Defence Property Podcast

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, we break down why most Australian property investors never get beyond one or two properties — and what separates the small percentage who successfully build larger portfolios.

We walk through the real process behind scaling a portfolio, including strategy planning, borrowing capacity, market selection, due diligence, and negotiation. This episode is not about hype — it’s about the practical steps required if you want to move past the common sticking point where most investors stop.

We also discuss why the number of properties you own doesn’t always equal a better portfolio, how buying the wrong asset can hold you back for years, and why having a clear plan is critical for Defence members who move regularly and have more complex lending situations.

Topics covered:

• Why 92% of investors never get past 1–2 properties
• Quality vs quantity in a property portfolio
• The importance of having a clear investment strategy
• How borrowing capacity shapes your buying decisions
• Choosing the right market instead of buying where you live
• On-market vs pre-market vs off-market opportunities
• Due diligence mistakes that can cost thousands
• How to work out fair market value before negotiating
• Why conditions can win deals — not just price
• How Defence members can plan around postings and lifestyle changes

If you want help building a clear property strategy based on your situation, we can help.

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

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, we sit down with James, a former Australian Army infantry soldier who transitioned into defence contracting and used property investing to change his financial future.

James shares how growing up in a remote farming family shaped his mindset around money, why he became obsessed with financial education after leaving the Army, and how he saved aggressively to fund his first purchase. We break down his first deal in Western Australia, the risks he didn’t expect with a house-and-land package, and how that property grew enough equity to help him buy again.

We also talk about using DHOAS, working with the right broker, and why building a strong team around you matters if you want to avoid costly mistakes. If you’re currently serving or planning your exit from Defence, this episode is full of practical lessons on saving, strategy, and taking calculated risks early.

Topics covered:

• Transitioning from infantry to civilian career and contracting
• Saving $70K by living cheaply and working remotely
• First purchase: house-and-land in WA and lessons learned
• Using equity to fund the second property
• How DHOAS can help Defence members buy sooner
• The importance of education, brokers, and due diligence
• Long-term plan: moving from residential to commercial property
• James’ top tips for young Defence members starting out

Want help building your own property strategy?
Website: https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury 
Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency 

Tom is 22, serving in the Australian Army, and already holds two investment properties. But now he has hit a common wall for young investors: borrowing capacity.

In this follow-up episode of the Defence Property Podcast, we unpack what happens next when you are capped by the banks. Do you sell and restructure? Buy in a trust? Wait for growth? Or change careers to increase income?
We break down the real options available to Defence members when scaling a portfolio becomes harder than buying the first two properties.

In this episode:

•What to do when your borrowing capacity is maxed
•Selling one property to buy in a trust structure
•Why choosing the right broker early matters
•The role of career income in portfolio growth
•When a self-managed super fund could make sense
•Why having a clear long-term plan changes everything

Tom also shares why he is considering a career change to accelerate income, and how that decision ties directly into building a larger portfolio over the next 10 to 15 years.

If you are serving in Defence and wondering how to move from property two to property three, this episode outlines the strategic thinking required.

To discuss your own situation, reach out to Discover Buyers Agency via our website or social channels.

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, we sit down with Tom, a 22-year-old current serving Australian Army member, to unpack how he built a two-property portfolio in under two years.

Tom shares the real story behind his early start, including the book that changed his mindset (Rich Dad Poor Dad), how he saved around $60K, and why he chose to buy in areas others told him to avoid. We also break down how he structured both purchases at 90% LVR, why he used a mortgage broker, and how he negotiated a lease extension to help protect his Defence housing entitlements.

If you are serving and want to invest without wasting your downtime, this episode is packed with practical lessons on education, action, and building the right team around you.

Topics covered:

•First investment purchase and what Tom paid vs rent now
•Keeping entitlements in mind when buying near base
•Using LMI to get into the market sooner
•Managing two properties with a simple spreadsheet system
•Tom’s top 3 tips for young Defence members

Want to chat about your own strategy? We’re here to help.

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 Meaghan, a Chief Petty Officer with 21 years in the Navy, to unpack a real defence story of service, family, relocation and buying property through the posting cycle.

We cover what Megan wishes she knew earlier, how she navigated big career decisions, and the reality of buying a home while balancing postings, schools and timing. If you are serving in the ADF and weighing up property, entitlements, or your next move, this one is for you.

In this episode:

•Meaghan’s Navy journey and why she rejoined after discharging
•The pros and cons of buying in high-cost markets like Sydney
•Buying a first home in Nowra, then relocating to Queensland
•How HPAS can help, and why many members do not use it early enough
•The stress of buying and selling around posting timelines, plus what helped most
•Transition plans: moving to Reserves, starting a business, and staying connected after service
•Practical advice for younger members: ask questions, use your network, and do not ignore entitlements

If you want to learn more about buyers agency support for ADF members, reach out via Discover Buyers Agency.

Subscribe for more episodes on property, relocation, and wealth building for Defence families.

Tax in Defence can get complicated fast. Allowances, postings, DoHAS, rental properties, and Medicare exemptions are often misunderstood, and that can cost you real money.

In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane is joined by Carla McDonald, founder of Duty First Tax (built by veterans, for veterans). Carla breaks down the tax basics Defence members actually need, plus the common mistakes she sees every year.

This episode is general education only and not personal tax or financial advice. Always seek independent advice for your situation.

What you’ll learn:

•Why Defence members often get the wrong tax guidance
•The “tax refund” myth and what tax time really is
•How DHOAS, HPAS and HPSEA are treated for tax (and what trips people up)
•Record-keeping systems that survive postings and relocations
•Overlooked deductions Defence members commonly miss (including Medicare levy issues)
•What changes when your home becomes a rental property after posting
•The main residence exemption and the six-year rule (and why planning matters)
•Depreciation reports, when they help, and what happens when you sell

Want more Defence-specific guidance? Connect with Duty First Tax or the Discover Buyers Agency via their websites and socials.

Welcome to the Defence Property Podcast, where we share practical property and finance strategies for Australian Defence Force personnel.

In this episode, Kane is joined by Ben from Ironbark Group, Mortgage Broker and Director, to unpack five proven strategies to increase your borrowing capacity — particularly important as interest rate expectations shift and lending conditions become tighter.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why now is a smart time to review your mortgage as rate hike expectations increase
• How ownership structures (trusts, companies, SMSFs, and joint ventures) can improve borrowing capacity when used correctly
• Why unused credit cards, Afterpay/ZipPay, and small debts can significantly reduce what banks will lend you
• How pay rises, promotions, or changing jobs can boost serviceability sooner than many people realise
• When a second income or side hustle helps, and what lenders actually look for
• How reviewing everyday expenses can meaningfully improve borrowing power

Ben also shares a simple rule of thumb: an extra $10,000 in income can add roughly $50,000 to your borrowing capacity, depending on your overall position and lender policy.

If you’re planning your next purchase or want clarity on your borrowing options, this episode provides a practical framework to help you move forward with confidence.

📌 Want tailored advice?
Reach out to Discover Buyers Agency to discuss your strategy and next steps.

https://www.discoverbuyersagency.com.au/

Subscribe to the podcast for more Defence-specific property and lending insights.

Property investing in Australia is full of advice that sounds right, but quietly leads people in the wrong direction. In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane and Nadia unpack the biggest property investing myths and explain why they keep showing up at BBQs, in the media, and across the property “guru” world.

They break down what’s actually true, what’s only half true, and what investors should focus on instead if they want to build a portfolio based on solid fundamentals (not hype, commissions, or wishful thinking).

In this episode, we cover:
• Why “you make money when you buy” is only part of the story
• The risk of chasing capital growth without considering cash flow and serviceability
• Why negative gearing and depreciation don’t fix a bad asset
• The truth about new builds, developer incentives, and land-to-asset ratios
• Why limiting yourself to investing where you live can hold you back
• The reality that property isn’t fully passive, even with a property manager
• Why the second and third purchases are often harder than the first, and how to plan for it

If you’re serious about investing long-term, this episode is a practical reminder to replace emotion with strategy, process, and decades-long thinking.

📌 Want support building a clear plan and buying with confidence?
Reach out to Discover Buyers Agency and book a free discovery call via our website or socials.

Subscribe for more Defence-focused property insights and portfolio strategy episodes.

📌 Learn More or Connect with Us

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

Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury

Most property mistakes don’t happen after settlement; they happen before you even sign the contract. In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane and Nadia break down the 7 must-check items every investor should run through before buying (whether it’s your first investment or you’re building a portfolio).

This isn’t theory, it’s a repeatable framework designed to help you avoid the common traps, remove emotion from decisions, and buy assets that actually support long-term wealth.

✅ In this episode, you’ll learn how to check:

• Market fundamentals (beyond “headline growth” and media hotspots)
• Supply risk (zoning, density, building approvals, stock on market + inventory)
• Cash flow reality (true numbers, buffers, vacancy allowances not agent projections)
• Property-level due diligence (flood/bushfire overlays, main roads, easements, red flags)
• Rental demand quality (who rents there, how stable demand is, and why vacancy matters)
• Exit strategy (even if you “never plan to sell”)
• Strategic fit (buying the right properties in the right order for your plan)

If you want to invest with confidence and build a portfolio that performs without unnecessary risk, this is the checklist to start using.

📌 Learn More or Connect with Us

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

Instagram: @discoverbuyersagency

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kanedury

Most buyers ask agents the same surface-level questions… and wonder why they miss out (or overpay). In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, Kane sits down with Nadia to break down the smarter questions buyers ask and how understanding an agent’s campaign can completely change your buying strategy.

They unpack the real difference between on-market, pre-market, soft-market and off-market opportunities, and why “off-market” isn’t automatically a better deal. You’ll also learn how experienced buyers read open home traffic, assess agent behaviour, and know when to move fast (and when to hold your position).

Plus, they walk through the non-negotiable due diligence checks that eliminate bad deals early, including flood/fire risk, public housing pockets, main road exposure, easements, zoning, and other hidden deal-breakers that can impact resale and long-term growth.

If you’re buying your first home or building a property portfolio (especially in competitive markets), this episode will help you approach agents with confidence and make cleaner decisions under pressure.

📌 Connect with Discover Buyers Agency
Website: https://discoverbuyersagency.com.au 
Instagram / Facebook / YouTube: @DiscoverBuyersAgency