In the Media - 2021

It’s been a record year of home lending, here’s how Aussies spent it

Property Mavens chief executive officer Miriam Sandkuhler says 35% of her clients are investors.

The Victorian-based buyer’s advocate says many have chosen to buy regionally, where rental yields have been higher than the interest being charged.

“Some have also bought now, before venturing into newly COVID-imposed contracting work or self-employment, which will detrimentally affect their borrowing capacity for at least two years,” Ms Sandkuhler adds. Read More

House hunters out in force across the capitals as the Christmas property deadline looms

Property Mavens founder and buyer’s agent Miriam Sandkuhler said Melbourne’s ongoing lockdown had created “a pressure-cooker of demand” from buyers. Read More

Tempted to buy a regional unit? Read this first

"Apartments as general rule of thumb aren't good investments as they have low land value, and a higher building value. Given buildings depreciate and land increases in value, you shoot yourself in the foot when it comes to capital growth on an average apartment," said Miriam Sandkuhler CEO and buyers agent at Property Mavens. Read More

What could a buyer’s agent do for you?

In a competitive housing market, when there are many other buyers with their eyes on the prize, could a buyer’s agent help you seal the deal? We take a look at what a buyer’s agent is, and what role they play when purchasing property. 

What is a buyer’s agent?

A buyer’s agent is a licenced professional who represents the interests of a prospective home buyer, and who may be able to negotiate the purchase of a house for them. Their job, in short, is to represent the interests of a buyer in a real estate transaction. Read More

Home seller FAQs: When should I sell? How do I pick an agent?

So we asked five property professionals to share the questions they are most asked about the process, and then answer them. Miriam Sandkuhler: For family homes with gardens, spring is the best time, as gardens bloom and there are lots of homebuyers.
Spring is good for apartments, too, but autumn tends to be a little better, as there is typically a higher proportion of investors in the market. Read More

Homebuyer FAQs: should I buy or sell first? How do I compete at auction?

Property Mavens director Miriam Sandkuhler (MS):It’s usually best to sell first so you know what your financial position will be before you bid on a home. But in a surging market, it can make sense to buy first so you can catch the upswing when you sell. There’s risk both ways. And it depends on your property – if you buy first and you have a C-grade property, you could struggle to sell and have to find bridging finance. If you sell first, make sure you have your buying strategy in place (so you can) hit the ground running. Read More

Melbourne lockdown: home inspections ban forcing sight-unseen sales

"Property Mavens buyers agent Miriam Sandkuhler said she feared many desperate buyers were being fuelled by emotion.
Ms. Sandkuhler said she would “never condone” buying without physically inspecting a property, unless there were rigorous legal safeguards in place.

But she added it was “tough” for people who were in need of a property and called upon the government to reintroduce one-on-one inspections for would-be buyers and renters. “It’s insanity that the government won’t open up one-on-one inspections when we’ve done it in the past and it’s managed so well by the industry,” Ms Sandkuhler said. Read More

Pent-up demand sure to drive fierce springback

Sydney property: why regional NSW offers affordable housing and where to buy

Property Mavens chief executive Miriam Sandkuhler said these motivations had been in play long before the pandemic, as affordability issues plagued the Sydney market.

“Lower land values regionally ensure buyers get much better bang for buck and a better quality lifestyle,” the buyer’s advocate said. Read More

Victoria’s hottest regional housing markets for demand, price growth

Property Mavens chief executive Miriam Sandkuhler said Covid-19 had “rapidly accelerated demand and property prices in a very short space of time” in Victoria’s regions.

The buyer’s advocate highlighted the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo areas as particular hot spots, but noted these cities had been strong performers long before the pandemic.

“They’ve had stronger growth results than many Melbourne suburbs,” Ms Sandkuhler said.

“Sometimes, increases have been at the rate of 10 per cent per quarter for select properties in sought-after suburbs.

