The Elephant In The Room Property Podcast | Inside Australian Real Estate

Is putting property into your SMSF a good idea, or could it be too risky? SMSF advisor Liam Shorte from Sonas Wealth joins us today to explore this hot topic, giving practical insights on the benefits of more control, tax advantages, and the hidden costs and risks that SMSF investors often miss. We explore the appeal of property investment within an SMSF for those aiming to diversify their retirem...

We’re all familiar with energy ratings on appliances and cars, but what if your home came with one too? Could this be where the housing market is headed? Today, we sit down with Cecille Weldon, Australia’s top expert in residential energy efficiency, to explore what this could mean for the future of housing. Could energy ratings become the next game-changer in real estate? Cecille breaks it down f...

What’s really going on in Australia’s property market? In this episode, we sit down with Cameron Kusher, Executive Director of Economic Research at REA Group, to unpack the trends shaping the Australian property market right now. With access to some of the country’s most comprehensive property data, Cameron sheds light on what buyers are searching for, where listings are rising, and how this all c...

How can it be that investors are both selling off properties and borrowing record amounts of money at the same time? In a market with rising interest rates, stricter tenancy laws, and increasing property taxes, why is investor activity still so high? And what does this say about the future of property investment in Australia? In this episode, we are joined by Stuart Wemyss from ProSolution Private...

Why are so many property investors pulling out of the market, and what’s driving this trend? In this episode, we dive deep into the findings of the 2024 PIPA Investor Sentiments Survey with Nicola McDougall, Chair of The Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA). The survey uncovers some surprising data, challenging common assumptions about where and why investors are selling their pro...

Is equity the most underused wealth-building tool? Owen Rask believes it is—and we’re missing out by not tapping into it. In this episode, we sit down with Owen from the Rask Group to explore how equity, particularly in property, can be a game-changer for growing your wealth. From property investment to ETFs and self-managed super funds (SMSFs), Owen breaks down how leveraging equity can open up o...

Why do Alec and Bryce from Equity Mates think the next generation won’t own homes? In this episode, we have a chat with Alec Renehan and Bryce Leske, the co-founders of Equity Mates Media, to explore why more young Australians are steering away from the idea of property ownership and leaning towards investing in shares instead. We discuss how the wealth gap between those who can get financial help...

Are you ready to find out where property investors are putting their money and what trends are shaping the market right now? In this episode, we dive deep into the latest suburb trends report and explore the surprising insights revealed by the latest property investment data. From unexpected investment hotspots in Sydney and Melbourne to some major shifts in regional markets like Perth and Adelaid...

Why is it so tough to ramp up housing supply when it seems like everyone’s talking about it? In this episode, we’re joined by Jill Garner, the Victorian Government Architect, who gives us a behind-the-scenes look at why boosting supply isn’t as simple as just setting targets. Jill brings her extensive experience to the table, sharing insights into the realities of urban planning and design from bo...

How does the UK property market compare to ours here in Australia? In this episode, we sit down with Martin North from Digital Finance Analytics to really break it down. We’re diving into what makes the UK property market tick and how it stacks up against what we see in Australia. What are the key drivers over there? And how do they align—or differ—from what’s happening on our home turf? Martin’s...

Strata management—it’s one of those areas in property where things can get tricky if you’re not in the know. In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Teys, who’s been in the trenches of strata for years, tackling some of the biggest issues that come up in this space. If you’re involved in a strata scheme—whether as an owner, investor, or part of a committee—this is a conversation you just can’t af...

Australia's housing market is in turmoil, but can it be fixed? In this episode, we sit down with respected financial journalist Alan Kohler to delve into the roots of this ongoing crisis and explore potential solutions. Alan shares his insights on why first-time home buyers today face far greater challenges than those in previous generations and how the housing sector has become a critical pillar...

