Open homes can blur into one big, beige blur. So what should you actually be looking for?

In this episode, Tristan and James take you step-by-step through the key things to watch out for — from the street to the shower grout. 

Whether you’re buying your first place or your forever home, this is the open home checklist you didn’t know you needed.

You’ll learn:

• What to look for at the estate and street level
• How to assess neighbour condition (yep, it matters)
• Quick visual checks that reveal deeper issues
• The little details in bathrooms, kitchens & laundries that buyers miss
•  Where buyers get overwhelmed — and what to prioritise
• What questions to ask yourself while inspecting

If you’ve ever left an open home unsure what you even saw — this episode is your game plan.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is Melbourne’s go-to podcast for buyers who want to make smarter property decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James Rankin from Tomii Property, we bring you expert tips, market insights, and real stories from the frontlines of real estate, finance, and construction. Auctions, rates, off-markets — we’ve got you covered.

🔗 Resources & Links

Join our mailing list & read the blog → www.tomii.com.au

Subscribe for weekly auction results → www.tomii.com.au/auction-results

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @tristanlarkin

Follow James on TikTok & Instagram → @james__rankin

What Every Buyer Needs To Know About Building & Pest Inspections | Ep 32 

Building & pest reports: essential… yet often misunderstood.

In this episode, Tristan and James break down what really goes into these inspections — and what buyers need to know to avoid getting caught out. From dodgy inspector tactics to confusing legal clauses, they unpack the fine print and share tips you won’t hear at the open home.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between a minor defect and a major structural one
• How to spot a bad inspector (and why some are recommended by agents)
• When to get a building & pest inspection — before auction or subject to contract?
• When it’s worth walking away (and when you might be overreacting)
• What the General Condition clause really means — and how it protects you
• Why some inspectors call everything a defect (and how that backfires)

If you’ve ever been unsure whether to panic, negotiate, or proceed — this episode gives you clarity.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is Melbourne’s go-to podcast for buyers who want to make smarter property decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James Rankin from Tomii Property, we bring you expert tips, market insights, and real stories from the frontlines of real estate, finance, and construction. Auctions, rates, off-markets — we’ve got you covered.

🔗 Resources & Links

Join our mailing list & read the blog → www.tomii.com.au

Subscribe for weekly auction results → www.tomii.com.au/auction-results

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @tristanlarkin

Follow James on TikTok & Instagram → @james__rankin

Overcoming Underquoting – How Agents REALLY Price Properties| Ep 31

Why does underquoting keep catching buyers off guard — especially in Melbourne? 

In this episode, Tristan and James dive deep into the pricing game that’s frustrating homebuyers across the city. From vendor conditioning to CMA manipulation, we unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes.

You’ll learn:

• Why underquoting happens (and where it’s worst)
• How agents manipulate price guides, comps & vendor expectations
• What buyers can actually ask agents to get ahead
• Why rules like “10% over the top of the range” are misleading
• The tools smart buyers use to beat the system
• And what needs to change to make pricing more transparent

If you’ve ever fallen in love with a property… only to watch it sell way over quote — this one’s for you.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is the go-to property podcast for Melbourne buyers who want to make smarter decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James Rankin from Tomii Property, we share expert insights, on-the-ground stories, and interviews with key players in real estate, finance, and construction. From auctions to interest rates and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

🔗 Resources & Links

Join our mailing list & read the blog → www.tomii.com.au

Subscribe for weekly auction results → www.tomii.com.au/auction-results

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @tristanlarkin

Follow James on TikTok & Instagram → @james__rankin

How To Buy A Property Before Anyone Else Even Sees It | Ep 30

Off-market deals are often hyped as the holy grail of property buying — but are they really as exclusive (or as good) as they seem?

In this episode of How’s the Market, I unpack the truth behind off-markets: the real ones, the red flags, and how to actually get access to hidden gems before they hit the portals. You’ll learn:

• The difference between true off-markets and pre-market soft launches
  
  
• Why some “off-markets” are just overpriced leftovers
  
  
• How serious buyers can gain early access to deals others never see
  
  
• Why off-market buying matters more than ever in today’s market

If you're house hunting in Melbourne’s inner east, this is a must-listen.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is the go-to property podcast for Melbourne buyers who want to make smarter decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James Rankin from Tomii Property, we share expert insights, on-the-ground stories, and interviews with key players in real estate, finance, and construction. From auctions to interest rates and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

🔗 Resources & Links

Join our mailing list & read the blog → www.tomii.com.au

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @tristanlarkin

Follow James on TikTok & Instagram → @james__rankin

Owners Corporations: The Good, Bad & The Ugly | Ep. 29

Owners Corporations (formerly known as Body Corporates) cop a lot of criticism — but is it all justified?

In this episode, Tristan and James break down the shocking and the wonderful realities of Owners Corporations in Victoria. From sky-high fees in flashy towers to well-managed, stress-free communities — they cover it all.

Whether you're a first-home buyer wary of “OC horror stories” or an investor weighing up strata costs, this episode will give you the knowledge to separate the good from the bad (and the ugly).

