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Buying investment property through a trust might sound like a smart strategy, but what if it costs you thousands, shuts you out of half the lending market and stops you from buying your next property? Arjun Paliwal and Jack Fouracre expose the hidden costs of property ownership structures, and why buying with family or friends could be just as risky. On this episode of The Property Nerds Podcast, InvestorKit's Arjun Paliwal and Fouracre Financial's Jack Fouracre challenge the rush to buy through trusts, companies, and joint ownership structures, revealing the financial pitfalls investors often overlook. The pair unpack the costs of setting up trusts, including complex arrangements costing up to $15,000, higher interest rates, ongoing accounting fees, and the inability to offset trust losses against personal income. Fouracre explains why trust borrowers can lose access to more than half of a broker's lending panel, how tighter debt-exclusion policies can restrict borrowing capacity, and why accessing equity for the next purchase is becoming increasingly difficult. They also explore the risks of buying with family or friends, including scenarios where lenders assess one investor against 100 per cent of the debt but recognise only half the rental income. The pair explain how specialised lending policies can help, and when investors may need to unwind joint ownership arrangements. Ultimately, they reveal why the right ownership structure depends on an investor's circumstances, and why understanding the downsides before buying could save thousands and protect future borrowing capacity.

He once burned through his savings after three property purchases went wrong. Now, with a portfolio of around 20 properties, Strategic Brokers' Hung Chuy reveals the lessons behind his investing success, why the big banks are losing business to smaller lenders, and where experienced investors are putting their money as prices fall. On this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, Phil Tarrant is joined by Strategic Brokers' Hung Chuy to unpack the changing lending landscape, where investors are finding opportunities, and the lessons behind his 20-property portfolio. Chuy explains why second- and third-tier lenders are winning business from major banks, and how equity-rich investors are capitalising on falling prices. He also reveals why Melbourne units are attracting attention, alongside a Sydney apartment purchased for around $420,000 with potential rent of $620 a week. The pair discuss why October to December can be the best time to buy, before Chuy reflects on three off-the-plan Brisbane purchases that left him facing negative equity and drained his savings. He shares what the experience taught him about cash buffers, property selection, and managing risk. Finally, Chuy reveals why he's considering selling a Western Australian property to buy three units, potentially boosting his annual cash flow by $50,000, and why he's prepared to sacrifice capital gains for stronger yields. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

Another RBA rate hike is pushing mortgage repayments higher, but thousands of investors could be paying far more interest than they need to. Finni brokers Eva Loisance and Costa Arvanitopoulos reveal how SMSF investors can slash their repayments through refinancing, and how one simple change could save $61,000 over a decade and potentially add more than $300,000 to their retirement nest egg. On this episode of Which Mortgage, host Alex Whitlock is joined by Finni brokers Eva Loisance and Costa Arvanitopoulos to unpack the latest RBA rate hike and how SMSF investors could save tens of thousands of dollars by refinancing. Arvanitopoulos uses his own SMSF portfolio to show how investors could save thousands by refinancing. With SMSF loans typically attracting higher interest rates, he reveals how switching two loans from 7.9 and 7.7 per cent to 7.05 per cent could save $512 a month, or $61,440 over 10 years. Eva then explains how reinvesting those savings at an assumed 8 per cent annual return could add more than $300,000 to his retirement nest egg over 20 years. The trio reveal why SMSF loans often go unchecked, how newer refinancing policies can simplify the process, and why borrowers with clean repayment histories could avoid a full reassessment. They also examine where investors are buying, with Finni's data showing a 14 per cent jump in Victorian loan applications over 12 weeks, and why properties priced between $500,000 and $650,000 are attracting interest. Finally, Loisance ranks her top three lenders, Granite, Macquarie, and Resimac, including a lender offering first home buyers a 5 per cent deposit option without lenders mortgage insurance.

