Customer Sentiment - Industry Training Module 1

By: OpenLot.com.au | 14 Aug, 2023

Customer Sentiment with Daniel Spencer

Customer Sentiment with Daniel Spencer

Daniel shared his insights on property buying strategies. He began by emphasising the importance of confidence when making purchase decisions. He advised potential buyers to consider their investment horizon: for short-term gains, a three-minute flip might have sufficed, but for those planning to hold onto a property for a decade, short-term market fluctuations would have been inconsequential. Daniel noted how market dynamics had transformed over 18 months, shifting from a scenario with limited interest to a sudden surge in demand. Previously, a select number of potential buyers had existed, leading to discussions on equitable lot allocation, but at that time, the market had been brimming with choices. 

He described his approach as guiding buyers to identify the best lot from a plethora of options. He encouraged buyers to eschew market-timing and base decisions on individual circumstances. Daniel reasoned that his clients were positioned as the next wave of buyers, implying that the cycle would likely repeat itself. He shared an anecdote on how non-purchasing individuals often cited inopportune timing as a reason not to buy. Daniel employed the "don't try to time the market" adage frequently, suggesting alignment with personal circumstances as a more prudent approach.

Daniel dissected the concept of market timing further. He posed questions to his clients, probing whether they sought to purchase at market peaks, troughs, or in-between phases. He highlighted the elusive nature of timing and the retrospective nature of market data, advocating instead for purchases aligned with the individual's motivations and needs. Daniel emphasised the need to understand why clients had inquired about a property, urging them to consider the unique aspects that had attracted them.

He delved into economic dynamics, citing data from the ABS. He mentioned the impact of reduced spending during the pandemic, leading to increased mortgage payments, which in turn had positioned many homeowners ahead of their mortgage schedules. Daniel discussed the efforts to control inflation by raising interest rates, aiming to curtail excessive spending. He referred to the recent Melbourne Cup Carnival and escalating shopping activity as examples of the spending habits that had contributed to inflation.

Daniel offered insights into property purchasing strategies, advocating for decision-making based on individual circumstances rather than attempting to time the market. He underscored the recent transformation in market dynamics and the need to make sense of an overwhelming number of choices. Additionally, he had delved into economic factors that had impacted interest rates and inflation, tying these concepts back to spending patterns and their influence on market dynamics.