The PROPERTY DOCTORS, Sydney Australia Novak Properties
NOVAK PROPERTIES CREW and PROPERTY LEGENDS in the industry share their experiences and knowledge. Hacks and tips to make you a smarter property GURU :) Learn with exclusive content, advice, insider info and HOT real estate industry PRO SECRETS. For sale, for lease, residential, commercial, buying off the plan, finance, mortgages, interest rates, first home buyer, investments - all topics covered. The untold real estate info you've been waiting for.
EP. 1513 - THE BUYERS AGENT POST THAT WENT VIRAL...
🚨 Buyers agents, we love you—but we don’t read your long emails. 😬
If you want cut-through, think: speed + convenience.
✅ WhatsApp briefs
✅ Quick video intros
✅ 10-word summaries
✅ Price-filtered info
✅ Occasional phone calls
Let’s make it easier to work together and serve clients better. 👏
Tag a buyer’s agent who needs to hear this! 💬👇
#RealEstateTips #BuyersAgent #RealEstateLife #AgentTalk #PropertyTips #SpeedMatters
EP. 1514 The Most Sales In The Northern Beaches Under One Roof! HOW, WHEN AND WHERE
🚨 220+ SALES in under 12 months – one building, one suburb, Frenchs Forest.
Warehouses + storage units selling like hotcakes 🔥
Why?
✅ Priced from $220k
✅ High clearances for mezzanines
✅ Low strata costs
✅ 6.5–7% yields
✅ Located next to 🇦🇺 Australia’s biggest Bunnings
Investor, tradie, or collector – this one’s for you.
Limited stock left. DM us or 📲 Text BUNNINGS to 0460 111 111
#CommercialProperty #NorthernBeaches #WarehouseForSale #StorageUnits #FrenchsForest #RealEstateWins
EP. 1512 THE FIRST HOME BUYER THAT LAUGHED ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK!
🎉 First-home buyer win! At just 22, Paige secured her first property in DY for $629K — now renting for $650/week. With a 5% deposit & clever planning, she’s holding it for just $89 a week. 💥
This studio’s a beauty: winter garden, secure parking, modern finishes & high rent return = winning formula. 🏠✨
Let this be your sign. DM me if you're ready to get in the game! 💬
📍 DY, Sydney
#FirstHomeBuyer #RealEstateSuccess #DYProperty #NorthernBeaches #StudioLiving #RentVsBuy
EP. 1511 The secret tenant screening program that agents use
🗝️ Tenant screening — what REALLY gets you approved
It’s not just about who offers the most rent. Great PMs are matchmakers: right tenant, right home, low risk for everyone. Here’s what matters:
✅ Previous agent reference (the golden Q: “Would you rent to them again?”)
✅ Verified rental ledger + payslips + bank savings (affordability)
✅ Employer check (HR/payroll > a mate’s word)
✅ Details that match (ID ↔️ address ↔️ prior property)
👀 We’ll even glance at public socials for consistency.
🚩 Red flags:
• No agent ledger / can’t verify r...
EP. 1510 Attention All INVESTORS! Multi Use, Multi Income and Maximum Potential
🚀 Unpacking a unicorn on the Northern Beaches: residential + retail + office + warehouse… all in one purchase.
📍 DY/Collaroy border (near 21 Grams)
📐 ~650sqm | 3 lots | 7 tenants (leases in place)
💸 Approx. $220,000 p.a. blended income
🛍️ Retail | 🧑💼 Office | 🏠 Apartments | 🏭 Warehouse
🔧 Value-add angles: uplift residential rents with light refresh, potential granny flat over the warehouse (STCA), annual 3–5% reviews on most commercial leases.
📈 In commercial, more rent = more value (yield-driven).
🎥 Pre-portal first look—DM for details or a private walk-through.
