Buying an Apartment in Australia? - Watch This Before You Sign Anything…

Описание: In this episode of the Careers Podcast, I sit down with Kate Yeowart from Strata Savvy for a detailed and practical conversation about strata living, apartment ownership, and what buyers, owners, and committee members need to understand before and after purchasing a strata titled property.

Kate brings decades of experience across real estate, law, credit management, and strata management. Based in Melbourne, she specialises in Victorian Owners Corporations but also works across New South Wales and Queensland. Her career path is anything but linear, moving from real estate into law, then into strata management, training, and advisory work. That blend of experience gives her a rare ability to explain complex strata concepts in plain English.

We talk about how Kate found her way into strata management, why it is often described as the fourth tier of government, and how experience on the ground can matter just as much as formal qualifications in this field. Kate explains why strata management is deeply political, emotional, and human, and why technical knowledge alone is not enough to manage buildings and communities well.

A major focus of this conversation is buyer education and risk. Kate explains the biggest traps buyers fall into when purchasing apartments, particularly in Victoria where lot boundaries are not standardised. We discuss why maintenance funds, legal disputes, defects, and poorly understood plans of subdivision can expose buyers to unexpected costs, sometimes in the tens of thousands of dollars. Kate shares real examples where buyers were incorrectly told they were personally responsible for major repairs that were actually common property issues.

We also unpack why owners corporation certificates and plans of subdivision are often misunderstood or ignored, how even professionals interpret these documents differently, and why most buyers simply do not have the tools to assess them properly. Kate explains how her reports help buyers understand what they are actually purchasing, what they own, what they do not own, and where responsibility really sits.

Beyond buying, we dive into strata life after settlement. Kate explains what strata actually is, how owners corporations function, and why committees and strata managers serve very different but equally important roles. We talk about the emotional dynamics of committees, the importance of emotional intelligence, and why decision making can quickly become heated when people are dealing with their homes and major financial assets.

Kate also shares her insights into what makes a good strata manager, the hallmarks of a well-managed building, and what qualities make someone a strong committee member. She offers practical advice for first-time buyers, new committee members, and anyone already living in strata who wants to better understand their rights, obligations, and responsibilities.

This episode is essential listening for apartment buyers, strata owners, committee members, property investors, and anyone considering life in a strata community. It is a grounded, practical discussion focused on clarity, empowerment, and making informed decisions in a complex system.

Where to Find Kate
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.stratasavvy.com.au
Instagram:   / stratasavvy  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Timestamp Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Strata Living and Real Estate
00:50 Kate’s Journey into Strata Management
06:31 Starting Strata Savvy and a New Approach
08:04 Challenges Buyers Face in the Property Market
22:34 Understanding Owners Corporations and Strata Management
27:56 The Role of Strata Managers vs Committees
35:33 Qualities of a Good Committee Member and Advice for Buyers