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

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 question of genuine resilience.

Rents keep climbing, listings tell a mixed story across cities, and the RBA's warning of another possible hike looms large. A tight, data-driven read on where the market stands and what could shift it next.

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/2026/08/17/ep-375-july-2026-market-update/

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 valuable flexibility.

The Trio also explores loan porting, contingency planning and the importance of understanding your worst-case scenario before committing. With careful planning and the right advice, the buy-and-sell dance doesn’t have to become a disaster.

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/2026/08/10/buy-first-or-sell-first/

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 property, long-term investment strategy, potential economic impacts, and whether the reforms could eventually be repealed. If you're deciding whether to buy, hold or wait, this episode delivers practical insights to help guide your next move.

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/2026/08/03/after-the-budget/

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 findings vary across Australia's capital cities, and what this means for investors weighing tax benefits against long-term performance. It's a balanced, data-driven conversation about housing affordability, rental supply and making smarter property decisions in a changing policy landscape.

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/2026/07/27/the-new-build-negative-gearing-trap/

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 could benefit from changing investor behaviour following the recent negative gearing reforms. T

hey also discuss investment-grade apartment selection, owner's corporation costs, and long-term capital growth prospects. This is a practical conversation for investors planning their next chapter.

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/2026/07/20/the-retirement-countdown/