#NorthernBeaches #CommercialRealEstate #MixedUse #PropertyInvestment #DY #Collaroy #Novak
NOVAK NEWS - BREAKING DOWN THE NEW ENTRY-LEVEL PRICES ON SYDNEY'S NORTHERN BEACHES
💥 New Entry-Level Prices on the Northern Beaches!
House-hunting on Sydney’s Northern Beaches? Here’s what you need to know:
🏠 Entry-level houses now start above $2M – properties under that are rare!
🏡 Suburbs like Narraweena & Beacon Hill offer the best value with potential to add equity.
🏢 Entry-level apartments (2 bed, 1 bath, 1 car) are now $900K–$1M+, especially in DY.
🚀 A recent resale jumped from $885K to $1.127M in under a year!
Why the surge?
✔️ Lower interest rates
✔️ New first-home buyer incentives
✔️ Limited stock + increased demand
💬 Go...
EP. 1509 - #4 IN THE NATION!
🎉 #4 Real Estate Show in Australia — Thanks to YOU!
What started as a little show for the Northern Beaches community has gone national… and now global! 🌏
💬 Daily chats. Real topics. Bite-sized insights.
💪 Over 1,500 shows. 7 years. 6 days a week.
📈 #4 in the country for top real estate podcasts.
We’re not a once-a-week production.
We’re LIVE every day — talking to buyers, sellers, investors, tenants — sharing what we learn on the ground.
Whether it's property trends, buying your first home, tenancy law, or navigating super in real estate — we’re breaking it...
EP. 1508 - DUMB THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR SUPERANNUATION
💰 Ever wondered what smart Aussies are doing with their super?
We’ve seen people using superannuation to invest in property, from $200K storage units to million-dollar warehouses — and even retirees creating income streams by selling them off gradually.
Your super could be working harder for you.
📊 $4.4 TRILLION is sitting in super — second only to property in Australia.
🤯 Super can borrow money, and it doesn’t touch your personal lending capacity.
👀 Want to know how to start with as little as $20K? DM us.
#superannuation #investsmart #SMSF #propertyinvestment #australianproperty #financialfreedom #wealthbuilding
EP. 1507 do smart homes make money in Real Estate?
🏠⚡️ Smart homes: do they make you money?
Short answer: usually no price premium… but big wins in convenience + fewer headaches.
What helps when selling/renting:
• Smart locks → easy code change between tenancies 🔐
• Leak sensors (laundry/kitchen) → early alerts, less damage 💧
• Doorbell/cameras → practical security ✅
• Motion lights / timers → labour-saving, set-and-forget 💡
What doesn’t move price: full-blown automation that buyers/tenants won’t use.
Keep it simple, standard, reliable.
Would you pay more for a fully “smart” home? 👇
#PropertyTip
EP. 1506 – FIRST HOME BUYERS USING THEIR SUPERANNUATION AS A DEPOSIT TO BUY!!! WHAT WHAT!? 😲🏠 Sounds too good to be true? It’s not. 💥
🏠💥 Secret weapon for first-home buyers: use your super to save your deposit faster (legally).
It’s the FHSS Scheme and here’s how it works:
Why it’s good: people save deposits ~30% faster.
Need-to-knows:
• Must be 18+ and...
EP. 1505 REAL ESTATE ROOKIE ROAD TRIP
🚐 Real Estate Rookie Road Trip
Thinking about jumping into real estate? Here’s what it really looks like with us:
• Team road trip + hands-on training
• Start in Property Management → graduate to Sales
• Daily 9am huddle, 50 calls/day, real clients, real deals
• Mentors who’ve done it for decades (and rookies smashing it in year 1)
• No uni degree required—work ethic > ATAR
From HSC grads to career-changers, there’s room for you. Want in? DM “ROOKIE”.
