When Numbers Aren’t Enough: Investing with Logic and Instinct

In this episode of Property Investing Roadmap, host Damian Collins is joined by Ara Salomone, Co-Director of State of Kin Design & Construction, to explore how personal values, emotion and lived experience can play a powerful role in building a successful property portfolio.

From designing award-winning homes in Perth to navigating her own investment journey, Ara shares how aligning investments with your beliefs — not just the numbers — can lead to better long-term outcomes.

Together, they unpack the reality of balancing financial strategy with intuition, the challenges of lending as a self-employed investor, and how stepping back can sometimes be the smartest move forward.

They also explore how Ara built a diversified portfolio across residential development and commercial syndicates, including her experience investing through Westbridge.

What you’ll learn:

Why removing emotion from investing isn’t always the right approach

How aligning investments with your values can improve decision-making

The importance of tailoring investment strategies — not using cookie-cutter models

How self-employment affects borrowing capacity and lending outcomes

Why stepping back and restructuring finances can unlock better opportunities

What to look for in a high-quality development site

The benefits of combining residential investing with commercial diversification

How property syndicates provide access to larger commercial assets

Why relationships and trust matter when choosing an investment partner

Key Takeaways:

A good investment isn’t just logical — it also needs to feel right

Short-term sacrifices may be necessary to achieve long-term goals

The best outcomes often come from balancing data with intuition

Investing is a long-term partnership — not a one-off transaction

Sometimes the smartest move is to pause and wait for the right opportunity

FREE RESOURCE

Want help building a property portfolio aligned to your goals and values?
Discover how Momentum Wealth helps investors design, acquire and manage high-performing portfolios:
https://www.momentumwealth.com.au/resources/investor-pack/

FOLLOW US

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Website: https://www.momentumwealth.com.au

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/momentum-wealth

SUPPORT FOR INVESTORS

Looking for guidance on residential, development or commercial property investing?
Explore tailored support through Momentum Wealth and Westbridge Funds Management:
http://www.momentumwealth.com.au/

T&Cs

The information shared on Property Investing Roadmap is general in nature and does not take into account your individual circumstances. It is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment or financial decisions. Always seek professional legal, tax and financial advice.

Estate planning is one of the most important — and most delayed — parts of building long‑term wealth.

In this episode of Property Investing Roadmap, host Damian Collins explores how investors can protect what they’ve worked hard to build and ensure their wealth continues to benefit their family for generations to come.

Prompted by a listener question, Damian is joined by Jemma Sanderson, Head of Self‑Managed Superannuation Funds & Succession at Cooper Partners Financial Services, to unpack estate planning beyond “just having a will”.

With more than 25 years’ experience advising high‑net‑worth families, business owners and property investors, Gemma explains how estate planning intersects with superannuation, trusts, companies and property structures — and why misunderstanding control can lead to unintended (and sometimes devastating) outcomes.

This episode covers the practical realities of succession, control, incapacity and wealth transfer — and why estate planning is about clarity, not pessimism.

What you’ll learn:

• Why estate planning is more than just writing a will
• How estate planning fits into long‑term property and wealth strategies
• The difference between asset ownership and asset control
• Why trusts, companies and SMSFs don’t automatically pass through your will
• What happens to superannuation when you die
• Who can legally receive superannuation death benefits
• How trustee discretion can lead to disputes
• Why joint tenancy property bypasses your will
• Why outdated wills often fail investors
• What testamentary trusts are and how they work
• Tax benefits of distributing income to minor beneficiaries
• Asset protection advantages of testamentary trusts
• Why advanced health directives reduce family conflict

FREE RESOURCE

Want help building a diversified property portfolio aligned to your goals?
Discover how Momentum Wealth helps investors design, acquire and manage property portfolios with long‑term performance in mind.
Investor Pack - Momentum Wealth

FOLLOW US

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/momentumwealth/

Website:
https://www.momentumwealth.com.au

LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/company/momentum-wealth

SUPPORT FOR INVESTORS

Looking for professional guidance on diversification, interstate investing or blending residential with commercial property?
Explore the tailored support available through Momentum Wealth and Westbridge Funds Management:
http://www.momentumwealth.com.au/

T&Cs

The information shared on Property Investing Roadmap is general in nature and does not take into account your individual circumstances. It is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment or financial decisions. Always seek professional legal, tax and financial advice.
This episode’s guest is a representative of Cooper Partners Financial Services.

