Here's what we're talking about this month:

The property market - residential, commercial, and everything in between.

BIO invites members to a no-fluff update on the property market. Where things stand, what’s changing, and how lending, buying, and investing decisions are being shaped heading into 2025.

This month’s expert panel brings together three experienced professionals who work deep within the property and finance space.

Together, they’ll share what they’re seeing across residential and commercial markets, buyer behaviour, and how finance is influencing strategy and decision-making right now.

Whether you're an investor, buyer, business owner, or just keeping an eye on the market, this is one event you won’t want to miss.

This is a panel discussion moderated by BIO's Jon Sermon.

What to Expect:

Market Trends: What's changed in the last 6-12 months and what's expected next
Lending Landscape: What banks are doing, and what borrowers need to know
On-the-Ground Insights: How buyers are actually behaving and what's selling
Expert Commentary: What to avoid when financing or acquiring

Schedule

6-6:30 - meet and greet, connect with each other

6:30-7pm - education session

7-8pm - networking, business, swap details, have fun!

The panellists:

Kate Allison
Kate Allison is one of ALIC's investment lending managers. Since 2014, Kate has balanced managing the company's growth team with helping clients realise their financial goals.

Kate began her financial career as a customer service officer with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in 1998; by 2003, she had transitioned into a banking management role. In 2006, she joined ANZ, where she progressed through a variety of management roles before moving to ALIC in 2014.

With 26 years of experience in the financial sector, Kate excels at client education. She aims to help borrowers understand loan origination, optimal debt structures, and the process of building wealth. Financial education in Australia is neglected, especially by the banking sector - by giving her clients the right knowledge, Kate ensures they have the tools they need to look after their financial health.

Kate is also a private property investor. The client-side experience of being an investor enables her to understand exactly what investors want and the challenges they face in succeeding. Her role is that of a self-described 'inbetweener' - working with lenders to expedite settlements so her clients can focus on their daily priorities.

Away from work, Kate is a passionate foodie, deploying her finely honey analytical skills to track down the best eateries in Melbourne. She also enjoys outdoor camping with her two greatest loves - her pets and her family.

Lauren Staley
With over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, Lauren brings a depth of knowledge that spans property management, sales, advisory, and buyer’s advocacy. As the Founder and Managing Director of Infolio Property Advisors, Lauren has built a team of 15 dedicated property professionals, offering tailored services across buyer and vendor advocacy, property management, renovation consultation, and project leasing.

Since launching Infolio in 2008, Lauren has remained hands-on in all areas of the business, guiding clients through the complexities of the property market with a practical, no-nonsense approach. Her extensive industry network including some of Melbourne’s leading real estate agents and financial advisors, gives clients a significant advantage when it comes to accessing opportunities and making smart, strategic decisions.

Infolio is recognised as one of Melbourne’s most trusted names in buyer’s advocacy and property advisory. With specialist teams covering key regions across Victoria, the firm provides end-to-end support to clients whether they’re purchasing a family home, building an investment portfolio, or navigating the rental and renovation markets.

At the core of Lauren’s work is a clear mission: to empower buyers with the knowledge, confidence, and clarity they need to make informed and financially rewarding property decisions. Her insights into property cycles, market drivers, and negotiation strategies continue to deliver strong outcomes for clients at every stage of the real estate journey.

Alex Groh
Alex is a commercial property buyers agent who specialises in helping busy business owners secure investment-grade commercial assets. With a sharp eye for quality locations and a detail-driven approach to due diligence, Alex has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results and protecting his clients’ long-term interests.

His background is far from typical. Having purchased his first property at 18, Alex went on to spend years in high-end retail, where he developed the people skills and resilience that now underpin his client relationships. Since then, he’s personally transacted over $200 million in commercial property and supported more than 100 clients through successful acquisitions.

Alex is known in the industry for going far beyond the surface, thoroughly analysing leases before contracts are signed, identifying risks early, and often saving clients thousands in legal fees and unnecessary inspections. While many buyers agents focus on fast turnover, Alex is focused on the outcome: securing properties that perform over time.

Outside of work, Alex is a father to two young boys, Raffy and Noah, and is often found chasing them around, sneaking in a round of golf, or finding time for the gym. His straightforward, transparent communication style and full-service support from search to settlement have earned him consistent five-star praise from clients.

At the heart of Alex’s work is a clear philosophy: prioritise quality locations over inflated yields, communicate clearly and consistently, and apply rigorous due diligence to every deal.

Who should attend

Anyone in business and wanting to grow! Sole traders, start ups, scale ups, SMEs, corporates
Curious, growth mindset people in business looking to expand their networks and connect with other business people.
There'll be time for socialising over drinks and nibbles, then BIO Founder Jon Sermon will kick things off with some intros before we get underway. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your network in a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere. Secure your spot today and be part of an evening where connections are made, and ideas flow freely.

BIO members at Board table

Some helpful event details:

🎒 What to bring
Just yourself!

👔 What to wear
Business casual. You do you

🌟 A little more...
From the people you meet to the nibbles you nibble, at BIO we’re big into the little details. We are fanatical about all the facets that come together to make a brilliant meet up, because if you feel at home - you’re more likely to be yourself.

🤔 What does this mean?

- Be yourself, you’re you - not your Company
- Keep the chat interesting
- We don’t use name tags, because, well… just ask!

We can't wait to see you there.

A little more about BIO:

Here at BIO, we do networking a little differently.

You don't have to own your own business (but it’s cool if you do) or be an entrepreneur, you just need to be open to meeting new people, listening to their tales, connecting differently and sharing ideas.

We’re not leeches… so our members are not about sucking the business (o

r life) out of you. We work together to help our members solve problems, build their businesses, further their careers or develop themselves. We give people a platform to tell their story and make valuable connections.

We hold monthly events for our members, and if you would like to come along - meet new people and give us a whirl then come along and join us to see what all the fuss is about.

Talking’s great, but sometimes so is listening.

To make sure each BIO event is interesting, we introduce you to our host for the night. This person will take us on a journey throughout the meet-up and talk briefly on a trending subject that sparks interest. From wine-makers to corporate giants we’ve cherry picked topics that are relevant to all businesses - from retaining your talent to the ever looming robots and AI tech, there’s a little something for everyone.

Our Sponsors

A huge thank you to our event sponsor Tsingtao!

If it's a cold one (or two) you're after, Tsingtao have you covered. Crafted using malted barley, hops, yeast & pure mountain water, this crisp refreshing beer is a perfect match for the evening.

Cheers &

a massive thanks to our event partner!

Tsingtao

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