#RealEstateCareer #RookieRoadTrip #NorthernBeaches #PropertyJobs #LearnByDoing
NOVAK NEWS - BIGGEST SHAKE-UP FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS IN YEARS! OCT 1ST BRINGS LOWER BARRIERS AND HIGHER CHANCES
🚨 The BIGGEST shake-up for first-home buyers in history starts 1 October 🚨
Here’s what’s changing:
✔️ Buy with just 5% deposit (no LMI)
✔️ No income caps — even couples earning $250k+ can qualify
✔️ Price caps lifted to $1.5m in Sydney 🏡
✔️ Simpler, national scheme — easier to access
💡 Example: A $1.5m property = $75k deposit. That’s it.
This is game-changing for buyers on the Northern Beaches (and across Sydney) where entry-level apartments & homes sit right around these new limits.
📲 Talk to your broker now — pre-approvals are already blowing out.
#FirstHomeBuyer #SydneyProperty
EP. 1504 - NEW UNITS HITTING DEE WHY HARD
🏙️ Too many units in DY?
We hear it all the time: “I don’t want to buy in Dee Why – there are just too many apartments.”
But let’s look at the facts ⬇️
✔️ DY has had apartments for 70 years. Most were built in the 60s/70s (≈8,600).
✔️ In the last 10 years, only ≈700 new ones were added.
✔️ Compare that to Mascot: 2k → 32k in ~15 years 😳
✔️ New and old stock don’t compete — they attract totally different buyers.
✔️ Every off-the-plan unit sold through us in DY has resold for more.
💡 And remember: most new projects are pre-sold before com...
EP. 1503 The Appliance Trap Every Landlord Should Avoid
⚡ Appliance traps landlords fall into ⚡
Dishwashers. Ovens. Washing machines. Exhaust fans.
Do you repair… or replace? 🤔
Here’s the truth ⬇️
✔️ Call-out + repair = $140–$200 just to diagnose (often ½ the cost of a new unit)
✔️ Then wait weeks for parts = unhappy tenants 😡
✔️ If you’ve had 8–10 years from an appliance, you’ve done well
✔️ Replace = new warranty + happy tenants + tax-deductible 📝
👉 Stick to cheap, standard sizes. Don’t fall in love with your Miele or Smeg in an investment property.
💡 Pro tip: Bosch dishwashers with dials not buttons last longer.
Would you repair or replace?
#PropertyTips
EP. 1502 Navigating Challenging Driveways in Property Transactions
🚗💡 Does a steep driveway or battle-axe block hurt your property value?
We just sold a home in Arthur Street — a stunning property with ocean views 🌊… but a tricky driveway.
Here’s what we learnt:
✔️ Hard access can rule out some buyers 🚫
✔️ But it often means privacy + elevated views = huge lifestyle tick ✅
✔️ Vendors may find it hard to see the “buyer’s perspective”
✔️ Usually it doesn’t slash the price — it just takes longer to find the right buyer
👉 So if you’re selling with hard access: focus on privacy, views + lifestyle.
👉 If you’re buyi...
EP. 1501 - WHERE DID ALL THE PRICE GUIDES GO?
🤔 Where did all the price guides go?
If you’ve been searching property online lately, you’ve probably noticed… more and more listings just say “Contact Agent”. Frustrating, right?
Here’s why guides sometimes “disappear”:
✔️ Vendor may not want a public guide
✔️ Market’s been too volatile to pin down early
✔️ Agents testing buyer feedback before setting a guide
✔️ Strict rules on underquoting mean guides must shift with offers
💡 Buyer tips:
➡️ Ask the agent for recent comparables
➡️ Look up past sales in the building/suburb
➡️ If no sold price is listed, ask for a range (“circa $X”...
EP. 1500 - DEVELOPERS GETTING THEIR HANDS ON YOUR DEPOSIT WHEN BUYING OFF THE PLAN? TRUE OR FALSE?
💰 Buying off the plan? Ever wondered if the developer gets to touch your hard-earned deposit?
The truth: No. Your 10% sits safely in a trust account (agent’s or solicitor’s) until settlement. ✅
Here’s what else you need to know:
✔️ If the project never gets delivered → you get your deposit back.
✔️ Deposit counts toward your final purchase price.
