In this episode of The MTDC Lounge, Matt sits down with Michael Edwards from Shiels Property for a no-BS conversation about what really happens when buying, selling, and renovating property in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie market.
Michael pulls back the curtain on some of the biggest traps buyers and sellers fall into — from unapproved structures and retrospective approvals, to underquoting tactics, emotional decision-making, and when renovations actually hurt your resale value instead of helping it.
They unpack:
How unapproved works can derail sales, insurance, and future plans
What real due diligence should look like (and who actually checks what)
When to renovate, when to paint, and when to walk away
Why location still beats almost everything else
Red flags to watch for when choosing a real estate agent
The reality first-home buyers face in a heated market
When a buyer’s agent is (and isn’t) worth the fee
If you’re buying your first home, selling a property, renovating with resale in mind, or trying to avoid expensive mistakes, this episode is packed with grounded, local advice you won’t hear in a glossy property seminar.
Connect with Michael here:
https://www.instagram.com/michaeledwardsestateagenthttps://www.facebook.com/michaeledwardsrealestatehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-edwards-92101954/