The Buy Your Side (BYS) podcast is developed with the aim to help buyers in the market who are looking to increase their knowledge, equalise the balance of power and gain the tools they need to make better property buying decisions.
The BYS podcast is guaranteed to give you lots of insight into the property market with our value packed episodes and over 25 years of knowledge & experience from BYS Host, Michelle May.
We’ll help you get yourself purchase ready and just as the title claims, we’re here Buy Your Side, to guide you every step of the way!
Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full transcript to the episode can be found here. Don’t forget to connect with us across: Facebook Instagram TikTok LinkedIn If you have any burning property questions at all please send an email to [email protected]...
Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full transcript to the episode can be found here. Don’t forget to connect with us across: Facebook Instagram TikTok LinkedIn If you have any burning property questions at all please send an email to [email protected]...
Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full transcript to the episode can be found here . Don’t forget to connect with us across: Facebook Instagram TikTok LinkedIn If you have any burning property questions at all please send an email to [email protected]...
Moving house is one of life’s most stressful experiences, but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode of the Buy Your Side podcast, Michelle May is joined by Emma O’Sullivan, Managing Director of Mums PA, to share expert strategies for a smooth, stress free move. From decluttering before you pack to organising your new home efficiently, Emma’s approach will help you avoid chaos, reduce overwhelm, and get settled in your new home faster. You’ll learn how to declutter before a move and what to do w...
In this episode, Michelle shares her expert insights on what’s ahead for property buyers in 2025. With interest rates shifting, buyer competition increasing, and major rezoning changes in Sydney, it’s never been more important to do your research before purchasing. In this episode you’ll learn how interest rate cuts are shaping buyer demand in 2025, why competition for A-grade housing is heating up, and what to do about it, the impacts of Sydney’s rezoning changes and how they could affect your ...
In this episode, Michelle talks to Aaron Christie-David, the founder and director of Atelier Wealth and the author of The Happy Home Loan Handbook about how to nail your pre-approval and get ready for your mortgage in 2025! Michelle and Aaron highlight things you need to consider before talking to a Mortgage Broker, red flags lenders look out for in your application, how to choose the right type of property to improve your lending options, why ignoring market noise can help you stay focused on y...
In this episode of the Buy Your Side podcast, Michelle dives into the important considerations you need to make when selecting a Buyer’s Agent, including key qualities and red flags that can make or break your property buying experience. Michelle highlights how to identify an underqualified Buyer’s agent, why proven track records and deep knowledge matters, understanding service transparency and fees, why working with a team ensures you aren’t sacrificing on quality + more. Love the Buy Your Sid...
In this episode, Michelle talks about poignant lessons from her client interactions over the years. You'll learn the importance of researching areas you may not have thought of buying in, the restriction around pets in apartments, why you must read the strata report before buying an apartment, and what makes Michelle say no to a potential client. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the episode can be found here. Don’t forg...
In this episode, Michelle draw parallels between the world of dating and the property market. While it might seem like a strange comparison, Michelle uncovers some surprising similarities that can help you navigate buying with a bit more insight. You'll learn how property photos can be just as misleading as dating app profiles, why lighting in photos might reveal more than you think, the importance of viewing multiple properties before making a decision, trusting the right people and the dangers...
In this episode, Michelle dives into the often frustrating question, “Why don’t agents disclose the selling price of a property?” You will learn who can request to keep a property's sale price confidential, reasons why the property's sale price is kept undisclosed, why privacy is so important when it comes to real estate,. different tactics some agents use to manage market expectations, and different ways you can find out these undisclosed sales prices yourself! Love the Buy Your Side podcast? P...
In this episode, Michelle discusses the process of how sales reserves are set and the common misconceptions surrounding price guides and reserves in property auctions. In today’s episode, you will learn how price guides are determined, and by whom, the legal obligations a sales agent has when offers are made and rejected, how auction reserves are set, and by whom, and why you shouldn’t pay attention to how much a property sells above the reserve price. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give...
In this episode, Michelle discusses the importance of setting your limit for an auction. In today’s episode, you will learn how to stop over committing in the heat of the moment, the importance of researching comparable sales, how to assess the competition, and how to emotionally prepare yourself for an auction. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the episode can be found here. Don’t forget to connect with us across: Faceb...
In this episode, Michelle discusses the rise of the bank of Mum and Dad. In today’s episode, you will learn why clear expectations need to be set, why open and honest communication is crucial, the importance of professional guidance, and about the legal and financial considerations. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the episode can be found here . Don’t forget to connect with us across: Facebook Instagram TikTok LinkedIn...
In this episode, Michelle discusses the importance of understanding strata by-laws. In today’s episode, you will learn why you need to read the by-laws prior to purchasing, how reading the by-laws can save you money, where to find the by-laws, and what strata can restrict you from doing. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the episode can be found here. Don’t forget to connect with us across: Facebook Instagram TikTok Link...
In this episode, Michelle discusses how ignorance may be sabotaging your property search. In today’s episode, you will learn how your limiting beliefs may be leaving you stuck, the importance of basing property decisions on facts and figures, how to make informed compromises, and what alternative financial solutions can be explored. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the episode can be found here. Don’t forget to connect ...