✔️ In some cases, the interest earned is shared.
✔️ On the Northern Beaches, off-the-plan buyers have never lost money when holding long-term.
👉 Don’t let myths hold you back. Off-the-plan can be a smart move in low-supply...
EP. 1499 Childhood Memories on Sydney’s Northern Beaches
🌊 Northern Beaches glory ✨
From horse rides through Maccas drive-thru 🐎🍟 to nights at Jet Club with sticky floors & $1 drinks 🍹… from swimming lessons in freezing rock pools 🏊♂️ to ice skating in Narrabeen ⛸️ — the Beaches gave us the best childhood memories.
It’s safe, family-friendly, and full of stories only locals will ever truly get.
👉 Growing up here wasn’t just about the beaches, it was about community, family & freedom.
What’s YOUR favourite Northern Beaches memory? Share below ⬇️
#NorthernBeaches #BeachesLife #AussieNostalgia #CommunityVibes
EP. 1498 THE AGE OF AI, You Wouldn't Believe What We Use It For
🤯 Tried explaining ChatGPT to my family yesterday… and ended up showing them how it’s basically a personal assistant in your pocket.
Here’s what we use it for daily in real estate + life:
✔️ Polished emails & reports
✔️ Social media captions (tailored for each platform)
✔️ Editing photos (furniture removal, style changes)
✔️ Meeting notes + mind maps 🧠
✔️ Instant property cashflow analysis 💸
✔️ Learning & research (faster than Google!)
It’s not replacing us — it’s making us faster, sharper & more efficient. 🚀
Would you trust AI to run your meetings or polish your business comms?
#A...
EP. 1497 UNLOCKING PROPERTY GROWTH: WHERE THE NEXT GAINS ARE HIDDEN
🏡💡 Where’s the next big property winner on the Northern Beaches?
Here’s our insider intel after 30+ years in the market:
✔️ Houses have already stretched their legs with growth 🚀
✔️ Units are now catching up – one, two & three-bedders are flying 🏢
✔️ Land tax is pushing investors away from houses 💸
✔️ Supply is the enemy of capital growth – choose suburbs with limited new stock.
👉 Right now, essential properties (entry-level homes & affordable apartments) are performing best.
Would you buy a unit or a house in today’s market? 👇
#NorthernBeachesLiving #SydneyRealEstate #PropertyTips #FirstHomeBuyer #InvestmentPropert
NOVAK NEWS - IS IT TIME TO SPRING ONTO THE MARKET?
🌸 Spring market is here — but should you spring onto the market now or wait?
Here’s the inside scoop from the ground:
✔️ Stock levels = low (620 vs. 800 typical) 📉
✔️ Buyer demand = HOT 🔥 (thanks to recent rate cuts)
✔️ Less competition = better prices 💰
💡 Tip: Don’t overspend on renos. Fresh paint & tidy gardens go further than a new kitchen buyers may rip out anyway.
👉 This could be the sweet spot before stock rises and competition grows.
Would you list now or wait for spring peak? 🤔
#SpringMarket #PropertyTips #NorthernBeachesRealEstate #RealEstateAdvice
EP. 1496 CAN YOU REALLY AFFORD A PROPERTY ON THE NORTHERN BEACHES FOR $63 PER WEEK?
💡 Did you know? Buying a $650k property on the Northern Beaches could cost you as little as $70/week (after rent & tax benefits) 🏖️
🔑 Here’s how:
✔️ Rent offsets most of the loan
✔️ Negative gearing kicks in
✔️ First-home buyers save on stamp duty
It’s not about the headline price… it’s about the numbers you run. With the right tools, you’ll see owning is closer than you think.
Would you pay $70 a week to own a piece of the Beaches?
#FirstHomeBuyer #NorthernBeachesLiving #PropertyTips #InvestmentProperty #DYLife
EP. 1495 “Tenant vs Landlord: Who Gets the Parking Permits?”
