Australian Property Podcast

In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Amy Lunardi and Chris Bates unpack how to make an offer on a property when the market feels uncertain and every agent seems to run a different process.

They start with what is happening on the ground in Melbourne and Sydney, why softer conditions can create genuine buying opportunities, and why a buyer's market still leaves many people frozen. From there, Amy explains what buyers need to clarify before they submit anything: whether the property is being sold by private sale or before auction, whether the contract is ready, how the agent will handle competing offers, what makes an offer acceptable, and how price, settlement, deposit and finance conditions change the strength of your position.

This episode is especially useful if you have ever wondered whether to start with a verbal offer, when to move straight to a signed contract, how to avoid being blindsided by a vague agent process, and how to think about pre-auction offers without overcommitting. It is a practical guide to asking better questions, negotiating with more confidence and making an offer that gives you a real chance of securing the right property without unnecessary panic.

The bigger message is that buying well is not just about finding the right property. It is also about understanding the rules of engagement before emotion takes over. If you want a clearer framework for making offers in 2026, this conversation gives you the language, structure and strategy to approach the next property with less guesswork.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this episode of Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack a property market that is cooling, but not in a simple, one-speed way. Home values fell again in July, Sydney and Melbourne stayed at the front of the downturn, and listings jumped sharply, especially across key parts of Sydney.

The bigger question is who actually benefits from this shift. Pete and Chris explain why first-home buyers may not be getting the relief many expected, why the lower end of the market has held up better than the top end, and why upgraders could be looking at one of the more interesting windows of this cycle. They also dig into rising rents, worsening rental affordability, and how changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax are starting to reshape investor behaviour.

The conversation then widens to the broader economy, from slower lending and weaker housing activity to pressure on construction, consumer spending and state budgets. They also tackle listener questions on CGT transition rules, valuations, development sites and the growing need for proper tax advice in a more complex market.

If you want a grounded read on where fear is building, where leverage may be shifting and what to watch next, this episode is a timely one.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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This episode was originally featured on the Australian Finance Podcast.

In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Owen Rask speaks with Sarah Court, Chair of ASIC, about what the regulator is seeing across the financial system and why everyday Australians need to pay closer attention to how their money is being handled. Sarah explains ASIC’s role in licensing firms, holding financial institutions to account and stepping in when consumers or investors are at risk.

The core of the conversation focuses on mortgage offset accounts after ASIC uncovered failures at banks that meant some customers were not receiving the interest savings they expected. Sarah explains why these problems matter, why legacy systems and weak processes can create real financial harm, and why banks need to fix the basics instead of assuming customers will spot issues themselves.

Owen and Sarah also talk about scams, risky investments and the importance of slowing down before handing over money. She shares why MoneySmart can be such a valuable resource for Australians who want plain-English guidance on investing, risk, scams and personal finance. If you want a practical reminder to check your offset setup, stay sceptical of fast-talking investment pitches and understand where ASIC fits into the system, this episode is worth your time before it costs you real money.

Episode resources

– ⁠Moneysmart⁠

– ⁠Investment scam alerts - ASIC⁠

– ⁠Professional registers search - ASIC

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack one of the biggest questions in property right now: is this actually a good time to buy, or are buyers still stepping into a falling market too early?

They explore why so many sellers, buyers and agents seem frozen at once, why quality assets are behaving differently from the headline market data, and how fear around interest rates, inflation and the Federal Budget is changing behaviour across Sydney, Melbourne and beyond. Pete and Chris also explain why weak confidence today could become a major supply problem tomorrow, especially if developers, builders and investors keep stepping back.

The conversation goes beyond prices. They discuss tightening rental markets, why first-home buyers may still need to act even in a softer market, and why the best opportunities often appear when sentiment feels worst. Their core message is clear: focus on quality, think long term, and do not confuse scary headlines with the value of a genuinely strong asset.

They also answer listener questions on the six-year CGT rule, how to think about an investment property versus a future Melbourne home, and what buyers should watch if they are trying to move while the market still looks foggy.

If you want a practical read on falling prices, rental pressure, buyer psychology and the post-Budget property reset, this episode is worth your time.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

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In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack what the post-Budget property reset is starting to look like on the ground, and where patient buyers may finally be getting some leverage again.

They break down quieter winter listings, soft auction clearance rates and the widening gap between A-grade properties and everything else. The big question is not just whether prices are falling, but where the pullback is creating genuine opportunity for upgraders, first-home buyers and investors willing to stay disciplined.

Pete and Chris also cover the pockets seeing the most change across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and the Gold Coast, plus why units, renovators and better-quality homes may behave very differently from compromised stock. They also explain why lower borrowing costs alone may not be enough, and why quality listings could become the real battleground as spring stock arrives.

To wrap up, they answer listener questions on new builds, older Melbourne units and the tax headlines worrying Australian expats. If you are trying to read a softer market without getting swept up in the panic, this episode offers a practical look at what may matter next. It is a useful episode for anyone planning a move before the market narrative shifts again.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Australian Property Podcast episode, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack what the post-budget property reset may mean for buyers, renters and investors as the market heads deeper into winter.

The conversation starts with the big shift now showing up across the market: fewer active investors, tight rental supply and a growing sense that many buyers are sitting on their hands waiting for clarity. Pete and Chris explain why that matters, not just for house prices, but for rental affordability, construction activity and the number of listings likely to emerge in spring.

They also dig into the pressure points inside the market right now, including Sydney’s recent rent surge, fears that new supply will stall, and why some owner-occupiers may see the current anxiety as an opportunity to upgrade or renovate. Along the way, they discuss mortgage stress, first-home buyer hesitation, the slowdown in development feasibility and why tighter tax settings may push even more landlords to think about selling.

