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Street Secrets

Street Secrets

Di: Chris Bates
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Buying property in Australia can feel like a maze, every suburb has its quirks, every street has its secrets, and each property has unique factors to take into account. Street Secrets shines a spotlight on industry-vetted, highly experienced buyer’s agents who know the market inside out. Hosted by Mortgage Broker and Director of Alcove Chris Bates, this show introduces you to the country’s top buyer’s agents and unpacks what they really do. From navigating local market dynamics to building relationships with selling agents, and helping clients avoid costly mistakes, you’ll learn how to choose the right professional, how to work with them effectively, and why experience and expertise matter when you’re making one of life’s biggest financial decisions. Whether you’re a first-home buyer, upgrader, or investor, Street Secrets is your insider’s guide to smarter buying and better results. New episodes drop every Thursday!Copyright 2026 Chris Bates Economia Finanza personale Scienze sociali
Episodi
  • 060: Helen Tarrant of Unikorn Commercial Property | Commercial

    060: Helen Tarrant of Unikorn Commercial Property | Commercial
    Oct 28 2026
    “If residents spoke English, commercial speakers would speak Mandarin.” – Helen TarrantYou've built up equity in residential property and you're considering commercial for better cash flow. But is a 7% yield worth the risk if your property could sit vacant for 12 months? And where can your budget deliver the best value?On Street Secrets, host Chris Bates speaks with Helen Tarrant of Unikorn Buyers Agency about investing in commercial property across Australia. Helen explains why 80% of commercial due diligence happens after an offer is accepted, and why the 2M–3M price bracket can offer better property and tenant options. For buyers under $1.5M, she recommends prioritising value over chasing yield.Helen also shares a Townsville childcare property she bought for around $700K and sold for $1.6M after about 18 months, following improvements. She explains why benchmarking industrial rents and yields across markets can reveal better value in Melbourne than Brisbane.If you're considering commercial property, this conversation will help you look beyond headline yields and weigh up tenant demand, risk and long-term growth.Episode Highlights00:00 – Why Helen Tarrant Moved From Resi to Commercial05:17 – Capital Growth in Commercial and Why Resi Rules Differ08:00 – Commercial Due Diligence and Learning Before You Buy12:22 – Auction Yields, Rockhampton and the Cost of Vacancy18:23 – Break-Even Yield on a Fully Financed Commercial Buy20:13 – Which Commercial Price Point Gives the Best Value?25:00 – Value-Add Fundamentals and a Townsville Childcare Deal28:44 – The Unicorn Property Myth and a Three-Part Portfolio30:42 – Benchmarking Melbourne vs Brisbane Commercial Yields33:28 – Final Thoughts With Helen TarrantAbout the GuestHelen Tarrant is the founder of Unikorn Commercial Property, a buyers agency that works only in commercial property and focuses on tenanted investment stock.Helen came to Australia at seven, and funding her parents' retirement drove her into property. After three residential purchases left her at her borrowing limit, a landlord named Bill, who owned the building where she worked as a beauty therapist while studying law, showed her how one commercial property could fund a retirement.She bought her first commercial property in North Sydney in 2012 for $360,000 and sold it in 2021 for $1,050,000, after it returned about $20,000 a year in passive income on average. She went on to invest in regional Queensland, and has since completed value-add projects in Townsville, the ACT and Toowoomba, with another under way in Melbourne.Helen describes Unikorn as a native commercial agency, built in commercial from the start, and it runs separate teams for clients buying under $1.5M and those buying between $1.5M and $3M. In this episode, she shares how she helps residential investors set realistic yield targets, choose the right price point and benchmark a deal against other cities before they buy.Connect with HelenLinkedIn | Helen TarrantWebsite | Helen TarrantLinkedIn | Unikorn Commercial PropertyYouTube | Helen Tarrant Commercial PropertyFacebook | Helen Tarrant Commercial PropertyInstagram | Helen TarrantTikTok | Helen Tarrant Work with Chris (Alcove)Business Webpage Link - https://alcove.com.auEmail - hello@alcove.com.auContact Alcove at: (1300 252683)Socials: LinkedIn (Alcove) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovembLinkedIn (Chris) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/Instagram (Chris) - https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/🗓️Book a chat with us!🗓️Follow us on our socials!YouTubeLinkedInInstagramTikTokEnjoyed 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/@street-secretsSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nAThe information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, or credit advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information to your circumstances and seek advice from a licensed financial adviser, mortgage broker, or other qualified professional before making any decision. Canopy Private Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence 558709.
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    34 min
  • 059: Grant Atherton of Open Doors Buyers Agent | Newcastle