Are short-term rental platforms like Airbnb contributing to the worsening of the housing affordability crisis by reducing the availability of long-term rental properties? This shift towards short-term rentals makes it increasingly difficult for people to find affordable homes, driving up rental prices and increasing housing instability for vulnerable populations. Join us as Karl Fitzgerald, founde...

Are you grappling with decisions about your investment property? In this episode, we dive into a range of listener questions to provide the insights you need. We’ll explore the impact of land tax variations across different states and discuss the pros and cons of buying in A-grade versus B-grade suburbs. Our discussion also touches on the reasons behind the surge in properties for sale in lifestyl...

Are you curious about how demographic changes will shape the property market in the coming decade?  In this episode, we chat with Simon Kuestenmacher from The Demographic Group to dive into the evolving trends in wealth transfer and their impact on housing. Simon gives us some great insights into the demographic factors affecting today’s wealth transfer, exploring how predictable these shifts are...

Have you ever wondered if there’s a need for vendor advocates or if it’s just another money grab by some players in the real estate industry? Vendor advocacy is a term you may not have heard before, but it’s a service that’s gaining popularity. A vendor’s advocate is an advisor engaged by a person selling their property to help them choose a selling agent to make the selling process easier. Think...

How can integrity be restored in an industry often criticised for its ethical shortcomings? In this episode, we sit down with John Minns, the NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner, to delve into the measures being taken by the Office of Fair Trading to regulate and improve the real estate sector’s reputation. With an industry plagued by issues ranging from underquoting by sales agents to p...

Ever found yourself torn between relying on hard data or trusting local insights for your property investments? It’s a tough call many investors struggle with, wondering if the numbers can tell the full story or if boots-on-the-ground knowledge is more reliable. In the Suburb Trends Report for the month of June 2024, we dive into the age-old debate of whether numbers or on-the-ground knowledge hol...

Choosing the wrong broker can lead to higher costs and missed opportunities. It’s crucial to find someone who doesn’t just process loans but also offers solid advice and guidance. With so many options, it’s tough to figure out who’s genuinely good and who’s just looking to close a deal. So in this episode, we break down how to find the perfect mortgage broker for you. We kick off by explaining the...

Wondering how the 2024 property forecasts are stacking up so far? Tune in to our mid-year review as we dive into the real estate predictions that nailed it and the ones that missed the mark. In this episode, we dissect the key trends, market shifts, and unexpected twists that have shaped the housing landscape in the first half of the year. Today, we have Louis Christopher with us again to share hi...

How can you distinguish the trustworthy buyer’s agents from the rest in a market flooded with options? With so many buyer’s agents vying for your attention, it's easy to fall prey to misleading promises and hidden agendas. In this episode, we delve deep into the world of buyer’s agents, uncovering the essential red flags every prospective property buyer should be aware of before making that crucia...

Are you curious about what Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) is and how it actually works? Do you wonder if it's necessary and worth considering when purchasing a property, or do you think it's just an additional cost you can avoid? In this episode, we sit down with Strachan Taylor from Helia, Australia’s leading provider of LMI, to delve into the details. We aim to clarify how often claims are mad...

Are you curious about the hidden forces driving Brisbane’s property boom? What impact is the upcoming Olympics having on the property market, and is the construction for the games draining resources from other sectors? Beyond these questions, what else could be behind this sustained period of rapidly rising property prices, and is there any sign of a slowdown on the horizon? Today, we delve into t...

Could increasing housing supply alone effectively address our current affordability challenges, or is the housing crisis more accurately characterised as just a recurring issue with a new label? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Cameron Murray, Chief Economist at Fresh Economic Thinking who specialises in property and urban development. We dive into the question of whether the term "crisis" ac...

In this month's Suburb Trends report for May 2024, we're diving deep into the world of property investment, exploring a critical issue that every investor should be aware of: false positives in property data. With the property market experiencing upward pressure on prices due to low supply, investors risk being misled by appearances, just like the allure of a dimly lit nightclub before the lights...