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Think property investment stops at residential? Think again.
In this episode, we sit down with commercial real estate specialist Jevan Singh to break down why commercial and residential property are two completely different asset classes and why understanding that distinction could change how you build long-term wealth.
Jevan shares how savvy investors manufacture value through yield improvement, why commercial property is more stable than the residential boom-bust cycle, and what most landlords never realise until it's too late about property management.
Whether you're a homeowner curious about your next move, or a business owner wondering if you should buy your own premises this one's worth your time.
Chapters:
Why commercial and residential property are fundamentally different asset classes
How rental yield directly drives commercial property value (and how to use that to your advantage)
The difference between property management and asset management and why it costs landlords thousands
When it makes sense for a business owner to buy rather than lease their premises
The risks of commercial property that investors rarely talk about
Timestamps
3:05 How Jevan got into property & his academic background
4:38 Setting the scene: residential vs commercial investing
5:10 Why commercial & residential are different asset classes
7:08 The natural investor journey and where commercial fits in
8:22 Commercial property cycles vs residential boom-bust
9:05 How to manufacture value through rental yield
10:17 Who commercial property suits best
31:44 Spotting commercial opportunity in industrial areas
32:13 How Jevan works with clients end-to-end
34:47 The real risks of commercial property
36:38 Asset management vs property management the key difference
39:39 Why the commercial PM industry is broken
40:06 A real example: thousands lost through poor rent reviews
42:11 The 10K Questions
About Our Guest
Jevan Singh is a commercial real estate specialist based in Perth, with academic backgrounds in real estate, law, and commerce. Originally from the UK, Jevan has spent over seven years in the Perth market helping business owners and investors navigate commercial property from acquisition and strategy through to active asset management.
About Mortar and Soul
Website
Main https://www.mortarandsoulcommercial.com.au/
Commercial: https://www.mortarandsoulcommercial.com.au/
Socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortarandsoul/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MortarandSoul
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwBGh389bi9xwm_BJ_4a4dQ
Found the episode useful?
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Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.
Thinking about renovating or extending your home in 2026?
Most homeowners assume adding space is the answer, but it’s often the most expensive and inefficient option.
In this episode, we break down the real difference between renovations and extensions, why extensions blow out budgets, and how smart design thinking can completely transform your home without major structural changes.
If you're planning to upgrade your home, this episode could save you tens of thousands.
What you’ll learn:
The real difference between a renovation vs extension
Why extensions are far more expensive than people expect
How to maximise your current floorplan before building more
When it actually makes sense to extend
The biggest mistake homeowners make when planning upgrades
How to improve your home without major structural work
Chapters:
00:45 – Renovation vs Extension explained
01:30 – Why structural changes drive costs up
02:30 – The hidden inefficiencies of small jobs
03:30 – Why adding one room can cost $120K+
05:30 – Why builders prefer bigger jobs
06:30 – The smarter alternative: repurposing spaces
08:00 – Real client example (no extension needed)
10:00 – How to maximise your existing home
11:30 – Energy efficiency considerations
12:30 – Cost breakdown: kitchens, bathrooms, flooring
14:00 – Living in your home during renovations
16:00 – When you should just rebuild instead
Found the episode useful?
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Need design & building advice?
Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au
Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/
Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.
Air conditioning is one of the most important systems in any home build, yet many homeowners don’t think about it until it’s too late.
In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we sit down with air-conditioning specialist Daniel Nazroo, director of Advanced Air WA, who has over 15 years of experience in the industry.
We break down the most common types of residential air conditioning systems, including ducted reverse cycle, split systems, and evaporative cooling. Daniel explains how to choose the right system for your home, how sizing works, and why things like insulation, ceiling height, and zoning can dramatically affect performance and running costs.
What you’ll learn
The most common air conditioning systems used in new homes
The difference between ducted reverse cycle and split systems
Why system sizing (kW capacity) is critical when designing a home
How zoning systems allow you to control airflow in different rooms
How inverter technology reduces energy usage and running costs
The role insulation, ventilation, and ceiling height play in system performance
Whether brand name air conditioners are worth the extra cost
Why regular maintenance is essential for long-term performance
Chapters
00:23 Why Air Conditioning Is Often Overlooked in New Builds
01:10 Daniel’s Journey Into the HVAC Industry
03:30 The Most Common Air Conditioning Systems in Homes
04:30 What Is a Ducted Reverse Cycle System?
06:00 Understanding Split Systems
07:00 Evaporative Cooling Explained
09:00 Why Ventilation and Airflow Matter
10:30 Combining Different Air Conditioning Systems
12:00 How Modern Systems Are Becoming More Efficient
14:30 Smart Controllers and Zoning Systems
17:30 How Inverter Technology Saves Energy
19:30 How Air Conditioning Systems Are Sized
22:00 Ceiling Height and Home Design Considerations
23:00 What Actually Drives Air Conditioning Costs
25:30 Comparing Air Conditioning Brands
27:00 New Air Purification Technology in AC Systems
29:00 Insulation, Electrical Setup, and Installation Factors
32:00 Maintenance and Servicing Your System
33:30 Final Advice for Homeowners
About our guest
Daniel Nazroo is an experienced HVAC specialist with over 15 years in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry. Starting his career at just 19 as an apprentice refrigeration mechanic, Daniel quickly developed deep expertise in residential heating and cooling systems and went on to launch his own business soon after becoming fully qualified.
Daniel is particularly passionate about helping homeowners understand how air-conditioning systems actually work so they can make informed decisions when building or upgrading their homes. His practical, no-nonsense approach focuses on choosing the right system size, understanding airflow and ventilation, and avoiding the common mistakes that often lead to poor performance or unnecessary costs.
Advanced Air WA’s website: https://advancedairwa.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advanced_air_wa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/advancedairwa
Found the episode useful?
Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.
Need design & building advice?
Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au
Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/
Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.
Building a farmhouse or rural home can be one of the most rewarding projects you’ll ever undertake but it also comes with unique challenges most people don’t anticipate.
In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we break down the key considerations when designing a rural property or farmhouse-style home. From zoning regulations and land constraints to bushfire ratings, services, site slope and layout planning there are many factors that can dramatically impact both design and cost.
If you're considering building outside the suburbs or on acreage, understanding these factors early can save you tens of thousands of dollars and major headaches during construction.
This episode walks through how to plan your home around the land, how to avoid hidden costs, and how to design a farmhouse layout that actually works for rural living.
Choosing the right carpet for your home can feel overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, we sit down with a flooring expert, Domemic Condo, from a long-standing family flooring business to break down everything you need to know before you buy. From understanding the difference between loop pile and cut pile (plush) carpets, to choosing between nylon and polypropylene fibres, Dom walks us through the key decisions that affect how your carpet looks, feels, and lasts. We also cover the often-overlooked importance of underlay, how to choose the right colour for your space, and which carpet types work best in different rooms of the home.
Whether you're building new, renovating, or simply replacing old carpet, this episode will give you the confidence to make the right call.
What you’ll learn:
The three main carpet types and which suits your lifestyle
The pros and cons of loop pile vs cut pile (plush) carpet
Why nylon outperforms polypropylene and when it matters
How underlay affects comfort, longevity, and value
Tips for choosing carpet colours that work in your space
Which rooms suit carpet vs hard flooring
How to avoid common carpet-buying mistakes
Chapters:
00:50 About Dom and the family flooring business
02:30 The three main carpet types explained
04:00 Pros and cons of loop pile vs plush carpet
07:00 Installation: how carpet is laid
09:00 Carpet fibres: nylon vs polypropylene
13:00 How to choose the right carpet for each room
13:30 Why underlay matters more than you think
19:30 Choosing carpet colours for your home
22:00 Carpet in unusual spaces (laundry, home theatre, walls)
26:00 The 10K Question
About Our Guest: Dom is a flooring specialist from a family-owned flooring business with over 30+ years of industry experience.
