In a recent episode of How I Met My Broker, SPI host Liam Garman and director of Strategic Brokers Hung Chuy are joined by director of Australian Property Scout (APS) Sam Gordon to discuss the challenges and opportunities in commercial property investment.

Chuy highlights the busy end-of-year lending period, noting that clients are seeking guidance amidst changing market conditions.

Gordon reflects on APS's strong growth in 2025, including recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year and inclusion in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Fast 100, setting the stage for a strategic 2026.

The conversation explores the complexities of commercial property, including understanding yields, tax benefits, vacancies, and asset selection, emphasising that insufficient knowledge can lead to costly mistakes.

Both Chuy and Gordon stress the importance of building a solid residential portfolio before transitioning into commercial investments to establish equity and minimise risk.

Differences between residential and commercial lending were explained, including typical loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) and the potential pitfalls of cross-collateralisation.

The trio also highlights the income potential of commercial properties, noting that passing most outgoings to tenants can offer higher net yields than residential assets.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, Phil Tarrant sits down with Jonathan Bell, founder of Housemark, to discuss the evolving role of property management in Australia.

According to Bell, property managers often form the longest-lasting relationship an investor will have in their journey, making their role critical to portfolio success.

Since founding Housemark in 2019, Bell has grown the company to manage 3,500 properties across Queensland and Victoria, focusing exclusively on property management rather than sales.

He stresses that investing in people, training, and processes allows agencies to retain top talent and deliver superior service to landlords and tenants.

Technology and economies of scale are key to Housemark's efficiency, enabling innovative solutions like roaming property managers and dedicated investment services.

Bell also emphasises the importance of treating investment properties like a business, balancing rental yields with tenant satisfaction to maximise returns.

Looking ahead, Housemark aims to manage 10,000 properties across five locations while elevating industry standards and promoting property management as a respected profession.

For investors, this duo underlines that a proactive, knowledgeable property manager can directly impact portfolio performance, yields, and long-term success.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Liam Garman sits down with Sam Gordon, director of Australian Property Scout, to explore the strategy behind portfolio consolidation and when investors should make the leap into commercial real estate.

Gordon begins by challenging the "never sell" mindset, arguing that strict buy-and-hold approaches can trap investors in years of stagnation. He breaks down how to identify when a market is nearing its peak, how to read stock levels and sentiment shifts, and why selling at the right moment allows capital to be recycled into higher-performing assets.

The conversation turns to goal setting and reverse-engineering a strategy. Gordon explains how to map realistic and personalised financial targets, set monthly milestones, and build confidence through education, ensuring investors stay active and adaptable rather than locked into rigid plans.

Gordon then offers a 101 on commercial real estate, discussing when it's the right time to consider transitioning into commercial property.

He explains the growing appeal of commercial assets, particularly their improved cash flow, and outlines the foundational knowledge investors need before making the shift, including understanding different commercial asset classes, assessing regional economic vibrancy, and recognising demand patterns.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Alex Whitlock is joined by Ross Le Quesne and Darsan Keshav to discuss navigating Melbourne's property market through a self-managed super fund (SMSF) and broader investment strategies.

Whitlock shares his first SMSF purchase, highlighting Melbourne's potential for long-term capital growth despite recent market stagnation.

Le Quesne explains the benefits of SMSFs, including opportunities for leverage and a favourable tax environment, while also noting the regulatory complexities involved.

Keshav provides insights into Melbourne's current market, identifying growth pockets in the western and northern suburbs with strong rental yields and undervalued properties.

The conversation includes a case study of Whitlock's St Kilda apartment purchase, showcasing strategic bidding, prime location, and careful analysis of comparable sales.

The hosts also explore opportunities in other major cities like Brisbane and Sydney's surrounding areas, advising a focus on demographic and economic fundamentals over regional hotspots.

Diversification within a property portfolio is emphasised, with a mix of locations and property types mitigating risk and enhancing potential returns.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

In this episode of The Pure Property Podcast, Phil Tarrant and Paul Glossop explore the shifting landscape of Australian property investment as the market heads into 2026.

They discuss the impact of government initiatives such as the 5 per cent deposit scheme and how these initiatives are influencing buyer behaviour and property values.

