Jesse Davidson from Auctionworks says fast food retail a standout

We recently sat down with Jesse Davidson, Chief Auctioneer at Auctionworks, when he visited the Flexdoc office. Jesse’s role gives him a front-row seat to the commercial property market. He sees trends unfolding before they hit the headlines.

Right now, one sector is standing out — fast food retail. “It’s doing very well,” Jesse told us. “Strong tenant demand, long leases, and reliable cash flow are keeping investor interest high.” With drive-through formats and essential-service appeal, these assets have weathered economic uncertainty better than most.

Jesse says the broader market has seen a sentiment shift in recent weeks. Investors are anticipating rate cuts and becoming more active. “You can feel it in the room at auctions,” he said. “There’s more energy, more competition.”

Childcare assets remain solid, though the sector faces tighter regulatory scrutiny ahead. Industrial has softened from its highs, but large format retail and institutional-grade industrial are still attracting strong interest, each supported by different fundamentals.

Offices remain challenging across the board as the structural change in work patterns continues to filter through.

When it comes to Sydney’s investment hotspots, Jesse still favours the blue-chip lower north shore and eastern suburbs for their long-term resilience. But he is increasingly optimistic about the greater western suburbs, where infrastructure investment and population growth are creating new opportunities.

Jesse also pointed out a constant truth, no matter the cycle: the best agents manage their vendors well, prepare thoroughly, and give realistic advice. “They’re the ones who get consistent results,” he said.

At Flexdoc, we share that belief. The best investment outcomes happen when you pair quality opportunities with well-structured finance. In a market that is shifting, preparation and clarity make all the difference.