“This migration won’t slow down any time soon, as employment opportunities, infrastructure development and other growth drivers continue to pull people who can now work from home several days a week.” Read More

Fitzroy North time warp sells for $2.5 million after knock-out opening bid

Our clients were thrilled to buy 24 Barkly St Fitzroy on Saturday.

We appraised it well, and knowing the market value of the property, allowed me to secure it for our happy home buyer client on auction day.

Zoom auctions, Zoom Pilates, quarantining and pivoting.

Some things are now second nature to Melburnians, and the big result for an inner-north terrace at the weekend, contributing to a respectable clearance rate, shows a comfort at buying and selling real estate online during a lockdown. Read More

‘Bathrooms are out of bounds’: The do’s and don’ts when visiting an open home

Victorian-based buyer and vendor advocate Miriam Sandkuhler says the biggest sin is when buyers behave in a way that results in damage. “When little kids are let loose, I’ve seen things get knocked off coffee tables and break. It’s important to keep an eye on your kids. I’ve been in an open home where the child’s room had a lot of toys displayed nicely. A little kid, who was at the inspection with his parents, took a shine to one of the toys and walked out with it. The parents didn’t realise till they got to the car – fortunately, they then came back and returned it!” Read More

Looking to engage a buyers agent or become one? You can watch my really informative conversation with @ Andy Reid here

It’s Andy here, real estate Coach, Commentator and Auctioneer down in Melbourne, I hope you’re all well and had a great weekend!

Miriam is a Best Selling Author and an Accredited Property Investment Advisor. There are lots of strings to this very talented individual’s bow and tonight Miriam shares with us her vast knowledge about a rapidly growing part of our industry, advocacy. Click here to watch or listen 

Instant millionaires: Melburnians reap ‘life changing’ profits on sales of older homes

Families and downsizers are becoming overnight millionaires after offloading homes they've owned for decades for "life-changing" profits. 

Buyer's advocate Miriam Sandkuhler of Property Mavens said it took "at least 15 years" in most cases to see a big appreciation in a property's value. . Read More

‘Try before you buy’: Experts issue COVID-19 tree, sea change warning to Melbourne homebuyers

Homebuyers desperate to escape Melbourne post-lockdown are being warned to think twice before making the move out bush. Miriam Sandkuhler, buyer and vendor advocate and chief executive of Property Mavens, said city dwellers were abandoning the big smoke in droves in search of larger homes on bigger blocks.  Read More

In search of country vibe

How to ace buying in a school zone

Not worth the gamble: How to avoid buying a property lemon

Termites, defects, and flammable cladding are being overlooked by buyers rushing into the FOMO-driven property market before it gets too hot. 

As house prices race ahead at a pace not seen in 17 years, intense competition has stoked a rise in the number of sales conducted without independent pest and building inspections.  Read More

Tree-changers urged to try before they buy

Could some homebuyers be making a mistake as they join the regional housing boom? Stephen Cenatiempo spoke to Miriam Sandkuhler from Property Mavens, who says it’s important to do your research before making a tree or sea change. 

Potential sea changers warned to look out for poor performing beach houses

Potential sea changers should be on alert for any poorly built or poorly performing properties that hit the market in coming months, amid skyrocketing interest in buying property in Australia’s favourite holiday destinations.

Be warned of bargains that look too good to be true and think carefully about long-term work arrangements when dreaming of a post-covid lifestyle change, buyers agents say.  Read More

Where to buy in Melbourne without having to pay a top price tag

 Sea changers wanting to “try before they buy” have driven double-digit growth in rental values across the Mornington Peninsula and southeast.

Beachside suburbs make up all 10 Melbourne suburbs with the highest annual increases in rents in the house market in 2020, according to property data firm CoreLogic.

Blairgowrie and Bonbeach tied for the No. 1 spot, with their median weekly rental values rising 10.8 per cent to $526 and $578 respectively in the year to September 30.    Read More