Property Investment Podcast Network

Rate rises are squeezing borrowing capacity, but smarter budgeting and lender selection could give buyers access to hundreds of thousands more.

With mortgage repayments climbing and property values falling, investors are under pressure to rethink their borrowing strategy, but the right budgeting and lender choices could unlock significantly more borrowing power.
On Which Mortgage, Alex Whitlock speaks with Finni brokers Eva Loisance and Costa Arvanitopoulos about boosting borrowing power through tighter budgeting, debt reduction and smarter lender selection.
The trio examine how a couple reduced their monthly spending by more than $1,000 to unlock more lending options, and why Athena, Ubank, and Macquarie are currently standing out for different borrower profiles.
They also discuss refinancing and equity releases ahead of further valuation falls, with Victoria emerging as a key market for buyers looking beyond Sydney.
From credit cards and car loans to deposit schemes and investment potential, the brokers share practical ways to strengthen borrowing capacity as higher rates continue to bite.
Enjoy the podcast.
If you are looking to maximise your purchasing capacity prior to submitting an application, check out Finni's complimentary resource, 15 Ways to Improve Your Borrowing Power, to learn how minor adjustments to your daily finances can substantially increase your loan approval limits: finni.com.au/borrowing-power-guide

Is Australia heading towards another Robodebt-style scandal? With the ATO accused of using automated systems to pursue struggling small businesses, and questions mounting over the accuracy of its debt collection practices, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman examine whether the tax office has gone too far, and who's holding it accountable. Meanwhile, the pair discuss the incomplete story on negative equity – and break down the true cost of selling.
On this episode of Property Buzz, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman examine allegations that the ATO is using automated payroll and superannuation data matching to target small businesses, with discrepancies potentially triggering penalties of up to 200 per cent.
The pair question whether automated enforcement is producing inaccurate demands, drawing on concerns raised by accountants about the ATO's increasingly aggressive approach. They also call for greater transparency around staff training, remuneration and accountability, warning of the pressure these practices could place on struggling business owners.
Meanwhile, Australia's property downturn is gathering pace, with investor loan commitments plunging 30.6 per cent in the September quarter and first home buyer lending falling 8.6 per cent. With some mortgage brokers reporting an 80 per cent collapse in business, the hosts examine why agency principals are returning to the frontline and whether further industry consolidation is inevitable.
Finally, Tarrant and Garman unpack the major banks' push to attract borrowers directly through cashback incentives, question the government's investment tax reforms and examine the growing financial risks facing home owners as property prices and transaction volumes decline.

Falling prices are creating new opportunities, but buying into a downturn without checking cash flow, borrowing power, and long-term plans could leave investors exposed.

With capital city prices falling and interest rates rising again, investors are facing a difficult choice: take advantage of softer prices or hold back until the market turns.
On The Pure Property Podcast, Phil Tarrant and Paul Glossop speak with senior buyer's agent Aaron Findlay about navigating the downturn, avoiding the trap of trying to time the market, and knowing when to consolidate rather than buy again.
The trio examine past property corrections, affordable regional Victorian markets, and the yields now available in established locations.
They also discuss the risk of negative equity for buyers who entered Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide at the peak, and why a seven- to 10-year holding period should shape purchasing decisions.
Glossop and Findlay also explain when investors should stop buying and focus on cash flow, review their existing properties and consider whether each asset still serves a purpose in their portfolio.

A commercial property might promise an attractive yield, but a bad tenant, hidden costs or the wrong lease could turn it into an expensive mistake. Right Property Group's Victor Kumar reveals how experienced investors find, assess, and negotiate commercial property deals, and the red flags that should make buyers walk away.
In the final episode of the six-part Post-Budget Guide to Commercial Property Investing, Smart Property Investment's Phil Tarrant and Right Property Group's Victor Kumar bring the series together with a practical guide to finding, assessing and buying commercial property.
Victor explains why investors must define their income, growth, and cash flow objectives before searching for opportunities. He then reveals how to uncover on-market and off-market deals, why agent relationships matter, and how to avoid overpaying for poorly understood assets.
The pair unpack Victor's 10-point screening checklist, covering everything from location, tenants, and leases to rental yields, financing, capital expenditure, and exit strategies. They also explain how to determine a property's true value, conduct due diligence, and negotiate beyond the purchase price, including settlement terms, vendor works, and finance conditions.
Finally, Victor reveals the deal-breakers that make him walk away, from undisclosed rental incentives and unreliable tenants to building defects and compliance issues. With his team asking around 130 questions during due diligence, he explains why even an attractive headline yield is no substitute for knowing exactly what you're buying.

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.