Property & Other Bad Habits

Episode 02: The Open Home Manifest Welcome to episode two of Property & Other Bad Habits, where we turn real estate obsession into actionable insights. Open homes can feel overwhelming with crowded hallways, glossy styling, fast-talking agents, and emotional decision-making all at once. In this episode, we break down exactly what to look for when inspecting a property—whether you’re an investor, owner-occupier, or renovator—from layout and natural light to street flow, future development risks, and even smells (yes, smells).   This is your practical guide to inspecting like a pro, covering the difference between cosmetic fixes and structural red flags, why styling should never sway your judgment, and how small oversights like parking restrictions or ceiling height can massively impact livability and long-term value. We share tips for busy open homes, assessing flow for families or tenants, checking for cracks/slopes, noise/traffic, storage/laundry needs, and council DA risks. If you’ve ever left an open home thinking “I think I liked it?”, this episode arms you with the clarity and checklist you need.   Timestamps[00:00:00] Intro & Open Home Chaos – Welcome and why inspections differ by buyer type (investor vs family vs renovator).  [00:01:00] Timing Tactics – Hit quieter times; assess flow, light, and tenant/family fit from floor plans.  [00:02:00] Street & Livability Check – Traffic rules, school access, sun aspect, and future-proofing for kids.  [00:03:00] Structural Red Flags – Cracks, floor slopes (marble test), ceiling height, and claustrophobic vibes.  [00:04:00] Ignore the Styling – Skip furniture/art; focus on bones, not makeup—paint/carpet are easy wins.  [00:05:00] Kitchen/Bathroom Deep Dive – Tiles, mold, grout; pantry size for real-life use.  [00:06:00] Power, Noise & Storage – Outlets for offices, external sounds, built-ins vs encroachment.  [00:07:00] Parking & Strata Vibes – Visitor rules, car space fit, bin areas, building maintenance clues.  [00:08:00] Smells, Light & Oversights – Damp/fuel odors, window views, overhead cables/trees.  [00:09:00] Council & Value Adds – Check DAs; cosmetic renos boost profit without approvals.  [00:10:00] Follow-Up & Negotiate – Note questions for agents; outbound calls seal smart decisions.  [00:11:00] Outro & CTA – Share/subscribe/review + Virtual Buyers Agent invite.   Want expert eyes on your next investment without the premium price tag?Discover how our Virtual Buyers Agent can protect you from costly blind spots and keep your strategy on track:https://www.propertywomen.com.au/vba

Episode 01: Property – The Long-Term Game   Welcome to the very first episode of Property & Other Bad Habits, where real estate obsession meets real-world investing. In this debut episode, we pull back the curtain on the story behind the podcast name and dive straight into a cautionary tale about what happens when “expert” guidance falls short and how one simple decision can send an investment sideways.   We unpack a real Melbourne property deal that started as a high-yield, dual-income dream… and quickly turned into a costly reality check. No approvals, no clear strategy, and no real exit plan, just a lot of frustration and near-regret. From inflated expectations to the danger of relying on feel-good advice, this episode is a raw look at why strategy, thorough due diligence, and the right team matter far more than hype.   We also shine a light on the often-overlooked power of strong property management, why property is a long-term game (not a seven-month sprint), and practical ways investors can protect themselves from common, expensive mistakes. Whether you’re building a portfolio, still browsing listings on holiday (no judgment), or simply trying to make sense of the noise, this episode sets the tone for smart, strategic investing with equal parts honesty and hard-won insight.   Timestamps p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:00:00] Intro & Podcast Origin Story – Welcome to Property & Other Bad Habits and why property is Jo's obsession (even on holidays).   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:01:00] The Heartbroken Investor – Client story: Sydney investor's Melbourne disaster after 6 months with a buyer's agent.   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:02:00] Only 3 Properties in 6 Months? – Shocking lack of options and poor service from the "expert."   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:03:00] Dual-Income Myth Busted – Why "just add a wall" doesn't work without approvals (dual-key vs. retrofits).   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:04:00] Hold vs. Sell Advice – 4.7% yield analysis, corner block positives, Melbourne market outlook.   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:05:00] Property Managers Matter – Jo's full-service approach: tenant placement and ongoing support.   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:06:00] Fire Bad Property Managers Fast – Quarterly inspections, maintenance red flags, tenant responsiveness.   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:07:00] Property as a Business – Maintenance realities and holding property managers accountable.   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:08:00] Buyer's Agent Red Flags – Testimonials, Google reviews, negotiation value—worth the cost.   p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> [00:09:00] Outro & Call to Action – Share, subscribe, review + intro to Virtual Buyers Agent.   Listen to Episode 01 on your favourite platform: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-01-property-the-long-term-game/id1890056357?i=1000758762037 p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4kcbrqPTBXLK2pTfjNzE24?si=AuNCImpPQ_23PdJr2rKQoQ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> YouTube: https://youtu.be/yCscbxpFyKU   Want expert eyes on your next investment without the premium price tag?Discover how our Virtual Buyers Agent can protect you from costly blind spots and keep your strategy on track:https://www.propertywomen.com.au/vba