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.

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, 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.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant sits down with Paul Mollica, principal property strategist at Wealthkey Property, to unpack the evolving landscape of financial planning and property investment in Australia.

Mollica, who shifted from a 20-year financial planning career to focus exclusively on property strategy, highlights the importance of transparency and taking ownership of one's financial journey.

He notes that regulatory constraints often prevent financial advisors from providing comprehensive property advice, leaving Australians with missed wealth-building opportunities.

Drawing on his own experience, Mollica explains that clients with property investments often outperform those relying solely on traditional assets like shares and managed funds.

He criticises over-regulation for making financial advice less accessible and costly, which forces many to navigate their finances without professional guidance.

At Wealthkey Property, Mollica provides data-driven strategies, emphasising buying the right property in the right location and leveraging assets to maximise returns, a method that has grown his personal portfolio to nearly $7.5 million since 2022.

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 the latest episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Liam Garman speaks with Simon Buckingham and Brendan Kelly from Results Mentoring about overcoming the three-property ceiling in Australian real estate.

The discussion highlights how traditional buy-and-hold approaches often leave investors financially stretched, limiting cash flow and borrowing capacity, and creating a common barrier to portfolio growth.

They emphasise the importance of adopting a strategic mindset, including building capital faster, recycling borrowing capacity, and being willing to sell and reinvest in more lucrative opportunities.

Real-world examples illustrate their advice, such as investors renovating rundown units for profit, converting houses into cash-flowing rooming houses, and subdividing properties to reinvest in commercial assets.

Buckingham and Kelly emphasise the importance of starting small and scaling gradually, enabling investors to build skills and confidence while mitigating risk.

They also highlight the role of education and support through the Real Estate Success Community, which connects investors, provides market insights, and offers mentorship.

Financial readiness, strategic planning, and leveraging alternative approaches are presented as essential tools for breaking through the investment ceiling.

The episode also touches on the emotional side of investing, urging investors to stay disciplined, detached, and focused on long-term goals rather than short-term gains.

In this episode of The Pure Property Podcast, co-hosts Phil Tarrant and Paul Glossop are joined by Sam Beckett to discuss the current Australian property market, focusing on interest rates, investment strategies, and market trends.

The co-hosts begin the episode with a market analysis, noting that housing values rose nationally by 1.1% in October, driven by strong demand, limited supply, and high immigration.

They link this trend to broader economic conditions, as the Reserve Bank of Australia recently held rates steady amid rising inflation, largely driven by increases in housing and electricity costs.

The hosts caution that government initiatives, such as first home buyer grants and zoning changes, may increase demand but do little to address the underlying supply shortage.

Macquarie Bank's upcoming halt on lending to trusts and companies was also discussed, with the hosts emphasising the importance of using such structures legally and strategically.

Guest Sam Beckett also shares his property journey, demonstrating how disciplined planning and leveraging a stable income can build a $2 million portfolio by age 29.

The conversation highlights the importance of investors remaining vigilant, considering long-term market dynamics, and making informed decisions tailored to their specific goals.

In the latest episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, hosts Liam Garman and Emilie Lauer explore the current state of the Australian property market, highlighting key trends affecting investors, first home buyers, and landlords.

They discuss the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to hold the cash rate at 3.60%, noting the stabilising effect on the market while economists remain divided on when the next move might occur.

The hosts examine the First Home Guarantee Scheme, which has seen a 48% increase in uptake year-on-year, driving national price growth of 5.1%, with Melbourne and Sydney leading the rise.

The discussion also covers commercial property, where Sydney offices are recovering post-pandemic, yields are tightening, and investor lending is surging to $40 billion, the highest level since 2017.

Victorian landlords are also highlighted as facing regulatory challenges, including strict compliance rules and fines, and increasing reliance on property managers for guidance.

Despite these pressures, demand for rental properties remains strong, driven by immigration and student housing needs, underscoring the critical role landlords play in the market.

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, host Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit speaks with Paul Hancock, Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) Auctioneer of the Year and McGrath agent, about navigating the challenges and strategies of succeeding at property auctions.

As auctions gain popularity across Australian capitals, Hancock emphasises the importance of being aggressive once you decide to bid, showing serious intent and keeping pressure on other buyers.

Timing also plays a crucial role, with three-week campaigns often maintaining buyer interest and urgency better than traditional longer campaigns.

Hancock notes that bidding strategies vary, with some experienced buyers starting aggressively while others hold back for strategic late bids, and understanding bid increments helps maintain momentum efficiently.

A common mistake is waiting for a property to pass in and negotiating privately, which Hancock advises against, highlighting the transparency and immediacy of auctions.

Confidence and preparation are essential, including knowing the area, market, and your maximum stretch price.

By approaching auctions with a clear plan, strategy, and decisiveness, buyers can improve their chances of securing their desired property, with Hancock emphasising that adaptability and preparation are key to thriving in today's evolving auction landscape.