Warwick Brookes sits down with Luke Sacco, Partner at Nelson Alexander's Northcote office, for a frank conversation about nearly three decades in real estate and what's really happening in Melbourne's property market right now. From the widening gap between renovated and unrenovated homes to the proposed changes to auction reserve pricing, Luke shares what he's seeing on the ground with buyers and sellers every day.

They cover the biggest mistakes sellers are making, why presentation and staging matter more than ever, what's driving demand in Melbourne's inner north, and why nervous buyers are slowing down every deal. A straight talking look at what it takes to build a lasting career in real estate, and what both buyers and sellers need to understand right now.

Connect with Luke Sacco, Nelson Alexander: https://www.nelsonalexander.com.au/real-estate-agents/luke-sacco/149/

Property, Straight Up is brought to you by Domain & Co, Your Property People. domainandco.com.au

Downsizing is not just a property decision, it is one of the most emotionally complex transitions people face. In this episode, Mel Dennis talks with Robyn Strickland, founder of Love It or Leave It, about what really happens when someone lets go of decades of belongings and a family home.

Robyn shares why clutter affects our wellbeing, the role adult children play, how the process works step by step, and the one thing she says makes the biggest difference: starting early.

Connect with Robyn Strickland, Love It or Leave It: https://loveitorleaveit.com.au

Property, Straight Up is brought to you by Domain & Co, Your Property People. domainandco.com.au

Buying the right property is only half the equation. In this episode, Mel Dennis sits down with Nicola Michels, Senior Business Development Manager at Longview, to talk about what great property management actually looks like, what investors get wrong, and the small changes that can have an outsized impact on rental returns and long term performance.

With over two decades of experience across metropolitan Melbourne, Nicola shares what's happening in Melbourne's rental market right now, why the right property manager is worth far more than the fee difference, and a real life case study of a property turned around from two months vacant to let in two weeks. If you own an investment property, or are thinking about buying one, this conversation is essential listening.

Connect with Nicola Michels, Longview: www.longview.com.au

The Melbourne Property Brief is brought to you by Domain & Co, Your Property People. domainandco.com.au

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Meet Nicola Michels: Senior BDM at Longview

01:17 Longview's Coverage Across Metropolitan Melbourne

02:22 What's Happening in Melbourne's Rental Market Right Now

03:34 Pricing Right: The Key to Minimising Vacancy

04:07 Buy With Your Head, Not Your Heart

05:10 What Makes a Property Appeal to the Rental Market

05:51 Long Term Tenants Mean More Money in Your Pocket

06:22 Average vs High Performing Investment Properties

06:54 The Right Team Around You: Why It Matters

07:26 Data Doesn't Lie: Understanding Real Rental Returns

09:17 The Biggest Mistake Investors Make: Choosing the Wrong Agent

09:58 Don't Skimp on Management Fees for a Million Dollar Asset

10:38 What Good Property Marketing Actually Looks Like

11:43 Floor Plans, Virtual Tours and Photography: Why They Win Tenants

13:02 What Service Standards to Look For in an Agent

13:52 Compliance and Legislative Changes Landlords Must Know

15:28 Longview's Service Guarantee: Putting Money Where Their Mouth Is

16:39 Practical Ways to Maximise Rental Return and Minimise Vacancy

17:55 Proactive Maintenance: Prevention Is Better Than Cure

19:39 How Often Should You Review Your Property's Performance?

20:37 The Case for a Property Management Only Agency

21:41 Unbiased Advice: Sell or Hold?

22:12 Real Life Case Study: Vacant for Two Months, Let in Two Weeks

24:06 Closing Advice: The One Thing Every Investor Should Do Now

24:15 Wrap Up and How to Connect With Nicola at Longview