🎟️ Council parking permits – who gets them? Landlord or tenant? 🤔
Every August, it's sticker season on the Northern Beaches. With council rates come beach parking permits – and the great debate begins.
💡 Technically, the permits go to whoever pays the rates – usually the landlord. But in practice, many landlords choose to pass one to their tenant, especially if it helps sweeten a lease renewal.
📌 No legislation. No tribunal ruling. Just common sense, fairness, and a bit of negotiation.
Best practice? Landlords: If you're not using your sticker, give it to your tenant. Tenants: If you’re stuck, tak...
EP. 1494 Interest Rates come down, equals Bad news?
📉 Rates are down — but should we really be celebrating?
Lower interest rates feel great in your pocket, but history tells us something important:
💡 Cuts often mean the economy needs a boost.
💡 House prices have surged over the decades when rates rise, then cooled when they fall.
💡 Units are lagging behind — which could mean they’re next in line for growth.
More control over your cash is good news — but keep an eye on the bigger picture.
#InterestRates #PropertyMarket #RealEstateInsights #HousingTrends
NOVAK NEWS - WARRINGAH TAKES THE CROWN: THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN NSW
Join us, while we dive into why Warringah is the best place to live in NSW.
🏡 Warringah = #1 in NSW
From the family-friendly streets of Frenchs Forest to the vibrant beach life of DY, Warringah offers the perfect mix of community, convenience, and capital growth.
✅ Central location & easy commutes
✅ World-class amenities (biggest Bunnings in the Southern Hemisphere!)
✅ Thriving café & restaurant scene
✅ Diverse, welcoming community
No wonder it’s Sydney’s top-rated area to live. 🌊🌿
#WarringahLiving #FrenchsForest #DY #NorthernBeachesLife #SydneyLifestyle
EP. 1493 GROW YOUR WEALTH: HOW BUYING PROPERTY IN AN SMSF COULD SUPERCHARGE YOUR FUTURE
💡 Turn your super into property 💡
With a self-managed super fund (SMSF) you can:
✅ Combine funds with up to 6 members
✅ Use leverage to buy property
✅ Pay just 15% tax while building your portfolio
✅ Pay zero tax on rental income & capital gains in retirement
From storage units to commercial offices — your super could be working harder for you. 📈
#SMSF #PropertyInvestment #WealthBuilding #SuperannuationTips
EP. 1492 THE 50sqm SOLUTION: RETHINKING SPACE TO SOLVE AUSTRALIA'S HOUSING SHORTAGE
🏙️ Small is smart.
Super funds and savvy investors are quietly snapping up under-50m² apartments — and they’re performing brilliantly.
✅ Lower entry price
✅ Strong rental yields
✅ High demand from singles, couples & students
So why aren’t banks and governments backing them more?
The stigma is old. The results are real.
#PropertyInvestment #SmallSpaceBigReturn #RealEstateAustralia #Superannuation #Apartments
EP. 1491 Australia’s $4.2T giant – what’s next for your future?
💰 $4.2 trillion — bigger than the Australian stock market.
That’s how much is sitting in Australian Super right now.
Most people don’t know what to do with it.
Some are using it to buy property.
Some have no plan at all.
It’s time to understand your super — it could be the biggest investment you’ll ever make.
#AustralianSuper #WealthBuilding #PropertyInvestment #FinancialFuture
Asset Class / Metric
Approximate Value (mid-2025)
Superannuation Assets
A$4.1–4.2 trillion
Residential Property Value
EP. 1490 Wayne Hughes: 22 Years of Calm in Business Chaos and brilliance
Wayne Hughes has been our business coach for 22 years — and in all that time, we’ve never seen him angry. Ever.
Through COVID, career pivots, and even near team mutinies, Wayne has been our anchor — listening, guiding, never missing a Thursday session, and always asking: “What’s your 2-year plan?”
His wisdom isn’t just about business — it’s about life. About mindset. About staying grounded when everything feels off balance.
Wayne doesn’t just coach. He uplifts.
