In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant speaks with Eva Loisance, principal at Finni Mortgages, about the pivotal role finance plays in property investment.

They explore the resurgence of 95 per cent lending, highlighting how major banks like Westpac are reintroducing high loan-to-value ratio (LVR) options after a period of restraint.

Tarrant emphasises that successful property investment relies on strategic financial planning, understanding lending policies, and staying alert to market changes.

Loisance explains that while January was quiet, February brought a wave of new policies, with 95 per cent lending offering lower deposit requirements and faster market entry.

She also warns that high LVR borrowing carries risks such as negative equity, making it essential to invest in growth areas and align loans with long-term strategies.

The discussion covers competitive interest rates, pre-approvals, and the importance of factoring in lenders mortgage insurance when considering high LVR loans.

For investors, 95 per cent lending presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring careful planning and professional advice to maximise benefits.

Overall, the episode highlights how staying informed and leveraging the right financial tools can help investors navigate the evolving property market successfully.

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 Inside Residential Property, host Liam Garman is joined by James Thompson, senior buyer's agent at Rethink Residential, and Grant, an investor who followed a structured pathway from residential growth assets into commercial property, to unpack the fundamentals of portfolio architecture – and why strategy matters more than arbitrary targets like "10 properties" or "$200,000 passive income".

Using Grant's real investment journey as a case study, the episode explores how investors can build a scalable portfolio by sequencing the right assets at the right time, balancing capital growth and cash flow, and making decisions based on equity, serviceability, and life circumstances – not hype or rigid plans.

Grant shares how he didn't initially set out to become an investor, but after being priced out of the Sydney home he wanted, he pivoted into residential investing with a clear long-term view. He explains how early purchases in Queensland, including a duplex and diversified residential holdings, helped him build an equity base quickly, and how a rentvesting approach allowed him to keep lifestyle flexibility while letting the portfolio do the heavy lifting.

The conversation then turns to the reality of scaling: how serviceability ceilings can start dictating what's possible, why investors often hit an equity or borrowing wall, and why transitioning into commercial property can be a strategic next step for those seeking higher monthly income.

James and Liam also unpack the bigger strategic lesson behind Grant's journey: markets shift, life changes, and portfolios need to evolve accordingly. They discuss why successful investors pivot rather than force purchases, how to think about exit strategies, and why the best portfolios quietly support lifestyle – without requiring constant transactions or unnecessary risk.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Why portfolio architecture matters, and how arbitrary property goals can lead to poor decisions.
• How to sequence residential investments for growth before transitioning to cash flow.
• The difference between buying for capital growth versus buying for yield (and when each matters).
• How rentvesting can create flexibility while still building long-term wealth.
• Why serviceability and borrowing capacity often become the biggest scaling constraint.
• How and when moving into commercial property can improve portfolio stability and income.
• What a practical exit strategy looks like, and how to redeploy equity intelligently.
• Why the best investors pivot their plan instead of forcing the next purchase.

This episode is essential listening for residential property investors who want a clearer strategy for building a portfolio that can scale, adapt and ultimately support passive income – offering a practical, experience-led perspective on sequencing, serviceability, pivot points and long-term decision-making.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, hosts Arjun Paliwal and Jack Fouracre unpack the sweeping changes hitting Australia's lending landscape, what they mean for serious property investors, and how non-bank lenders are entering the void.

The duo breaks down why major banks are tightening trust and company lending, following regulatory pressure from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, and why longstanding strategies built on "endless borrowing" are rapidly disappearing.

They explore how lenders such as Macquarie Bank helped fuel aggressive trust lending in recent years, and why those policies are now being quietly wound back amid heightened scrutiny.

Listeners will also gain clarity on how new anti-money laundering rules will impact not just banks and brokers, but also investors, adding layers of administration, cost, and complexity to trust lending structures.

Paliwal and Fouracre then explain why non-bank lenders are stepping in as major banks retreat, how brokers now facilitate close to 80 per cent of Australian lending, and why having an investment-specialist finance team has become non-negotiable for portfolio builders.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, editor Liam Garman sits down with Future Proof Property Advisory's Dawn Fouhy to unpack how investors can align their strategy with today's market cycle – and which mistakes investors must leave in 2025.

Fouhy unpacks the fundamentals that matter most, from understanding market cycles to spotting suburbs where growth is driven by owner-occupiers rather than speculation. She challenges investors to think beyond hype and focus on what will truly create long-term wealth.

As interest rates and lending settings normalise, Fouhy reflects on how investors need to adjust their strategies to today's market, showing why a mortgage-free pathway can unlock time, flexibility, and freedom, sometimes in ways counterintuitive for a buyer's agent.