Need Carpets? Contact Dom 👇🏽
Website: https://www.walltowallcarpets.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walltowallcarpets/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Wall-to-Wall-Carpets-WA-100032362496995/
Found the episode useful?
Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.
Need design & building advice?
Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au
Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/
Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.
In this episode, we sat down with Mark Hunt, an experienced painter and interior finish specialist, to talk about the overlooked details that completely transform a home.
From wallpaper mistakes and feature walls to microcement bathrooms and limewash finishes, Mark shares practical advice homeowners rarely hear before building or renovating.
We break down:
How to choose wallpaper properly
Why installation matters more than you think
When feature walls elevate a space (and when they don’t)
The truth about black doors, trendy colours and maintenance
Microcement showers, benchtops and floors
The difference between cheap and premium finishes
And what Mark would do if he built his own home tomorrow
If you’re building, renovating, or designing your forever home, this episode will change how you think about interior finishes.
Chapters:
00:23 – Mark’s Background in Painting & Interiors
01:52 – From Basic Paint to Feature Finishes
03:58 – How to Properly Sample Paint Colours
05:34 – Modern Wallpaper Technology Explained
06:35 – Why Laser Measuring Beats Old School Methods
08:14 – Custom Murals & Statement Walls
09:26 – Wallpaper in Bathrooms & Showers
10:27 – Feature Walls: Where They Actually Work
11:02 – What Does Wallpaper Really Cost?
13:15 – Affordable vs Premium Wallpaper
15:25 – Limewash, Rag Rolling & Old-School Techniques
16:38 – Renovation Challenges & Surface Prep
18:16 – Bold Design vs Playing It Safe
20:42 – Cheap Wallpaper Mistakes to Avoid
21:18 – Why You Need a Professional Installer
23:25 – Panel Walls & Statement Installations
24:32 – Display Homes vs Real-World Wear & Tear
26:14 – Microcement: What It Is & Why It’s Trending
27:54 – Microcement in Showers & Wet Areas
29:03 – Maintenance & Resealing Explained
30:51 – Faux Stone, Benchtops & Creative Finishes
32:27 – Why All-White Homes Can Feel Flat
33:59 – Black Doors & High-Maintenance Finishes
36:26 – Surface Cracking & Common Issues
39:26 – Cost Per Square Metre for Specialty Finishes
41:50 – Driveways, Concrete & Exterior Options
44:20 – Industrial Finishes & Custom Effects
45:53 – Working Inside Clients’ Homes
48:10 – Mental Health in the Trades
50:16 – 10K Question
51:31 – Future-Proofing with Solar & Power Planning
52:00 – Final Advice for Homeowners
About Our Guest
Mark Hunt is an experienced painting and interior finishes specialist with decades of hands-on experience transforming homes across residential and renovation projects.
From traditional painting and wallpaper installation to specialty finishes like limewash, panel detailing and modern microcement applications, Mark has worked across everything from family homes to high-end custom builds. His depth of practical knowledge gives homeowners clarity on what works in the real world, not just what looks good in a showroom.
Known for his attention to detail and pride in craftsmanship, Mark is passionate about helping clients elevate their homes through thoughtful colour choices, texture, and durable finishes that stand the test of time.
Found the episode useful?
Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.
Need design & building advice?
Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au
Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/
Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.
Not everyone building a home is designing for a growing family.
Whether you’re downsizing, living child-free by choice, flying in and out for work, or simply entering a new stage of life, your home should reflect your lifestyle, not someone else’s blueprint.
In this episode of the Home Building Podcast, we explore how to design a home specifically for a no-kids or post-kids lifestyle. From avoiding the common downsizing overcorrection, to designing dual-purpose rooms, smarter storage, low-maintenance gardens, and even dual key opportunities this episode is all about creating a home that works the way you actually live.
Downsizing doesn’t mean shrinking your lifestyle. It means refining it.
If you’re thinking about building or renovating and want to make smarter layout decisions for the long term... this one’s for you.
