Defence Property Podcast

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane and Nadia introduce a new format: The Week in Real Estate, breaking down the latest property headlines and answering questions from ADF buyers and investors.

They discuss the renewed shift from capital cities to regional Australia, why regional markets are holding up differently to capitals and what changing rental conditions and housing supply could mean for buyers.

The episode also tackles practical questions around fixed versus variable rates, Defence postings, deposits, auctions, pre-approvals and choosing between houses and units.

Topics covered:

• Why Australians are moving from cities to regional areas
• Regional property performance versus capital cities
• What buyers should research before buying regionally
• How downsizing trends can affect housing supply
• Vacancy rates and Australia's rental market
• The ongoing shortage of new housing
• Fixed versus variable mortgage rates
• Buying before or after your next Defence posting
• Whether a buyer's agent still adds value in a buyer's market
• How much deposit buyers may need
• Auctions versus private sales
• Why older pre-approvals should be reviewed
• Houses versus units in the current market

For ADF members, the key is to look beyond the headlines and consider how changing market conditions fit with your posting plans, borrowing capacity, Defence entitlements and long-term property strategy.

Have a question you'd like Kane and Nadia to answer in the next episode? Send it through and it could be covered on the show.

Want to discuss your property strategy? Book a discovery call with Discover Buyers Agency.

Website: discoverbuyersagency.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/kanedury 
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency 

Property prices are cooling, interest rates are higher and borrowing capacity has tightened. So, should ADF members buy now or wait?

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane is joined by Nadia Dury for another Q&A covering some of the most common questions they're hearing from Defence buyers and investors right now. They discuss falling prices, borrowing capacity, negotiating with vendors and how to approach property decisions when market conditions are changing.

Rather than trying to perfectly time the bottom of the market, Kane explains why buyers should focus on their individual strategy, purchasing power and finding the right property for their goals.

Topics covered:

• Should you wait if property prices are falling? 
• How higher rates can affect borrowing capacity 
• Why an old pre-approval may need updating 
• What ADF members should ask their mortgage broker 
• Why buyers currently have more negotiating power 
• Negotiating price, settlement dates and contract conditions 
• Whether a buyer's agent can still add value in a softer market 
• What investors should consider in the current market 
• New builds versus established properties 
• Regional markets versus capital cities 
• Buying before or after your next Defence posting 
• Why rentvesting can work for ADF members 
• The biggest mistakes buyers are making right now 

The key takeaway is that there's no perfect time to buy. Your Defence career, posting plans, borrowing capacity, entitlements and long-term goals should all form part of the decision.

Want help building a clear property strategy?

Website: discoverbuyersagency.com.au 
Facebook: facebook.com/kanedury  
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane breaks down seven common property traps he sees ADF members fall into and how they can affect long-term portfolio growth.

From buying near your posting simply because it's convenient to choosing the wrong property marketers, buying off the plan or failing to use Defence entitlements strategically, this episode looks at the decisions that can hold a portfolio back.

Kane also explains why having a clear strategy matters, how ADF members can separate where they live from where they invest and why a property portfolio should be regularly reviewed rather than simply set and forgotten.

Topics covered:

• Why buying near your posting can be a trap 
• Rentvesting while serving in the ADF 
• Risks of Defence-targeted property marketers 
• What to consider before buying off the plan 
• Why one property isn't necessarily a portfolio strategy 
• Building your first property with the next purchase in mind 
• Why every property should have a clear role in your portfolio 
• Using DHOAS, HPAS and Rent Assistance strategically 
• Combining your entitlement, debt and property strategies 
• Why regular portfolio and finance reviews matter 
• Managing risk through market research and due diligence 
• Building a property strategy around your long-term goals 

For ADF members, the key takeaway is simple: don't buy property without understanding how it fits into the bigger picture. Your posting, entitlements, borrowing capacity, market selection and long-term goals should all form part of the strategy.

Want help reviewing your property strategy or Defence entitlements?

Website: discoverbuyersagency.com.au   
Facebook: facebook.com/kanedury   
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency 

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane sits down with Mark Donaldson to talk about military service, money, property and building financial freedom beyond Defence.

Mark reflects on his journey from joining the Australian Army and pursuing Special Forces to the financial opportunities he wishes he'd recognised earlier. Growing up in a household where money wasn't openly discussed, he shares how his perspective on property, risk and building wealth changed throughout his career.

