The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate

Is there some truth to the recent ominous forecasts surrounding the Sydney property market?

Or is it simply just fear-mongering?

Today, Matt Hayson, real estate agent and co-founder of boutique agency CobdenHayson, joins us to discuss what is actually going on in the Sydney property market… Is it only apt for property investors to be alarmed? 

We also talk about current issues with vendors as well as buyers, data lag issues, what dominates the market at the moment, and various principles that are not just limited to the Sydney property market.

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. The recent data lag around pricing [02:42]
2. How big has the shift gotten in housing pricing?  [05:08]
3. The expectations on buyers versus vendors [10:48]
4. Uncertainty and volatility of the housing market [13:05]
5. Sentiment as a major driver of life decisions [17:59]
6. Observations about open houses [19:16]
7. What makes a property sell at auctions despite poor market conditions?  [23:46]
8. Difficulties in both buying and selling property today [31:42]
9. Comparing the property market in 2018 to today’s [35:08]
10. Buyers who pay for overpriced property [39:18]
11. The future of real estate agencies [44:23]
12. Making the right decisions according to your timeline [50:51]

About our Guest:

Matthew Hayson is the founder and co-director of CobdenHayson, a progressive independent real estate network with unprecedented knowledge of Sydney's inner urban property market. With almost three decades in local real estate, Matthew is one of the most experienced and consistent sales agents across Sydney.

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/249

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The housing affordability crisis in Australia is putting immense pressure not only on home buyers and owner-occupiers but now on renters as well...

Is the solution to Australia's property woes really just to build build build?

In this episode, Chris Leishman, professor of Property and Housing Economics, joins us to talk about the current housing and rent affordability crisis… How should our policymakers address this worsening issue in the housing market?

We also discuss the state of declining economic productivity, possible policies and plans for social and public housing, and what millennials think of owning housing assets.

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. The worsening rental affordability crisis [02:37]
2. The future of working from home [06:46]
3. How to model housing need [11:50]
4. Is the supply shortage the main problem behind the affordability crisis? [14:08]
5. The practicality of implementing the vacancy tax [21:24]
6. Will a reverse mortgage be helpful? [23:55]
7. The dispensability of properties in Australia [27:05]
8. The state of Australian productivity [31:24]
9. How to move forward with public housing [38:45]
10. Long-term solutions for the housing crisis [43:23]
11. Will higher interest rates slow down inflation? [52:22]
12. Chris’ property Dumbo [56:02]

About our Guest:

Chris Leishman is a professor of Property and Housing Economics at the University of South Australia. He is also a non-executive director of Housing Choices Australia – a not for profit community housing provider active in South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania. 

Links from the show:

• Chris Leishman https://people.unisa.edu.au/christian.leishman#Outputs
• Housing Choices https://www.housingchoices.org.au/about-us/

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/248

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Suburb Help is back and in today’s episode, we talk about the top ranked streets in the suburb!

Whether you’re a prospective buyer or a home-owner thinking of selling, knowing the street’s value range can help you make informed decisions about your property investment. 

Our resident data geek Kent Lardner has got you covered with his latest report on the top streets in the suburb for yield. 

We look at both the best and worst streets in five suburbs–Newport, Newtown, New Lambton, Balmain, and Coogee. Aside from the methodology of Kent’s analysis, we also discuss its limitations and how human behaviour comes into play. 

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. Top Streets Report: the methodology and limitations [01:04]
2. The best streets’ turnover rates [04:33]
3. Compositional bias in the suburb [10:52]
4. The problem with machine learning in inventory forecasts [15:10]
5. The value of the human element [19:13]
6. Newport: The best and worst streets [22:19]
7. Suburb report on Newtown [32:31]
8. Understanding the zoning in New Lambton [39:04]
9. Balmain: The best and worst streets [44:29]
10. The challenge with investing in Coogee [50:55]
11. Where to download the Top Streets report [50:26]

About our Guest:

Kent Lardner is a data science and business leader with over 30 years experience working for companies such as JLL, CoreLogic and General Electric. He has a passion for digital high growth businesses and has led teams of 5 to 200 people in both Australia and China.

Links from the show:

• Suburb Help (www.suburbhelp.com)
• Suburb Trends www.suburbtrends.com.au

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/247

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although rarely proven to come true, predictions by big banks are not merely speculative, but forecasts backed up by research and data…

But how exactly do bank economists come up with these property forecasts?

Felicity Emmett, Senior Economist at ANZ, joins us today to reveal the process big banks use to create housing market predictions based on the Australian economy… What data and key inputs do bank economists use for forecasting and analysis? 

We also discuss the impact of property market forecasting on consumer confidence, the relationship between inflation and interest rates, and the current housing affordability crisis. 

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. Why do big banks create property forecasts? [01:39]
2. Challenges bank economists encounter with forecasting [03:46]
3. Inputs into the forecasting process for the housing market [07:01]
4. The impact on house prices on consumer confidence [13:35]
5. The relationship between inflation and interest rates [19:29]
6. Consumer confidence in the property market [24:17]
7. The effect of capacity constraints in the economy [28:24]
8. Why it’s important to keep inflation down [32:30]
9. The current housing affordability crisis [34:20]
10. The effects of regulatory changes [38:42]
11. Who is the vulnerable sector in a possible recession? [44:00]
12. Stimulus measures to stabilize prices [48:08]
13. Why makes forecasting difficult to achieve accuracy? [50:36]

About our Guest:

Felicity Emmett is Senior Economist in the Australian Economic team at ANZ. With more than 20 years of experience as an economist in financial markets, Felicity is responsible for analysis and forecasting of key Australian macroeconomic indicators, as well as thematic research on the Australian economy. She also provides specialist analysis on topical issues, including the housing sector and the policy outlook.

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/246

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you’re looking for the “perfect” house, you also factor in the neighborhood it belongs to—the living environment, the people, the amenities…

Your relationship with your urban environment significantly affects your life.

…So what can you do to help contribute to creating a sense of community in these shared spaces?

Kylie Legge, the founder and CEO of placemaking consultancy Place Partners and innovative data insights company Place Score, joins us today to discuss the role of the community in urban planning and design. 

We talk about the diversity of communities and their needs, placemaking as a collaborative process, the role of smart cities in improving society, and whether urban renewal is the right approach going forward.

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. How community builds the community [02:03]
2. What is placemaking? [04:32]
3. Densifying neighborhoods as an opportunity [13:20]
4. Building an ideal neighborhood [16:18]
5. The role of councilors in urban planning [22:31]
6. Making your own environment more livable  [26:47]
7. Building Place Score’s credibility [33:15]
8. Kylie Legge’s journey into placemaking as a field of work [39:22]
9. Exploring the diverse cultures of different communities [44:56]
10. Managing rate increases to increase livability [48:41]
11. Place Score’s 2022 Liveability Census [54:44]

About our Guest:

Kylie Legge is the founder and CEO of placemaking consultancy Place Partners and innovative data insights company Place Score. She is passionate about fostering the connection between people and their urban environments and finding better ways to work together in improving shared spaces.

Links from the show:

• Place Score https://placescore.org/elephant 

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/245

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Due to rising property prices, rent hikes, plummeting vacancy rates, many Aussies are now at risk of being homeless.

Homeowners and investors may think they're immune, but are we really safe from the ripple effect?

Michele Adair, CEO of Housing Trust, joins us today to discuss the worsening housing affordability crisis... What long-term impact does this issue have on our society and how will this affect our lives–regardless if you’re a homeowner?

We also look into the pressure of rising rent on lower income households, the current situation in the Illawarra, COVID-19’s impact on homelessness as well as its correlation to our current labour crisis. 

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. The real situation in the Illawarra [02:07]
2. How has the profile of people facing homelessness changed? [07:44]
3. The effect of rising interest rates on investors [09:43]
4. Finding a win-win solution to the housing crisis [17:39]
5. The role of community housing providers [20:34]
6. Why has the government failed to address the housing problem? [24:55]
7. How can the build to rent sector alleviate the housing crisis? [34:03]
8. The need for change in social attitudes [42:32]
9. The REAL cost of the housing affordability crisis [44:31]
10.  What role do councilors play? [51:16]

About our Guest:

Michele Adair is the CEO of Housing Trust, an organization that builds and manages affordable rental housing for people on very low to moderate incomes. Michele has Master’s degrees in Management and in Public Advocacy & Action, and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She was also recognised as the Outstanding Business Leader in the 2021 Business Illawarra awards.

Links from the show:

• The Elephant in the Room | Episode 66 https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/066
• The Elephant in the Room | Episode 191
• https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/191
• Housing Trust (https://www.housingtrust.org.au/)
• Power Housing (https://www.powerhousingaustralia.com.au/about-us/)
• Community Housing Industry Association (https://www.communityhousing.com.au/)
• CHIA NSW (https://communityhousing.org.au/)
• CHIA Vic (https://chiavic.com.au/)
• CHIA Queensland (https://www.communityhousing.com.au/chia-queensland/)

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/244

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With interest rates, mortgage debt, and housing prices rapidly surging, many Australians wonder whether and when the bubble is going to burst…

The question is: how can property remain affordable without causing a price crash, especially when two-thirds of the population are owner occupiers?

Known critic of modern economic theory Steve Keen joins us today to reveal everything mainstream economists get wrong about the property industry. He shares his insights on the possibility of a property crash and how first-home owners might be vulnerable.

We also discuss the rising level of household debt, what it can ultimately result in and how the government can intervene.

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

• What Economics professors get wrong [02:36]
• The determinant of change in property prices [06:16]
• On measuring household debt [09:01]
• Why first-home buyers are vulnerable to rising debt [14:09]
• What can trigger a price crash, aside from a debt crisis? [18:50]
• How the government can stimulate property demand [20:27]
• Getting inflation under control [23:56]
• The possibility of a property crash in Australia? [28:45]
• Steve’s Senate election pitch: money creation [32:59]
• The need for a modern debt jubilee [35:37]
• The current state of consumer confidence [38:14]
• The issue with government debt [40:44]
• Sustainable long-term solutions to housing [53:54]
• The economic impact of climate change [57:34]

About our Guest:

Steve Keen is a heterodox economist and an author. His two most famous books, Debunking Economics and The New Economics, are both critiques of modern economic theory that discuss debt deflation and financial instability. Dr. Keen was a professor at the University of Western Sydney and Kingston University in London. Now, he is leading the development of Minsky, a software platform for visually modeling national economies. 

Links from the show:

• Steve Keen TNL Housing Policy: https://bit.ly/3PvH1dn 
• House prices to fall 40%. Prof Keen says RBA is 'brain dead': https://bit.ly/3T4JHBY 
• Steve Keen's Debtwatch: https://bit.ly/3QS7gvz 
• Steve Keen’s Profile: https://www.keenforthesenate.com/ 

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/243

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is a “trusted agent”?

…And do they even exist in this age of readily accessible information? 

Sean Scoffield, the host of The Trusted Agent Podcast and the National Sales Manager of RESO – a digital real estate sales platform – joins us today to talk about the evolving role of real estate agents… Are they getting better or worse? 

We discuss the factors that make a real estate agent “trustworthy”, how AI does some things better than agents, buyers’ perceptions of agents, and whether or not agents are becoming obsolete. 

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. Identifying a ‘trusted’ real estate agent [04:14]
2. Agents’ edge against technology [07:19]
3. Understanding the role of real estate agents [13:20]
4. Why buyers don’t trust real estate agents [17:53]
5. The problem with untrusting buyers [19:06]
6. How AI provides buyers with transparent offers [22:47]
7. Transparency isn’t always a good thing [28:44]
8. Are people missing out on a good market? [34:45]
9. 5 signs of an agent you can trust [39:04]
10. How agents can beat the rise of AI in real estate [44:48]
11. Sean’s property Dumbo [46:23]
12. Avoiding settlement risks [50:26]

About our Guest:

Sean Scoffield is the host of The Trusted Agent Podcast. He is also a Business Consultant, currently working with Real Estate Principals, Sales Agents and Property Managers helping them form stronger connections with their Team, their Clients and their overall Mission & Purpose.

Links from the show:

• The Trusted Agent Podcast (https://apple.co/3vWPU8T)
• Reso Website (https://reso.com.au/) 

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/242

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re quite aware here in The Elephant in the Room that a lot of aspiring first time property investors are more likely to devour strategies and case studies that ‘Property Superstars’ and TikTok influencers put out.

…But are we missing something important by listening to all these success stories and strategies? 

Tyrone Shum, the host of one of Australia’s most popular property podcasts, Property Investory, joins us today and he makes a bold claim: He’s NOT a property expert! – BUT he’s long held a passion for real estate and that led him wanting the story behind the success of investors. 

In this episode, we’re dissecting the hundreds of stories Tyrone has heard – Which property investment strategies stood the test of time? What can we learn from these investors’ failures? Should we believe every success story we hear? 

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. Measuring ‘success’ in property investors [02:01]
2. The problem with leveraging success stories [07:09]
3. Can Aussies still get rich in property investing? [10:55]
4. How investors are using their stories as a PR strategy [13:33]
5. Strategies that investors use in 2022 [18:34]
6. Why listening to investors’ failures and challenges brings more value [25:10]
7. The ‘seagull effect’ in real estate [32:17]
8. Is ‘flipping’ houses a reliable strategy? [35:20]
9. Tyrone’s thoughts on ‘hotspotting’ [40:20]
10. Is moving to commercial property a good move? [45:50]
11. Does rentvesting still make sense in 2022? [48:23]
12. The truth behind ‘success stories’ [50:32]
13. Tyrone’s property Dumbo [57:36] 
14. How to protect yourself from shady property ‘mentors’ [01:00:02]

About our Guest:

Tyrone Shum is the host of a very popular podcast show called Property Investory receiving over 2.6 million downloads showing to property investors the latest stories, strategies, and examples from Australia’s most innovative property experts.

On the video front, he is also the creator of two extremely popular YouTube Channels receiving over 1.8 million views and over 16,500 subscribers, showing vast experience with engaging viewers online.

Tyrone has been interviewed across 30 different podcasts from around the world, featured on numerous world-class blogs and invited to speak at numerous events with over 100 attendees.

It has not always been this way. He’s been through many challenges from losing a job working in a recruitment agency to closing down a toilet deodourising business and making a loss of $24,000 during the Global Financial Crisis. This helped him overcome adversity, learn from his mistakes and now help universities and government organisations excel.

Links from the show:

• Property Investory Podcast: https://propertyinvestory.com/podcasts/ 

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/241

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Australians have a genetic defect – this love affair with property” 

Today’s episode is an extra special one as we’ve invited the principal of Motivated Money, Peter Thornhill, to give you a heads up: he’s not a huge fan of property. 

…But what we do have in common are values around investments – that the ups and downs of the market can be linked to human behavior, there is no such thing as a market “crash”, and long-term investing is the surest way to tap the market’s riches. 

Tune in as we talk about his insights on the difference between investing in real estate versus shares, the volatility of the market, renting your lifestyle, and more!

If you enjoyed the show, do like, rate, subscribe, and share us on social media and if you have your own questions you need clarity on, email us at [email protected]!

See you in the episode!

Episode Highlights:

1. The problem with Australians’ love affair with property [02:41]
2. How offshoring affects Australian economy [05:14]
3. On Australia’s Super system [10:20]
4. Do you need property as an investor? [14:13]
5. Issues with the new generation’s mindset around property and finances [18:00]
6. Addressing the share market volatility [26:10]
7. Cash accumulation between property and shares [30:48]
8. Media headlines and rising interest rates [33:30]
9. Financial advice for young families [36:41]
10. How to get started with investing in the share market [41:40]
11. Using dividends to pay off your mortgage [45:09]
12. Stocks vs ETFs [49:19]
13. Letting cashflow roll from investment companies [52:29]
14. Picking the right companies to invest in [55:07]
15. Chasing yields is a trap [55:46] 
16. Rent your lifestyle [01:00:05]

About our Guest:

Motivated Money gives people the knowledge to make informed investment decisions. Its principal, Peter Thornhill has delivered 1000's of presentations over the years to all types of investors. 

Peter helps people achieve an exciting dream in a very boring way. In his words “I prefer the safety and security of the sharemarket to risky assets like term deposits.” Does that sound strange? For many it will, and that’s why Peter’s boring solution has captivated audiences around Australia. 

Links from the show:

• Motivated Money website: https://motivatedmoney.com.au/ 

Connect with Us:

• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://linktr.ee/veronicamorgan
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 
• Send in your questions to: [email protected] 

Find this episode on our website:

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/240

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, rate and subscribe for more!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.