The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate cover art

The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate

The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate

By: Chris Bates
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Who's really in control when you buy a property? The Elephant In The Room is where the things that no one wants to talk about, actually get talked about. Veronica Morgan, real estate agent, buyers agent and co-host of Foxtel’s Location Location Location Australia & Chris Bates, financial planner, mortgage broker and wealth coach have joined forces to find out what’s really going on in the world of real estate. Veronica and Chris talk to property owners and buyers every day in their respective lines of business. They’ve observed a wide spectrum of confidence in people’s decision making ability when buying and selling property, often to the detriment of the individuals concerned. They are both fascinated by consumer behaviour and together they’re going to uncover who’s really making the decisions when you buy a property. In each episode they get into the psyche of buyers, agents, auctioneers and other industry experts to learn the truth about how buyers are influenced and why they do the things they do. In every episode you’ll learn from the mistakes of a “property dumbo” as well as Chris & Veronica’s “elephant rider bootcamp” training session. The plan? This property podcast has been created to help us all make better property decisions!2025 Veronica Morgan & Chris Bates Economics Personal Finance Politics & Government
Episodes
  • What Agents Don’t Want Buyers to See: The Truth About Campaign Histories
    Dec 21 2025

    In this episode, we pull back the curtain on one of the least transparent parts of Australia’s property market: sales campaign behaviour. From hidden campaign histories to shifting price guides and agent tactics designed to manufacture buyer momentum, most buyers are making six- and seven-figure decisions without the information they actually need. Today’s conversation digs into that gap — and the consequences of it.

    We’re joined by Henry Pedersen, co-founder and CEO of Homer, a proptech tool built to expose the data buyers never get to see. Henry walks us through what really happens behind the scenes of a sales campaign: failed auctions, withdrawn listings, guide price movements, and the patterns in agent strategy that can completely alter a buyer’s perception of value. We talk about why big data alone isn’t enough, how algorithms misread hyper-specific property nuances, and why more information doesn’t automatically mean better decisions.

    We also dive into the thornier realities: the structural incentives pushing agents toward underquoting, why buyers keep falling into the same traps, how state regulators are tightening their approach, and what transparency could actually look like if buyers had access to honest, unfiltered campaign histories. Henry also shares how buyer behaviour — from switching suburbs to chasing “hot” listings — is often influenced by information that’s incomplete or deliberately curated.

    Whether you're navigating the market for the first time, returning after a break, or advising clients professionally, this episode gives you tools to understand the battlefield. We help you recognise the signals buried inside campaign data, avoid being blindsided by agent strategy, and get clearer about where your expectations sit in the real market — not the one portrayed online. This is a must-listen for anyone tired of feeling outplayed.

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 — Introduction to the Hidden World of Property Market

    01:28 — Meet Henry Pedersen: Co-founder and CEO of Homer

    02:05 — The Birth of Homer: A Personal Journey

    02:50 — How Homer Provides Transparency in Property Data

    04:11 — Challenges and Insights in Property Data

    05:13 — The Role of Historical Data in Property Decisions

    06:39 — Navigating the Property Market with Homer's Tools

    12:23 — User Experience and Adoption of Homer

    14:06 — Future Developments and Features of Homer

    20:07 — Queensland's Unique Real Estate Law

    22:03 — Challenges of Property Valuation

    23:27 — Agent Behavior and Market Strategies

    25:04 — Leveraging Data for Better Decisions

    33:44 — AI in Real Estate

    35:38 — Property Dumbo Stories

    38:14 — Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    About the Guest

    Henry Pedersen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Homer, a fast-growing proptech platform built to give Australian buyers real visibility into sales campaigns — including the data traditionally kept out of sight. With a background in data, growth strategy, and scaling marketplace businesses globally, Henry brings an outside-the-industry lens to one of real estate’s most persistent problems: information asymmetry.

    Prior to joining Homer, Henry worked in international markets building large-scale automotive data platforms, helping bring structure and transparency to vehicle marketplaces across Australia and the UK. His personal experience navigating Sydney’s overheated 2021 market led him to confront the frustrations buyers face: shifting price guides, opaque campaign histories, and the sheer workload required to track property activity manually.

    At Homer, Henry focuses on surfacing patterns in agent behaviour, guide-to-sale accuracy, campaign timelines, and other hidden indicators that shape buyer outcomes. His mission is simple: equip everyday Australians with the information professionals use —...

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    39 mins
  • What’s Really Driving the Crisis? Eliza Owen Cuts Through the Noise
    Dec 14 2025

    Australia’s housing market is creaking under pressure — record-low affordability, rising lower-end prices, and policies that keep boosting demand instead of easing it. In this episode, Cotality’s Head of Research Eliza Owen helps us zoom out and make sense of the contradictions shaping today’s market.

    We unpack why “years to save a 20% deposit” is the wrong metric, why income — not deposits — is the real barrier, and how the 5% deposit scheme pushes prices up by funnelling demand under strict caps. Eliza also breaks down the mismatch between the homes we build and how Australians actually live, alongside the collapse in turnover rates that concentrates buying power among wealthier households.

    If you want a clear, data-led look at what’s really driving the crisis — and why prices keep rising even as affordability falls apart — this conversation cuts through the noise.