Together, Kane and Mark explore how the planning and risk-management skills developed in Defence can also be applied to property investing and why making smart decisions earlier can create greater freedom of choice later in life.

Topics covered:

• Mark's journey from infantry into Special Forces 
• The property opportunities he wishes he'd taken earlier 
• Why starting young can make a difference when building wealth 
• Using debt and leverage as part of a property strategy 
• How compound growth can work over the long term 
• Building a hypothetical five-property portfolio 
• Managing risk when investing in property 
• Choosing markets using affordability, supply and demand 
• Applying military planning and risk management to investing 
• Mark's experience using a buyer's agent 
• The opportunity cost of waiting to buy 
• Using Defence entitlements strategically 
• Planning financially for life beyond Defence 
• Why taking action can matter more than waiting for the perfect time 

For ADF members, one of the biggest takeaways is to think beyond your current posting or stage of service. Building assets earlier can help create more options later, whether that means continuing your Defence career because you want to or having the financial freedom to pursue something different.

As Mark puts it, if you want freedom of choice in the future, it's worth thinking about the decisions you're making today.

Want help building your own Defence property strategy?

Website: discoverbuyersagency.com.au   
Facebook: facebook.com/kanedury   
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane welcomes back Terry Ryder from Hotspotting to unpack the Australian property market and where investors may still find opportunities amid changing conditions.

With investor sentiment under pressure, interest rates in focus and plenty of negative headlines surrounding property, Terry shares his perspective on why national and capital city averages don't always tell the full story. They discuss what's happening at the affordable end of the market, why underlying fundamentals still matter and how reduced competition can change the buying environment.

Kane and Terry also explore established property versus new builds, rental market pressures, regional markets and the importance of looking beyond recent growth when deciding where to invest.

Topics covered:

• What current property headlines may be missing
• Why capital city median prices can give a misleading picture
• What's happening at the affordable end of the property market
• Why reduced buyer competition can create different opportunities
• The risks of waiting for the “perfect” time to buy
• Why time in the market remains important for long-term investors
• New builds versus established investment properties
• The costs and practical considerations associated with new builds
• Why rental yield is becoming increasingly important
• Melbourne units and the case for affordable, higher-yielding property
• Rental supply and demand across Australia
• Why property fundamentals still matter despite policy changes
• Infrastructure and employment as long-term market drivers
• The continued appeal of affordable regional centres
• Regional NSW markets including Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Armidale, Tamworth and Orange
• Opportunities Terry is watching in Melbourne, regional Victoria, Tasmania and Canberra
• Why markets with strong recent growth may offer different prospects going forward
• How investors can avoid following the herd
• Why good research and professional advice matter when selecting property
• What first-time and early-stage investors should consider before buying

Terry's central message is to look beyond broad market sentiment and focus on the individual locations and properties you're considering. Different markets can perform very differently at the same point in time, making research, affordability, supply, demand and long-term growth drivers important parts of the decision-making process.

For ADF members, this is also where being willing to invest beyond your posting location can open up a much wider range of markets across Australia.

Want help building your own Defence property strategy?

Website: https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane welcomes back Matt from HtAG (Higher than Average Growth) to unpack what’s really happening across the Australian property market and why investors need to look beyond national headlines.

With market sentiment shifting, borrowing capacity under pressure and some investors choosing to sit on the sidelines, Kane and Matt discuss why Australia should never be viewed as one property market. While some areas may be slowing or declining, others continue to show strong fundamentals, rental growth and buyer demand.

They explore how affordability, supply scarcity, market cycles and local demand can help investors identify opportunities, why data-driven market selection has become even more important in changing conditions and how buying nationally can open up opportunities that may not exist in your own backyard.

Topics covered:

• What has changed in the property market over recent months
• Why investor sentiment may not reflect what the data is showing
• How borrowing capacity can affect property investment decisions
• Why sitting on the sidelines can carry its own opportunity cost
• The relationship between property prices, rents and serviceability
• Why the Australian property market isn't one single market
• How affordable markets can attract increased buyer competition
• Why suburb-level analysis matters more than national averages
• Finding opportunities when property prices decline
• How supply scarcity can support long-term property performance
• Why affordability remains an important market indicator
• Timing the market versus time in the market
• How investors can potentially front-load portfolio growth
• Why data matters even more in a slower property market
• Borderless investing versus buying in your own backyard
• Why restricting your search to one city can limit investment opportunities
• Houses, townhouses and units within an investment strategy
• Using data to challenge opinions and emotional assumptions about suburbs
• Why investors should approach their portfolio like a business
• The importance of separating investment decisions from emotion
• Why professional advice should come from the right professional
• How media sentiment, friends and personal opinions can influence investment decisions
• Why fundamentals should remain at the centre of property selection

The property market is made up of thousands of individual suburbs moving through different stages of their cycles. Instead of making decisions based purely on headlines or national averages, investors can look at fundamentals such as affordability, supply, demand, inventory and local market conditions to make more informed decisions.

For ADF members in particular, being open to borderless investing can provide the flexibility to look beyond posting locations and assess opportunities across Australia based on the strength of the market rather than proximity to home.

Want help building your own Defence property strategy?

Website: https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane is joined by Discover Buyers Agency Operations Manager Nadia Dury for a practical Q&A covering some of the most common property questions they hear from ADF members.

From rentvesting and Defence housing entitlements to DHOAS, HPAS, DHA properties and choosing investment markets, Kane breaks down how different strategies can work depending on your career, financial position and long-term plans.

They also discuss common mistakes Defence property investors make, how postings can actually create opportunities to build a portfolio and what members approaching separation should consider before leaving the ADF.

Topics covered:

• Is rentvesting still a strong strategy for serving ADF members?
• Why Defence Rent Assistance can influence when and where you buy
• Buying where you're posted versus investing in another market
• How your Defence career and posting cycle should influence your strategy
• What could change with the DHOAS lender panel
• When DHOAS may or may not fit your property strategy
• How HPAS works and when members may consider using it
• Combining Defence entitlements with a broader property plan
• Are DHA investment properties actually worth it?
• Why a DHA lease shouldn't be the main reason you buy a property
• The importance of vacancy rates, supply and demand when choosing a market
• How the 2026 Federal Budget changes may affect property investors
• Why your individual circumstances should determine where you invest
• Heated markets versus early-adopter markets
• Common mistakes ADF members make with their first investment property
• The risks of buying property simply because it's near your posting
• Why house and land packages aren't automatically a better investment
• How developer commissions can create conflicts of interest
• Building a property portfolio while posting every few years
• How postings can create opportunities to use Defence entitlements strategically
• What members transitioning out of Defence should consider
• Important DHOAS considerations after separation
• Why building the right professional team matters
• How your first property can influence your ability to buy the second and third

There isn't one property strategy that works for every Defence member. Your service plans, posting locations, deposit, borrowing capacity and long-term goals all play a role. The key is understanding your entitlements and building a strategy that considers not just your first purchase, but where you want to be five, ten or twenty years from now.

Want help building your own Defence property strategy?

Website: https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane sits down with Reine from Acquire Wealth Partners to explore the mindset, strategy and behaviours behind building long-term wealth.

With more than two decades of experience in financial planning, Reine explains why wealth creation often begins with mindset rather than a specific investment product. They discuss why so many people delay investing, how starting earlier gives compounding more time to work and why property can play an important role during the wealth accumulation phase.

The conversation also looks at balancing wealth creation with actually enjoying life, building a trusted team of professionals and staying focused on a long-term strategy when markets, economic events and headlines create uncertainty.

Topics covered:

• Why building wealth starts with the right mindset
• Why people often delay investing until later in life
• How your upbringing can influence your relationship with money
• Finding a personal reason to start building wealth
• Why it’s never too late to change your financial direction
• Balancing long-term wealth creation with enjoying life today
• How property can fit into a broader financial plan
• Why leverage makes property useful during the accumulation phase
• Property’s potential limitations when generating retirement income
• Why superannuation becomes increasingly important for retirement planning
• How compound growth rewards investors who start earlier
• The Rule of 72 and understanding how long money can take to double
• Why delaying investing can reduce the number of compounding periods available
• The importance of building a trusted professional team
• Why accountability and human guidance still matter when building a financial plan
• How fear and loss aversion can influence investment decisions
• Why market sentiment shouldn’t dictate a long-term investment strategy
• The difference between being an investor and a trader
• Avoiding “get rich quick” strategies and shiny investment opportunities
• Why having a plan and staying consistent can matter more than chasing trends

Building wealth doesn’t require knowing exactly what the next market move will be. It starts with understanding what you want your future to look like, creating a strategy to get there and giving yourself enough time for that strategy to work.

Want help building your own property strategy?

Website: https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency 

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane sits down with Chris Tipper, Chief Economist and Strategist at Ainsley, to unpack the economic forces shaping property, investing and wealth creation in Australia and around the world.

With government debt continuing to rise, inflation putting pressure on purchasing power, and policy changes creating uncertainty for investors, Chris explains why understanding hard assets has become increasingly important. The conversation explores property, gold, silver and Bitcoin, and why their apparent long-term growth can partly reflect the declining purchasing power of fiat currencies.

Kane and Chris also discuss recent Australian policy changes, the potential flow-on effects for property investors and the broader economy, and why focusing on education and building a diversified portfolio of quality assets may be more productive than reacting to short-term economic headlines.

Topics covered:

• Why rising global government debt matters for investors
• How bond markets influence interest rates
• Inflation, currency debasement and declining purchasing power
• What makes property, gold, silver and Bitcoin “hard assets”
• Why hard assets can help preserve wealth over the long term
• Understanding the difference between asset appreciation and currency debasement
• How debt can potentially work in an investor’s favour
• Why governments may need to keep interest rates constrained
• The relationship between inflation, interest rates and property debt
• Recent Australian policy changes affecting property investors
• The potential economic flow-on effects of changes to property investment rules
• Why government intervention can create unintended consequences
• Property supply, rental pressures and investor participation
• The growing wealth divide between asset owners and non-asset owners
• Why economic uncertainty can also create investment opportunities
• The importance of education when navigating changing economic conditions
• Why building a portfolio of quality assets remains central to long-term wealth creation

Periods of economic uncertainty can create plenty of noise, but understanding the underlying forces at work can help investors make more informed decisions. Rather than trying to predict every policy change or market movement, the focus remains on education, quality assets and building a strategy that can withstand different economic cycles.

Want help building your own property strategy?

Website: https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury 
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency 

Interested in learning more from Chris Tipper? You can also follow his economic research and insights through Ainsley.

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane and Liam unpack some of the biggest questions facing ADF members, reservists and veterans when it comes to property — from DHOAS and Rent Assistance to borrowing capacity, LMI and choosing the right mortgage broker.

The conversation explores why your Defence entitlements shouldn't be considered in isolation. Instead, the timing of when and how you use them can form an important part of your broader property strategy. Kane also explains why reservists and veterans may still have access to DHOAS, and why delaying its use can make sense in certain circumstances.

They also dive into the impact of interest rate movements on borrowing capacity, why lending policy can matter more than simply chasing the lowest rate, and how paying LMI could sometimes be more effective than spending years saving for a 20% deposit.

Topics covered:

• How interest rate cuts can affect repayments and borrowing capacity
• DHOAS eligibility for ADF reservists and veterans
• How Reserve service can continue building DHOAS entitlement
• What can happen to DHOAS tiers after leaving Defence
• Why medical separation can affect DHOAS differently
• Using DHOAS after already owning an investment property
• When it may make sense to save DHOAS for your future home
• Comparing DHOAS with Defence Rent Assistance
• How rentvesting can help Defence members invest outside their posting location
• The “supercharged rentvesting” strategy for members with smaller deposits
• Why lending policy can matter more than the lowest interest rate
• Direct-to-bank lending versus using a mortgage broker
• Why finding a broker who understands Defence circumstances matters
• Lender’s Mortgage Insurance (LMI) and when paying it may be worthwhile
• The opportunity cost of waiting to save a 20% deposit
• First home buyer schemes and other pathways into the market
• Why local supply and demand should influence where you invest
• How building approvals and available housing stock can affect growth potential

For Defence members, the best property strategy isn't necessarily about using every entitlement as soon as it becomes available. Understanding how DHOAS, Rent Assistance, lending policy and your future posting plans fit together can help you make more informed decisions about when and where to buy.

Want to talk through your own Defence property strategy? We’re here to help.

Website: https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury 
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency