Damien Cooley is one of Australia's most well known auctioneers and is managing director of Cooley Auctions and the founder of AuctionNow, which has been critical in transitioning the real estate market from in-person to online. In today’s episode, we discuss how buyers and sellers have reacted to the restrictions, the technology that has helped transition the market, and eye-opening data, including: clearance rates, region-specific data and utilisation of online tools.

Here’s what we cover:

• How did the covid-19 restrictions affect auctions?
• With the technology existing for years, how many auctions were run online?
• Who cancelled their auctions first? 
• How does AuctionNow work with different state legislation?
• How has the clearance rate changed over the last quarter?
• Has online auction now been normalised?
• Why did certain regions not adapt to online auctions?
• What happened to the vendors who were caught in March?
• Despite the market being tough, will there always be scarce property for sale?
• Since open houses are back on, will they go back to the norm?
• Why is this the best time to get back in the market?
• Is it off market or is it pre-market
• How are banks pulling finance from clients days before settlement?
• How to get ahead in auctions?

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 1 | Simon Russell Episode 2 | Damien Cooley Episode 115 | Eliza Owen

GUEST LINKS:Cooley Auctions AuctionNow Cooley Index

HOST LINKS:Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.au Use the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode was recorded on 13 May, 2020.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, we move the conversation away from national and global news, to what matters most: your household finances. Back in episode 89 we interviewed Brendan Coates, Household Finances Program Director at the Grattan Institute, and he joins us in this episode to explore the various issues currently affecting households: unemployment, access to super, wages and financial buffers, as well as how the small factors you might not be considering are growing behind the curtain.

Here’s what we covered:

• How many Australians have lost their jobs?
• With restrictions loosening, who will be going back to work and who won't?
• Businesses going down the gurgler is more detrimental to the economy than unemployment?
• What are the long term implications of young professionals being unemployed?
• Should you access your future?
• How much does the average Australian have saved?
• Where should your money be during low interest rates? 
• Who is most protected?`
• How are companies pivoting their business model to survive the pandemic?
• How will the government balance the lack of immigration this year for the future benefits?
• When will the vaccine be available and how will it impact your ability to work?

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 89 | Brendan Coates Episode 117 | Dr Shane Oliver Episode 123 | Martin North

HOST LINKS:Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.au Use the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode was recorded on 28 April, 2020.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Chris’s numerous appearances on Martin North’s ‘Walk the world’ Youtube channel we finally have brought Martin to our own turf. Martin is the founder of Digital Finance Analytics, a boutique research, analysis and consulting firm, he is one of the most regarded authorities in the research space with several media contributions such as ABC new, AFR and 60 minutes. In this data driven episode, we get down to the question at hand: do you buy or do you sell, what is the data showing, and is it reliable? Find out if people are borrowing too much, what properties are beating the downturn and how are individuals discovering the opportunity.

Here’s what we covered:

• How are the 1000 households surveyed every week reflective of Australia?
• How did Martin enter into the finance commentary arena?
• What patterns are showing which suburbs are going up and which are going down.
• How are the 250,000 first home buyers (per year)  finding ways to enter the market?
• Why newly built properties are at the greatest risk.
• How is the data segmented to better reflect real profiles?
• Will there be low or high capital growth over the coming years?
• Are we reaching our 'peak debt'?
• How many properties are vacant in Australia?
• Why is there simultaneous oversupply and undersupply in the market?
• What happens now since migration is zero?

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 103 | Amanda Farmer Episode 113 | Dr. Nicole Johnson

GUEST LINKS:DFA - Blog - Youtube Article 1 Mapping Mortgage Stress Article 2 Housing price falls and negative equity

HOST LINKS: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.auUse the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode was recorded on 23 April, 2020.

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/123

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode we bring back John Cunningham, Principal Director of Cunninghams, a successful and established real estate agency based in the Northern Beaches. John has a well earned reputation by experiencing all aspects of the property market; buying, selling, advising and investing. We sit down to discuss the state of the real estate market during the pandemic including how all of the changes have impacted buyers and sellers, getting cold feet or becoming hot to trot, and on the other side, how agencies have taken these challenges and restrictions head on delivering a service that has adapted to the situation.

Here’s what we covered:

• Are real estate agents equipped to be trusted advisors?
• How are real estate firms finding the lockdown laws?
• What are agents doing to ensure clients safety?
• Is the gatekeeper mentality helping or damaging the real estate market?
• Why has the pandemic been a wake up call for the property market?
• Still in the market? What should you do?
• Timing, wait another year or action now?
• Is there a conflict of interest with agents giving advice?
• What should property managers be doing during the pandemic?
• How much of the real estate market has dried up?
• How are agents pre-qualifying their clients?
• How are sellers dealing with their property under inspection?

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 12 | John CunninghamEpisode 120 | Michael Yardney

GUEST LINKS:REIA - Home Cunninghams

HOST LINKS: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.auUse the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This Episode was recorded on 4 April, 2020.

Visit the website

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Have you wondered how properties are valued and who has the authority to value them? In this episode we speak to veteran valuer Bart Mead, Executive Director of JLL Valuations and Advisory. Bart has 30 years of providing property advice to financial institutions, the government and private individuals. We sit down to discuss the current state of property valuations: how they work, what factors impact the value of a property, and where the future of valuations will be - automated, cheaper and with a click of a button? Listen in to find out.

Here’s what we covered:

• Why valuations underpin the financial system and the greater economy?
• How do valuations give the buyer confidence after purchasing?
• Will valuation in the future be done prior to purchase?
• Will automated valuations be the future for property purchasers?
• Do valuations vary greatly?
• What are the different types of valuations?
• What's the process of banks picking valuers?
• How will the Covid-19 Pandemic impact how property is valued?
• How much do banks dictate how valuation should be done?
• Could you take a valuer to court for under/over valuing property?
• How do valuers treat off-the-plan property?

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 62 | Cecille Weldon Episode 120 | Michael Yardey

HOST LINKS:Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.auWork with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.auUse the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode was recorded on 16 April, 2020.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our first podcast mashup, we collaborate with Michael Yardney, founder of Metropole Property Strategists and host of the Michael Yardney Podcast. From buying, selling and advising we hear about how the “front-line” of property are dealing with the Covid -19 pandemic and we sit down to discuss which ‘experts’ should you listen to and how you should be timing your property movements around the current economic climate.Stick around as this will be packed full of relevant information for those currently seeking, purchasing or those wondering if now is the time to dip a toe in. 

Here’s what we covered:

• The difference between a good and bad investor
• What are current investors thinking?
• Which is a better yield or growth?
• Which expert’s market predictions can you trust?
• Better yield or better tenant?
• How are banks assessed during the Covid-19 pandemic?
• Why the property market will survive the pandemic
• How will industries adapt?
• Will there be greater globalisation or greater localisation? 
• Will owner occupier demand increase due to the virus?
• What properties in Melbourne that will thrive in the pandemic?
• What is a good development?

GUEST LINKS:Michael Yardney’s Property Update Michael Yardney Podcast Metropole Property Strategists

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 114 | 2020 Fool or Forecaster reportEpisode 115 | Eliza Owen

HOST LINKS:Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.au Use the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode is recorded on 9 April, 2020.

View Episode 120 HERE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special episode, Veronica interviews our co-host Chris Bates, financial adviser, mortgage broker and the founder of Wealthful, a boutique financial firm that assists couples and families to secure bespoke financial products. Over the last 20 years, individuals and families have been increasingly opting to obtain their finance through mortgage brokers (over 60%) rather than go through a bank. Chris discusses this current trend and where the benefits lie when choosing a broker over a bank.

Here’s what we covered:

• Broker vs private banker?
• Are you with the most appropriate bank?
• Why are you limited to going directly to the bank?
• Are you dealing with the real talent at your bank?
• How the banks have discriminated against industries?
• Bank Policies how often are they changed?
• How long are bankers turn around times
• Can you use a broker to get a better rate at your bank?
• Which banks don't use brokers?
• How to find a good broker?
• What questions to ask your broker?

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 53 | Jennie Tonner

HOST LINKS: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.au Use the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdnessThis episode was recorded on 26 March, 2020.

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/119

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We interviewed Pete back in 2018 in episode 24 and we brought him back to talk about the current situation of the property market locally and abroad. Pete Wargent is an internationally recognised speaker, versed in all thing property from buying to selling and all the financial components associated. Opening up on the dialogue surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic we pose the question, how will Australia thrive on the other side of this crisis and what should individuals do now and in the future to protect themselves.

Here’s what we covered:

• How does the economy bounce back from the downturn?
• What downturns are similar to what we are currently experiencing?
• Is the Government doing enough?
• What is happening to the global property market?
• How the Australian economy is performing against the global economy?
• How labour mobility will decrease.
• What will protect our economy in the future?
• How is the frontline of real estate coping during the crisis?
• Why is there a record number of loan applications?
• Why is the Australian Dollar going to suffer so much?
• Where are the scarce properties in QLD?
• What to do with your mortgage?

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 24 | Pete Wargent Episode 115 | Eliza Owen Episode 117 | Shane Oliver

GUEST LINKS:Pete Wargent’s LinkedIn www.petewargent.com

HOST LINKS: Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.auWork with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.au Use the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdnessThis episode was recorded on 2 April, 2020.

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/118

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In another Coronavirus special episode we are honoured to have arguably the most well known economist in Australia, Dr. Shane Oliver. Shane is the Head of Investment Strategy and Economics and Chief Economist at AMP Capital. Shane breaks down the current economic climate, locally and globally, showcasing the various economic indicators revealing the direction we are all heading towards.

Here’s what we covered:

• Major differences between recession and a depression
• Is the world economy heading towards a depression?
• How will the stimulus package work?
• Was the USA too late to act in shutting down?
• Where will the government find the money for the stimulus package
• Where will the world be when the dust settles
• Has Australia done enough to flatten the curve?
• How high will unemployment climb?
• Recognising the opportunity?
• Which industry is at the most risk?
• What economic indicators should we look towards

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 115 | Eliza OwenEpisode 114 | Fool or Forecaster 2020Episode 112 | First Covid-19 update

Shane Oliver’s Articles:AMP Capital: Is Coronavirus driving a recession, depression or an economic hit like no other AMP Capital: The Threat to Australia house prices from Coronavirus Business Insider Australia: The 9 bad habits of highly ineffective investors 

HOST LINKS:Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.auUse the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode was recorded on 2 April, 2020.

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/117

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we talk tax, tax, tax with Alison Lacey and you are going to love it. Alison is the Director of Ecovis Clark Jacobs a recognised accounting firm in Sydney, but is also an investor and married to a builder giving her a multidimensional insight into property and tax. Today she gives the scoop on recent changes to the CGT exemptions for expats, showcases the nitty grittiness of the ATO and describes the most common tax mistakes the average property purchaser makes. 

Here’s what we covered:

• How does tax work with an owner builder?
• What is the definition of a non-resident?
• Why changes to the CGT rule might backfire for the government?
• Knowing your numbers and your opportunity cost.
• What is the biggest tax benefit from owning an investment property?
• How does depreciation affect your capital gains?
• How to offset capital losses against future capital gains
• What can you do about land tax?
• What is the 6 year rule and how does it work?
• How much does the ATO know?
• The problems of owning your property outright.
• What is repairs and what is maintenance?
• How to structure your loan? 

MENTIONED EPISODES:Episode 60 | Mike MortlockEpisode 15 | Taryn Brown

GUEST LINKS:www.clarkjacobs.com.au/

HOST LINKS:Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? www.gooddeeds.com.au Work with Veronica: [email protected] 

Looking for a Mortgage Broker? www.wealthful.com.au Work with Chris: [email protected]

Buy the book - AUCTION READY How to buy property at auction even though you’re scared s#!tless:www.getauctionready.com.au Use the coupon ELEPHANT for your 30% listener discount.

EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Please note that this has been transcribed by half-human-half-robot, so brace yourself for typos and the odd bit of weirdness…This episode was recorded on 20 February, 2020.

https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au/podcasts/116

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.