Property Investment Podcast Network

• Trust lending tightens: Investors turn to SMSF for portfolio growth

  In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Costa Arvanitopoulos from Finni Mortgages to unpack Macquarie Bank's retreat from trust and company lending and the rising role of self-managed super funds (SMSFs) in property investment. They explain that Macquarie's move, driven by tighter anti-money laundering (AML) scrutiny and concerns over spruikers using trusts to dodge serviceability rules, signals a broader shift in how lenders view complex structures. While this may disrupt investors who use trusts for tax and asset protection, borrowing in personal names remains available, and other lenders are expected to fill the gap. Against this backdrop, Tarrant and Arvanitopoulos highlight SMSFs as a more mainstream and increasingly popular vehicle for property investment. Arvanitopoulos notes that SMSFs let investors use their super to buy property without impacting personal borrowing capacity, which is particularly useful for those already maxed out in their own names. He explains that SMSF lending focuses on fund contributions, rental income and, for business owners, company financials to prove serviceability. The duo also flag the limitations and tax settings around SMSFs, including no equity release, no major renovations, and higher tax rates on very large balances. 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 [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

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• HOW I MET MY BROKER: $0 to $160m in development by the age of 30 – insights into property development, with Steve Maroun from Lanevick

  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.

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• Cracking Victoria's market: Where investors should really be buying

  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 [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

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• THE PROPERTY NERDS: The $2m+ sight unseen strategy

  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.

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• The property strategy driving $7.5m in just 3 years

  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 [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

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