The Property Couch

Welcome back to Friday Fundamentals on The Property Couch . In this episode, Shane and Luke tackle a question that’s suddenly everywhere: Would you still buy an established property today if the negative gearing benefit is deferred? Their answer? Yes — but it depends on your goals, your timeline, and the quality of the asset. This conversation unpacks why negative gearing is only a moment in time,...

"I don't think it can get much worse for people trying to get their first property.”   That’s Glen James , best-selling author, financial educator, host of the award-winning Money Money Money podcast and today’s special guest.  From Glen's journey as a self-confessed "recovering spender" to why your first home doesn't need to be your forever home, this conversation ex...

When you’re renovating, it’s easy to look at three quotes and feel your eyes drift straight to the cheapest one. Because surely cheaper means smarter ... right?!  But as Three Birds Renovations share in this Throwback Tuesday snippet, the cheapest quote can sometimes end up costing you the most.  For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 181 | Tips from Three Birds Renovations on How to Crea...

In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben is joined by Glen James to explore one of the most overlooked ideas in wealth creation: The best investment is often in yourself. From pay rises and career growth to business income and automated investing, this conversation unpacks why the biggest returns early on often come from increasing your earning power — not from chasing speculative returns in a sma...

Is fear quietly influencing your investment decisions?  With today's market creating uncertainty, it's easy to second-guess yourself. Headlines, market sentiment and endless opinions can make even experienced investors hesitate.  In this episode, Ben is joined by high-performance coach Brett Burton and KD, Couch Crew, to unpack the psychology behind successful investing—and why your bigg...

When starting your property investment journey, it’s easy to get pulled in every direction.   One person says Brisbane is the place to buy. Someone else suggests Melbourne. And before long, the question becomes: Which market should I pick?   But as Bryce and Ben unpack in this Throwback Tuesday episode... that might not be the best place to start. The real question is: What do you need this proper...

Welcome back to Friday Fundamentals on The Property Couch . In this episode, Shane and Ben tackle a question that’s suddenly everywhere: Are investors about to make emotional decisions they’ll regret? From panic-selling regional properties to suddenly chasing yield, off-the-plan deals, or “safer” tax-driven strategies, there’s a lot of emotion in the market right now. Shane and Ben unpack why fear...

What separates people who successfully build wealth through property from those who stay stuck?   After thousands of coaching sessions, buyer enquiries, property purchases and podcast interviews, John Pidgeon has seen the patterns firsthand.  John is the Director of Envisage Property, co-host of the property podcasts This Is Property and a regular contributor on Money Money Money , as well as the...

You’re not just the actor in your story. You’re the person who can rewrite the script. In this Throwback Tuesday episode, Bryce and Jaemin Frazer unpack how the beliefs we carry about ourselves can shape our confidence, identity and future... and why real change starts when we stop being a passenger in our own lives. For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 270 | How to Recover When You’ve...

In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Shane and Evan Lucas unpack a much bigger issue than the usual property or tax headline: has the social contract around work, education and getting ahead been broken? Evan argues that the current debate around intergenerational inequality is focusing too heavily on the margins while missing the core problem. For many Australians, the traditional path of studyin...

With EOFY fast approaching, Ben is joined by BanTacs tax expert Julia Hartman and Couch Crew and Senior Empower Wealth Tax Advisor, Danish Ahmed to unpack the latest tax developments impacting property investors...  This episode covers:  ✅ The ATO's newly-finalised holiday home rules ✅ What qualifies as a "new build" (and where the loopholes and unanswered questions still exist)...

The RBA just hit pause ... holding the cash rate at 4.35% after three hikes in a row this year. And the vote was unanimous, with all nine Board members backing the hold. Ben Kingsley and economist Evan Lucas break down what the unanimous decision really signals, why the RBA's own inflation forecasts still have them cautious, and whether this is genuinely the peak... or just the calm before mo...

