In this episode, I unpack the murky (and often maddening) world of underquoting in Victoria —what it is, why it happens, and how you can protect yourself as a buyer. With over 13 years experience as a buyer’s agent, I’ve seen just how widespread and frustrating this issue is, and I’m breaking down not just the rules, but the real-world implications, examples, and strategies you need to know. 🔍 What I Cover: What underquoting actually is (according to Consumer Affairs Victoria ) The 3 rules agen...
Jun 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 38
Having a firm grasp on the basics is super-important whether we’re talking about personal finance or property, so even if you are a complete novice in these areas, knowing where to start is half the battle, and you are in the right place! In today’s episode, Amy is joined by property beginner Joey. They cover the important property jargon and key terms whose understanding will help you build more confidence once you head out on your property-buying journey and start talking to the people and exp...
May 14, 2025•55 min•Ep. 37
This episode isn't just about busy roads; it focuses on factors impacting livability and capital growth, particularly location. Many of my clients avoid busy roads, but some are open to them. It's a subjective decision, but buyers should be aware of the potential drawbacks. In this episode I run through - Livability Considerations: Main Road Factors: Noise, safety, pollution (air and potentially visual), getting in and out of the property, aesthetics, tram lines, speed humps. Different Levels of...
Apr 07, 2025•19 min•Ep. 36
In this episode, I share my insights on what to do if you encounter issues during a building inspection. As a buyer's agent with over a decade of experience, I’ve navigated thousands of building inspections for my clients—witnessing a wide range of issues from minor defects to major deal breakers. Why Get a Building Inspection? Understanding the property's condition. Identifying red flags—urgent repairs vs. long-term costs. Building inspections as maintenance plans. Timing of Inspections Recomme...
Mar 17, 2025•22 min•Ep. 35
I dive into the intriguing and often misunderstood world of off-market properties. For those first home buyers who feel lost amidst the clutter of online listings, off-market properties might be the treasure trove you never knew existed. Misconception #1: Rarity Thousands of off-market properties are available at any time. They offer untapped opportunities for savvy buyers. Misconception #2: Bargain Myth Off-market doesn't always mean cheaper. Understand how the broader market influences prices....
Mar 03, 2025•22 min•Ep. 34
Thinking about buying your first home but not sure where to start? In this episode, I’m sharing a 10-step action plan to help you get prepared before jumping into the property market. From speaking with a mortgage broker to crafting a solid property strategy, researching the market, and accessing off-market opportunities, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to set yourself up for success. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why speaking to a mortgage broker should be your first step ✅ How the Fir...
Feb 17, 2025•24 min•Ep. 33
Are you on the hunt for the perfect property, but find yourself missing out on the ones you love? Or perhaps you’re lacking the confidence to begin making offers in the first place. Today, I’m taking you through the different ways you can overcome the challenges preventing you from finding success on your property buying journey. First things first: there is no rush to buy property, and certainly no rule saying you must buy within a certain timeframe. However, if you've been at it for over a yea...
Oct 03, 2023•14 min•Ep. 32
Can you trust real estate agents? It’s the question on many first home buyers' lips and certainly one worth discussing. Real estate agents are often put in the same mistrusted category as politicians and used car salesmen, and although many of them are genuinely good people who want to help you find your dream home, it’s important to do your due diligence when entering the real estate game. The catch lies in the commission-based nature of the industry, where some agents may resort to questionabl...
Sep 26, 2023•13 min•Ep. 31
You may have heard me compare finding the right property with online dating before. From deciding what qualities you’re looking for to knowing whether someone’s a good match, searching for a property can involve making equally overwhelming decisions. So how do you know if a property is ‘the one’? Today I’ll be guiding you through some strategies you can adopt in order to begin your property buying journey with clarity and to make your decision with confidence. Starting with the good news: while ...
Sep 19, 2023•14 min•Ep. 30
In today’s episode, I share my own personal property story, which includes my journey to becoming a buyer’s agent and how I first entered the market while earning $45,000 a year. I share how in my mid-twenties, I began saving to buy a property while running my own business. Although I eventually decided to leave the business and go into real estate, I managed to save $70,000 towards a deposit while on a significantly lower income. Although I was earning a pretty modest salary as a trainee buyer’...