With lending rules constantly evolving, many buyers and investors are left wondering whether they can still move forward — or whether finance is now off the table altogether.

In this episode of Property Investing Roadmap, host Damian Collins breaks down what’s really happening in the lending landscape and what today’s changes mean for borrowers looking to buy, invest or refinance.

Driven by a listener question around borrowing through trusts and companies, Damian is joined by Max Miorada, Senior Credit Advisor at Momentum Wealth and one of Australia’s top 1% mortgage brokers by volume.

With more than $112 million in loans settled last year alone, Max brings frontline insight into how lenders are currently assessing borrowers, how debt‑to‑income ratios are applied, and why structure matters more than ever in today’s market.

This episode strips back the media noise to explain how lending actually works behind the scenes — and how investors can position themselves to keep moving forward despite tighter conditions.

What you’ll learn:

• How the lending landscape has changed over recent years
• Whether borrowing through a trust or company is still possible
• Why lenders assess trusts and companies differently to individuals
• How negative gearing works — and why it’s often lost inside entities
• The real impact entity lending can have on borrowing capacity
• When trusts can make sense — and when they can block portfolio growth
• The difference between tax efficiency and borrowing efficiency
• Why structure should be decided before buying property
• How debt‑to‑income (DTI) ratios are calculated by lenders
• Why actual cash flow and bank serviceability often don’t align
• Differences between major banks, non‑banks and private lenders
• How interest rate buffers affect borrowing — even on fixed loans
• The pros and cons of fixing versus staying variable
• How offset accounts work and why investors should use them
• How lenders assess self‑employed income
• Why timing matters when changing employment status
• What successful investors do differently when finance becomes tight

FREE RESOURCE

Confused by lending changes and borrowing limits?
Learn how Momentum Wealth helps investors structure debt, maximise borrowing capacity and navigate changing bank policies with confidence.
👉 Insert relevant guide or blog link here

FOLLOW US

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/momentumwealth/

Website:
https://www.momentumwealth.com.au

LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/company/momentum-wealth

SUPPORT FOR INVESTORS

Looking for professional guidance on diversification, interstate investing or blending residential with commercial property?
Explore the tailored support available through Momentum Wealth and Westbridge Funds Management:
http://www.momentumwealth.com.au/

T&Cs

The information shared on Property Investing Roadmap is general in nature and does not take into account your individual circumstances. It is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment or financial decisions. Always seek professional advice before deciding whether to invest.
This episode’s guest is a representative of Momentum Wealth Finance.

Buying property through a self‑managed super fund can be powerful — or disastrous — depending on how (and why) it’s done.

In this episode of Property Investing Roadmap, host Damian Collins unpacks one of the most complex and misunderstood strategies investors consider: holding property inside a self‑managed super fund (SMSF).

Guided by a listener question, Damian is joined by Katie Timms, National Director of Superannuation & SMSF Services at RSM Australia, to break down when this strategy works, when it doesn’t, and what investors must understand before taking the plunge.

With decades of experience advising SMSF clients across residential, commercial and fund‑based property, Katie explains the rules, risks, structures and compliance obligations that many investors only discover after it’s too late.

This episode cuts through the hype to explain how SMSFs really work, why mistakes are so costly, and how property can (or can’t) fit into a long‑term retirement strategy.

What you’ll learn:

• What a self‑managed super fund is — and why control is both a benefit and a burden
• The key pros and cons of investing through an SMSF
• Why SMSFs are the most heavily regulated investment structure in Australia
• Annual compliance, audit and valuation obligations investors must meet
• The sole purpose test — and why holiday homes and personal use are strictly off‑limits
• Why arm’s‑length terms, market rent and formal leases are critical
• How limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) work
• The role of bare trusts and why structure must be set up before you buy
• How SMSF rules differ for residential versus commercial property
• Common (and costly) mistakes investors make with SMSFs

Why SMSFs are not “the next step” for everyone

FREE RESOURCE

Want help building a diversified property portfolio aligned to your goals?
Discover how Momentum Wealth helps investors design, acquire and manage property portfolios with long‑term performance in mind.
Investor Pack - Momentum Wealth

FOLLOW US

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/momentumwealth/

Website:
https://www.momentumwealth.com.au

LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/company/momentum-wealth

SUPPORT FOR INVESTORS

Looking for professional guidance on diversification, interstate investing or blending residential with commercial property?
Explore the tailored support available through Momentum Wealth and Westbridge Funds Management:
http://www.momentumwealth.com.au/

T&Cs

The information shared on Property Investing Roadmap is general in nature and does not take into account your individual circumstances. It is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment or financial decisions. Always seek professional advice before deciding whether to invest.
This episode’s guest is a representative of RSM Australia. References to SMSFs are general in nature and do not constitute personal financial advice.

Putting all your eggs in one basket can limit your growth — and expose your portfolio to unnecessary risk.

In this episode of Property Investing Roadmap, host Damian Collins dives deep into property portfolio diversification and why owning the right mix of assets matters more than simply owning more properties.

Joined by Robin Ram, Department manager – Property Advisory, Acquisition & Research at Momentum Wealth, this conversation unpacks how investors can spread risk across locations, property types and market cycles to build portfolios that perform through different economic conditions.

From geographic diversification and dwelling selection, to navigating interstate investing, tenant legislation and even blending residential with commercial property, this episode provides a practical roadmap for investors at every stage — from first purchase to long‑term portfolio scaling and retirement planning.

What you’ll learn:

• What diversification really means in a residential property portfolio
• Why buying multiple properties in the same suburb or city increases risk
• How geographic diversification can smooth growth across market cycles
• The pros and cons of investing interstate
• Key differences in tenancy laws, compliance and holding costs between states
• How land tax, minimum standards and legislation can impact cash flow
• Why property type diversification matters (land, houses, apartments, development sites)
• How oversupply and investor-heavy suburbs affect rental performance
• The importance of tenant demand, liveability and owner-occupier appeal
• Common mistakes investors make when diversifying without proper research
• Why “top 10 suburb” lists can be misleading
• How to manage the risks of investing in locations you can’t physically visit
• Practical tools to monitor and protect interstate investments
• The role of landlord insurance and professional property management
• When it may make sense to diversify into commercial property
• Key differences between residential and commercial risk, return and vacancy
• How commercial property funds can offer diversification at lower entry points
• Why diversification strategies evolve as investors approach retirement

FREE RESOURCE

Want help building a diversified property portfolio aligned to your goals?
Discover how Momentum Wealth helps investors design, acquire and manage property portfolios with long‑term performance in mind.
Investor Pack - Momentum Wealth

FOLLOW US

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/momentumwealth/

Website:
https://www.momentumwealth.com.au

LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/company/momentum-wealth

SUPPORT FOR INVESTORS

Looking for professional guidance on diversification, interstate investing or blending residential with commercial property?
Explore the tailored support available through Momentum Wealth and Westbridge Funds Management:
http://www.momentumwealth.com.au/

T&Cs

The information shared on Property Investing Roadmap is general in nature and does not take into account your individual circumstances. It is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment or financial decisions. Always seek professional advice before deciding whether to invest.
This episode’s guests are representatives of Momentum Wealth Property Advisory Pty Ltd, Licensed Real Estate and Business Agent A82976.

Host Damian Collins sits down with Brendon Ptolomey, Managing Director at Herron Todd White (WA/NT), to unpack property data in a way that’s practical, grounded and genuinely useful when making buying and investment decisions.

With more than 30 years’ experience in property valuation and market analysis, Brendan explains why different data providers report different numbers, what sits behind the statistics, and how buyers and investors should interpret the data without being misled by headlines.

Guided by listener questions, this episode explores individual property data versus broader market trends, valuation methodologies, growth figures, and why context is more important than any single metric when assessing value in today’s market.

What you’ll learn:

• Why different property data providers report different median prices for the same market.
• The difference between instant data, rolling medians and valuation-based models
• Which property statistics matter most – and which ones are just noise
• How to interpret suburb-level data when sales volumes are low
• Why checking actual sale prices beats relying on agent talk or media headlines
• How valuers assess land value versus building value
• The different types of valuations and how banks decide which one you’ll receive
• Why buyers should consider valuations earlier in the purchase process
• How to compare homes with different sizes, layouts, bedrooms and bathrooms
• The effect of location factors such as busy roads and secondary streets on value
• Common mistakes buyers and developers make when assessing feasibility
• Why finish quality and design play a huge role in end property values

FREE RESOURCE
Want to learn how to build a professional property investment support team? Discover essential strategies for creating winning investment plans in Momentum Wealth’s free online guide, Property Finance Guide.

FOLLOW US

Instagram: @momentumwealth

Facebook: Momentum Wealth | Subiaco WA | Facebook

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/momentum-wealth

SUPPORT FOR INVESTORS

Looking for expert guidance when interpreting property data, valuing assets or making strategic buying decisions? Discover the tailored support available through Momentum Wealth and Westbridge Funds Management at momentumwealth.com.au

T&Cs

The information shared on Property Investing Roadmap is general in nature and doesn’t take into account your individual circumstances. It is provided for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment or financial decisions. Always seek professional advice before deciding whether to invest. This episode’s guests are representatives of Momentum Wealth Finance Pty Ltd. Australian Credit Licence 384632.

In Season 3, we’re answering all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask. Our listeners have helped to map out the season, sending through their burning property investment questions, and we’ve brought in the experts and real life client case studies to unpack them for you.

From scaling your portfolio sustainably, how to best diversify, financial myths and how to understand property data, this is your roadmap to building an income from property for life.

Coming soon.

How do you turn your property portfolio into lasting financial freedom, and what does retirement really look like when you've built substantial wealth?

Host Damian Collins concludes Season 2 of the Property Investing Roadmap with the final step of his proven nine-step framework: Financial freedom. Joined by Fran Hughes, award-winning financial planner, author and mini retirement specialist, they explore practical strategies for transitioning from wealth accumulation to wealth preservation and income generation in retirement.

What you'll learn:

• How to define financial freedom based on your personal goals and lifestyle aspirations
• Why the recommended $72,000 per year retirement income may not be enough for your desired lifestyle
• How to treat debt in retirement: when to pay it off versus leveraging existing equity
• The difference between income (which creates lifestyle) and net wealth (which creates freedom)
• Strategic approaches to selling down assets versus living off rental income
• The five phases of retirement and how spending patterns change over time
• Real client stories of successful transitions to financial freedom

FREE RESOURCE

Want to learn how to plan your transition to financial freedom? Discover the fundamentals behind sustainable property growth in Momentum Wealth's free online guide, available at: https://momentumwealth.com.au/guidebooks/property-fundamentals-what-drives-property-growth/

FOLLOW US

• Instagram: @propertyinvestingroadmap
• Website: damiancollins.com.au
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/audamiancollins/

SUPPORT FOR INVESTORS

Looking to plan your transition to financial freedom through property investment? Discover the tailored support available to investors through Damian's property investment advisory, Momentum Wealth: momentumwealth.com.au

T&Cs

The information shared on Property Investing Roadmap is general in nature and doesn't take into account your individual circumstances. The information is for educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment or financial decisions. Always seek professional advice before deciding whether to invest.