In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Shane Pope and Luke Oxenham tackle a very practical question: If you already own property, what’s the smartest next move? With the tax landscape changing and investors reassessing their options, this conversation explores why growth still matters most — and why your principal place of residence may be more important than ever in shaping your next step. Shane an...

The rules may be changing, but the fundamentals haven’t. As proposed negative gearing reforms dominate headlines, many investors are asking the same question: Should I rethink my strategy? To help answer that, Ben Kingsley welcomes Lachlan Delahunty, Founder of Follio and a property professional who has been involved in more than $2 billion worth of property acquisitions. Together, they explore wh...

Feeling uncertain about where to buy next? With so much noise in the property market right now, it’s easy to get caught up in headlines, opinions and speculation. But as Ben Kingsley and Connor explain in this bonus episode, one of the best ways to cut through the confusion is to come back to the data. In this episode, they unpack how investors can start narrowing down Australia’s 30,000+ suburbs...

In this Friday Fundamentals episode, KD and Brett Burton unpack a powerful idea: it’s okay to do one thing really, really well. From an unforgettable 80s concert story to lessons from high-performance sport and business, this conversation explores why so many people spread themselves too thin — and why the better path is often to identify your strengths, refine them, and lean into them. They talk...

600 episodes. Thousands of conversations. One incredible community.  And if there's one thing we've learned along the way...  Success rarely follows a straight line.   Few stories prove that better than John McGrath's.  A 95/500 HSC. A football career ended by a doctor's verdict, and a pivot that led to one of Australia's most recognisable property empires.  For our 600th...

You’ve saved the deposit. You’ve done the hard yards. You’re ready to get into the property market.  But then comes the big question: Will the bank actually lend you the money? As Bryce and Ben explain in this Throwback Tuesday episode, a strong deposit is a great start, but it’s only one part of the picture.  For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 88 | Q&A – Investing in Newly Develo...

In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben and Polly unpack one of the most important investing skills you can build: Critical Thinking. The conversation centres on the growing number of “guaranteed return” propositions showing up in property investing — and why those promises should always be challenged. From guaranteed rent to guaranteed growth, they break down why the real issue isn’t just the he...

You found the property. You've secured finance. You've survived inspections... Now comes the paperwork that can make (or break) the deal. In Part 3 of our Buying a Home series, Ben is joined by Nicole Faid and Kirsty “KD” Dunphey to unpack the legal side of buying property, and reveal the hidden risks buyers often don't discover until it's too late. Inside:  ✔️ Why "submit...

Building new often gets a bad rap when we’re talking about property.  But what if you’re not building purely for investment? In this Throwback Tuesday episode, Bryce and Ben unpack when building new actually makes sense and what to consider before choosing land, location and design for your future family home. For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 259 | Q&A: A Tax-Saving Hack For An...

In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben is joined by building inspector Paul Baker to unpack one of the most common causes of property damage: Water. It comes from everywhere — leaking gutters, under-slab plumbing issues, failed waterproofing, cracked grout, balconies, bathrooms, and more. And according to Paul, it’s behind the vast majority of the issues he sees in homes. This conversation break...

Negative gearing reforms. Capital gains tax changes. Trust adjustments. Housing affordability measures. Productivity promises.   Beyond the latest Federal Budget headlines… what are the real consequences?   This week, Ben is joined by David Robertson, Chief Economist, Head of Economic and Markets Research at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, and Evan Lucas, Market Commentator, to unpack one of the most a...

Ben Kingsley sits down with Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator and Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of housing, tax reform, productivity and Australia’s economic direction. In this special interview, they unpack the proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, the growing challenge of housing affordability, construction b...

In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben is joined by Evan Lucas to unpack a bold policy idea for first home buyers. Evan’s hill to die on? Australia should use a super-like system to help people save for their first home deposit. Instead of relying on grants, 5% deposit schemes, or capped first home buyer programmes, he argues that the super infrastructure already exists and could be used much mo...