The Property Trio (formerly The Property Planner, Buyer and Professor)
Formerly The Property Planner, Buyer and Professor, our show rebranded in 2023 to The Property Trio. Residential property is the only asset class we live in, it is where we raise our families, and it is our most expensive investment, yet property advice remains unregulated. Our objective is to educate time-poor professionals through deep insights from our experts who have provided thousands of Australians with personalised advice and education spanning two decades. In a climate where we are overloaded with information and one size fits all recommendations from the media, well-meaning friends and family and so-called advisers, we will distill the raw truth from the ill-informed. So join the Property Planner, David Johnston, The Property Buyer, Cate Bakos and the Quantity Surveyor, Mike Mortlock as they take you on a journey of discovery through the maze of property, mortgage, and money decisions to empower you to create your ideal lifestyle! Links to your hosts: https://www.catebakos.com.au/ https://propertyplanning.com.au/ https://www.mcgqs.com.au/
Episodes
October 19, 2026 • 49 mins
🎧 Cate, Dave and Mike return with practical strategies to make your mortgage work harder now the cash rate has hit a 15-year high. Dave flags a costly trap for home owners converting their home into an investment property, before the trio unpacks the credit card and offset strategy, fixed rates, loan splitting and break costs. With values softening, could your LVR push you into Lenders Mortgage Insurance, or is the valuation lag s...
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🎧 In this month’s Property Trio market update, Cate and Dave unpack the latest September figures and focus on some of the leading indicators to understand what is happening across Australia’s property markets.
The Property Trio is:
David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/
Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate -...
The Property Trio is:
David Johnston, Mortgage Broker - Managing Director of Property Planning Australia https://propertyplanning.com.au/
Cate Bakos, Buyers Advocate -...
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October 5, 2026 • 55 mins
With Dave away, Mike and Cate tackle a common assumption: that a softer market makes life easier for buyers. Cate explains why a bear market is harder work for everyone.
Buyer's agents see enquiry dry up, low-ballers risk alienating vendors, and forced sellers battle both losses and bruised egos.
Selling agents face tough weekly conversations with clients as values slip, while upgraders and downsizers wrestle with whe...
Buyer's agents see enquiry dry up, low-ballers risk alienating vendors, and forced sellers battle both losses and bruised egos.
Selling agents face tough weekly conversations with clients as values slip, while upgraders and downsizers wrestle with whe...
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September 28, 2026 • 52 mins
With Cate away, Dave and Mike unpack the 2026 PIPA Annual Investor Sentiment Survey. Investor sales have risen for a fourth straight year to 18.3%, while only 27.8% plan to buy again, down from 41%. Just 12.4% of sellers sold to a first home buyer, 62.3% of portfolios are now negatively cash flowed, and 87% doubt future governments will keep tax settings stable. Melbourne tops the list of places to invest at 38.7%, despite Victoria...
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September 21, 2026 • 50 mins
🎙️In this episode, Dave and Cate answer a listener question from Nikhil, who has bought five properties, (four through buyer's agents) and wants to start buying interstate himself. The pair set out what it actually takes to buy well somewhere you don't live. Cate explains why unfamiliar markets are hard to read, how contract legislation differs between states and territories, and where to research a suburb's socio-economic s...
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🎧 In this month’s Property Trio market update, Cate, Dave and Mike unpack the latest August figures and look beyond the headlines to understand what is actually happening across Australia’s property markets.
The August market update covers city price falls, rental increases, listing numbers, interest rates and the forces shaping the next phase of this property cycle nationally. 🏠 Tune in to hear more!......
The August market update covers city price falls, rental increases, listing numbers, interest rates and the forces shaping the next phase of this property cycle nationally. 🏠 Tune in to hear more!......
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September 7, 2026 • 52 mins
Dave, Cate and Mike dig into the immediate investor reaction to the negative gearing changes and the trends taking shape in their wake. Is the shift toward yield over growth a genuine strategic rethink, or is it serviceability and higher rates forcing investors' hands? Cate shares what she's hearing from buyers week to week, while Mike unpacks why resi investors are increasingly eyeing commercial property, small retail, offices and...
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August 31, 2026 • 64 mins
The Trio unpack the six principles that separate lasting property wealth from a scattered portfolio. They start with goal setting and long-term planning, then move through mortgage strategy, risk management, and the money management habits that fund a lifestyle by design.
Dave discusses a sobering example of first home buyers facing negative equity after buying at 95% LVR, while Mike explains why compounding and buy and hold...
Dave discusses a sobering example of first home buyers facing negative equity after buying at 95% LVR, while Mike explains why compounding and buy and hold...
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This week, Mike, Cate and Dave dig into Tim Lawless's Cotality presentation from last month's REBAA conference, unpacking where the housing cycle genuinely sits.
📊 National dwelling values have fallen for four straight months, now around 2% below their March peak, with Sydney and Melbourne leading the slide; 97% and 98% of their suburbs recorded falls over the latest quarter. Yet Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha and Wagga...
📊 National dwelling values have fallen for four straight months, now around 2% below their March peak, with Sydney and Melbourne leading the slide; 97% and 98% of their suburbs recorded falls over the latest quarter. Yet Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha and Wagga...
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This month's Property Trio market update sees Cate, Dave and Mike digging into July's figures, questioning whether the headline numbers are keeping pace with what's really happening on the ground.
