Most people renovate for lifestyle. The smart ones renovate for equity.

In this episode of, I am joined by Sounny and Alicia from The Block Season 2025 to unpack how experienced renovators think about ROI, trade-offs and long-term positioning in the Gold Coast market.

This is not a styling conversation. It is a money conversation.

We break down how to renovate strategically without overcapitalising, where families are getting caught out, and how to balance space vs location in 2026.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to renovate with ROI as the priority

• What genuinely adds value vs what just looks good

• When paying trades makes more financial sense than DIY

• Why bathrooms and high-impact upgrades create stronger returns• How to avoid overcapitalising in competitive Gold Coast suburbs

• Location vs lifestyle and how that decision impacts long-term wealth

• Their lived example of buying for space and later missing proximity

• Why being close to beaches, schools and amenities compounds in value

• The rise of dual living and granny flats as affordability tightens

• How families can use renovation to level up without blowing the budget

Connect with me

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama/?hl=en

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_srama

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=au

BGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8V

Connect with Sonny & Alicia

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/sonnyandalicia/?hl=en

Subscribe to Buying Gold Coast for weekly insights into renovating for equity, suburb strategy, development trends and practical guidance for navigating the Gold Coast property market in 2026.

#goldcoastproperty #renovating #propertystrategy #buyinggoldcoast #goldcoastrenovation #realestate2026

You do NOT need $2 million to win on the Gold Coast. Most people think you need blue-chip beachfront money to get real capital growth here. You don’t.

In this episode of Buying Gold Coast, I am joined by Brandon Dorn from our team to break down the three solid investment types under $2 million on the Gold Coast right now.

We unpack where the real opportunities are in 2026, which suburbs are quietly outperforming, and how investors can position themselves before entry prices push higher. And one of them is shifting faster than most people realise…

In this episode, we cover:

-Why beachside duplexes under $1.2M are delivering strong capital growth and balanced yields

-The power of “bridesmaid suburbs” and how to identify the next best thing

-How to add value through granny flats, cosmetic renovations, and smart positioning

-Why the $1.7M–$1.9M blue-chip bracket is moving into the low $2Ms

-The importance of land-to-asset ratio and development upside

-What makes an “X-factor” property in today’s Gold Coast market

-Real off-market case studies and current rental demand insights

Connect with me

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama/?hl=en

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_srama

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=au

BGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8V

Subscribe to Buying Gold Coast for weekly insights into Gold Coast property, buyer strategy, suburb breakdowns, development trends, and practical guidance for navigating the evolving property market in 2026.

The Gold Coast is entering a new era of vertical living. Luxury apartment developments are rising across the coastline and the way buyers approach these projects needs to evolve.

In this episode of Buying Gold Coast, I am joined by Carly Cottam from Motiv to unpack the Gold Coast vertical living boom and what buyers need to understand in 2026.

We break down how developers plan and stage new projects, how pricing and release strategies work, what drives demand in high-rise living, and the key risks and opportunities buyers should consider before committing to off-the-plan or apartment developments in today’s market.

In this episode, we cover:

-The Gold Coast vertical living boom and why it is accelerating

-How developers structure, stage, and price new projects

-The psychology behind staged releases and off-the-plan marketing

-The risks buyers overlook when purchasing off the plan

-How to assess whether a development truly stacks up before committing

Connect with me!

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama/?hl=en

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_srama

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=au

BGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8V

Connect with Carly & Motiv

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/carlycottam_motiv/?hl=en

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-cottam-8466082a/?originalSubdomain=au

Motiv Website → https://motivgroup.com.au/

Motiv Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/motiv_projectmarketing/

Subscribe to Buying Gold Coast for weekly insights into Gold Coast property, buyer strategy, prestige real estate, and real-world guidance for navigating the Gold Coast high end real estate market.

Most buyers don’t lose property on the Gold Coast because of price. They lose because they negotiate the wrong way.

In this episode of Buying Gold Coast, I break down the three negotiation secrets that actually decide who wins in a competitive market, from buyer behaviour and first impressions to offer structure and strategy.

Drawing on experience from both sides of the table, including time spent as a selling agent and now running a high-performing buyers agency, this episode explains why buyer behaviour, tone, and structure matter more than aggressive tactics. We unpack how negotiations really unfold, why first impressions count, and how small strategic shifts can dramatically change outcomes.

In this episode I cover:

-What most buyers get wrong in property negotiations

-Why buyer behaviour and first impressions matter more than price

-The biggest buyer mistakes that cost deals on the Gold Coast

-How to negotiate property price without burning the agent or vendor

-Why a formal contract is stronger than a letter of offer

-How using a formal contract helps isolate competition

-Real estate negotiation strategies professionals use to gain leverage

-How to ask better questions and uncover key anchor points

-Why terms can be just as important as price in property negotiation

-How to build confidence when negotiating in the Gold Coast property market

If you are trying to buy on the Gold Coast, want to understand real estate negotiation beyond surface-level tips, or need a practical buyers guide to winning property negotiations, this episode will give you clarity.

Connect with me!

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama/?hl=en

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_srama

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=au

BGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8V

Subscribe to Buying Gold Coast for weekly insights into Gold Coast property, buyer strategy, negotiation tips, and real-world guidance for navigating the Gold Coast real estate market.

Some renovations feel timeless, calm, and valuable. Others look expensive and miss the mark.

