Property Insights Facebook Group for Australian Home Buyers

28th August 2023


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Hear how Atul Jhamb’s Property Insights Facebook group helps Australian home buyers research suburbs, compare market data and ask better questions before building.


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How to use the Property Insights Facebook group when buying or building a home

When you’re planning to build a new home, it can be hard to tell which property headlines matter for the suburb or block you’re considering. A Facebook group can help you find local perspectives, spot gaps in your research and work out what to ask next.

On the Home Building Hub podcast, hosts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan spoke with Atul Jhamb about Property Insights, an Australian property Facebook group with more than 5,000 members at the time of the interview. They discussed why the group started, what members share and how first home buyers can use those conversations in their own research.

What is the Property Insights Facebook group?

Atul and Terry started Property Insights after Atul spent time contributing to other property groups and saw how often discussions had a commercial angle. He wanted a place to share property news and data, invite different viewpoints and help people make informed decisions without using the group as a sales channel.

The group initially focused on Victoria, where Atul is based. As members from Sydney asked for more coverage of their market, he began sharing more information about New South Wales. Atul said he got the impression from the discussions that many members were first home buyers or first-time investors.

How to use the group when planning a new build

Start with a question about the suburb or estate

Search for the suburb or estate name before starting a new thread. If you’re comparing two growth areas, ask about something you can check on a visit, such as the weekday commute, access to shops or which parks and walking paths are already open. Local experiences can help you decide what to look for when you inspect a block.

Read beyond the property headline

The episode explores how the same market figures can lead to very different headlines. If a post mentions a change in the median house price, check the location, the period covered and which properties the figures describe. An established house and a vacant block are different purchases, so look for figures that match what you’re considering.

Atul also shared his views on Melbourne’s property market. Treat those comments as his perspective at the time of recording and check the date on any figures or forecasts you come across.

Use builder discussions to prepare questions

Colin and Darren discussed how quickly builder conversations can become dominated by negative experiences. A detailed post can still give you something practical to follow up. For example, if someone mentions a surprise cost, ask what stage of the build it came up at and how the item was described in their quote. Then ask your own builder to show you how that item is handled in your quote.

Read land posts in context

Atul said he generally kept real estate agent listings out of the group. He described making exceptions for some buyers who were struggling to settle on a block and wanted to reach people who might be interested. If a post puts a block on your radar, take its lot details to your builder and ask whether your preferred floor plan will fit. Ask for the block-specific costs to be shown in writing before comparing it with another option.

Glossary of terms

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the Property Insights Facebook group?

Search for Property Insights on Facebook and filter the results to groups. In the episode, Atul described it as having a blue logo. The group had more than 5,000 members at the time of recording.

Is the group only for people building a new home?

The episode discusses the group as a resource for people researching new builds and established homes. Atul also mentioned that first-time investors take part in the discussions.

What should I ask in a property Facebook group?

Give members enough context to answer. For example, “I’m comparing two estates in this suburb. What was the weekday commute like when you moved in?” If you’re asking about a builder, mention the stage you’re at and the inclusion or process you want to understand.

Key Takeaways

Watch or listen to the full Home Building Hub episode with Atul Jhamb on YouTube

About the Home Building Hub Podcast: The Home Building Hub podcast, hosted by industry experts Colin Bischof and Darren Brennan, is Australia’s premier resource for new home buyers. With weekly episodes featuring special guests, the podcast provides objective, high-quality insights into the home building process - completely free and without sales pitches. From understanding financing options to navigating the complexities of building a new home, each episode is packed with actionable advice and tips. Explore more episodes at http://www.homebuildinghub.com.au and join our growing community of informed home buyers.

Disclaimer: This article was generated by AI based on a transcript of our podcast episode and may contain inaccuracies or omissions. Whilst we’re all about providing value to you, this article should not be considered as legal or financial advice. It contains general information only and is based on the content discussed during the podcast episode. This information is relevant to the episode’s release date and may not be applicable at the time of reading. Always seek independent professional advice tailored to your personal situation before making any legal or financial decisions.