The Property Trio (formerly The Property Planner, Buyer and Professor)

In this debut live recording, Dave, Cate and Mike share their market pulse highlights before diving into some live interaction with the audience. The Q&A format is hosted by none other than the fabulous Property Professor, Pete Koulizos who joins the stage too.

This mighty episode runs for one hour and thirty-five minutes. The first thirteen minutes are dedicated to each of the host's market pulse updates, followed by a great assortment of questions from the floor.

We had enormous fun delivering this live ep and we thank our attendees, who made it a great night to remember. We hope our listeners enjoy too!

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/03/23/live-event-march-2026/

Dave Johnston and Mike Mortlock unpack the February housing data, with Perth still leading growth while Sydney and Melbourne remain flat. Hobart is showing early signs of recovery, and regional markets continue to outperform capitals. Rising global tensions, higher bond yields and possible tax changes are lifting rate expectations, but long-term housing demand continues to support property values.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/03/16/ep-353-february-2026-market-update/

Australia’s housing affordability crisis isn’t just demand-driven. In this week's episode, the Trio examines supply constraints, productivity, taxes and labour shortages.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/03/09/the-housing-supply-challenge/

In this episode, a great listener question from Brendan sparks the conversation. The Trio take a strategic deep dive into ownership structures, equity release and lender policy, helping investors align tax outcomes, borrowing power and long-term portfolio planning.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/03/02/ownership-structuring-strategy/

And... don't forget our LIVE Podcast Event this week - Thursday 5th March at Latrobe Golf Club - 8 Farm Road, Alphington, VIC. 

You can access tickets Here.

In this episode, the Property Trio unpack debt recycling in plain English, explaining how it works and why it’s often misunderstood. Cate, Dave and Mike explore tax deductibility, redraw traps and cash flow risks, helping listeners understand when the strategy can add value... and when it may do more harm than good.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/02/23/pre-sale-improvements/

And... don't forget our LIVE Podcast Event - Thursday 5th March at Latrobe Golf Club - 8 Farm Road, Alphington, VIC. 

You can access tickets Here.

🎧 In this month’s Property Trio market update, Cate, Dave and Mike unpack the latest January 2026 monthly market figures.
 
Following the recent cash rate increase of 25 basis points, the Trio reflect on the conditions that lead the RBA Board to raise interest rates in Feb. This was after more than six months of rates on hold following early 2025's three sets of cuts. Inflation was the primary driver, but many factors are taken into account. Join the Trio as they discuss the rationale behind the decision, and uncover more detail in the data that's unfolding.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/02/16/ep-349-january-2026-market-update/

And... don't forget our LIVE Podcast Event - Thursday 5th March at Latrobe Golf Club - 8 Farm Road, Alphington, VIC. 

You can access tickets Here.
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/01/19/ep-345-december-2025-market-update/

In this episode, the Property Trio unpack debt recycling in plain English, explaining how it works and why it’s often misunderstood. Cate, Dave and Mike explore tax deductibility, redraw traps and cash flow risks, helping listeners understand when the strategy can add value... and when it may do more harm than good.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/02/09/debt-recycling/

And... don't forget our LIVE Podcast Event - Thursday 5th March at Latrobe Golf Club - 8 Farm Road, Alphington, VIC. 

You can access tickets Here.

In this episode of The Property Trio Podcast, Dave hosts the annual "How did we go?" predictions episode. The Trio have a bit of fun, going through their 2025 predictions and applying a scorecard for each other's accuracy. Who got it right? What did they get wrong? And what surprises did they miss? Cate, Dave and Mike are open, reflective and honest about how they each fared.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/02/02/2025-predictions-review/

And... don't forget our LIVE Podcast Event - Thursday 5th March at Latrobe Golf Club - 8 Farm Road, Alphington, VIC. 

You can access tickets Here.

This episode of The Property Trio Podcast was sparked by a fantastic listener question from Callum. The Trio dive into the mortgage questions borrowers ask every single day – plus a few curveballs that catch even experienced investors off guard.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/01/26/rules-for-borrowers/

And... don't forget our LIVE Podcast Event - Thursday 5th March at Latrobe Golf Club - 8 Farm Road, Alphington, VIC. 

You can access tickets Here.

🎧 In this month’s Property Trio market update, Cate, Dave and Mike unpack the latest December monthly market figures.

Dave points out that we have experienced the highest national growth since 2021, and the Trio break down the star performers for the final month of the year. Adelaide and Perth continued their stellar run for December, yet Melbourne and Sydney marginally slipped back. The trio consider the reasons for this, circling stock levels, auction centric markets and price segmentation. As always in their monthly market updates, they canvas rents, listing numbers, lending data the Westpac Consumer Sentiment figures.

The Property Trio is: 

David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/  

Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate - Managing Director of Cate Bakos Property https://www.catebakos.com.au/  

Mike Mortlock, Quantity Surveyor - Managing Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors https://www.mcgqs.com.au/  

📩 Got a question you want answered in a future episode? Send it through https://www.propertytrio.com.au/contact-us/  

You can find more info about topics covered in today's show here:
https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/01/19/ep-345-december-2025-market-update/