In this episode, Luli Farrell, Co-Founder of ABI Interiors, breaks down what actually makes Gold Coast homes feel luxurious and why great renovation outcomes are rarely about budget alone.

We unpack the real story behind ABI Interiors, from a family side project to a global brand, and explore how design decisions, pairing materials, and understanding buyer psychology can dramatically impact how a home looks, feels, and performs in the market.

If you are renovating, building, or buying on the Gold Coast, this episode will change how you think about luxury, value, and design.

Connect with me!

IG → https://www.instagram.com/buying_goldcoast

Matt’s IG → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_srama

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=au

BGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8V

Connect with Luli Farrell & ABI Interiors:

IG → https://www.instagram.com/abiinteriors/

Website → https://www.abiinteriors.com.au/

In this episode, we cover:

-What actually makes a Gold Coast renovation feel luxurious, not just expensive

-The real story behind ABI Interiors and how it scaled from a family business to a global brand

- Why luxury renovations are more about decision-making than budget

- Interior design trends shaping modern Gold Coast homes

- How to achieve high-end renovation outcomes on a realistic budget

- The importance of pairing fixtures, finishes, and materials correctly

-Common renovation mistakes that quietly hurt property value

- How buyers emotionally respond to well-designed homes

- Designing modern coastal homes for lifestyle, longevity, and resale appeal

- Where opportunity is emerging across the Gold Coast and Tweed region

If this episode gave you value, follow the show. It helps us reach more people who want real conversations about development, strategy and the Gold Coast property market.

Prestige property on the Gold Coast is changing fast and if you are not paying attention, you will miss where real demand is actually forming.In this episode of Buying Gold Coast, I sit down with Ian Perkins from Srama to explain what prestige property really means today and why it now goes beyond traditional beachfront markets.We break down how luxury homes on the Gold Coast, from Palm Beach luxury homes to emerging prestige suburbs, are being shaped by lifestyle, scarcity, and buyer demand and what this means when buying Gold Coast luxury real estate.In this episode, we cover:-What defines prestige property in the current market-How luxury homes on the Gold Coast are shifting beyond traditional beachfront locations-Why prestige suburbs on the Gold Coast are expanding into new pockets-The growing demand for luxury waterfront homes-Why Palm Beach, Mermaid Waters, Runaway Bay, Currumbin, and the Tweed are attracting serious buyers-Who is buying Gold Coast luxury real estate right now, from downsizers to interstate and high net worth buyers-How buyers can identify prestige opportunities before prices move into the eight, ten, and twenty million dollar rangeIf you have been wondering what is prestige property, where the next high demand areas are forming, or whether the Gold Coast luxury market still represents value, this episode will give you clarity.Connect with meInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama/?hl=enTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_sramaLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=auBGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8VSubscribe to Buying Gold Coast for weekly insights into Gold Coast property, emerging suburbs, lifestyle driven buying, and expert market analysis.

The Gold Coast market has changed, but most buyers haven’t changed how they think.

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Sayce, Founder of Kai Konstruct, to break down what’s really happening in the dual living and granny flat space on the Gold Coast.

We unpack how secondary dwellings are being used to create a dual income property, improve cash flow, and extract more value from one block. With gold coast granny flats becoming more common, this episode cuts through what works, what doesn’t, and the mistakes buyers make when they build a granny flat.

This is a practical conversation for investors and home buyers who want to move forward in the Gold Coast market with better structure, stronger cash flow, and more control.

Connect with me

IG → https://www.instagram.com/buying_goldcoast

Matt’s IG → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_srama

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=au

BGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8V

Connect with Tim Sayce

IG → https://www.instagram.com/kaikonstruct/?hl=en

Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@kaikonstruct418

Website → https://kaikonstruct.com.au/

In this episode, we cover:

• Why dual living and granny flats are gaining momentum on the Gold Coast

• How secondary dwellings actually work under current council rules

• When it makes sense to build a granny flat and when it does not

• What separates high-performing gold coast granny flats from poor projects

• How buyers are turning one property into a dual income property

• Approval pathways, planning risks, and common mistakes

• Why design, privacy, access, and site services matter for long-term value

• How banks and valuers are viewing secondary dwellings today

If this episode gave you value, hit subscribe. It helps us reach more people who want clear, practical conversations about property strategy and the Gold Coast market.

Buying on the Gold Coast is changing fast and if you are not paying attention, you will miss what is actually driving demand right now.

In this solo episode of Buying Gold Coast, I break down the three hottest trends shaping the Gold Coast real estate market and what they mean for buyers heading into the housing market in 2026.

From dual income buyers (DINKs) entering the market in force, to the rise of secondary dwellings and intergenerational living, these trends are quietly reshaping prices, competition, and opportunity across the Gold Coast.

In this episode, I cover:

• The rise of DINK buyers and how dual income property demand is shifting the market

• Why intergenerational living is becoming a major buying driver

• How secondary dwellings and granny flats are creating strong cash flow opportunities

• Why single-level homes are outperforming expectations on the Gold Coast

• What today’s buyers are prioritising in the Gold Coast real estate market

• How to think strategically before buying in a competitive housing market 2026

Connect with us

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/matt_srama/?hl=enTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_sramaLinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-srama-b8647b1ba/?originalSubdomain=auBGC Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZTdnNdku9iVdkBEFrND8V

If this episode helped you understand what is really happening on the Gold Coast, subscribe and leave a comment. It helps us reach more buyers who want clear, practical property insights.