While Treasury predicted only a modest 0.5 per cent price increase over six years, early signs suggest a more immediate market impact.

The hosts caution that such initiatives may raise demand without easing the underlying supply shortage, especially as dwelling approvals decline and construction costs have dropped significantly since 2019.

This environment presents both opportunities and risks for investors, particularly in the lower quartile, where growth potential remains strong.

Cultural expectations around home ownership are evolving, prompting wider discussions on affordability and the role of rental markets.

As 2026 approaches, investors are advised to monitor policy changes, supply constraints, and market dynamics closely to make informed decisions.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, hosts Arjun Paliwal, Adrian Lee, and Jack Fouracre are joined by Molly Benjamin, founder of the Ladies Finance Club, to dive into how women are taking charge of their finances and turning education into confident investing.

The conversation begins with Benjamin sharing her journey from living paycheck to paycheck to creating a platform supporting over 70,000 women in wealth-building and financial literacy.

She recounts a pivotal moment in a London supermarket, where needing to ask a friend for money sparked her determination to take control of her finances and establish the club.

The discussion highlights common psychological barriers, such as embarrassment about financial knowledge and women's tendency to save diligently but hesitate to invest.

Benjamin emphasises practical strategies, including 'rentvesting', allowing women to enter the property market without overextending financially while building wealth elsewhere.

Through real-life examples, she demonstrates how accessible, relatable financial education can transform lives, from clearing debts to growing superannuation and investing in property.

The episode also explores mindset shifts, framing investing as a calculated opportunity rather than a gamble, and stresses the importance of starting financial education early.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Eva Loisance from Finni Mortgages to unpack new lending guidelines by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the concerns these sparked among property investors trying to scale their portfolios.

Tarrant and Loisance begin by discussing the new debt-to-income restrictions, explaining how the cap on high-risk lending is designed to protect financial stability, while creating uncertainty for active and growth-focused investors.

The duo then turns to the growing contradiction between tighter lending rules and government initiatives such as the 5 per cent deposit scheme and shared equity programs, which aim to fast-track first home buyers into the market.

Loisance highlights criticism that these high-leverage schemes could place Australians into excessive debt, particularly if property values soften or economic conditions tighten.

They wrap up by examining the pullback by major banks from trust and company lending, urging investors to stay informed, work with experienced brokers, and remain flexible as alternative lending options emerge.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.

If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

In this episode of Inside Commercial Property, Phil Tarrant is joined by Sam Saad, managing director at Rethink Property Lawyers, for a detailed exploration of the legal frameworks that underpin successful commercial property transactions. This conversation breaks down the essential legal safeguards investors must establish before committing capital, from contract conditions and heads of agreement, through to lease analysis, outgoings, title searches and statutory compliance.

Drawing on real transaction examples, Sam illustrates how specialist commercial property legal advice strengthens investor protection, prevents hidden risks from slipping through due diligence, and stops costly surprises emerging after settlement. This episode underscores the tangible value of tight clauses, accurate documentation and comprehensive legal reviews – all of which materially influence risk exposure, valuation and long-term cash flow.

Listeners will gain practical guidance on:

• Why commercial investors must engage a specialist property lawyer rather than relying solely on a conveyancer.
• How to structure heads of agreement and due diligence clauses to maximise flexibility and reduce exposure.
• The line between legal due diligence and commercial due diligence – and the distinct roles of a lawyer versus a buyer's agent.
• Key lease mechanics that influence returns: outgoings, make-good provisions, incentives, options, retail leasing legislation and cost allocation.
• The critical searches required before purchasing (title, PPSR, environmental, planning, notices, asbestos, cladding, flooding, and more).
• How to avoid common pitfalls with security deposits, bank guarantees and settlement handover to ensure legal protections hold up when needed.

From interpreting complex lease packs to identifying gaps in recoverable outgoings and strengthening contract conditions, Sam explains how rigorous legal due diligence can protect hundreds of thousands of dollars over the life of a commercial asset.

This is essential listening for any investor seeking to acquire commercial property with full clarity, robust protections and the right legal structures in place long before settlement.