The episode wraps with listener questions on retirement planning, Sydney apartments, Airbnb strategy and whether borrowing inside super for residential property is effectively dead after the latest budget changes. If you want a grounded read on where the property market may be heading next, this is a practical episode to hear now.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates analyse the deepening housing market downturn and what it means for buyers, sellers, investors and first-home buyers in 2026. 

The conversation covers the latest CoreLogic data showing capital city values down 1.3% in the June quarter, auction clearance rates slipping below 50%, and a drop in sales volumes.  

Pete shares his on-the-ground view that many prices are already 10-15% off peak levels but appear to have levelled off in recent weeks, with few genuine fire sales thanks to strong employment.

Pete and Chris examine the Federal Budget’s limited impact on home ownership rates, the SMSF lending ban wiping out potential gains from new housing initiatives, evaporating new home sales, and falling unit approvals. 

They discuss shifting sentiment in key markets — including Brisbane homeowners pulling sales and the forecast that Brisbane could soon overtake Sydney as the most expensive unit market — alongside inflation easing and banks revising 2026 price forecasts downward (with some predicting 5-10% national falls).

Main stories include “Budget buyer’s remorse” — why first-home buyer applications have slowed despite policy support — and a detailed look at what a further house price fall would actually mean for Australians. 

Drawing on 30 years of history analysed by ABC News Business, they highlight that past corrections have been relatively shallow (average -2.9%) while subsequent recoveries have been strong (+32% on average). 

They explore risks of negative equity for recent buyers, the chance of a larger correction, Sydney’s role as the market canary, and why fundamentals (jobs, rates, yields) still matter more than headlines.

The episode finishes with two practical listener questions: Chris shares the biggest structuring lessons from scaling Alcove and advising clients — particularly the one principle that separates successful long-term investors from those who get stuck or over-leveraged.

And Pete offers advice on how regular buyers can realistically access off-market and pre-market deals without a buyer’s agent.

Along the way, Pete and Chris offer strategic advice for buyers and sellers in nervous conditions, discuss wealth transfer opportunities, refinancing dynamics, and the importance of thinking long-term when sentiment shifts fast. 

If you want a clear-eyed, data-driven weekly snapshot of Australia’s housing market — from downturn realities and policy impacts to practical investing and buying tactics — this episode is essential listening right now.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

– Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates break down the latest property-market shake-up and what it means for buyers, investors and borrowers. The conversation centres on the Federal Budget fallout, the ban on SMSF lending into property, weaker auction conditions and the way sentiment has turned across key housing markets.

Pete and Chris unpack why Sydney and Melbourne were already softening before the policy changes, how investor demand is fading in the established market, and why rental yields and mortgage rates still matter more than headlines. They also explain where they are still seeing activity, from first-home buyers and upgraders to smaller renovation projects, while caution remains high around leveraged property investing.

The episode finishes with two practical listener questions: whether to sell a negatively geared investment property when cash flow is tight, and when property can still make sense versus shares in 2026. Along the way, Pete and Chris explore refinancing dynamics, the role of super, the trade-offs between liquidity and leverage, and how to think about risk when conditions are changing fast. If you want a grounded weekly read on the Australian housing market, mortgage trends and investing decisions, this episode is a useful snapshot of where the market stands right now.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates ask whether Australia’s housing market has moved from nerves to peak fear.

They unpack weaker auction results in Sydney and Melbourne, falling prices, softer new-home sales and why investor sentiment keeps deteriorating even as hopes build for lower rates later in 2026. A key focus is policy risk: how proposed negative gearing and capital gains tax changes could hit established-property demand, why self-managed super fund lending may become the next political battleground, and whether investors end up being pushed towards new builds or Melbourne apartments instead.

They also test a few narratives gaining traction right now, including whether peak fear may open a window for first-home buyers, why headlines about Melbourne apartments and boutique developments need more scrutiny, and what a genuine market reset would look like across owner-occupier suburbs, investor pockets and regional areas rather than just in headlines.

Pete and Chris then move from headlines to practical strategy, explaining what buyers should watch around confidence, supply, serviceability and sensational market narratives.

In the listener Q&A, they tackle whether to keep a townhouse when upgrading to a forever home, how the six-year CGT rule works in practice, and whether AI could become deflationary for households carrying big debt.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026

– 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Australian Property Podcast, Amy Lunardi and Chris Bates unpack the psychological traps that can quietly cost property buyers money, momentum and confidence. The conversation starts with a simple idea: a buyer’s market should feel easier, but in practice it can feel even harder because lower sentiment, softer prices and more choice often create more doubt.

Amy explains why buying property is unlike almost any other purchase. The stakes are high, opinions come from everywhere, data is imperfect and emotions can spike at exactly the wrong moment. Together, Amy and Chris explore the traps buyers fall into most often: waiting for social proof, second-guessing a property after a pass-in, trying to time the bottom of the market, getting rattled by difficult agents, anchoring to one sale, or letting family opinions override a clear plan.

The episode also focuses on what buyers can control. Amy shares why strong preparation matters more than bravado, how to think about personal value versus on-paper value, and why a good negotiation often comes down to scenario planning, pausing under pressure and returning to your fundamentals. If you’re buying in a softer market, navigating auctions or trying to avoid self-sabotage, this is a practical episode on making better property decisions with less regret.

Episode resources

– Ask a question (select the Property podcast)

Show partner resources

– Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit

Rask resources

– Pete's Buyers Agency

– Alcove mortgage broking

– Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne)

– All services

– Financial Planning

– Invest with us

– Access Show Notes

– Ask a question

– We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices