Creating Australia

Jessica Reynolds interviews Scott Kuru, CEO and Founder of Freedom Property Investors, a company which provides real estate consulting and mentorship. 

They discuss Scott’s journey towards financial freedom, why he advocates holding property over developing property and what drives Scott’s work in real estate.

Time Stamps

00:41 The performance of Scott’s consulting business during COVID-19.

1:50 Media sensationalism & the exaggeration of negative news.

3:20 A positive example of a business that boomed during COVID-19.

5:06 Why simply working hard at your job is insufficient for financial freedom.

6:30 Comparing the share market and the property market.

7:17 How to decide what to do with the property — hold, develop?

8:18 Why holding the property is the safest way to earn extra money.

11:18 Scott’s background and the services that he provides.

14:04 The kinds of questions that drove Scott to venture into real estate. 

14:29 How Freedom Property Investors got started.

18:16 Financial freedom without excessive hours, excessive risk and sacrificing one’s lifestyle. 

19:20 The struggles that come with property development.

21:22 The audience that Scott serves, and the type of advice that he provides.

24:11 Why people on pensions are Scott’s primary motivation for providing his services.

27:36 Scott’s thoughts on the real estate market in Brisbane.

31:32 How to contact Scott and get his advice.

Headline Quotes

14:44

“Nothing multiplied my money the way property did.” - Scott Kuru - 

26:37

“Unfortunately, your finances, like, you can’t just wake up one day and turn it around.” - Scott Kuru - 

Call to Action

What do you think of Scott’s approach to financial freedom? Are you inspired to educate yourself on purchasing real estate? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below and make sure to subscribe for more content! 

Links

Sign up for Scott’s live stream

In this episode, Jessica Reynolds hears from Jessie Summons, COO of construction company Matrak, advisor for design company Good Design, and co-founder of housing development company Nightingale Housing.

Jessie discusses her involvement in her many different projects over the years, and her passion for sustainability as a driving force behind each venture she takes on.

 This episode is sponsored by datracker.com.au

“Small is the New Big”

On this episode, Jessica Reynolds interviews Ian Ugarte, a Property Developer, Educator, Entrepreneur and Advocate for Affordable Housing.

They discuss  Ian’s life experiences, property downsizing, and the people’s need for genuine connection.

Time Stamps

02:04               Introduction of Ian Ugarte.

4:32                 Ian’s experience feeling directionless and depressed to the point of being suicidal.

5:35                 Ian’s business purpose; bringing back genuine connection to the community.

6:27                 How Ian established himself in Property Investment.

9:44                 Ian on competing in the Skills Olympics which led him to teach plumbing.

12:41               Ian as Assistant Director of Business in TAFE Sydney Institute.

15:21               The realization of people’s need for genuine connection.

18:44               The property downsizing process which Ian calls “uplife”.

22:05               On changing the housing landscape and making property investments future proof.

25:52               Diversity and adaptability in housing.

28:12               Microapartment program for people to save money on accommodation.

29:29               Ian on his staff members working from home, and their increase in productivity during COVID-19.

31:34               Ian shares his favorite projects.

33:59               Ian’s final message.

This episode is sponsored by datracker.com.au

On this episode, Jessica Reynolds interviews Marty Sadlier, a quantity surveyor and director of MCG Quantity Surveyors. MCG is Australia’s fastest growing Quantity Surveying firm, having been featured in the 2018 Australian Financial Review’s Fast 100.

In this discussion, Marty will give us his insight into what is happening in the industry, and his professional foresight.

Time Stamps

1:06                 Introduction of Marty Sadlier and MCG Quantity Surveyors.

2:48                 Marty shares his residential and commercial projects.

3:18                 How Marty developed his passion on quantity surveying.

6:36                 Situation of builders in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

10:50               The correlation of price drop and quality in renovating homes.

 13:48              How premium service level builders survive in the market.

15:48               Behaviors of the different offices of MCG.

18:00               Marty’s concluding speech.     

Rob Flux is a property expert and founder of The Property Developer Network. I have interviewed Rob previously on the podcast, however he has some relevant expert advice to share in this episode. If you are a developer, property consultant or investor you should hear out Rob’s thoughts on doing development and development deals during a pandemic.

I hope you enjoy this episode which is sponsored by DA Tracker. Australia’s number 1 development application tracking and collaboration platform for private town planners.

You can find out more by going to DATRACKER.COM.AU.  

If you aren’t sure who I am, you can search Jessica Reynolds - Urban Planner on LinkedIn or go to UPQLD.COM.AU. 

On this episode of Creating Queensland, Jessica Reynolds interviews Marianne Taylor, an Architectural Historian and founder of The House Detective, a company which investigates the history of Australian houses and who lived there.

Time Stamps

1:48      Introduction of Marianne Taylor and her work as Architectural Historian at The House Detective.

2:39      On why people engage in The House Detective’s services.

3:30      On how The House Detective helps clients whose houses were established prior to

1911 legislation requirements.

5:16      Marianne discusses how she gives general and planning advice to those who have heritage

listed properties.

6:14      How long a project takes to finish and Marianne’s love for work.

7:15      How The House Detective started and Marianne’s background.

8:36      Marianne shares her discoveries on Brisbane and Queensland’s architectural planning and the

personal stories of the people.

9:52      Marianne shares her opinion of the impact of social changes on urban planning.

10:46    On how Marianne uses old and modern methods of researching and the resources                                               she utilizes.

12:55    Some crazy and interesting stories from Marianne’s research.

14:46    Marianne shares her passion for post war houses and mid-century modern style                                      homes.

17:25    Heritage home listings being protected by legislation.     

18:30    Different perspectives on heritage homes.

On this episode, Jessica Reynolds interviews Debra Hood, a local Brisbane artist on Domestic Architecture. Notable for her work on the Mooroolbin City Cat wrapped in her artwork. She is also passionate on renovating Post War homes in Brisbane.

Time Stamps

1:37                 Introduction of Debra Hood and how Queenslander houses captured her heart

3:00                 Debra’s moving to Brisbane and creating art

4:41                 Debra working with Brisbane Suburban Escapes.

6:15                 What’s next for Debra after her commissions

7:11                 On winning the City Cat Wrap Competition in 2016

8:24                 How artists cope with changes and maintaining local history and architecture

10:13               Why good architecture and planning help preserve Queenslander houses and not in creating replicas.

11:06               How architecture dictates society

14:27               The renovation of John Dalton Mcdonald’s residence, a 1968 modernist home

16:45               Challenges with renovations

18:51               Preservation of Modern Houses

21:19               On creating awareness in preserving Modern Houses

On this episode, Jessica Reynolds interviews Rachel Smith, an International Transport Planning, Demand Asset Network Management, Behaviour Change and Business Case Consultant who solves billion-dollar government problems. Rachel is also an author, a columnist and a speaker.

Jessica and Rachel will discuss Asset Demand Management house businesses and government, own planning change in relation to COVID-19, and meeting the mayor of Bogota, Columbia. 

Time Stamps

0:59                             Jessica and Rachel talk about their experiences the past few weeks of self- isolation and working from home because of COVID-19.

6:10                             Jessica and Rachel discussed that nobody predicted the world wide shut down which resulted to transportation and establishments limit their operations.

8:32                             Jessica read an article that if a Global Financial Crisis (GFC) or recession hits, people will still spend money on small luxury items just to get that “little kick’ of feeling better

9:31                             Introduction of Rachel Smith

10:39                           Rachel explains what is Demand Management

11:04                           Rachel gives example on how Demand Management can help the Australian government save and generate money after COVID-19

15:10                           Demand Management’s image problem and Rachel’s mission to educate people about it

 17:18                          Rachel shares on how effectively she communicates to people using her “litmus test” on planning and transport infrastructure

19:46                           Challenges on the general public be interested on transport planning and get their support to make change

21:30                           How the government, experts and people can make changes on urban planning during COVID-19  

26:39                           The Australian’s community mindset and how work from home literally changes their lives

28:25                           Rachel’s opinion on people’s craving for connection with other people and what will happen 18 months from now.

31:15                           Jessica and Rachel talks about if there will be changes or innovation after COVID-19 and how strong leadership will take an important role.

33:33                           Rachel shares her biggest win of her career, the AITPM Janet Brash Memorial Scholarship

37:30                           Rachel shares her Bogota trip and how she met Enrique Penalosa, Bogota’s Mayor

40:18                           How Rachel found out her passion

I am Jessica Reynolds and this is the Creating Queensland podcast where I interview those in the property and development sector.

In this episode I interview one part of the Reno_Gals, Holly Docherty, one of two women who are about to complete their 3rd renovation project in 5 years.  

Holly is open and transparent about the process including costs and profit. This episode is going to be highly valuable for other renovators, wannabe renovators and builders.  

We also answer the important questions such as does Holly watch the Block?

If you would like to find out more about me you can search Jessica Reynolds urban planner on linked in or search upqld.com.au

In this episode I interview Melinda Jennison of Streamline Property.

We discuss what a buyer’s agent contributes to a property purchase, adaptation of the real estate industry to Covid-19 and the current state of the market.

For reference the recording date was 26th March 2020. 

If you would like to find out more about me you can search Jessica Reynolds urban planner on linked in or search upqld.com.au.