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

By: Veronica Morgan & Chris Bates
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  • Summary

  • 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
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Economics Personal Finance Politics & Government
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Episodes
  • Why Behavioural Economics Matters in Real Estate with Evan Lucas

    Why Behavioural Economics Matters in Real Estate with Evan Lucas
    May 4 2025
    What if the real driver behind Australia’s property obsession isn’t logic, but human behaviour? In this episode, we’re joined by behavioural economist Evan Lucas, and let’s just say… this one’s a thinker. We talk about how our attitudes toward property have shifted since the pandemic; what’s stuck, what’s changed, and why the DIY mindset, generational habits, and even the Bunnings effect all feed into the way we view real estate. It’s not just about shelter. It’s about control. Identity. Security. And that deeply emotional idea of “home.” Evan pulls back the curtain on how we’re wired to respond to urgency, pressure, and even shiny marketing tactics, and how those biases can lead us straight into the wrong property decisions (even when we think we’re being smart about it). We get into pain points like home bias, dopamine hits, and the big one: why losing money on property feels so personal, because for many of us, it is. There’s so much in here for buyers, sellers, and anyone trying to make sense of today’s market. If you’ve ever wondered why the numbers don’t always add up to the decisions people make, this episode explains a lot. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction 01:06 - Who is Evan Lucas? 02:44 - Why Australians are so obsessed with property 06:07 - The real consequences of a property-driven culture 09:17 - Why does behavioural economics matter so much when you’re investing? 13:31 - When did Evan realise behaviour was driving investment outcomes 22:38 - The behavioural biases that quietly sabotage property buyers 29:31 - The big differences in beliefs and behaviours around property across generations 34:38 - Why housing has become a generational and cultural tug-of-war 38:28 - What COVID changed and what it didn’t 42:29 - Will the regional shift last now that offices are calling people back? 46:29 - Work-life tug-of-war: Who’s really in control now? 51:13 - Evan's thoughts on allowing first home buyers to access their super 57:12 - What Evan thinks about value and what it really means in the context of property 1:03:16 - Evan Lucas’ property dumbo About Our Guest: Evan Lucas is a leading behavioural economist, author, and financial commentator known for making complex money matters relatable and human. With a background in global finance and a passion for understanding how emotions and biases shape financial decisions, Evan helps Australians rethink the way they engage with money, investing, and property. He regularly appears in national media and is the author of Mind Over Money, where he explores why logic often takes a back seat when it comes to personal finance. Connect with Evan Lucas: LinkedIn https://au.linkedin.com/in/evan-lucas-44a25316Website https://evanlucas.com.au/Listen to Evan’s podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/exchanges-with-evan-lucas/id1796919532 Resources: Visit our website https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.auIf you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast questions@theelephantintheroom.com.auLooking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.auWork with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.auLooking for a Mortgage Broker? https://www.alcove.auWork with Chris: chrisbates@alcove.au Enjoyed the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now! Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Is the U.S. Doing Real Estate Better? Agents, Fees & Buyer Deals Explained

    Is the U.S. Doing Real Estate Better? Agents, Fees & Buyer Deals Explained
    Apr 27 2025

    Lately, it feels like everyone’s saying Australia is just a few steps behind the U.S. when it comes to real estate; especially with buyer’s agents. But I’ve always wondered… is that actually a good thing?

    In this episode, we're joined again by David Sidoni, host of the How to Buy a Home podcast, and we pull back the curtain on how real estate really works in the U.S. We talk about agent commissions, who pays who, what the buyer’s agent actually does, and how a recent $5 billion lawsuit is turning the whole system on its head.

    David explains why the traditional model of sellers paying both agents’ fees is being challenged, and what that means now that buyers might have to start footing the bill themselves. We also get into the wild west of agent licensing, what it takes (or doesn’t take) to become an agent in the States, and how portals like Zillow are trying to grab their piece of the pie, often at the buyer’s expense.

    It’s a fascinating look at a system that’s often pitched to us as “better,” when in reality… it’s a bit of a mess. If you’ve ever been told that Australia should follow the U.S. model, this conversation might have you rethinking that entirely.

