In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, Phil Tarrant speaks with Benjamin Plohl, seasoned investor and principal buyer’s agent at BFP Property Group, to explore SMSF investing’s opportunities, challenges, and rising appeal for financially empowered investors.

The duo starts by highlighting the importance of strategic planning for investors rather than focusing solely on accumulation.

Benjamin notes the increasing popularity of SMSFs, citing over 650,000 funds and 1.2 million trustees, and explains how they provide flexibility, leverage, and the ability to pool family resources for larger investments.

For SMSF investors, Benjamin stresses that strategic asset selection, market timing, sector focus, leveraging borrowed funds, and utilising concessional tax advantages are essential for maximising long-term returns.

The discussion also addresses challenges, including compliance, tax implications, and the need for informed decision-making to avoid pitfalls.

Finally, the duo underscores the importance of professional guidance, advising investors to build a team of accountants, brokers, and advisers to navigate the SMSF landscape effectively and achieve retirement goals.

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 editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

Welcome to Pathway to Property, a podcast to help everyday Australians on their property investment journey through education, real-life stories, and firsthand investing experiences.

In this episode, co-hosts Atlas Property Group director Lachlan Vidler, and Luke Clifford, are joined by accounting and property investment expert Jeremy Iannuzzelli for an in-depth discussion on structuring property investments.

Lachlan and Luke start by highlighting the importance of strategic planning, before introducing Jeremy, whose advice has been pivotal in Lachlan’s own journey.

Jeremy breaks down four main ownership structures – individual ownership, corporate entities, self-managed super funds (SMSFs), and trusts with corporate trustees – explaining the benefits, drawbacks, and ideal use cases for each.

He outlines how individual ownership offers simplicity and negative gearing benefits, corporate entities suit business owners with retained earnings, SMSFs allow control over super with potential for leveraged returns, and trusts provide flexibility for high-income earners.

Jeremy addresses scenarios from FIFO workers to couples scaling portfolios, emphasising clear strategy, expert advice, and practical insights for investors at all stages seeking to optimise returns.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal and Adrian Lee from InvestorKit, and Jack Fouracre from Fouracre Financial, sit down with Michael Thomas to explore his journey from mental health struggles to building a $20 million property portfolio.

Michael shares how flipping phones and succeeding in car sales sparked his entrepreneurial drive and set him on the path to financial freedom.

The trio dives into Michael’s practical investment strategy, including why he partners with buyer’s agents and trusts experts rather than trying to do it all himself.

They also discuss the difference between material wealth and lasting fulfilment, with Michael revealing why mentoring and living by his values matter more than Lamborghinis and Ferraris.

Michael opens up about how his property goals evolved – from owning a home outright to building a passive income portfolio that supports his lifestyle, with a strategic shift towards commercial property.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Rob Le from Finni Mortgages to unpack the often-misunderstood world of serviceability and how it shapes an investor’s ability to build wealth.

From overtime income to voluntary super contributions, Phil and Rob explore the factors that can make or break borrowing capacity – and how lender policies can vary more than many realise.

They dive into why income isn’t just your base salary, how deductions like HECS-HELP can be managed strategically, and why disciplined spending habits in the months before applying for a loan can pay off in spades.

The conversation also explores the role of non-bank lenders, their more flexible policies, and when higher rates may be worth the trade-off for greater borrowing power.

Phil and Rob share practical strategies for presenting the strongest possible case to lenders, and explain why working with a savvy mortgage broker can give investors the edge they need to grow their portfolio faster.

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 editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant sits down with Theo Chambers, CEO of Shore Financial, to break down the forces shaping investor sentiment in 2025.

From rate pause surprises to a dwindling investor pool, Phil shares his reflections on a market that’s increasingly hard to read, before unpacking the state of advice in the property space, warning of the rise of unqualified buyer’s agents steering investors into risky territory.

The pair discuss why investor confidence is slipping, the risks of poor advice, and how policy settings, particularly in Victoria, are driving investors away from traditional hotspots.

Phil also opens up about his own strategy: why diversification, timing, and market cycles matter more than ever, and how commercial property is reshaping what “smart investing” really looks like in 2025.

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 editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal and Adrian Lee from InvestorKit, and Jack Fouracre from Fouracre Financial, pull back the curtain on self-managed super fund (SMSF) lending – and how it can be a game changer for investors looking to expand their portfolios.

While most investors focus on personal income when calculating borrowing power, Jack explains how mandatory super contributions can service property loans inside an SMSF – without touching your personal finances. That separation can unlock up to $1 million in borrowing capacity.

The trio explores how SMSF lending works, the mechanics of what banks consider for approval, and why it’s becoming increasingly attractive in a tighter borrowing environment. With your employer’s 11–12 per cent contributions working in the background, investors can grow their portfolios without sacrificing personal serviceability.

They also break down who SMSF lending is right for, the contribution strategies that can supercharge your capacity, and why having the right broker – especially in a space dominated by non-major lenders – is critical.

In this episode of Property Investing Insights with Right Property Group, Victor and Reshmi Kumar join Phil Tarrant to unpack what “value” really means in property – and why it’s much more than just the purchase price.

The trio explores how value is shaped by finance, planning, taxation, and asset protection – and how smart investors use these pillars to design their decade ahead.

Victor explains that interest rates are only one part of the finance equation, urging investors to understand LVRs, loan structuring, and how to use debt strategically rather than fear it. Reshmi then challenges the idea that low debt equals success, instead making the case for smart leverage that fuels sustainable portfolio growth.

Planning is positioned as the strategic map for investors, helping avoid distractions and keep portfolios aligned with personal and financial goals.

On tax, Victor reframes it as an opportunity rather than a burden, urging listeners to think long-term and structure their affairs accordingly. Reshmi adds that fixating on tax minimisation can sometimes hinder wealth creation – and that a balanced, strategic approach is more powerful.

The pair also highlight the importance of asset protection and strong personal and professional relationships – often overlooked, but essential to portfolio longevity.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Steve Ash, founder of Property Strats, to unpack where the Melbourne market is heading – and how savvy investors can capitalise.

While Melbourne’s growth has slowed compared to other capitals, Steve sees opportunity where others see stagnation. With median prices still trailing behind Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, he says now’s the time for value-focused investors to strike, before momentum returns.

But it’s not without risk. Steve and Phil dive into what makes Melbourne a challenging environment for landlords, from high land taxes to strict tenancy rules, and explain how the right structure and property type can help investors avoid costly missteps.

The episode also explores the rise of buyer’s agents, particularly those with finance backgrounds, and how strategic portfolio construction is starting to mirror the discipline of traditional fund management.

For those eyeing Melbourne, Steve points to suburbs like Frankston and Carrum Downs, calling out their land content, tenant compliance and future development upside.

Above all, it’s a call for patience, preparation and smart buying.

As Melbourne gears up to overtake Sydney as Australia’s biggest city by 2050, the long-term case is strong, but only for investors ready to play the long game.

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 editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.