Home & Finance Podcast

Renovate, or knock down and rebuild? It’s one of the biggest decisions homeowners face... and one of the most expensive. Theodora is joined by returning guest, Scott Nicholson, Director of Design Plus Drafting, to unpack the real costs of construction in today’s market, the compliance hurdles many people don’t see coming, and the pros and cons of renovating versus starting from scratch. Scott shares practical, experience-driven insights into where budgets often blow out, how planning and approvals can impact timelines and costs, and what homeowners should be thinking about before committing to either path.

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

Theodora is joined by returning guest, Principal Architect and Founder of Crush Architecture, Carlo Russo, for a revealing discussion about Passivhaus design and how its core principles can be thoughtfully applied to heritage homes. Carlo explains what Passivhaus really means beyond energy efficiency – covering comfort, sustainability, liveability, and health, while unpacking the challenges and opportunities of adapting these modern principles to older, character-rich properties. Drawing on Carlo’s experience working at the intersection of contemporary architecture and heritage conservation, this episode offers practical insights for homeowners, designers and investors looking to future-proof heritage houses without compromising their history or architectural integrity.

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

Theodora sist down with accountant, Mark Calleja, to unpack the ins and outs of Self-Managed Super Funds. Mark explains what an SMSF is, who it’s suited for, and what’s involved in setting one up and running it effectively. We also explore the risks, responsibilities, and potential benefits for investors looking to take greater control of their retirement savings and whether property is the answer.

Find out more about Mark and MCA Accounting: https://mcaccg.com.au/

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

People don't know what they want until they see it, and that's certainly the case when it comes to renovating a home. Director of Design Plus Drafting, Scott Nicholson, is embracing that theory having adopted fly-through technology that allows clients to see and experience first-hand what their project will look like – well before a hammer is lifted. But the benefits don't end there. The approach is making interior design, dealing with council, and testing design functionality easier than ever before. Theodora sits down with Scott to talk about the benefits of the approach – both obvious and hidden!

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

Can you afford to borrow for an investment? Should you pay off your mortgage completely? What is portfolio fatigue? How do you begin to start to making sense of the ever-changing landscape of borrowing and all the complications that go along with it? Theodora sits down with Director of Clarence Finance, Matthew Dimos, to answer those questions and to begin demystifying the process.

Find out more about Clarence Finance by visiting their website: https://www.cifb.com.au/

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

In this episode of the Home & Finance Podcast, Theodora sits down with Buyers Agent Christopher Paino from The Buyers' Alliance to uncover not only what a buyers' agent can do for you, but also spill the beans on where savvy investors are putting their money right now, plus the 'unicorn' concept of off-market deals. Whether you’re an investor looking for your next opportunity, or a first-time buyer wanting to get your foot in the door, this episode is mandatory listening.

Tune in to learn how a buyers agent can help you make smarter property moves.

Find out more about the Buyers' Alliance here: https://thebuyersalliance.com.au/

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

Are heritage property's a problem? Or an opportunity? Principal Architect and Founder of Crush Architecture, Carlo Russo,  joins Theodora for an in-depth discussion on merging heritage with contemporary architecture, dispelling many misconceptions about heritage properties along the way! With over fifteen years of expertise in Heritage and High Energy Efficiency design, Carlo brings a unique blend of technical mastery and a deep passion for sustainable and heritage architecture, thoughtfully integrating history, nature, and community.

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

Using a buyers agent to get the property you want may seem like a move reserved for the rich and famous – but not anymore. Buyers agent, Liz Booth stops by the Home & Finance Podcast to talk about the benefits and potential savings that using a buyers agent could yield for anyone looking for a property... including first home buyers!

Find out more about Liz Booth and her services here: https://www.lizboothbuyersagent.com.au/

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

Anastasia and Theodora return to talk about the importance of contracts, including how to navigate them, why they should always be reviewed by a professional, plus a whole lot more. Join the Home & Finance Australia team as they walk you through the next part of your property journey.

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com

Anastasia and Theodora welcome their first guest in the form of of Accountant, John Papaspiros from Bourke Business Consultants to talk all things accounting, and most importantly, how a good accountant can help you in your Home & Finance Journey. 

The Home & Finance Podcast is brought to you by the Built Environment Heritage Group. Visit behlegal.com