- 62
- Episodes
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Street Secrets
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!
- Publisher
- Chris Bates
- Category
- business · education · society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 3 Sept 2025
- Latest episode
- 4 Nov 2026
Latest episodes
62 episodes in the feed.
4 Nov 2026
061: Vanessa Simpson of Coastal Property Buyers | Coffs Coast
“There are three individual markets with their own intricacies.” — Vanessa Simpson The Coffs Coast is attracting lifestyle buyers, families and investors looking beyond Sydney and Brisbane, but how do you know where the real opportunities are? In this episode, Chris Bates speaks with Vanessa Simpson about navigating the Coffs Coast, Port Macquarie and Yamba property markets, and why understanding local differences matters when buying regional property. Vanessa shares how the Coffs Coast market has changed since COVID, from rapid price growth driven by out-of-area buyers to a subsequent correction and renewed growth. They explore what attracts people to the region, the appeal of different suburbs and hinterland areas, and how price points can vary significantly even within Coffs Harbour. They also discuss how the Coffs Harbour bypass could affect surrounding property markets, the pockets buyers might overlook, and the risks of purchasing without understanding local streets and neighbourhoods. With experience in both residential sales and buyer advocacy, Vanessa explains why local knowledge can make a real difference when assessing property and negotiating a purchase. As the founder of a buyers agency established on the Coffs Coast in 2018, Vanessa brings an in-depth understanding of the region’s distinct markets. If you’re considering investing or buying a home on the Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast, this conversation offers practical insight into what to consider before choosing a location. Episode Highlights 00:00 - Why Vanessa Loves the Coffs Coast 01:30 - Exploring the Coffs Coast Property Market 01:56 - Vanessa’s Journey From Sales to Buyer’s Advocacy 03:39 - Coffs Coast Property Prices Before and After COVID 05:03 - Why Families and Remote Workers Choose Coffs 05:59 - Finding the Right Coffs Coast Suburb for Your Budget 06:53 - Why Cheaper Coffs Properties Aren’t Always Better 07:37 - From Beaches to Hinterland: The Coffs Lifestyle 08:48 - Schools, Amenities and Coastal Living 09:54 - Building Relationships With Coffs Selling Agents 12:50 - Coffs Coast Property Hotspots and Hidden Risks 18:10 - Property Due Diligence and Local Buying Insights About the Guest Vanessa Simpson is a buyers agent specialising in the Coffs Coast and Mid North Coast property markets, including Port Macquarie and Yamba in the Clarence Valley. After obtaining her real estate licence in the United States and gaining experience in residential sales and buyer advocacy in Australia, Vanessa completed a Diploma of Property Services Agency Management in 2017 and opened her buyers agency on the Coffs Coast in 2018. With eight years of experience working across these regional markets, Vanessa brings an in-depth understanding of local property values, neighbourhood differences and negotiation strategies. Her experience in both sales and buyer advocacy helps her assess properties beyond their price tags, giving buyers valuable insight into the local factors that can influence a property's value and liveability. Connect with Vanessa LinkedIn | Vanessa Simpson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/buyersagentcoffscoast/) LinkedIn | Coastal Property Buyers (https://www.linkedin.com/company/coastal-property-buyers/home/) Work with Chris (Alcove) Business Webpage Link - https://alcove.com.au Email - hello@alcove.com.au (mailto:hello@alcove.com.au) Contact Alcove at: (1300 252683) Socials: LinkedIn (Alcove) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovemb (https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovemb) LinkedIn (Chris) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/) Instagram (Chris) - https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/ (https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/) 🗓️Book a chat with us! (https://meetings.hubspot.com/hello-at-alcove/cx-initial-discovery-call)🗓️ Follow us on our socials! YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@street-secrets) LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/company/108454250/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/street_secrets_podcast/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@street_secrets_podcast) 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/@street-secrets (https://www.youtube.com/@street-secrets) Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268) Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nA (https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nA) The 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.