We’re lucky to have him — and we think every business deserves a "Wayne." 💼💙
#BusinessCoaching #TeamSu...
NOVAK NEWS - A MINI AUSSIE DREAM FOR $1 !!
🏠 $1 Dream Home Plans – NSW Gov’s New Housing Initiative
The NSW Government is rolling out a Housing Pattern Book with 8 architect-designed plans you can buy for just $1(yes, really). It includes:
✔️ Detached homes
✔️ Duplexes
✔️ Terraces
✔️ Manor homes (4 dwellings in 1)
✅ Plans fast-track the DA process
✅ Save $20K+ on architect fees
✅ Available for 6 months—then $1,000 per plan
Ideal for R2 & R3 zoned blocks.
Download the designs 👉 planning.nsw.gov.au
Need help understanding your lot’s eligibility? Reach out to us anytime.
#NSWHousing #Dr...
EP. 1489 1 Year Fresh Into My Real Estate Career at Novak, Now What?
From Zero to 50+ Deals in 12 Months – Meet Josh Wapshott
Ever wondered what it’s like starting out in real estate?
Josh Wapshot jumped into the industry just over a year ago. With a background in finance and investment, he joined Novak with big ambition—and has delivered BIG results:
🏡 25 storage units
🏢 4 warehouses
🏘️ 8 apartments
📃 12+ leases
No sugar-coating: it was 7 days a week, full commitment. Josh didn’t focus on the money—he focused on activity. The result? His growth fast-tracked faster than most.
💬 Thinking about a career in real estate? Re...
EP. 1485 AI IS COMING... SHOULD THE PORTALS BE WORRIED?
Is ChatGPT about to disrupt the real estate giants? 🧠💥
We recently tested ChatGPT with a simple prompt: "Find a 2-bedroom apartment in Dee Why under $1M."
And it delivered — fast, detailed, and free.
Compare that to the $3.6K+ it costs to list your home on major portals like realestate.com.au. Ouch.
What happens when more buyers and sellers realize AI can pull listings from trusted websites, social media, and agents — without paying a cent?
From virtual inspections to valuation bots, AI is changing the game.
Realestate.com.au and...
EP. 1484 RENOVATING? GET YOUR DOCS RIGHT OR RISK WEEKS WITHOUT RENT!
🏠 NSW Landlords & Investors: Big Changes You Need to Know!
If you're planning major renovations and need vacant possession, new tenancy laws now require:
✔️ 60–90 days’ notice to tenants
✔️ Submission of detailed plans to NSW Fair Trading
✔️ Owners Corporation approval if you're in a strata
Failure to follow the process can cost you time and money—think weeks without rent or even legal consequences.
Greg from Stedman Williamson & Heart breaks it all down.
👉 Full guide and links at: www.stedmanwilliamsonheart.com.au
#PropertyManagement #NSWLandlords #TenancyLaw #StrataLiving
EP. 1483 Different Real Estate Agents for Different Property Types – Explained! 🏠🏢
Not all agents are created equal 👀 In this episode, Mark Novak and Michael Burgio dive into why choosing the right agent for your specific property type—residential, commercial, industrial, or luxury—can make all the difference.
✅ What to look for in a specialist
🏗️ Why experience in your property type matters
💡 Real-world examples from the field
If you’re leasing, selling, or just curious—don’t miss this one!
EP. 1482 Through NCAT’s doors—what’s next for tenants & landlords?
This virtual walkthrough of NCAT (New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal) in Sydney demystifies what happens when a landlord-tenant dispute arises. The process begins with a formal notification—usually by mail or email—informing a party that a claim has been lodged. NCAT isn't a courtroom or legal trial environment; it's a tribunal where legal representation typically isn't allowed. Located at 66 Goulburn Street, the NCAT building is shared with other businesses, and entry involves security checks including metal detectors. Once inside, attendees check a display to find their hearing room, then wait awkwardly in a lounge area. The atmo...