Distressed property listings have surged 42 per cent, but Australians are quietly stockpiling billions in mortgage offsets. As another RBA rate hike squeezes borrowers, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack the risks of bridging loans and parental guarantees in a falling market, and whether the government could be forced to backtrack on its controversial property tax reforms. On this episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack Australia's cooling property market, with national listings up 19.3 per cent, distressed listings climbing 42.3 per cent and another rate hike putting borrowers under pressure. The pair examine a 168 per cent jump in bridging loan submissions and the risks of buying before selling in a falling market. They also warn about the hidden dangers of parental guarantees, negative equity and commercial property margin calls, and why investors need to understand their exposure. But it's not all doom and gloom. Garman reveals that Westpac's mortgage offset balances have climbed from $71 billion to $81 billion in just 12 months, with National Australia Bank (NAB) reporting a similar trend. Are Australians preparing for a recession, or stockpiling cash for their next investment? The hosts also challenge the popular 18.6-year property cycle theory, questioning whether its apparent accuracy is simply coincidence, and debate whether the government will be forced to wind back its self-managed super fund (SMSF) lending restrictions and negative gearing reforms. Finally, it's listener questions, with the pair tackling debt recycling, the impact of falling property transactions on government tax revenue, and when investors should consider selling rather than continuing to fund a struggling portfolio.

Before the budget, about half of Kev Tran's new clients were first-time investors. Now most already own two or more properties. Experienced investors with equity and buffers are moving while others wait for the all-clear, and the gap is widening. Tran breaks down four very different plays for four kinds of investors, and why waiting for certainty can leave you six months behind. On this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, editor Liam Garman sits down with Kev Tran of KTG Property Advisory to unpack why the post-Budget market is splitting buyers in two: those who are acting, and those who are waiting. Tran says the mood is squeezed and confidence is low, yet his seasoned clients see opportunity in a softer market. His first rule is to review your portfolio before you look at a single property: rates, equity, loan-to-value ratios, holding costs, and buffers. For some, that review ends with a clear "hold off". For those who are ready, Tran breaks down four plays for four kinds of investors, with real deals: Tighter budget or cash flow: Melbourne's brick walk-ups, where Tran shares an example of a recent Thornbury apartment and Pascoe Vale villa, plus the due diligence watch-outs on roofs, levies, and insurance. A bigger budget: a Narre Warren house bought for less than a comparable vacant block nearby, with granny flat upside. Regional: Victorian houses yielding around 5 per cent gross. An established portfolio: why he's cautious on commercial if you're not ready – but for those who are, he shares the example of an industrial unit he bought at a 6.7 per cent net yield. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

Residential investors can wait for the market to do the hard work. Commercial investors who want growth usually have to build it themselves. Victor Kumar reveals the levers that lift a property's value and how recovering a few thousand dollars in outgoings can add six figures to a valuation. Buying a commercial property is the start. What you do next shapes its value. In Part 5 of the Post Budget Guide to Commercial Property Investing, Phil Tarrant and Victor Kumar of Right Property Group ask how you actively improve a property's income and value once you own it. Victor breaks down why commercial value is a function of its income, and how rent, lease length, tenant quality, recoverable outgoings, and vacancy can each move a valuation. They run through the strategies behind improving a commercial valuation: buying dependable income and holding, restructuring leases, repositioning the tenant mix, upgrading the building, and subdividing without disturbing a single tenant. They then analyse why not every value-add plan can be delivered. Victor explains how a lease can block an upgrade or a change of use, using his own St Kilda Road office, where a tenant has kept renewing for seven years and stopped him from adding a second lettable space. The pair also look at owner-occupier and SMSF strategies, including how renting a property back to your own fund can affect its value, and why the rent needs to stay at market value. Finally, they look at how to build a portfolio around it all: one big asset or several smaller ones, spreading risk across tenants, industries and locations, and balancing commercial with residential and income with growth.

As higher interest rates squeeze borrowing power, non-major lenders are becoming more competitive than ever. Arjun Paliwal and Jack Fouracre explain why lending policies matter more than rates and the strategies investors can use to stay ahead. On this episode of The Property Nerds podcast, InvestorKit's Arjun Paliwal and Fouracre Financial's Jack Fouracre unpack what the latest rate rise means for investors: from repayments to borrowing capacity, and why the action is shifting to third-tier and non-bank lenders. Fouracre says that while borrowing power has reduced by 2 to 3 per cent, falling investor lending has sparked a price war among non-major banks. The pair explain why the right policy, such as longer loan terms and extended interest-only periods, can unlock more lending than a sharper rate. They also examine whether pre-approvals can protect investors against further rate rises, with some lenders offering six-month approvals and locking in assessment rates even if interest rates increase. Finally, Paliwal reveals why the coming months could present a buying opportunity for investors, as softer property prices lift rental yields, fewer buyers attend open homes, and increased listings give purchasers greater negotiating power.

Buying existing property might be the easier path right now, but Billy Jury from Jury Homes says there's still upside in construction "with the right fundamentals". Jury and host Hung Chuy test the numbers on house-and-granny-flat builds, explain why so many duplexes no longer stack up, and share the hidden costs that can wipe out a margin. On this episode of How I Met My Broker, SPI's Liam Garman and Strategic Brokers' Hung Chuy are joined by Billy Jury from Jury Homes, a Sydney builder whose work is about 90 per cent for investors, to ask whether construction can still deliver an equity uplift. Jury explains why his clients have followed the numbers out of Sydney, to areas like Wollondilly, the Central Coast, and Newcastle. Chuy then walks through a real example, from land and build costs to resale and rental figures, and shows how investors can generate positive cash flow. The pair then take on granny flats, including what an entry-level build costs and why a $200,000 granny flat doesn't add $200,000 in value, before examining the finance behind duplexes. They explain why many no longer stack up, from holding costs and approval delays to unforeseen consequences. From there, they unpack the practical side: DA versus CDC, realistic build times, why fixed-price contracts matter for finance, and why you should lock in variations and keep a cash buffer before breaking ground.

Refinancing is dominating investor lending activity as borrowers unlock equity, prepare for further price falls, and look beyond traditional lenders for their next move. On Which Mortgage, Alex Whitlock speaks with Finni Mortgages brokers Eva Loisance and Costa Arvanitopoulos about the refinancing rush, as investors unlock equity and secure pre-approvals ahead of their next property purchase. The brokers discuss where investors are still buying, from Melbourne and Geelong to Ballarat, and the growing use of alternative lending options. They also name three lenders attracting attention, including one offering SMSF refinancing at a lower rate and another assessing self-employed borrowers using recent business activity statements instead of tax returns. The trio also examine a construction business owner's case, where a $2.6 million property valuation helped unlock an extra $500,000 for renovations through a low-doc loan, despite the borrower having no recent tax returns.

France is already paying billions to service its debt. Australia could be heading down the same path, with only a narrow window to turn things around. On Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman compare Australia's fiscal position with France's, examining rising debt costs, bond yields, tax settings, and public sector growth.  Garman warns Australia could be only a few years behind as government spending and debt servicing put increasing pressure on the economy. The pair revisit France's failed wealth tax experiment and Greece's experience with spending cuts, before examining Australia's own warning signs, including weaker employment, falling stamp duty revenue, and fewer capital gains to tax. They also compare personal, company, and capital gains tax settings, and debate whether further property tax changes could push investors out of the market. Tarrant is sharply critical of the federal government and the ATO, predicting a royal commission and further political battles over property taxes before the next election. The discussion also covers the impact of the SMSF residential property ban on development, rising construction costs, and the risks facing first home buyers caught in falling apartment markets. To get in involved, leave questions for Phil and Liam, or simply share videos or memes - join the Whatsapp group here.

Bargain prices can mask costly problems, while a premium price tag does not guarantee a quality investment. From hidden defects to lending risks, here is what investors need to assess before buying. On Property Investing Insights, Phil Tarrant and Right Property Group director Victor Kumar discuss what separates a quality investment from a costly mistake as prices soften, lending conditions shift, and compliance obligations grow. Kumar warns that heavily discounted properties often come with problems that cannot be fixed, while newer or more expensive assets are not automatically better investments. He sets out four tests every property should pass: rentability, liveability, lendability, and sellability, with the pair examining everything from flammable cladding and Victorian rental requirements to strata costs, structural defects, and location risks. The discussion also tackles the risks of renovating while prices are falling, whether waiting for further discounts could leave investors with less borrowing power, and why town houses, villas, and units deserve a place alongside houses.

