‍“Inflation’s down. Consumer Prices are down. Temps are down. So why’s the office vibe up?”

Because people are waking up to the market and we’re here, ready, doing deals.

Still, mixed signals out there: met a young couple last week, lovely, smart - but still in window-shop mode.

“Just seeing what’s out there,” they say. Fair. But when layouts don’t click, compromises feel like red flags, and “don’t worry about the decor” becomes “nah, not this one”… it’s clear: not ready to hunt. Not yet.

And please don’t call it a ‘great find’ if it’s three NW-facing bedrooms upstairs in a 25-year-old weatherboard reno, in a flood zone, with rising damp. That’s not a ‘maybe’. That’s a “no”, and I won’t fake-smile through it.

Truth is, the best time to team up is before you think you need help.
Come in for a coffee when the idea first stirs, not when the house already has offers. You’ll always walk away smarter, even if it’s not with me (though I hope it is). And if not, at least talk to your local expert.

Seriously.

We’ve likely done more meaningful transactions in the last two months than most DIY buyers manage in a lifetime.

Want to make informed decisions? Get informed.
Want to do this properly? Get someone who’s done it properly, hundreds of times before.

How's the market?

I'm glad you asked.

“Hibernating? Not quite. More like stretching before the sprint.”

Yes, it’s quiet(ish), but don’t confuse that with nothing happening. Some patches are humming, others still rubbing sleep out of their eyes. As agents trickle back from Italy, France, and Vietnam (seriously, passport stamps are the best barometer this time of year), the listings start flowing again.

Off-markets? Strong and surprising.
Though let’s call them what they are, pre-markets. And a few of them are very good, slipping through before the spring surge.

Believe the media hype? That’s your call.

But let’s zoom out for a sec: Clearance rate last weekend was 57.4% across 883 auctions (SQM Research). That’s not bad, but it’s not boom-time either. Certainly not the rocket some headlines are strapping to it.

The real test?
When the numbers double, 1,400 - 1,600 auctions. That’s when we’ll see if this is a spring awakening or just a warm-up jog around the park.

That’s the lens. That’s the edge. Most miss it.

THE WATCHLIST

86B Kooyong Road, Armadale

"Not all conversions need divine intervention - some just need the right postcode, the right bones, and the right buyer." - Copied 1 to 1 from the ad Couldn't have said it better myself. :)

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69 Greville Street, Prahran

Clare Cousins-designed, where sculptural textures and natural light create grounded luxury. One of the best small-scale homes on the market right now.

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1 Tudor Street, Richmond

Three distinct work zones, each with great light and just the right amount of separation, it’s a rare WFH (and an occasional sleepover guest) layout that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

Indoor-outdoor flow ticks the lifestyle box, while a quick tweak (e.g., converting Bed 3 into a focused office) makes this ideal for a couple chasing both calm and output.

In a market where true dual-desk homes are scarce, this one works smarter and lets you live smarter too.

I know - you're not looking in this pocket - it's a layout and a feel I'd like you to check out though ;)

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