In a recent episode of the How I Met My Broker podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Hung Chuy sit down with Steve Maroun, director at Lanevick, to unpack the realities of stepping from investing into property development.

Maroun shares how his journey began after his family lost everything but their home during the global financial crisis (GFC), which pushed him to abandon a law degree and learn property development from the ground up.

By knocking on doors, taking on hands-on jobs like painting fences and renovating kitchens, and eventually buying the house next door as his first project, he effectively created his own "degree" in development.

Throughout the episode, Maroun and Chuy stress that development is not for the faint-hearted, demanding resilience, adaptability, and the ability to tackle projects "one bite at a time".

They explain that successful developers need to master four key pillars – finance, construction, sales, and town planning/design – to identify a site's highest and best use and navigate regulations.

A key theme is the power of complementary partnerships, illustrated by Maroun's design and construction expertise, combining with Chuy's financial strategy to unlock value on a complex Western Sydney site.

For aspiring developers, they emphasise education, understanding the end buyer and council objectives, building a strong expert team, embracing innovations such as prefab and 3D printing, and honestly assessing whether development suits one's life stage and risk appetite.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Future Proof Property Advisory co-founder Dawn Fouhy to help investors cut through the noise of the Melbourne market and gain clarity amid a crowded field of opinions.

Together, they unpack how analysis paralysis can stall progress, particularly in fast-changing markets like Melbourne and regional Victoria, and why investors need to align with advisors and strategies that genuinely resonate.

Fouhy explains what makes a property truly future-proof, urging investors to buy with future buyers in mind, avoid investor-saturated pockets, and target areas with scarcity and low building approvals.

She shines a spotlight on Melbourne's renewed appeal, noting that while oversupply is a risk in some locations, suburbs such as Williams Landing, Point Cook, and Hoppers Crossing are underpinned by strong owner-occupier demand and constrained supply.

The duo also explore Geelong's rise as Australia's top relocation hotspot, with Fouhy pointing to suburbs like Hamlyn Heights and Belmont as examples of locations where economic strength, lifestyle appeal, and solid fundamentals support long-term capital growth.

Revisiting the capital growth versus cash flow debate, Tarrant and Fouhy emphasise that while cash flow is crucial for managing holding costs, it is capital growth that ultimately drives meaningful wealth creation.

For those eyeing the Melbourne and Victorian markets in 2026 and beyond, Fouhy recommends starting with a realistic budget, then targeting townhouses or units in established, high-demand areas that offer both affordability and advantages.

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In this episode of The Property Nerds, host Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit speaks with Ryan and Lauren, a couple from Darwin, about how they've strategically built a $4.5 million property portfolio across five properties in three states by the age of 30.

The conversation explores how their investment journey began in 2017, with both recognising that leaving their savings in the bank wouldn't secure long-term financial freedom.

A pivotal part of their strategy was engaging a professional buyer's agency, which helped them make data-driven decisions and confidently navigate the property market.

Their portfolio spans both capital city and regional markets, including Brisbane, Bundaberg, and Ballarat, with early wins providing confidence to pursue less conventional opportunities.

Even less successful investments offered valuable lessons, helping them refine their approach and supporting family members in property ownership.

Money management and disciplined financial habits have been central to their success, including maximising offset accounts and using credit cards strategically.

Ryan and Lauren also share how clear planning, research, and sticking to budget boundaries enable them to continue expanding their portfolio.