    About Our Guest:

    David Sidoni is a real estate expert and host of the How to Buy a Home podcast, where he helps first-time buyers navigate the confusing world of property with clear, practical advice. With nearly two decades of experience and over 1.7 million podcast downloads, David is known for breaking down complex real estate concepts and advocating for buyers who often feel overwhelmed or overlooked. His mission is to empower everyday people with the knowledge and confidence to make smart home-buying decisions without the industry jargon or pressure.

    Connect with David Sidoni:

    • LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsidoni
    • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/howtobuyahomepodcast/
    • Website https://howtobuyahome.com/

    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 - questions@theelephantintheroom.com.au
    • Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
    • Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
    • Looking for a Mortgage Broker? https://www.alcove.au
    • Work with Chris: chrisbates@alcove.au

    Enjoyed the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now!

    • Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcast
    • Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719
    • Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • How to Tell If a Builder or Developer Can Be Trusted

    How to Tell If a Builder or Developer Can Be Trusted
    Apr 20 2025
    Buying a property is one of the biggest financial commitments most people will ever make, and yet, so many buyers are forced to make that decision with barely any reliable information about who’s building their home. In this episode, we sit down with Brad Walters from Equifax to unpack the trust crisis in the Australian construction industry, and more importantly, what’s being done to fix it. We talk about the lack of transparency in building quality, the rise in insolvencies, and those so-called phoenix companies that keep reappearing under new names. Brad walks us through iCIRT, a national rating system designed to help buyers, insurers, and lenders assess the trustworthiness of builders and developers. It’s based on six core criteria: everything from conduct and character to financial capacity; and honestly, as someone who’s big on due diligence, I found it incredibly encouraging to know this kind of tool exists. What’s particularly eye-opening is that, according to the data, around 75% of the industry is actually doing the right thing. But it’s that 20 to 25% who cut corners, take shortcuts, or just don’t stick around when things go wrong, that’s where the damage happens. And unfortunately, they drag down the whole industry with them. If you’re thinking about buying something off the plan, or even just a property built in the last decade, this conversation is a must. We dig into how iCIRT works, the limitations of current protections across different states, and the role of government in holding the industry to higher standards. Tune in and let's get started! Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Introduction 01:08 - Who is Brad Walters? 02:14 - Understanding the iCIRT tool and why it matters 07:11 - Can buyers rely on builder info outside of NSW? 13:24 - How iCIRT gathers data you can trust 19:33 - Is the rating system voluntary? Who’s avoiding it? 25:12 - When things go wrong: Judging a builder by their response 30:14 - What’s behind the data? Gathering and verifying builder info 34:51 - Protecting yourself from builder insolvency 38:21 - Does more regulation mean higher construction costs? 41:44 - How new builders can still earn trust 45:14 - Is iCIRT a national standard or just a NSW initiative? 48:21 - Can iCIRT ratings actually help off-the-plan buyers? 49:43 - What about suppliers? Expanding accountability beyond builders 51:42 - Contract clauses that can give buyers more protection 52:34 - Beyond trust: What else needs fixing in construction? 55:32 - Brad Walters’ property dumbo About Our Guest: Brad Walters is the Head of Product and Rating Services at Equifax Australia, where he leads initiatives to enhance transparency and trust in the construction industry. He oversees the development of tools like the Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT), which assesses the reliability of builders and developers. Brad has advised major banks, insurers, corporations, and government departments on corporate strategy, finance, and risk management. He also serves as a board-appointed director for several Equifax-related entities, contributing to industry-wide innovation and improved business outcomes. Connect with Brad Walters: LinkedIn https://au.linkedin.com/in/brad-walters-775b221Find trustworthy building professionals https://www.equifax.com.au/personal/products/iCIRT-ratingsGet your iCIRT rating and report https://www.equifax.com.au/business-enterprise/products/icirt-construction-industry-ratings Resources: Visit our website https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.auIf you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at: The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast questions@theelephantintheroom.com.auLooking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.auWork with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.auLooking for a Mortgage Broker? https://www.alcove.auWork with Chris: chrisbates@alcove.au Enjoyed the podcast? Don't miss out on what's yet to come! Hit that subscription button, spread the word and join us for more insightful discussions in real estate. Your journey starts now! Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theelephantintheroom-podcastSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/the-elephant-in-the-room-property-podcast/id1384822719Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ge1626dgnmK0RyKPcXjP0?si=26cde394fa854765See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    59 mins

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