    059: Grant Atherton of Open Doors Buyers Agent | Newcastle
    Oct 21 2026
    “I just give everyone as much information as possible. It’s up to them how they decide if they want to move forward.” — Grant AthertonNewcastle and Lake Macquarie continue to attract buyers looking for a different lifestyle from Sydney, but finding the right property takes more than knowing which suburbs are popular. In this episode of Street Secrets, Chris Bates sits down with Grant Atherton from Open Doors Buyers Agent to explore what makes the region appealing, where buyers need to look closer, and how local knowledge can help them make more informed property decisions.Grant shares what draws families, downsizers and former locals back to the region, from its beaches and lakes to its lifestyle amenities and relative value compared with Sydney. He also explains why buyers need to look beyond a suburb’s reputation and consider the differences between individual pockets, their amenities, school options and long-term appeal.The conversation explores the practical details buyers can easily overlook, including peak-hour traffic, commuting distances, flood risks and local knowledge that may not be obvious during a weekend inspection. Chris and Grant also discuss changing investor demand, opportunities for first-home buyers, and how some investors are adapting their strategies through dual-income properties and granny-flat potential.Having lived in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region for around 40 years and worked as a buyers agent since 2020, Grant brings firsthand local knowledge and property investment experience to the conversation. Whether you’re investing, relocating or looking for your next home, this episode offers a closer look at what to consider before buying in the region.Episode Highlights00:00 – From Teaching and Ministry to buyers agent06:07 – How Ministry Shaped Grant’s Approach to Buyers08:32 – Choosing the Right Pocket of Lake Macquarie12:02 – The Local Insights Outsiders Often Miss15:06 – Why Buyers Are Moving to Newcastle19:53 – Building Trust with Newcastle’s Sales Agents21:53 – How Cooling Investor Demand Is Changing the Market23:58 – Newcastle Buying Mistakes Locals Can Help You Avoid27:01 – Finding the Right Fit: A Newcastle Buyer Story28:45 – Newcastle’s Growth, Infrastructure and Future AppealAbout the GuestGrant Atherton is a buyers agent at Open Doors Buyers Agent, specialising in helping buyers navigate Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Having lived in the region for around 40 years, he brings an in-depth understanding of its suburbs, local amenities, lifestyle differences and the practical considerations that can influence a property decision.Grant began investing in property in 1998 and purchased his first investment property a couple of years later. Before entering buyer’s agency in 2020, he worked as a primary school teacher for seven to eight years before spending around 12 to 13 years in church ministry, including establishing a church in the Maitland area.His background in education and pastoral work informs his people-focused approach to buyer representation. He helps clients clarify their priorities, weigh up competing needs and understand the trade-offs between different locations and properties. For buyers unfamiliar with Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, his local knowledge offers valuable context on everything from commuting conditions and flood risks to schools, amenities and the differences between neighbourhoods.With personal property investment experience and six years in buyer’s agency at the time of recording, Grant offers a practical perspective for investors, relocating buyers and downsizers looking to make more informed decisions in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie property markets.Connect with GrantLinkedIn | Open Doors Buyers AgentInstagram | Open Doors Buyers AgentLinkedIn | Grant AthertonWork with Chris (Alcove)Business Webpage Link - https://alcove.com.auEmail - hello@alcove.com.auContact Alcove at: (1300 252683)Socials:LinkedIn (Alcove) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovembLinkedIn (Chris) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/Instagram (Chris) - https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/🗓️Book a chat with us!🗓️Follow us on our socials!YouTubeLinkedInInstagramTikTokEnjoyed 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/@street-secretsSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nAThe information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, or credit advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the...
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    30 min
  • 058: Hamada Alameddine of Inner West Nest | Sydney

