Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make… and most people are just kind of winging it.

You're going to inspections, watching prices, trying to read between the lines on listings, and still not sure if something's actually good value or if you're about to overpay.

So this week, Nick sits down with buyer's advocate Mel Dennis to break down what actually matters when you're buying property. They unpack how to work out what a property is really worth, the mistakes buyers don't realise they're making until it's too late, and how to handle the negotiation so you don't end up paying more than you needed to.

If you're in the market, or even just starting to think about it, this gives you a clear approach so you can make the call and buy with confidence.

Inside this episode:

• Why doing your research still doesn't guarantee you won't overpay

• The three things you're always balancing when you buy, and how to prioritise them

• How to actually work out what a property is worth (not just what it's listed for)

• The due diligence most buyers think they've done… but haven't

• What experienced buyers look at that others don't

• How negotiations really work (and where people end up paying more)

• Why some properties grow in value... and others don't

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GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to [email protected], and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.

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