
Why Buyers Get Stuck - The Psychology Behind Property Decisions with Scott Baker
Melbourne Property PodcastShow Notes
Published: 29 June 2026
In this episode of the Melbourne Property Podcast, hosts Sky Hammer and Oisin Griffiths are joined by mortgage broker Scott Baker from Toast Finance to explore the psychology behind property decisions and why so many buyers become stuck during the purchasing process.
They discuss how fear, uncertainty and decision fatigue can influence buyers, particularly in the wake of the 2026 Federal Budget changes. The conversation explores the balance between emotional and strategic decision making, and why finance should be viewed as part of a broader property strategy rather than simply securing loan approval.
Scott also shares the common warning signs he sees before property deals fall over, along with practical advice on borrowing capacity, lender expectations and building a long term finance strategy.
Episode highlights include: • How fear and decision fatigue affect property buyers • The impact of the 2026 Federal Budget on borrowing capacity • Balancing emotional decisions with long term strategy • Common reasons property deals fall over before settlement • Scott Baker's Blue Sky Strategy for building long term financial success
Want to connect with Scott or learn more about Toast Finance? Website: https://www.toastfinance.com.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scott_thebroker_baker/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scott.thebroker.baker/ Email: [email protected] Phone: 0447 882 611
Enjoying the podcast and want to support future episodes? You can buy us a coffee here: 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/melbournepropertypodcast
Never miss an episode. Hit SUBSCRIBE now. 🎧 New episodes drop weekly.
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MelbournePropertyPodcast
Looking for tailored portfolio guidance? Arrange a complimentary call with Sky Hammer here: 👉 https://convergencebuyersagents.com.au/dc-podcast
🌐 Website: https://convergencebuyersagents.com.au
Have a subject you would like explored? DM us, leave a comment, or email: 📩 [email protected]
Disclaimer: All discussions are general in nature and should not be considered financial advice. Seek independent professional advice before making any financial decisions. All content across this podcast, website and associated channels remains the intellectual property of Convergence Buyer’s Agents and may not be reproduced without written permission.
More from Melbourne Property Podcast
In this episode of the Melbourne Property Podcast, Sky and Lindsay Hammer break down a real off-market property purchase in Belmont, Geelong, for the winners of their buyer’s agency giveaway. Originally planned as an investment property, the strategy shifted following Federal Budget changes, with the buyers moving into their new home.
Sky and Lindsay are joined by Mel Barlas from Conveyed to discuss the legal side of buying property in Melbourne, from contract reviews and special conditions to settlement risks.
In this episode Sky and Lindsay take a step back from the daily property headlines to explore the demographic forces shaping Australia’s housing market and Melbourne property in particular.
Buying a one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne can look straightforward, but the wrong property can come with significant hidden costs and risks.In this episode of the Melbourne Property Podcast, Sky and Lindsay break down their step-by-step approach to buying one-bedroom apartments in Melbourne, including what they look for, the mistakes buyers make and the red flags that can lead them to walk away.The discussion covers older low-rise brick apartment complexes, owners corporation fees, rental yields, vacancy rates, building quality, supply, transport, location and the due diligence required before signing a contract.Whether you're a first home buyer, investor or downsizer, this episode provides a practical framework for assessing one-bedroom apartments and understanding what really matters beyond the purchase price.
In this episode of the Melbourne Property Podcast, Sky and Lindsay unpack the latest Melbourne property market data and what they are seeing on the ground as the spring selling season gets underway. House prices are still falling across much of Australia, but the pace of Melbourne's decline is slowing. At the same time, buyer activity, auction conditions, listings and rental prices are telling a more nuanced story than the headlines suggest. The episode explores where price falls are occurring, why higher-end properties are being affected more heavily, what fewer active auction bidders means for negotiation, and why Melbourne is seeing an accumulation of existing stock rather than the surge in new listings many expected for spring.Sky and Lindsay also discuss the practical opportunities emerging for buyers, including why comparable sales matter, how to assess discounted properties, and what to look for when negotiating in a market where conditions remain uncertain.