What you’ll learn:
The biggest mistake people make when downsizing
Why shrinking rooms isn’t the answer — and what to do instead
How to design rooms for 50 weeks of the year (not 2)
Smart ways to create dual-purpose spaces
Why storage is still critical (even without kids at home)
How layout positioning can simplify your lifestyle
Low-maintenance design ideas for travellers
Planning space for caravans, boats and lifestyle freedom
How dual key designs create flexibility and rental income
Why downsizing doesn’t mean compromising on quality
Chapters:
00:41 – The Downsizing Overcorrection Mistake
02:07 – Bigger Rooms, Fewer Rooms: A Smarter Approach
03:11 – Designing Rooms for 50 Weeks of the Year
04:26 – Why You Still Need Proper Storage
05:23 – Layout Strategy: Closing Off Spare Rooms
06:50 – Low Maintenance Living & Garden Planning
08:10 – Planning Space for Caravans & Lifestyle Gear
09:03 – Bonus Tip: Semi-Ensuite & Guest Flexibility
09:37 – Dual Key Design: Income & Resale Advantages
10:42 – Downsizing Without Compromising Your Lifestyle
Found the episode useful?
Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.
Need design & building advice?
Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au
Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/
Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.
Flooring is one of the most misunderstood decisions in home building. In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with Robin Wobbe from Trevor’s Carpets to break down the real differences between hybrid flooring, vinyl plank, engineered timber, solid timber, and carpet.
We cover common misconceptions pushed by builders, why certain products look great on paper but fail in real homes, how finishes like scotia and trims can make or break a design, and what flooring actually suits families, investors, renovations, and forever homes.
If you are building, renovating, or even just planning ahead, this episode will save you from expensive mistakes and disappointing finishes.
What you’ll learn:
The real difference between hybrid flooring and vinyl plank
Why floating floors behave differently to glued down floors
When vinyl plank outperforms hybrid flooring visually and practically
The pros and cons of engineered timber vs solid timber floors
Why pattern repeats matter and how installers manage them
How sunlight, heat, and moisture impact every flooring type
Flooring mistakes that instantly cheapen high end homes
What flooring works best for families, pets, rentals, and investors
Why staircases limit your flooring choices more than you think
How to approach flooring when renovating older homes with existing timber floors
Chapters:
01:30 – Robin’s background and experience in flooring
03:40 – Why flooring advice from builders can be misleading
05:00 – Floating floors vs glued down floors explained
06:30 – Hybrid flooring vs vinyl plank: the real differences
09:00 – Why trims, scotia, and transitions matter more than people think
11:00 – Vinyl plank finishes and why they look more like timber
13:15 – Engineered timber vs solid timber flooring
16:40 – Acclimatising timber floors and avoiding failures
18:45 – Sunlight, heat, and moisture: what damages floors most
21:40 – Flooring timing in new builds and why things go wrong
23:00 – Carpet types explained for homes and investments
26:00 – Choosing carpet for kids, pets, and allergies
28:40 – Colour choices and hiding wear over time
31:00 – Flooring advice builders often oversimplify
33:40 – Flooring on staircases and why timber is often the only option
37:20 – Renovations: old timber floors vs new extensions
41:00 – Direction, patterns, and layout decisions
44:00 – Scotia, skirting, and finishing details that elevate homes
46:20 – Final advice before choosing your flooring
About Our Guest
Robin Wobbe is the Sales Manager at Trevor’s Carpets and has over a decade of hands on experience across residential, commercial, and multi residential flooring projects.
Having worked his way through sales, management, and technical flooring applications, Robin specialises in helping homeowners choose flooring based on lifestyle, longevity, and real world performance rather than trends or marketing buzzwords.
Robin and the team at Trevor’s Carpets are known for their practical, honest advice across carpet, vinyl plank, hybrid flooring, and timber floors, making them a trusted resource for both homeowners and industry professionals.
