Sam Black Sessions

In this episode of Development Insights, Sam Black and Ryan Houston unpack the challenges facing Australia’s building industry. From rising construction costs and builder bankruptcies to Home Building Compensation (HBC) insurance restrictions, we explore why running a successful building company has never been harder. We discuss the impact of material price increases, labour shortages, fixed-price...

In Episode 49 of Money Chats, Sam and Brendan unpack the property market, interest rates and what lies ahead over the next six months. They discuss opportunities for buyers, changing borrowing capacity, motivated sellers and why now could be a great time to upsize or secure a property below market value.

In Episode 62 of Development Insights, Sam Black and Ryan Houston unpack the Henderson Equity Factory (HEF) strategy and how investors can manufacture equity through property development while holding assets long-term. We explore the differences between traditional property development and building to hold, including duplexes, battle-axe subdivisions, construction finance, cash requirements and th...

Sam and Ryan unpack Henderson’s Yield Acceleration Method (YAM) and why secondary dwellings have become such a powerful property investment strategy. They discuss how adding a high-quality secondary dwelling can increase rental income, reduce holding costs and help investors stay in the market longer. Sam breaks down site selection, DA vs CDC approvals, funding requirements, valuations and why loc...

We’re joined by Brendan Lowbridge to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing property investors today: borrowing capacity. With lending rules tightening and serviceability becoming a major roadblock, we discuss why earning more income may be more important than simply finding the perfect structure. We explore how investors can make better use of limited borrowing capacity, from renovating and...

In this episode of Development Insight, Ryan Houston & Sam Black dives into the fundamentals of creating value in the luxury property market. We explore how developers assess comparable sales, square metre rates, scarcity, views, amenities and buyer demand when purchasing development sites. Ryan shares real-world examples from Newcastle, Merewether and New Lambton, highlighting how strong sales ca...

In this episode, Ryan Houston and Sam Black unpack key insights from Urbanity and the Gold Coast development market. They discuss the region’s strong growth, pro-development environment and emerging opportunities in areas like Southport. The conversation covers rising construction costs, finding the “1% efficiencies” that can make or break a project, the importance of upfront design and consultant...

In this episode of Money chats, Brendan Lowbridge and Sam Black unpack the role valuations play in property development and construction finance. They discuss why valuations can fall short in changing markets, how build cost increases and upgrades can impact lending, and why comparable sales are critical when challenging a valuation. The conversation also explores strategies for developers, includ...

In this episode of Development Insight, Ryan Houston and Sam Black discuss why market uncertainty can create some of the best opportunities for property investors and developers. They break down the difference between A-grade and C-grade properties, explain why understanding vendor motivation is just as important as analysing the market, and explore how experienced investors capitalise on changing...

In this episode, we unpack the latest changes to self-managed super funds (SMSFs) and what they mean for property investors. We explain why there’s been a surge in buyers racing to secure residential property before the new rules take effect, while highlighting the opportunities that remain in commercial property. We cover how SMSFs are set up, lending and servicing requirements, contribution stra...

In this episode of Development Insights, we discuss why successful property investors and developers must adapt as the market evolves. From the decline of property flipping to the rise of secondary dwellings and single-level villa developments, we explore how changing construction costs, interest rates and buyer demand are reshaping investment strategies. We also discuss why understanding your end...

Brendan Lowbridge returns to unpack the recent negative gearing changes and their ripple effects across the property market. He and Sam break down how removing negative gearing benefits has slashed borrowing capacity by 20-30%, hitting mum-and-dad investors and aspiring upgraders hardest, while banks scramble to adjust servicing calculators. They explore why entities like trusts and companies are...

In this episode of Development Insights, we dive into one of the biggest challenges in property development — understanding the numbers. We discuss why a feasibility is never an exact science, but rather a calculated estimate built around comparable sales, construction pricing, experience, and risk management. From purchase price, build costs, council fees, and final resale values, there are alway...

In this episode, Sam and Ryan unpack the key traits that separate successful property developers from the rest. They dive into the importance of vision, persistence, risk management, attention to detail, and decisiveness, sharing real-world examples from their own development journeys. From finding sites and managing consultants to navigating setbacks and making fast decisions, they discuss the mi...

In this episode of Development Insight, Ryan Houston and Sam Black unpack the biggest mistakes developers make when underestimating a project. From build costs blowing out, hidden site costs, and builder variations, through to delays killing profit margins and poor sales strategies hurting the backend — they break down the real risks developers face. They also dive into the importance of early con...

This episode, we unpack the real side of construction finance — the wins, the risks, and where deals can fall over. We dive into: • Why valuations can make or break your project • The biggest mistake first-time developers make (going too early) • Fixed price vs cost-plus contracts — what actually works • How cost overruns happen (and why you NEED buffers) • What banks are really looking for — and...

Big shifts are happening across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie — and this episode dives straight into what’s coming and what it actually means on the ground. We unpack the approved Broadmeadow masterplan (20,000+ homes, mixed-use precinct, high-rise living), the reality of high-speed rail, and how infrastructure like this could completely reshape how people live, work, and invest along the east coas...

In this episode, we break down how rising oil prices are quietly driving up construction costs—and what that means for property investors and developers. From massive increases in materials like PVC to higher fuel and labour costs, builds are becoming more expensive almost overnight. That pressure is flowing through to buyers, impacting housing affordability and slowing down supply at a time when...

Sam Black is joined by Brendan Lowridge for a deep dive into what’s really happening with interest rates, inflation, and buyer sentiment right now. They unpack the RBA’s recent rate moves, why the market has shifted so quickly in just a couple of weeks, and how government spending and global conflict are feeding into the uncertainty. Brendan breaks down why modelling your repayments at different r...

In this episode of Development Insights, we discuss the risks and realities of engaging builders for new builds and developments, including fixed-price vs cost-plus contracts, hidden variations, and why turnkey quotes matter. We also unpack granny flat strategies, valuation risks, and how the right site selection can improve cash flow, resale value, and long-term growth. A practical conversation o...

In this episode, Sam sits down with Brendan Lowbridge to unpack real-life deals where valuations nearly killed the project. From off-market purchases coming in tens of thousands under value, to properties being classed as boarding houses due to multiple leases, the conversation dives into how lender panels, valuation types, and property use can make or break formal approval. They discuss desktop v...

Subdivision sites can look like gold on paper, but not every deal stacks up. In this episode of Development Insights, Sam and Ryan break down the reality behind corner blocks, battle-axe blocks, granny flats, and small developments, and explain why feasibility is everything. They discuss when it makes sense to keep the existing house, when to knock down and rebuild, and how build costs, buyer dema...

In this episode of Development Insights, Sam and Ryan dive into the different types of developers in today’s market and how risk appetite, strategy, and timing can completely change the way a project stacks up. From quick-turn developments to long-term land banking, they discuss why some buyers are willing to pay more, how rising prices in Newcastle are unlocking new opportunities, and the dangers...

In this episode of Money Chats with Brendan Lowbridge from Money Links, we unpack the recent shake-up in trust and company lending. Major banks have tightened policies, reduced options, and blown out approval times, leaving many investors caught off guard—even with pre-approvals in place. We break down why people buy in trusts, how servicing was previously assessed, what’s changed, and why non-ban...

In episode two of 2026, we dive deep into what it really means to be deal ready and how to consistently find quality property opportunities. We unpack having the right structure set up, finance organised, conveyancers and consultants on standby, and why relationships with agents give you a serious edge. We also break down the importance of specialising in one market, understanding supply and deman...