After two quiet years, Regional Victoria’s property market is showing clear signs of a strong revival. Our latest Hotspotting analysis reveals a surge in sales activity across key cities including Bendigo, Geelong, Shepparton, Wodonga and Ballarat – with sales volumes now at their highest since the Covid boom of 2021.

In this episode, we unpack what’s driving the comeback:

• The surge in buyer demand and sales growth across regional centres

• Why Melbourne residents are making the move to more affordable regional lifestyles

• The role of affordability and infrastructure in fuelling demand

• What rising sales activity means for future price growth

With sales volumes up 16% year-on-year and as much as 41% in some locations, the timing to enter the Victorian market may be better than it’s been in years. But there’s a catch – Victoria’s higher property taxes remain an important consideration for investors and homebuyers alike.

Tune in to discover whether now is the right time to act in Regional Victoria’s resurgent property market.

Melbourne’s property market is making a comeback — and the data confirms it.

After lagging behind other capitals, the city is now cheaper than Brisbane and Sydney, with sales activity surging to its highest levels since the 2021 boom.

Backed by population growth, new infrastructure, and rising demand for affordable units, Melbourne is shaping up as one of the best value markets in the country.

In this episode, we reveal the suburbs leading the charge, why buyer interest is climbing fast, and what this means for investors and home-buyers looking to get in ahead of the next growth cycle.

Why do media commentators keep declaring ‘new’ trends that have actually been brewing for years?

In this episode, we unpack the so-called “Darwin boom” — the one the headlines claimed nobody saw coming.

Spoiler: we called it back in January.

Discover how forward-looking indicators, like our Price Predictor Index, spot market surges months before they hit the news, and why knowing early can make all the difference when investing.

Where not to buy can be just as telling as where to invest.

In this episode, we dive into the thinking behind our latest National Top 10 Best Buys report – and why some of Australia’s strongest recent performers, like Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast, are no longer on the list.

We explain why these booming markets have now passed their peak, and shine a light on the emerging "second wind" locations – early-stage markets with the right ingredients for future growth.

If you want to spot the next wave before the crowd catches on, this is the insight you’ve been waiting for.

From FOMO to COMO – but is it really new?

The media says we’ve entered the “COMO era” – Compromise Or Miss Out – as buyers face affordability pressures and tight supply. But is this a fresh trend or simply a rebrand of a long-standing reality?

In this episode, we explore why compromising to get on the property ladder has always been part of the journey, and why catchy acronyms don’t tell the full story. From rentvesting to regional moves, discover the truth behind the headlines – and what it really takes to build your way to that dream home.

Think Australia’s property market only grew 5% last year? Think again.

In this episode, we unpack why the national average is a misleading headline – and reveal the hundreds of markets across Australia that outperformed by two, three, even four times that figure. From regional boom towns to affordable pockets in smaller capitals, these are the places we've been calling out for years in our Hotspotting reports – and they’ve delivered.

Tune in for a deep dive into the real growth stories of FY2025, backed by data from over 4,500 suburbs, and discover where property values are doubling in under five years.

If you’re still buying into the “lukewarm market” narrative, this one might just change your view.

Brisbane is booming — but it’s not just houses leading the charge.

In this episode, we dive into why Brisbane has become one of Australia’s strongest-performing property markets, recently crossing the $1 million median house price mark. But here’s what’s even more interesting: it’s the unit market that’s outpacing houses in many suburbs.

With massive infrastructure investment, Olympic momentum, and affordability tipping the scales, we unpack the suburbs showing standout growth — and why buyers are increasingly turning to apartments and townhouses in 2025.

Tune in for data-backed insights and suburb-level trends shaping Greater Brisbane right now.

Brisbane’s booming – but Regional Queensland might just be outpacing it.

In this episode, we unpack why Queensland’s regional markets are turning heads: strong price growth, soaring demand, and a tidal wave of infrastructure investment leading up to the 2032 Olympics.

From Townsville to the Sunshine Coast, these markets are offering the ultimate property trifecta – affordability, rental yield, and capital growth potential.

Tune in to find out why Regional Queensland is shaping up to be Australia’s hottest property story in 2025 and beyond.

Your 40s are one of the most powerful decades to take control of your financial future—and in this episode, we show you how.

Tim Graham is joined by Sam Wakefield, financial adviser and founder of Optalife, to explore practical strategies for Australians in their 40s who want to grow, protect, and future-proof their wealth. Whether you're playing catch-up, looking to scale up, or getting serious about your goals, this episode is packed with real-world advice.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• How to use superannuation strategically to maximise long-term wealth
• Why property is still a powerful tool for financial independence
• Tips to manage and reduce debt more effectively in your 40s
• How to protect your assets and build a safety net for the future
• The power of long-term thinking: planning now for the lifestyle you want later

💬 Sam shares insights from his extensive experience helping clients navigate mid-life finances, highlighting the importance of balancing growth with risk management. 📍

 Whether you’re just getting serious or ready to take things to the next level, this episode provides a clear roadmap to financial empowerment in your 40s.

🎧 Listen now and start planning your future—on your terms.

www.optalife.com.au

Is metro market momentum really back — or is that just lazy analysis? In this episode, we take a closer look at some of the real estate headlines doing the rounds… and expose why many so-called “expert” takes just don’t stack up.

From regional markets outpacing the capitals to units giving houses a run for their money, the data tells a different story — if you know how to read it properly.

Join us as we break down the myths, challenge the mainstream, and show you why real insight comes from experience — not economists.