National values fell 0.7%, with only Darwin, Perth and Hobart holding positive territory, and Cotality quietly revising prior months lower. 🏡 Melbourne draws real attention, with affordability and rising yields raising the questio...
National values fell 0.7%, with only Darwin, Perth and Hobart holding positive territory, and Cotality quietly revising prior months lower. 🏡 Melbourne draws real attention, with affordability and rising yields raising the questio...
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August 10, 2026 • 51 mins
Buying and selling a property at the same time can feel like a logistical minefield. In this episode, Mike, Cate and Dave explore the strategies, risks and financial considerations involved in upgrading or downsizing.
They discuss whether it is better to buy or sell first, when bridging finance makes sense, why subject-to-sale offers can be problematic, and how settlement periods, rent-backs and early access can create valua...
They discuss whether it is better to buy or sell first, when bridging finance makes sense, why subject-to-sale offers can be problematic, and how settlement periods, rent-backs and early access can create valua...
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In this extended episode of The Property Trio, Cate Bakos, David Johnston and Mike Mortlock unpack the far-reaching implications of the 2026 Federal Budget and its property tax reforms.
They explore how the changes could affect property prices, rents, yields, investor behaviour and first home buyers, while discussing the risks and opportunities emerging in today's market. The trio also examines established versus new...
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Australia's proposed negative gearing changes are designed to encourage investment in new housing, but could there be unintended consequences for renters?
In this episode, The Property Trio explores exclusive research from MCG Quantity Surveyors and Suburbtrends, analysing more than 180,000 rental listings to uncover the true cost of brand-new housing.
The trio discuss why new properties command higher rents, how the ...
In this episode, The Property Trio explores exclusive research from MCG Quantity Surveyors and Suburbtrends, analysing more than 180,000 rental listings to uncover the true cost of brand-new housing.
The trio discuss why new properties command higher rents, how the ...
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This week, Cate and Dave answer a thoughtful listener question from Scott, who is approaching retirement with five investment properties, positive cash flow and a big decision to make.
Should he borrow to buy a $500,000 Melbourne apartment, or focus on preserving wealth?
Dave explores retirement planning, portfolio purpose, debt and cash flow, while Cate examines whether Melbourne's affordable apartments and units cou...
Should he borrow to buy a $500,000 Melbourne apartment, or focus on preserving wealth?
Dave explores retirement planning, portfolio purpose, debt and cash flow, while Cate examines whether Melbourne's affordable apartments and units cou...
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June's market update reveals a property market adjusting to powerful policy changes. The Trio unpack slowing momentum across every capital city, the combined impact of Budget Night tax reforms and three consecutive interest rate rises, and why cautious buyers and retreating investors are reshaping the landscape.
Tight vacancy rates and rental growth continue to pose a threat to renters, with gross rental yields continuing to...
Tight vacancy rates and rental growth continue to pose a threat to renters, with gross rental yields continuing to...
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Australia's negative gearing changes have created an important opportunity for existing homeowners that many people have overlooked. In this episode, Cate, Dave and Mike explain how grandfathering rules could allow eligible homeowners to retain negative gearing benefits if they later convert their home into an investment property.
The trio explores why mortgage structure matters, the strategic use of interest-only lending an...
The trio explores why mortgage structure matters, the strategic use of interest-only lending an...
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The latest research from the Reserve Bank of Australia offers a fascinating snapshot of who really owns Australia's investment properties, and it challenges many common assumptions.
Cate Bakos and Mike Mortlock unpack the data, revealing that most investors own just one property, while only a small minority build large portfolios. They explore what an ageing investor population, borrowing capacity, leverage and proposed tax ...
Cate Bakos and Mike Mortlock unpack the data, revealing that most investors own just one property, while only a small minority build large portfolios. They explore what an ageing investor population, borrowing capacity, leverage and proposed tax ...
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This week, The Trio answer a fascinating listener question from Tom, who has built a $12 million property portfolio and is now facing a different challenge: where should future capital go?
Cate and Mike discuss the shift from accumulation to optimisation, comparing property, shares and superannuation as wealth-building tools. They explore the role of leverage, debt reduction and how age and working horizons influence risk. T...
Cate and Mike discuss the shift from accumulation to optimisation, comparing property, shares and superannuation as wealth-building tools. They explore the role of leverage, debt reduction and how age and working horizons influence risk. T...
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May's property market delivered a fascinating mix of results, with Melbourne and Sydney recording price declines while Perth and Darwin continued their remarkable growth.
In this month's market update, Cate Bakos and Mike Mortlock unpack the latest data and discuss what's really happening beneath the headlines.They explore the impact of proposed investor tax changes, shifting buyer sentiment, rental growth, housing supply ch...
In this month's market update, Cate Bakos and Mike Mortlock unpack the latest data and discuss what's really happening beneath the headlines.They explore the impact of proposed investor tax changes, shifting buyer sentiment, rental growth, housing supply ch...
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With interest rates rising and household budgets under pressure, many borrowers are looking for ways to reduce the cost of their home loans. In this episode, Cate, Dave and Mike explore practical strategies to improve cash flow, including negotiating with lenders, refinancing, reviewing loan structures and making better use of offset accounts.
The Trio explain why advertised rates don't always tell the full story and highlig...
The Trio explain why advertised rates don't always tell the full story and highlig...
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