You’ll learn:

• Why Owners Corporations get such a bad reputation
• What amenities and features often drive fees through the roof
• A real-life case study where low fees led to a $500K special levy
• What makes a great Owners Corp — and how it can work in your favour
• How to analyse OC documents before you buy: from AGM minutes to red flags with managers

🔍 Plus, James and Tristan share their tips on how to be proactive as an owner and protect your investment long-term.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is the go-to property podcast for Melbourne buyers who want to make smarter decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James Rankin from Tomii Property, we share expert insights, on-the-ground stories, and interviews with key players in real estate, finance, and construction. From auctions to interest rates and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

🔗 Resources & Links

Join our mailing list & read the blog → www.tomii.com.au

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @tristanlarkin

Follow James on TikTok & Instagram → @james__rankin

The Big Question: Should You Buy Now or Wait? | Ep. 28 

Every buyer hits this moment: Is now the right time to buy? Or should you wait for prices to drop, interest rates to change, or life to “settle down”?

In this episode, Tristan and James break down the most common reasons buyers delay purchasing — and why many of those reasons don’t hold up under the microscope.

From media noise and market timing myths to the hidden cost of hesitation, this is the real talk you need if you’re sitting on the fence.

You’ll learn:

• The 9 most common reasons buyers wait (and which ones are flawed)
• How much hesitation can actually cost you (hint: it’s not just rent)
• Why waiting for interest rates to drop could hurt your buying power
• A practical 7-step process to figure out what you actually want
• When it does make sense to pause your search

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, this episode will help you cut through the noise and move forward with confidence.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is the go-to property podcast for Melbourne buyers who want to make smarter decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James Rankin from Tomii Property, we share expert insights, on-the-ground stories, and interviews with key players in real estate, finance, and construction. From auctions to interest rates and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

🔗 Resources & Links

Join our mailing list & read the blog → www.tomii.com.au

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @tristanlarkin

Follow James on TikTok & Instagram → @james__rankin

Top 5 Auction Mistakes (And How to Actually Win) | EP 26

Bidding at auction can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of buying a home — especially in Melbourne, where over 1,000 homes can go to auction in a single weekend.

In this episode, we break down the top 5 mistakes buyers make at auction (and what to do instead). Whether you’re a first home buyer or an upgrader, these real-world strategies will give you the edge you need to stay calm, in control, and competitive on the day.

You’ll learn:

• Why most buyers set walk-away numbers wrong — and how to do it better
  
  
• The key reason you shouldn’t bring friends and family to the auction
  
  
• How to stop the auctioneer from creating dangerous momentum
  
  
• What questions to ask the agent before auction day
  
  
• The underrated negotiation trick if a property passes in

If you're planning to bid in the next few months — don’t miss this one.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is the go-to property podcast for Melbourne buyers who want to make smarter decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James Rankin from Tomii Property, we share expert insights, on-the-ground stories, and interviews with key players in real estate, finance, and construction. From auctions to interest rates and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

Why Now Is The Most Confusing Property Market Ever | EP 25

What’s really going on in Melbourne’s housing market?

In this episode, we unpack why 2025 has started with such mixed signals — and what it means if you’re buying in Melbourne. We explore the surprising price movements across different suburbs, the growing gap between Melbourne and other capitals like Perth and Adelaide, and the sharp increase in interstate buyer activity we're seeing on the ground.

You’ll learn:

• Why Melbourne’s housing market has underperformed since 2022
  
  
• Which suburbs are bouncing back first
  
  
• What the sudden interest from out-of-state investors means
  
  
• Whether now might be the right time to get pre-approved and be ready to buy

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines or feeling unsure about timing your move — this one’s for you.

👋 About the Show

How’s The Market is the go-to property podcast for Melbourne buyers who want to make smarter decisions. Hosted by Tristan Larkin and James from Tomii Property, we share expert insights, on-the-ground stories, and interviews with key players in real estate, finance, and construction. From auctions to interest rates and everything in between — we’ve got you covered.

🔗 Resources & Links:

Join our mailing list & read the blog → www.tomii.com.au

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @tristanlarkin

Follow Tristan on TikTok & Instagram → @james__rankin

What are pre-settlement inspections, do you need to do them and what should you be checking?

In this episode we answer all the above.

PLUS - download our free pre-settlement inspection checklist below:

Pre-Settlement Inspection Checklist - DOWNLOAD

Welcome to How’s The Market, a podcast for First Home Buyers and Upgraders that gives you tips, tricks & up to date real estate information from on the ground across Melbourne & Geelong.

Make sure to check out www.tomii.com.au to get access to our How's The Market blog and join the mailing list and we shall see you again in next week's episode!

In this week’s episode we will be doing a market update across Melbourne. If you would like to read the full version and look at all the numbers, you can check out this weeks blog below:

https://www.tomii.com.au/blog/hows-the-market-melbournes-market-update

In The Media Article Link:

https://www.realestate.com.au/news/will-rising-interest-rates-put-the-brakes-on-australias-property-market-recovery/

Welcome to How’s The Market, a podcast for First Home Buyers and Upgraders that gives you tips, tricks & up to date real estate information from on the ground across Melbourne & Geelong.

Make sure to check out www.tomii.com.au to get access to our How's The Market blog and join the mailing list and we shall see you again in next week's episode!