Sep 05, 2023•21 min•Ep. 29
There’s no question that the idea of bidding at an auction is pretty daunting - especially for first home buyers! As a professional bidder, I often see a lot of confusion amongst buyers around how much to bid, when to stop and how to keep track of the numbers. Today, I’m taking you through 5 mistakes to avoid at auction to ensure your experience isn’t so stressful, and to help you approach the process with much more confidence. One of the mistakes that I believe is most important to avoid is fai...
Aug 27, 2023•16 min•Ep. 28
The idea of renovating can be daunting for a lot of people, especially when we have shows around like The Block, which make the whole process look incredibly stressful. But this isn’t always reality, and in today’s episode, I’m sharing different ways you can approach renovating to make it much less daunting. I often work with first home buyers who are decidedly against renovations, particularly when they have preconceived ideas about the stress involved. However, once I educate them on the proce...
Aug 20, 2023•15 min•Ep. 27
Navigating the journey to buying your first home can be overwhelming. The plethora of questions, from understanding property timelines to the details of a contract, can make the process seem daunting. This podcast episode takes a deep dive into three such questions, offering clarity and expert insights to first-time homebuyers. Whether you're embarking on this exciting venture or just looking for some real estate knowledge, this episode promises to be an enlightening guide. The first question I ...
Aug 13, 2023•17 min•Ep. 26
In today's episode, we hear from a 25-year-old single female who bought her first property in Lalor, Victoria, for $540,000 using the First Home Guarantee Scheme. While she had always dreamed of owning her own home and came to the point of feeling ready, she didn’t think she had the finances to get there. However, being a long-time saver and having attained an increased salary of $89,000, a mortgage broker advised her that she actually was in a financial position to begin her property buying jou...
Aug 06, 2023•14 min•Ep. 25
Should you buy a property now or wait? This is a question which I get pretty much every day, and the short answer is: it depends. More specifically, it depends on what is right for you within your own personal situation. In today's episode, I unpack the two key things that should be considered when deciding whether to buy now or wait. When it comes to thinking about buying property, a lot of people first weigh up their financial position and whether they have enough to put towards a deposit. How...
Jul 30, 2023•15 min•Ep. 24
Everyone loves a good bargain. Whether it's scoring a discount on a new fridge or finding a great deal on a vacation, saving money is always satisfying. But when it comes to buying a property, a bargain becomes especially appealing when you know you’re about to spend a significant amount of money. In today’s episode, I’m talking about what would potentially define a bargain property and what to be aware of. While you may get lucky in stumbling across a property that’s going for less, there’s alw...
Jul 23, 2023•15 min•Ep. 23
Today we’re hearing from a 27 year old who bought her first home in 2021 with her partner for $606,000.00 in East Corrimal, New South Wales. They stumbled across the Government 5% first home guarantee scheme which allowed them to purchase their home with only a 5% deposit. We hear about the two-year journey she and her partner embarked on to save for a deposit. While they eventually saved a decent amount of money to put towards a purchase, the change in the property market in 2021 saw prices sky...
Jul 16, 2023•18 min•Ep. 22
When it comes to buying a property in Australia, there are two main methods of sale: auctions and private sales. While some buyers may be hesitant to participate in auctions due to fears around emotional stress, others may be daunted by the complex process of a private sale. Ultimately, it’s important to understand the key differences between these methods so that you can better understand and weigh up your options. Today I run you through the benefits and drawbacks of auctions and private sales...
Jul 09, 2023•14 min•Ep. 21
I’m excited today to bring you Tash from Tash Invests to share her property story. She is 25 years old and bought her first property a few years ago in Perth for $295,000, whilst on an income of $75,000 a year. She lived in it for a little while before moving interstate, and is now a rentvestor who receives positive cashflow from that property. Tash bought her first property on her own for $295,000. She was inspired and motivated by her parents and grandparents who all invested in property and w...
Jul 02, 2023•16 min•Ep. 20
You may have heard of a buyer’s agent, but given their popularity in Australia is fairly recent, you may be wondering what they actually do. Today I’ll be running through what a buyer’s agent offers and why you should consider using one as a first home buyer. While those looking to sell their property will usually engage a real estate agent to work on their behalf, many buyers face tackling the property purchase on their own. They’re often unaware of the services out there that can provide them ...
Jun 25, 2023•19 min•Ep. 19
Today we hear from a 30-year-old single female who bought a two-bedroom apartment in Elwood, Melbourne for $640,000.00. Though she was excited to be checking a property purchase off her life to-do list, she felt she rushed the decision and offers some of the wisdom she gained in hindsight. As a self-employed photographer on a fluctuating income, she understood the potential risks involved with buying a home on her own. However, owning a property had always been a priority and she forged ahead, m...
Jun 21, 2023•23 min•Ep. 18
With so many questions and uncertainties around buying your first home, it's important to seek advice and ask as many questions as possible to ensure you're making informed decisions. Today I’m answering some great questions I’ve received from listeners, to hopefully help you move through the first home buying process with much more confidence and knowledge. The first question I address is around negotiating a purchase price, particularly if the property is found to have defects. I break it down...
Jun 18, 2023•18 min•Ep. 17
Today we hear from a 28 year old who bought a one-bedroom apartment with his partner in Woolloomooloo for $975,000.00. In this episode, he talks about how building wealth was his primary motivation for buying a property, and why he chose to go down that road instead of investing in shares. He also talks about desiring the safety of owning a property, rather than dealing with the lack of security around renting. He explains how he and his partner were able to put down a 20% deposit, and how it al...
Jun 14, 2023•21 min•Ep. 16
There are many aspects to take into consideration when buying your first home, and knowing which questions to ask can be challenging. So what makes a good property? As a buyer’s agent, I get asked this question all the time. In today’s episode, I take you through five key elements to keep in mind when determining whether a property is the right choice for you. Ultimately, the right decision will align with who you are as a person and what you value. Knowing what you want and having a clear plan ...
Jun 11, 2023•14 min•Ep. 15
Tune in to hear today's property story about a couple in their early thirties who bought a house in Mount Gambia for $279,000 and then scrimped and saved and bought a second property only seven months later for $435,000! In this episode, they share how they saved their deposit, what they were looking for in their first and second properties, how they managed to save a deposit for two houses in such a short period of time, their buying journey and their advice for anyone entering the property mar...
Jun 07, 2023•31 min•Ep. 14
When I’m helping first home buyers look at buying a property, I often use analogies to help guide them through the decision making process. Today I run through 10 ways buying a property can be very similar to the online dating game, and encourage you to keep these ideas on file should you find yourself in similar scenarios on your home buying journey. Buying a property can sometimes be a numbers game, and just like online dating, you might have to go on a lot of inspections, AKA dates, before yo...
Jun 04, 2023•16 min•Ep. 13
Listen in today to hear all about a 26 year old from Wollongong, south of Sydney realise her property dreams and buy her first home with her partner. She shares all about growing up in an average income household and with a mother that was very money conscious who passed along her knowledge, experience and wisdom to shape her relationship with money and mindset as an adult. She was able to stay at home while her and her partner were saving like crazy and was able to buy their first home in the h...
May 31, 2023•23 min•Ep. 12
In my decade of working in the property industry, I’ve come across many situations where new buyers have been given unhelpful, and at times even harmful, advice on buying property. So today I am running through five examples of bad real estate advice that often leads buyers to making costly mistakes. I share my tips on knowing who to trust and how to avoid taking the wrong information on board. There are many people who will be willing to give you real estate advice. It may be someone you know, ...
May 28, 2023•17 min•Ep. 11
Today we’re hearing from a 36 year old single male who bought his first home pre-market for $985,000.00 in Windsor, Victoria. While he wasn’t always on a great income, he worked his way up the ranks and was able to boost his deposit using the First Home Super Saver Scheme. Though he had a partner during the process of buying his first home, it was a new relationship and not considered a de facto one. The work very much rested on his own shoulders, and he talks about the ups and downs of his prop...
May 24, 2023•21 min•Ep. 10
Are you trying to work out how to buy your first home faster? Are you feeling stressed and overwhelmed when looking at properties, mortgages, banks, interest rates and advice groups and just feel like the process is going to take forever? I know it can feel so disheartening but I’m here to help. But firstly, take a moment to really think about your own unique situation. You may not be ready to buy a house and that’s completely fine! Try not to take on board all of the pressure from your family, ...
May 21, 2023•16 min•Ep. 9
