy without regrets.” – Veronica Morgan Sydney’s Inner West is one of the most complex and competitive property markets in Australia. In this episode of Street Secrets , buyers’ agent Veronica Morgan breaks down the suburb-by-suburb nuances that even seasoned locals get wrong. From one-way streets that turn into daily headaches, to aircraft noise that changes with the seasons...

“The type of dwelling that people want in Brisbane is a detached house… but you’ve got to be careful where you buy.” – Pete Wargent Brisbane might look affordable and straightforward, but buying well takes more than picking a suburb and a budget. In this episode, Chris Bates sits down with Pete Wargent, co-founder of AllenWargent Property Buyers and long-time investor in the Brisbane market. Pete...

"Just 'cause it's on the same street, that doesn't necessarily mean it's worth the same price." – Frank Russo Buying property in Sydney’s eastern suburbs isn’t just about location — it’s about strategy, foresight, and knowing where the hidden value lies. In this episode of Street Secrets , Chris Bates sits down with Sydney-based buyer’s agent Frank Russo, founder of Search Find Invest, who shares...

“You need to know what’s happening from zoning right through to flight paths if you want to buy well.” – Cate Bakos In this first episode of Street Secrets , Melbourne-based buyer’s agent Cate Bakos explains the factors that separate a smart purchase from a costly mistake in the city’s inner north and west. With a background in chemistry and mortgage broking, Cate approaches property with a sharp,...

Property decisions go beyond suburb names and floorplans, they hinge on the insights only locals and experts share. Street Secrets introduces you to Australia’s most experienced buyer’s agents, uncovering the insights and strategies that help you buy smarter. In this trailer, you’ll get a taste of what’s to come: short, sharp episodes released every Thursday, packed with real-world knowledge that...