The Broker's Lounge

How to buy property with more confidence Buying property can be emotional, stressful and easy to get wrong, especially when the market is moving quickly and agents are working for the seller. In this episode of The Broker's Lounge , Eddie is joined by Dion Marsden from Marsden Buyers Agency to talk through what buyers need to know before making a move. They unpack the Melbourne property marke...

What lenders really look at when assessing your loan Getting a loan isn’t just about your credit score and this episode explains why. Eddie and Carlo break down how lenders assess loan applications, borrowing capacity, and risk. Credit scores matter, but they’re only one part of a bigger picture. They explore why borrowing power varies between lenders, how investment property portfolios are assess...

Should you refinance after the latest rate rise? With the RBA lifting rates again, many mortgage holders are asking the same question: should I refinance, restructure, or just sit tight? In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down what the latest rate rise means for repayments, household cash flow and the pressure many borrowers are feeling right now. They also unpack when...

Could capital gains tax changes shake up the property market? Capital gains tax is back in the spotlight after the latest Federal Budget, and the proposed changes could have a real impact on property investors, first home buyers and renters. In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down what capital gains tax actually means, how the current 50% CGT discount works, and what co...

Buying off the plan? Know the risks before you sign In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo unpack what buyers need to know before purchasing off the plan. They cover the appeal of lower upfront deposits, extra time to save and buying brand new, but also explain the key risks that can show up before settlement, including valuation shortfalls, lending changes, interest rate rises,...

When refinancing first makes sense and when it can backfire. In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down when refinancing before your next property purchase actually makes sense, and when it can quietly work against you. They unpack how equity release, lender policy, servicing, and timing all play a role in whether refinancing helps or hurts your next move. They also cover...

Buying at auction can move fast, and if you are not prepared, it can get expensive very quickly. In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down what buyers need to know before auction day, from getting the right type of finance approval in place to understanding deposits, building and pest inspections, solicitor reviews, and the risks that come with unconditional contracts. Th...

Thinking about upgrading your home but not sure how to make the numbers work? In this episode of The Broker’s Lounge , Eddie and Carlo unpack the key things to think about when moving from one property to the next. They talk through bridging loans, using equity, selling before buying, and what can happen when you end up holding two properties at once. They also cover timing, cash flow, repayments,...

Should you fix your mortgage rate or keep it variable? In this episode of The Broker’s Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down one of the most common questions borrowers are asking right now. With rates moving around and the RBA keeping everyone guessing, many homeowners are wondering whether fixing their loan actually makes sense. They walk through when fixing might work, when it probably doesn’t, an...

Buying your first property is exciting, stressful, emotional and, if you are not careful, expensive in ways you did not expect. In this episode of The Brokers Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down what first home buyers actually need to focus on. From the real costs people forget about like stamp duty, lenders mortgage insurance, building inspections and settlement adjustments, through to the grants...

Buying, selling, upgrading, downsizing… every property decision comes with emotion. In this episode, Eddie and Carlo dive into the emotional side of property and finance, from first home buyer nerves to the excitement and nostalgia of upsizing or downsizing.  They explore the different decision-making styles people bring to the table, including the analyst, the visionary, the collaborator, and the...

Rentvesting: How to live where you love and still grow your wealth Can you live in your dream suburb and still get ahead financially? In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo unpack rentvesting, what it actually means, why it’s growing in popularity, and how it works in real life. They talk through why more buyers are choosing to rent where they want to live while investing in high...

Why the RBA held rates and what it means for borrowers, investors and the economy The RBA has hit pause on rate cuts again, and while it wasn’t a surprise, it left a lot of homeowners wondering, “What now?” In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down why the Reserve Bank chose to hold the cash rate, what that means for borrowers and investors, and how it all ties into infla...

Your most asked home loan questions, answered With so many rules, policies, and exceptions in the lending world, it’s no wonder people get confused. In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge , Eddie and Carlo take on a rapid-fire Q&A, tackling the most common questions they get from clients about borrowing, refinancing, and managing loans in today’s market. They dive into how banks treat things l...

Why refinancing now could be one of the smartest moves you make Interest rates are finally falling and with that shift comes a huge opportunity if you know how to take advantage of it. In this episode of The Brokers Lounge , Eddie and Carlo break down what refinancing actually means in today’s market and why it might be worth doing sooner rather than later. They unpack the real benefits beyond jus...

From $28k homes to $1.2m price tags: how did we get here?   What if you could buy a house in Sydney for just $28,000? In 1975, you could, and most families did it on a single income. Fast forward 50 years and that same home is worth around $1.2 million and the path to homeownership looks very different. In this episode of The Brokers Lounge, Eddie and Carlo take a fascinating look at how Australia...

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie sits down with Baz Gardner, a mentor and expert in human behaviour, mindset and purpose, to look beyond the numbers and into what’s really going on in the minds of today’s buyers. With interest rates dropping and market sentiment shifting, you’d think people would be feeling more confident. But many are still hesitant, overwhelmed, or unsure about thei...

What does Labor’s $33 billion housing plan actually mean for you? In this episode, Eddie and Carlo unpack the federal election results and how the Albanese government’s massive housing commitments could impact the property market. From changes to the Home Guarantee Scheme and rental reforms to supply measures, foreign buyer restrictions, and social housing plans, they break it all down in plain la...

Interest rates are on the move again, and this time it's good news. The latest RBA rate cut has a lot of people asking, "What does this mean for me?" In this episode of The Broker's Lounge, Eddie and Carlo break down what the cut means for homeowners, first-time buyers, and investors. They explain how lower rates are affecting borrowing power, property prices, and loan repaymen...

From amateur MMA fighter to concreter to financial adviser and director at Link Wealth - Josh Lee’s journey is anything but typical. But it’s exactly that mix of grit and experience that makes his advice hit different. In this episode of the Broker's Lounge, Josh shares the biggest financial mistakes he sees every day - and how to avoid them. Josh breaks down simple, actionable ways to build...

Thinking about buying a property before it’s even built? Let’s talk about what buying off the plan really means. Locking in a property today with settlement 18 months - or even 3 years - down the line can seem like a smart move. Lower upfront costs, more time to save, and a brand-new home at the end? It’s easy to see the appeal. But off-the-plan comes with risks too like falling market values, del...

Thinking about investing in property? Before you sign on the dotted line, let’s talk structure. It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of buying property - but when it comes to tax, the structure you choose can have a massive impact on your short- and long-term financial outcomes. Should you buy in your personal name to take advantage of negative gearing? Or do the benefits of asset protectio...

Working overseas and earning foreign income? It may sound like a ticket to financial freedom, but when it comes to securing a home loan back in Australia, things can get tricky. From currency fluctuations to complex documentation and tax systems, the process isn’t always as simple as it seems. So, what do you really need to know to navigate foreign income and land your dream home? In this episode...

Thinking of building your dream home? A construction loan might seem like a complex, even intimidating process - but it could be a lot simpler than you think. From staged payments to interest-only phases and valuation traps, there’s a lot of noise out there - but not all of it is as complicated as it sounds. So, what’s the real cost of building, and how do you avoid budget blowouts before you even...

The 2025 Federal Budget is out, but does it really offer a solution, or is it just another political play?  From housing supply to first home buyer schemes, some big promises are on the table.  But will they deliver, or is it just smoke and mirrors? There’s more to this budget than meets the eye - what does it mean for your wealth-building plans?  Let’s just say, the real opportunities might not b...