Short loan terms, annual reviews, and lenders who can change their appetite mid-term. Victor Kumar says investors who treat commercial finance like residential lending can be caught out in the later years of ownership. Here's how to understand the financing behind your commercial deal. Investors can get the purchase right, just to be blindsided by the loan. In Part 4 of the Post-Budget Guide to Commercial Property Investing, Phil Tarrant sits down with Victor Kumar of Right Property Group to unpack how commercial lending really works, and where the risks hide. Victor explains why commercial loans revolve around the lease rather than your personal serviceability, and why terms of one to five years and annual reviews can trigger a margin call on your loan-to-value ratio, even when you've simply been kind to a struggling tenant with a rent reduction. They also break down lease doc and full doc loans, how much cash you may need up front, and why a "positive cash flow" property may only tell half the story. The pair then look at the hidden costs and traps: valuations that can come in below the advertised yield, higher valuation fees, and a due diligence story where a deal started to unravel after the strata and lease details didn't add up.

Too many investors hit their borrowing ceiling before they've built a portfolio. An accountant, broker and buyer's agent expose the structure mistakes behind it, the tax traps the federal budget has created, and the structure tips you need before your next contract. On this episode of Built for Scale, hosts Liam Garman and Josh Crealy are joined by accountant Jeremy Iannuzzelli of Praedium Partners and broker Bill Childs of Limitless Lending Group to unpack how the budget has reshaped the way sophisticated investors structure their portfolios, and the traps many are walking into. Iannuzzelli explains why investors are now "forced" into companies, a structure he once avoided, and warns that a company is a long-term tool, not a quick way to cash out. He then breaks down the new capital gains tax treatment and what it means for the tax you pay on a sale. Childs reveals the costly mistake he made himself: buying six properties in his own name and hitting his borrowing limit early. He shares when personal names are fine, when to move into entities, and why lenders are loosening policy to win back volume.

Their first off-the-plan apartments barely grew, but a Sydney doctor and lawyer built a $7 million portfolio by investing across regional markets and delaying their dream home. On The Property Nerds, Arjun Paliwal speaks with doctor Rex Kwan and lawyer Melissa Tsui about turning stagnant off-the-plan apartments into a multi-state portfolio worth more than $7 million, with over $2 million in equity. After their first properties delivered little capital growth and weak rental yields, the couple changed tack in 2021, buying across South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia, and Victoria, including properties they had never inspected in person. They explain why they put their Sydney home dream on hold, how data helped them overcome doubts about unfamiliar regional markets, and the settlement drama that nearly derailed their latest Victorian purchase. From starting young and choosing the right team to keeping cash flow and borrowing capacity in check, the couple share the lessons behind their portfolio growth and their plans to keep expanding.

Ali Hallak grew up in a housing commission flat, worked three jobs and saved $35,000 for his first purchase just after his 19th birthday. Now he reports a portfolio of around $40 million. See his rules for making money now, including the 1 per cent of house and lands that are built for growth – and how you can pick them. On this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, Liam Garman sits down with Ali Hallak of Buyers Club, who grew up in a Riverwood housing commission flat and who now has over 60 rentals – worth over $40 million. Hallak tells the story behind the numbers, from nearly being expelled at school to working three jobs, buying his first property at 19 and, two years ago, a home for his mother, a goal he first wrote down at 16. Then he takes on one of the market's biggest debates: whether house and land is a product to avoid. He argues it shouldn't be written off if it's tested like established property and walks through examples where land plus a build came in below comparable homes. Hallak shares his checklist for vetting a build, including how to spot misleading comparables, why he rings local property managers to learn how a builder handles defects, and the one design detail that makes him walk away. Finally, he explains where Buyers Club is looking now, why he thinks investors should stop waiting for the bottom of the market, and why he believes recent government changes have helped first-time investors more than first home buyers. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.