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

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 whether to buy or sell first.

First home buyers, despite less competition, are often rattled by negative headlines and quiet open inspections. 

Could the best buying conditions in years be hiding in plain sight?

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/  

Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/10/05/the-bear-market-reality-check/

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 ranking near the bottom for investor friendliness. If investors keep stepping back, what does that mean for renters and the rental pool?

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/  

Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/09/28/pipa-investor-sentiment-survey-2026-under-the-spotlight/

🎙️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 story.

They also weigh up the real cost of flying in and staying for inspections against a buyer's agent fee. Cate finishes with a four step framework: pick one market, build a small local team, do your legal and data homework early, and time your trips deliberately. It's one not to miss!

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/  

Shownotes: https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/09/21/propertytrio-getting-an-interstate-diy-purchase-right/

🎧 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 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/  

Shownotes:https: //www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/09/14/ep-379-august-2026-market-update/

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 warehousing, and how differently that asset class behaves once you move past the headline yield. 

The Trio weigh up what investors might be compromising on when they chase yield over growth, and whether that trade-off is fully understood.

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/  

Shownotes:https://www.propertytrio.com.au/2026/09/07/propertytrio-property-investors-pivot-to-yield/