28 Oct 2026
060: Helen Tarrant of Unikorn Commercial Property | Commercial
“If residents spoke English, commercial speakers would speak Mandarin.” – Helen Tarrant You'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 Highlights 00:00 – Why Helen Tarrant Moved From Resi to Commercial 05:17 – Capital Growth in Commercial and Why Resi Rules Differ 08:00 – Commercial Due Diligence and Learning Before You Buy 12:22 – Auction Yields, Rockhampton and the Cost of Vacancy 18:23 – Break-Even Yield on a Fully Financed Commercial Buy 20:13 – Which Commercial Price Point Gives the Best Value? 25:00 – Value-Add Fundamentals and a Townsville Childcare Deal 28:44 – The Unicorn Property Myth and a Three-Part Portfolio 30:42 – Benchmarking Melbourne vs Brisbane Commercial Yields 33:28 – Final Thoughts With Helen Tarrant About the Guest Helen 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 Helen LinkedIn | Helen Tarrant (https://www.linkedin.com/in/helentarrant/) Website | Helen Tarrant (https://helentarrant.com/) LinkedIn | Unikorn Commercial Property (https://www.linkedin.com/company/unikorn-commercial-property) YouTube | Helen Tarrant Commercial Property (https://www.youtube.com/@helentarrantcommercial) Facebook | Helen Tarrant Commercial Property (https://www.facebook.com/helentarrantcommercialproperty) Instagram | Helen Tarrant (https://www.instagram.com/helentarrantofficial/) TikTok | Helen Tarrant (https://www.tiktok.com/@helentarrantofficial) Work with Chris (Alcove) Business Webpage Link - https://alcove.com.au Email - hello@alcove.com.au (mailto:hello@alcove.com.au) Contact Alcove at: (1300 252683) Socials: LinkedIn (Alcove) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovemb (https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovemb) LinkedIn (Chris) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/) Instagram (Chris) - https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/ (https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/) 🗓️Book a chat with us! (https://meetings.hubspot.com/hello-at-alcove/cx-initial-discovery-call)🗓️ Follow us on our socials! YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@street-secrets) LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/company/108454250/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/street_secrets_podcast/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@street_secrets_podcast) 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/@street-secrets (https://www.youtube.com/@street-secrets) Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268) Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nA (https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nA) The 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.
21 Oct 2026
059: Grant Atherton of Open Doors Buyers Agent | Newcastle
“I just give everyone as much information as possible. It’s up to them how they decide if they want to move forward.” — Grant Atherton Newcastle 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 Highlights 00:00 – From Teaching and Ministry to buyers agent 06:07 – How Ministry Shaped Grant’s Approach to Buyers 08:32 – Choosing the Right Pocket of Lake Macquarie 12:02 – The Local Insights Outsiders Often Miss 15:06 – Why Buyers Are Moving to Newcastle 19:53 – Building Trust with Newcastle’s Sales Agents 21:53 – How Cooling Investor Demand Is Changing the Market 23:58 – Newcastle Buying Mistakes Locals Can Help You Avoid 27:01 – Finding the Right Fit: A Newcastle Buyer Story 28:45 – Newcastle’s Growth, Infrastructure and Future Appeal About the Guest Grant 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 Grant LinkedIn | Open Doors Buyers Agent (https://www.facebook.com/OpenDoorsBuyersAgent) Instagram | Open Doors Buyers Agent (https://www.instagram.com/open_doors_buyers_agent/) LinkedIn | Grant Atherton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-a-7149471bb/) Work with Chris (Alcove) Business Webpage Link - https://alcove.com.au Email - hello@alcove.com.au (mailto:hello@alcove.com.au) Contact Alcove at: (1300 252683) Socials: LinkedIn (Alcove) - https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovemb (https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcovemb) LinkedIn (Chris) - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherbates/) Instagram (Chris) - https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/ (https://www.instagram.com/chrisbates_alcove/) 🗓️Book a chat with us! (https://meetings.hubspot.com/hello-at-alcove/cx-initial-discovery-call)🗓️ Follow us on our socials! YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@street-secrets) LinkedIn (http://linkedin.com/company/108454250/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/street_secrets_podcast/) TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@street_secrets_podcast) 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/@street-secrets (https://www.youtube.com/@street-secrets) Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/street-secrets/id1837331268) Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nA (https://open.spotify.com/show/7sBYmpcuxCYwceQiHdBnaq?si=2Gdl60HRRWCBoUlcBHB0nA) The 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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