Get in touch with Trevors Carpets
Website: https://www.trevorscarpets.com.au/
Socials: Facebook | Instagram
Robin Wobbe Photography: https://www.instagram.com/bosswobphotography
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Choosing a builder is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when building or renovating a home and it’s also where most people get it wrong. In this episode, we break down how to think about the building industry, the different types of builders, and the real criteria that actually matter when selecting who to trust with your home.
We talk through fixed price vs cost plus, small vs medium vs large builders, and why technical capability alone isn’t enough. Most importantly, we unpack the one question that cuts through everything: would you personally trust this builder to build your own home?
This episode is designed to help homeowners feel more confident, ask better questions, and avoid common traps when choosing a builder.
What you’ll learn:
The different categories of builders and how they impact your project
Fixed price vs cost plus contracts explained simply
Why experience in your specific project type matters more than size
The 7 key criteria to use when assessing builders
Why communication and character matter as much as build quality
The ultimate litmus test to decide if a builder is right for you
Chapters
00:27 Why choosing the right builder matters
02:10 Understanding the building industry landscape
05:40 Small, medium, and large builders explained
09:20 Fixed price vs cost plus contracts
13:05 Why builder experience in your project type is critical
16:40 The 7 criteria to assess any builder
20:55 Build quality, value, and timeframes
24:10 Communication and responsiveness on site
27:40 The most important question to ask about a builder
Found the episode useful?
Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.
Need design & building advice?
Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au
Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/
Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Building or subdividing in Western Australia can feel overwhelming. Planning approvals, building approvals, council policies, R-Codes, neighbour sign-offs, subdivisions, strata titles… it’s a lot.
In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we’re joined by Benedict McCarthy from Planning Horizons, a town planner with over 25 years of experience working across local government, construction, and private consultancy.
We break down:
Chapter
01:05 – Ben McCarthy’s background in planning & construction
02:42 – Planning vs building approval explained simply
04:43 – Why every council is different (and why it matters)
05:50 – The danger of missing one line in a policy
07:06 – Informal council rules nobody tells you about
08:49 – Deemed-to-comply vs performance-based planning
10:17 – How planners justify variations successfully
11:42 – When you can skip planning altogether
12:43 – Why planning delays builds by months
13:51 – When planning is worth it for your own home
15:13 – How far is too far when pushing council rules
17:52 – Why neighbours matter more than you think
19:42 – How council assesses planning applications
21:37 – When applications go to full council
22:55 – SAT explained: mediation vs tribunal
24:25 – When SAT is worth it (and when it isn’t)
26:04 – Real example: boundary walls & policy contradictions
28:38 – Why precedent means nothing anymore
31:37 – How to avoid planning entirely with smarter design
33:16 – Neighbour consent (BA20) explained
36:39 – Green title vs survey strata vs strata
39:09 – When strata actually makes sense
40:54 – Subdivision layout options explained
41:26 – First questions to ask before subdividing
42:35 – Minimum access widths & driveway rules
44:03 – Why surveys are critical before you start
45:19 – R-Code densities explained simply
47:00 – Subdivision approval process step-by-step
50:47 – The real cost of services & infrastructure
52:05 – Why subdivisions take 6–12 months
54:16 – Retain or demolish? What makes more sense
55:21 – Capital gains tax traps to avoid
56:46 – Side-by-side vs rear battle-axe lots
58:01 – Why verge trees can kill developments
01:02:41 – Driveway, drainage & infrastructure pitfalls
01:05:16 – Why expert advice saves money long term
01:06:01 – Due diligence tips before buying
01:07:01 – Final question: $10k to spend on your home
About Our Guest
Benedict McCarthy is the Director of Planning Horizons and a highly experienced town planner with over 25 years in the industry. Having worked in both local government and private consultancy, Ben brings a rare, practical perspective on how councils actually assess planning applications.
Find out more about Benedict
Website: https://www.planninghorizonswa.com.au/
Socials: Facebook | Instagram
Found the episode useful?
Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you.
Need design & building advice?
Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au
Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com.au/home-building-podcast/
Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
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