Looking back at 2023–2025, she reveals the mistakes investors must avoid, from chasing trends to over-leveraging, and explains how a disciplined, fundamentals-first approach can prevent costly missteps.

Fouhy wraps up the podcast outlining what separates outperformers from the rest: adaptability, clarity on personal goals, and the ability to make informed decisions even when markets shift. Through rentvesting, selective suburb strategies, and an understanding of government policy, Fouhy paints a roadmap for those willing 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.

In this episode of How I Met My Broker, hosts Liam Garman and Strategic Brokers director Hung Chuy are joined by REB Buyer's Agent of the Year Dawn Fouhy from Future Proof Property Advisory to unpack strategies for investing in 2026.

The trio discuss the fast start to the year and the importance of timing, asset selection, and working with advisers who are active investors themselves.

Fouhy outlines her philosophy of buying for the future owner-occupier, while Chuy emphasises the value of brokers who understand investing firsthand.

They debate rentvesting versus owning a principal place of residence, agreeing that the right choice depends on life stage and market conditions.

The conversation also explores buying through trusts, borrowing capacity, and the need for coordinated advice from brokers and accountants.

Melbourne is flagged as a market with strong upside, particularly in growth corridors offering relative affordability.

Fouhy and Chuy argue that investors should focus on fundamentals and timing rather than prestige, warning about the opportunity cost of overpriced blue-chip assets.

They conclude that adaptability, research, and the right team are critical to navigating changing market conditions and building long-term wealth.

In the second part of their discussion on The Smart Property Investment Show, host Liam Garman and Paul Mollica from Wealthkey Property explore the mindset, education, and strategies required to scale a property portfolio and achieve financial freedom.

The episode emphasises maintaining perspective, encouraging investors to focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term setbacks.

Drawing on lessons from the book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, the conversation highlights how quality assets may start cash negative but can evolve into strong income performers over time.

Mollica says that overcoming fear, addressing misinformation, maintaining a coachable attitude, and seeking expert guidance are the keys to success.

The duo stresses that proactive property managers are vital to protecting assets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and addressing maintenance issues before they escalate.

They also outline the importance of structuring finance effectively to support multiple acquisitions while remaining flexible as market conditions shift.

Mollica says that investors also need a solid understanding of property cycles by blending data, local insights, and professional analysis, as no single source guarantees accurate market predictions.

Despite uncertainties such as tax reform, interest rates, and labour shortages, the episode concludes that informed, adaptable investors who prioritise the right assets are best positioned to build long-term wealth.

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 podcast, hosts Arjun Paliwal and Jack Fouracre sit down with Ramon Raneal from The Agency to discuss why the culture-rich Inner West of Sydney has become a magnet for property buyers and investors alike.

Raneal, a real estate specialist in the Inner West, shares his journey from the US property market to Sydney and explains why the Inner West offers identity, culture, and community to owners and investors alike.

He unpacks the unique dynamics of the Inner West market, where small blocks of land can fetch premium prices, and where educated, savvy buyers are prepared to pay for lifestyle, convenience, and community.

Listeners learn how post-COVID-19 trends have shifted buyer demographics, with young families and downsizers moving from the eastern suburbs and Lower North Shore to the Inner West. Ramon also reveals practical tips for sellers, from minimising buyer objections to maximising light and space to attract competitive offers.

Raneal highlights how location within a street can dramatically affect resale value, and how creative use of smaller land parcels, such as adding a second dwelling or reconfiguring layouts, can unlock significant long-term gains in an otherwise compact market.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Liam Garman sits down with Paul Mollica of Wealthkey Property to discuss how he built a $7.7 million portfolio later in life after a divorce.

After a major financial reset, Mollica re-entered the market in 2022 from a modest base and quickly amassed a 14-property portfolio in just over three and a half years, generating more than $370,000 in annual rental income.

After losing most of his assets in the separation, Mollica re-entered the market in 2022 with settlement funds and quickly amassed a 14-property portfolio in just over three and a half years, generating more than $370,000 in annual rental income.

He attributes the rapid growth to strategic decision-making, diversified purchasing structures, self-managed super funds (SMSFs), and disciplined risk management, stressing that investors need a clear plan, the right asset selection, and the flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions.

Mollica encourages Australians over 50 to consider using equity or savings to invest rather than focusing solely on paying down a mortgage, which can deliver stronger retirement outcomes.

For younger buyers, the duo cautions against purchases driven by the fear of missing out (FOMO), and urges them to prioritise financial education while exploring alternatives such as rentvesting.

Drawing on his experience as a former financial planner, Mollica highlights the importance of integrating traditional financial strategies with property investment.

Finally, Mollica and Garman discuss the buyer's agency landscape, stressing that effective agents focus on client outcomes, market research, and genuine value rather than just sales.

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.