    058: Hamada Alameddine of Inner West Nest | Sydney
    Oct 14 2026
    “The finer details in helping somebody understand what they really want can't come from somebody that doesn't understand the location that they're buying in intimately.” – Hamada AlameddineSydney’s Inner West offers plenty of options for buyers looking for more space and value without moving too far from the city, but knowing where to look makes all the difference. In this episode, Chris Bates sits down with Hamada Alameddine from Innerwest Nest to explore suburbs like Marrickville, Earlwood, Hurlstone Park and Dulwich Hill, where changing buyer demand and different lifestyle trade-offs are shaping property decisions.They discuss how gentrification and changing buyer preferences are reshaping these suburbs, why Earlwood is attracting families seeking larger homes and blocks, and how transport access and future development can influence a buying decision.Hamada also shares the details buyers often overlook, from airplane noise, traffic and parking restrictions to heritage controls, biodiversity overlays and renovation limitations. He explains why buyers should investigate development potential before signing a contract, rather than assuming council will approve the changes they have planned.With more than 20 years of property buying and selling experience and seven years as a buyers agent, Hamada brings a practical, street-level understanding of the Inner West. He shares why local knowledge, thorough due diligence and disciplined negotiation can help buyers avoid costly mistakes and make more informed property decisions.Episode Highlights00:00 – Meet Hamada Alameddine: From Arborist to buyers agent04:27 – How Risk Management Shapes Property Buying08:18 – Earlwood Property Value and Metro Connectivity13:43 – Why Local Expertise Matters in Property Buying17:53 –How Collaboration Gives Buyers an Edge19:57 – Hidden Property Risks in Sydney’s Inner West23:07 –Navigating Selling Agents, Negotiation and Trust27:27 – Renovation Potential: What to Check Before Exchange31:12 – Final Thoughts on Buying in the Inner WestAbout the GuestHamada Alameddine is a buyers agent and co-founder of Inner West Nest, specialising in Sydney’s Inner West, including Marrickville, Earlwood, Hurlstone Park and surrounding suburbs.With more than 20 years of property buying and selling experience and seven years as a buyers agent, Hamada brings a hands-on understanding of property renovations, development applications and local market conditions. Before entering the property industry full-time, he ran a tree-removal business for close to a decade, developing practical experience in risk management and property-related considerations such as tree removal and environmental restrictions.Hamada’s local knowledge helps buyers look beyond the suburb name to understand street-level differences, planning constraints, renovation potential and the realities of living in a property. Through Inner West Nest, he takes a focused approach to helping buyers navigate the Inner West market, assess properties carefully and make informed purchasing decisions.Connect with HamadaLinkedIn | Hamada Alameddine Instagram | Hamada Alameddine Facebook | Hamada Alameddine Work with Chris (Alcove)Business Webpage Link - https://alcove.com.auEmail - hello@alcove.com.auContact Alcove at: (1300 252683)Socials: LinkedIn (Alcove) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovembLinkedIn (Chris) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/Instagram (Chris) - https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/🗓️Book a chat with us!🗓️Follow us on our socials!YouTubeLinkedInInstagramTikTokEnjoyed 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/@street-secretsSubscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nAThe information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as financial, investment, or credit advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information to your circumstances and seek advice from a licensed financial adviser, mortgage broker, or other qualified professional before making any decision. Canopy Private Pty Ltd holds Australian Credit Licence 558709.
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    32 min
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