In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant speaks with Rohit Gehlot, director and principal buyer's agent at InvestorAid, about the current state and outlook of the Australian property market.

They discuss how global geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in the Middle East, are contributing to higher fuel costs and adding to Australia's inflation pressures.

With inflation potentially rising above the Reserve Bank of Australia's target band and exceeding 4.5 per cent, they note the resulting pressure on interest rates and investor sentiment.

Despite this, Tarrant says the Australian property market still offers opportunities for prepared, well-capitalised investors.

Gehlot shares his own journey, building a portfolio of 13 properties worth around $13–14 million after entering the market in 2021 during a period of low interest rates and strong liquidity.

The pair also discuss potential policy changes around capital gains tax discounts and negative gearing, which could influence investor behaviour but also create uncertainty.

They highlight immigration-driven population growth as a key demand driver, particularly in tight rental markets.

Overall, the duo says that over the next few years, the property market will be shaped by inflation, interest rates, and policy shifts, with strategic and adaptable investors best positioned to succeed.

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 Property Nerds, hosts Arjun Paliwal and Jack Fouracre are joined by investor Vignesh Rajashekar to discuss building a growing property portfolio before the age of 30.

Rajashekar shares how his financial mindset was shaped by his father, a first-generation immigrant who emphasised saving, discipline, and long-term thinking.

At just 23, he began exploring property investment instead of lifestyle spending, choosing to prioritise assets over depreciating purchases.

His first purchase was a $470,000 house in Adelaide in 2021, which has since appreciated significantly, demonstrating the potential of well-researched interstate investing.

The episode also explores the psychological shift required to move from saving cash to managing larger levels of debt tied to property investment.

After building equity in his first property, Rajashekar leveraged it to purchase another investment in Bundaberg in 2023, accelerating the growth of his portfolio.

He highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with a trusted team of advisers and relying on data-driven insights when investing in unfamiliar markets.

Overall, the discussion underscores how starting early, maintaining discipline, and focusing on long-term opportunity costs can help young Australians build wealth through property.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant sits down with Rob Le and Eva Loisance from Finni Mortgages to explore the growing role of self-managed super funds (SMSFs) in property investment.

The discussion opens on the current lending landscape, with debt-to-income (DTI) ratios potentially limiting borrowing, though Le notes the property market remains active as investors pursue pre-approvals via SMSFs, personal names, or trusts.

Loisance explains the mechanics of SMSF lending, including serviceability and liquidity tests that require a portion of the loan to remain in liquid assets post-settlement, though some lenders are more flexible.

The trio highlights key SMSF lenders, including Granite, BMM, AMP, RedZed, and Firstmac, noting their differing criteria and levels of conservatism.

Loisance and Le emphasise the importance of understanding serviceability versus DTI ratios to maximise borrowing potential.

They advise consulting financial planners and accountants to navigate contributions, liquidity requirements, and regulatory rules effectively.

Finally, while SMSFs offer a way to continue property investment and strategies like leasing commercial properties back to a business, professional guidance is essential to manage higher interest rates, loan-to-value (LVR) ratio limits, and compliance considerations.

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.