Taking Back Saturday

This week's Taking Back Saturday podcast is our last of 2025 so we're taking the chance to look back at the year that was and reflect upon the predictions we made 12 months ago.

In short, Brisbane’s 2025 price growth wasn’t exactly crystal-ball stuff — it was inevitable. We unpack why we feel that the market has become more “unfair” as the year’s gone on, how tightening supply and real FOMO are driving a bottom-up boom, and why equity is racing ahead of wages.

If buying now feels harder than it did even a few months ago, this episode explains exactly why. 📈

This week on Taking Back Saturday, we’re joined by Bailey McKee from Belle Property Bulimba for a candid, on-the-ground take on the Brisbane market. We unpack what sellers are really saying, why buyers are frustrated with price guides, how to negotiate with confidence, and Bailey’s non-negotiables on both sides of a deal. If you’re buying in 2026, this one’s packed with practical advice you can actually use. 🏡

It's market wrap time again on Taking Back Saturday and spoiler alert, it's still mental out there right now!

Chayse and Sam run through the details of what the Brisbane market doing right now and what it means for buyers and sellers on the final run into Christmas?

Strap in !

This week on Taking Back Saturday, Sam is joined by one of Brisbane’s leading Inner North agents — and fellow podcaster — Ross Armstrong. We dig into what the market is doing right now, how auction vs. private treaty campaigns really work behind the scenes, and what buyers can expect from Ross and his team throughout the sales process.

We talk follow-up etiquette, transparency around offers and feedback, how negotiation styles shift depending on the campaign, and of course — Ross shares his number one tip for anyone hoping to secure a property this weekend.

This week on Taking Back Saturday… we’re leaning right into the unofficial HBC tagline: real estate sucks.

Why does it suck? Honestly… where do we start?

Consider this episode real estate therapy as we share a couple of stories from the last few weeks.

It’s no wonder everyone walks into real estate expecting the worst — and when you’re dealing with huge sums of money and sky-high emotions, that “perfect storm” can burn out even the eventual buyer or the seller who gets a dream price.

This episode is all about breaking down why the experience feels so broken… and how buyers can reclaim clarity, confidence, and control in a system built to do the opposite.

Tune in

This week on Taking Back Saturday, Justin Dickinson from Holo jumps back into the hot seat for a timely deep dive into one big question: Is now the moment to refinance and fix your home loan? Are we finally sitting at—or near—the bottom of the rate cycle?

We break down what’s actually happening in the current lending environment and what homeowners should be paying attention to right now.

If you’ve been asking yourself whether to make a move or sit tight, this episode brings the clarity you’ve been looking for.

This week on Taking Back Saturday, we’re diving deep into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of auctions with none other than Brisbane’s auction king himself — Shane Hicks.

Shane’s one of the most respected names in the industry, and someone I’d have on my shortlist if I were ever selling my own home. Today, we unpack everything buyers need to know about auctions — from how they really work behind the scenes, to the biggest mistakes people make on the day.

We cover:

• Why auctions?

• What to say to yourself if you “don’t like auctions”

• The truth about what happens when bidding pauses

• Why some homes sell before auction

• And how to bid like a pro when the gavel drops

If you’ve got an auction coming up this weekend (or just want to understand the process better), this is one you don’t want to miss.

The market is nuts right now — things are moving fast, days on market are low, and price growth (especially under $2M, and even more so under $1M) is getting a little silly.

In this episode, we unpack what’s driving the chaos, share a few stories from the ground, and talk about how buyers can stay ahead when everything feels like it’s moving at warp speed.

If you’re in the market right now, you need to be decisive, fast, and positive:

• Decisive about what you want — and what you’re willing to compromise on.

• Fast, but not rushed — preparation is everything.

• Positive, because mindset matters. If you go in thinking agents are the enemy, it’ll feel like a grind. Instead, get in game mode — “how can we put a deal together?”

This week on Taking Back Saturday, we’re joined by a true Brisbane real estate legend — Craig Loudon. With over 40 years in the industry, Craig has seen it all, done it all, and somehow still loves it all.

We chat about what’s changed (and what hasn’t) in the property game over four decades, how buyers can avoid the most common mistakes, and why Craig’s calm, no-nonsense negotiation style continues to deliver results.

If you’ve met Craig, you like him. If you’ve worked with him, you love him — and after this episode, you’ll understand why.

This week on Taking Back Saturday, we’re joined by Brisbane’s queen of apartment sales — 15-year real estate veteran and proud new mum, Shenal Yigitbas.

We dive into what’s driving the surge in Brisbane’s unit market, whether it’s likely to cool anytime soon, and how buyers can navigate auctions, off-market opportunities, and negotiations with confidence.

Shenal also shares what really happens behind the scenes with great agents, the biggest mistakes she sees buyers make, and her one tip for anyone looking to buy this weekend.