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 — Introduction and Overview of Australia's Housing Market

    02:18 — Government Incentives and Their Impact

    04:17 — Challenges in Housing Affordability

    10:16 — Policy Measures and Their Effects

    12:18 — Affordability and Market Trends

    17:55 — Turnover Rates and Market Stability

    22:20 — The Case for Replacing Stamp Duty with Land Tax

    25:28 — Mismatch in Housing Supply and Demand

    28:19 — Challenges in the Rental Market

    31:38 — Eliza's Departure and Reflections

    34:42 — Global Perspectives on Housing Markets

    38:51 — Affordability Metrics and Policy

    42:33 — Underquoting and Auction Dynamics

    43:36 — Conclusion and Listener Engagement

    About the Guest

    Eliza Owen is the Head of Research at Cotality (formerly CoreLogic), where she leads national market intelligence and economic analysis across Australia’s property sector. Appointed in 2020, she brings more than a decade of expertise in affordability metrics, credit conditions, lending environments, and the economic pressures shaping housing performance.

    Eliza has guided industry leaders through some of the most pivotal moments in recent history — from the volatility of COVID-era markets to the rapid rate-hike cycle and today’s affordability crisis. Her work helps governments, banks, and real estate professionals understand the shifting forces impacting buyers, sellers, and renters, using rigorous data to illuminate what’s really happening beneath the headlines.

    A sought-after keynote speaker and trusted media commentator, she has presented to thousands across real estate, construction, banking, and finance, translating complex economics into clear, practical insights. Passionate about demystifying housing data, Eliza is recognised for storytelling that cuts through complexity and empowers Australians to make smarter, evidence-based decisions in an increasingly strained housing landscape.

    Connect with Eliza
    • Eliza’s LinkedIn
    • Cotality Australia’s LinkedIn
    • Cotality Australia’s Website
    • Cotality Australia’s Facebook Page
    • Cotality Australia’s Instagram

    Resources
    • Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au
    • If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:
    • The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast -
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    44 mins
  • Louis Christopher: Are We Heading for a Market Slowdown or Another Surge?
    Dec 7 2025

    2026 is shaping up as a year of subtle indicators and big risks, and Louis Christopher breaks down the data points seasoned investors should be paying attention to right now.

    In this episode, Louis joins Veronica and Chris just days after releasing the 2026 edition to unpack the findings that matter most: population growth moderating sharply, supply finally catching up in pockets, and why rental pressure may ease before prices do. And, critically, he reveals the assumptions his modelling rests on — and the risks that could topple them.

    Louis walks us through the four core scenarios underpinning his 2026 outlook, including the one that unexpectedly took the lead in 2025, and the one he now believes may need a late addendum as sticky inflation raises the odds of a surprise rate hike. From unemployment edging toward 5%, to small business stress, to shifts in interstate migration, Louis explains how these macro levers shape the micro realities buyers and investors experience on the ground.

    We also zoom into the markets that defied expectations in 2025 — including Darwin’s explosive rebound and the Gold Coast’s continued growth despite being fundamentally overvalued. Louis breaks down why listings data is flashing one message, why developers are building for the wrong demographic, and where supply bottlenecks could turn into oversupply shocks by 2027. Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide remain the nation’s top performers, but Louis outlines exactly what conditions would need to change for any of them to lose steam.

    This conversation is packed with uncomfortable truths, grounded forecasts, and the kind of nuance you only get from someone who has studied the data for over two decades. Whether you’re trying to time a purchase, expand a portfolio, or simply understand where the market is heading next, Louis’ insights offer the clarity — and the caution — needed to navigate 2026 with your eyes open.

    Episode Highlights

    00:00 – Introduction to the 2026 Housing Market Outlook

    01:11 – Louis Christopher's Forecasting Approach

    02:18 – Reviewing the 2025 Predictions

    05:38 – Key Assumptions for 2026

    07:53 – Interest Rate Scenarios for 2026

    10:52 – Gold Coast Market Analysis

    15:14 – Darwin Market Insights

    18:56 – Structural Changes in Listings

    21:58 – Impact of High Transaction Costs on Listings

    23:12 – Market Dynamics in Different Cities

    25:10 – Investor Behavior and Market Trends

    26:42 – Rental Yields and Property Taxes

    28:49 – Interstate Investment Trends

    32:27 – Adelaide's Surprising Economic Resilience

    34:19 – Construction Costs and Housing Prices

    37:07 – Key Indicators for 2026 Market Predictions

    About the Guest

    Louis Christopher is one of Australia’s most respected and closely watched housing market analysts. As the founder of SQM Research, he has spent nearly two decades building some of the country’s most trusted property indexes, data series, and market forecasts. Before establishing SQM in 2006, Louis served as Head of Research and General Manager at Australian Property Monitors, where his work informed Reserve Bank analysis and shaped national housing insights.

    With a background spanning technical market analysis, index construction, and independent forecasting, Louis has earned a reputation for calling turning points early — and for openly grading his own predictions each year. His annual Boom & Bust Report is widely regarded as one of Australia’s most transparent property forecasts, dissecting the interplay between population trends, supply pipelines, interest rates, and economic conditions.

    Louis is known for his no-nonsense approach, his statistical discipline, and his ability to explain complex market dynamics with clarity and precision. For investors, buyers and industry practitioners, his work offers a rare blend of independence,...

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    43 mins
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