In this episode, Michelle discusses whether you should renovate before selling and what to consider. In today’s episode, you will learn how advice from real estate agents can help, the importance of doing your own research into the current market, what online portal can give you valuable information to help with your decision and how, and why using a reputable solicitor when you sell is crucial. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show ...
In this episode, Michelle chats with Helen Ruprecht, a Buy Your Side podcast listener, about her journey from being a long-time renter to buying her own home. In today’s episode, you will hear about the significant challenges Helen faced in saving for a property deposit and how she achieved her goal, the importance of adjusting expectations when searching for a home, what motivated Helen to pursue home ownership, and the importance of finding a reliable broker. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Pl...
In this episode, Michelle chats with Allyson Bailie from HOPE Investment. Together they discuss how HOPE Investment came about and how they assist with housing affordability. In today’s episode, you will learn how Hope Housing addresses housing affordability for essential workers, what their plan for the future is, how their shared equity model assists the homebuyers, and why HOPE Housing emphasises on education for buyers. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to kn...
In this episode, Michelle what is expected for the real estate market in 2024. From today’s episode, you will learn what time frames for look like for purchasing, what may cause delays, what types of properties we will see more of for sale, and what is the fastest growing demographic in the market is. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the episode can be found here. Don’t forget to connect with us across: Facebook Instagr...
In this episode, Michelle discusses her 10 non-negotiables for buying property. In today’s episode, Michelle explores the various research you should be undertaking, the importance of working with a quality team, why due diligence is of the utmost importance, and the importance of getting your financials in order. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes to the episode can be found here. Don’t forget to connect with us across: Fac...
In this episode, Michelle explores making an offer prior to auction and ensuring it is the right choice for you. In today’s episode Michelle explores the reasons why buyers may want to buy prior to auction, why being scared of going to an auction isn’t a reason to want to make an offer prior to auction, understanding when it’s not a good idea to make an offer prior to auction, and the importance of being confident in your offer when making an offer prior to auction. Love the Buy Your Side podcas...
In this episode, Michelle explores pre settlement inspections and their significance in the property buying process. In today’s episode, you will learn the reasons behind the timing of the inspection in the buying process and the potential issues that can arise if done on the day of settlement, how buyers typically have the right to only one additional inspection between exchange and settlement and some advice around this, the importance of checking the inclusions listed on the front page of the...
In this episode, Michelle chats with Ludwina Dautovic from The Room Xchange. Together they explore what The Room Xchange offers in the rental marketplace. In today’s episode, you will learn how The Room Xchange works for both the homeowner and renter, the importance of having difficult conversations when starting out with home sharing, what are the benefits to using the Room Xchange and ways in which the rental market could be improved by showing compassion and empathy. Love the Buy Your Side po...
In this episode, Michelle and James O’Brien from Shore Financial explore whether the media's portrayal of the mortgage cliff matches reality and discuss its implications on property owners. From today’s episode, you will learn what is a "mortgage cliff" and whether it is a real concern or media hype, how changes in mortgage rates can affect property owners and investors, the dynamics of the property market, including the current demand for properties, the impact on property values, and the reaso...
In this episode, Michelle chats with Daniel Leahy from Dwell Property Inspections about the importance of building and pest inspections. In today’s episode, we discuss the Qualifications and Background of Building Inspectors here in NSW, the importance of due diligence when purchasing a property, including the need for an independent building and pest inspection, what does a building and pest inspection entail and why they’re an important step in the buying process, and why property maintenance,...
In this episode, Michelle explores the role of buyer's agents and highlights the qualities and responsibilities of buyer's agents in the property market. From today’s episode, we understand the role of buyer's agents and discuss how this profession has gained popularity in the property buying landscape in recent years, the different pathways to becoming a buyer's agent, including the need for a license, which varies by state in Australia, the value of working with experienced professionals and t...
In this episode, Michelle chats with James O’Brien from Shore Financial about property valuations and how they can make or break property deals. From today’s episode, we explore the existing flaws in property valuation and the subjective nature that often gives rise to disputes surrounding valuations in the lending process, why understanding the challenges posed by valuers unfamiliar with local markets and their rushed assessment process can impact valuations, what goes into detailed pricing res...
In this episode, Michelle discusses the Spring 2023 Property Market and what it means for both buyers and sellers for the last few months of the year. In today’s episode, you will learn why spring sees an increase in properties listed, the challenges faced by buyers due to limited house options and investor-driven apartment sales, the role of auction campaigns in property market dynamics and its influence on market activity, and what new government initiatives mean in the short-term. Love the Bu...
In this episode, Michelle chats with Sarah Elkordi from The Rent Fairy about navigating the rental crisis. In today’s episode, Sarah discusses rental applications, and how to improve your own, what are the four D’s when it comes to finding the perfect rental property, smart ways to navigate the rental crisis, and the importance of good documentation when submitting your rental application. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you think. Full show notes ...
In this episode, Michelle answers a question she is often asked, now that contracts are exchanged can I start renovating? In today’s episode, you will learn why you can’t start renovations before settlement, the benefits of negotiating a shorter settlement to assist with renovations, what is access under license and what does it mean, and why strata can complicate the renovation process and how you can help. Love the Buy Your Side podcast? Please give us a review, we'd love to know what you thin...
