Hotspotting

We've all heard it — investors get all the tax breaks while home buyers struggle to get a foot in the door. But what if that story's completely backwards? In this episode, we dig into the real numbers behind Australia's housing tax system and reveal who's actually getting the bigger benefits. Spoiler: it's not the investors.

Tune in as we break down the myths, unpack the facts, and explore what this means for the housing crisis, property affordability, and the future of home ownership in Australia.

Australia's housing crisis dominates the headlines, but are short term rentals like Airbnb really to blame? Politicians, media and commentators keep pointing the finger at property owners – yet new research from the University of South Australia shows restrictions and taxes on short term rentals do little to improve affordability or supply.

In this episode, we break down the myths, look at the evidence, and explore why governments keep scapegoating Airbnb hosts instead of tackling the real causes of the rental crisis. We'll also unpack what this means for renters, property investors and Australia's tourism industry.

If you want fresh insights into housing policy, property markets and the future of affordable rentals, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Selling your home can be one of the most emotional and financially critical decisions of your life. But what if there was a way to take the stress out of it and ensure you get the best result possible?

In this episode, Tim Graham sits down with Tom Ryan, founder of Tom Ryan Vendor Advocacy. With over 35 years in real estate, Tom specialises in helping vendors choose the right agent, manage the selling process, and achieve better outcomes with less stress.

🔑 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• What vendor advocacy is and why it's a game-changer for sellers.
• How Tom helps clients (especially downsizers and elderly homeowners) avoid common mistakes when choosing an agent.
• The benefits of having a trusted advisor manage the sales process from start to finish.
• Real-life examples of how vendor advocacy reduces stress and delivers better results.
• Why Tom's services don't cost the seller extra – and how the commission-sharing model works.
• How after-sales support helps vendors navigate settlement and moving into their next stage of life.

📍 About Tom Ryan Tom Ryan is a seasoned property professional with decades of experience as both a listing agent and vendor advocate. Based in Melbourne, Tom works across the city and regional areas, specialising in helping elderly vendors downsize, move into lifestyle villages, or transition into aged care.

👉 Contact Tom Ryan:

🌐 Website: https://www.tomryanvendoradvocacy.com/

📧 Email: [email protected]

📞 Phone: 0413 872 550

🎥 About The Property Playbook Hosted by Tim Graham, General Manager of Hotspotting.com.au – Australia's #1 independent real estate analysts – this series brings you expert guests, insights, and conversations to help you navigate the world of property investment, buying, and selling.

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Spring has flipped the script on Australia's property market – and the shifts are huge.

In this episode of The Price Predictor Index, we unpack the latest quarterly trends shaking up real estate across the country. Brisbane is surging, Melbourne's revival is in full swing, and Sydney has jumped back into the growth cycle – all fuelled by soaring demand for units, townhouses and apartments.

But while the big cities rise, former leaders like Perth, Regional WA and Queensland are cooling fast, and Darwin has become the nation's hottest market. We also dive into regional bright spots in Victoria, South Australia and beyond.

👉 Tune in to discover:

• Why Brisbane and Darwin are leading the charge

• What's really driving the Melbourne and Sydney revivals

• Where regional markets are still strong – and where momentum is fading

• How demand for attached dwellings is reshaping Australia's property landscape

If you're an investor, buyer, or property-curious, this Spring edition gives you the insights you need to stay one step ahead.

In this episode, Tim Graham sits down with Louis Velasquez—better known as Lucky—the founder of Finance Better.

From humble beginnings in the slums of Manila to becoming a hedge fund trader and ultimately building one of Australia's standout mortgage broking businesses, Lucky's story is one of grit, resilience, and purpose.

Lucky opens up about:

His journey from hardship to finance – including being homeless as a teen, landing a role at a major bank, and discovering his passion for helping families make smarter financial choices.

Building Finance Better – how he carved out a reputation in a competitive industry by keeping advice simple, relatable, and focused on people, not just numbers.

Lessons in business – the importance of planning for success, hiring to fill gaps, and knowing when to step back and bring in leadership to take things to the next level.

Innovation in finance – how Finance Better is investing in AI and customer experience, creating platforms that help people better manage their loans and portfolios 24/7.

Market insights – his candid take on the 5% deposit scheme, why many first-home buyers may turn into rentvestors, and why he believes Australia is heading into a "super boom" driven by migration, falling rates, and housing undersupply.

This conversation goes beyond policies and products, uncovering the human story behind Lucky's passion for finance and his bold predictions for the property market.

Where to connect with Lucky:

Website: financebetter.com.au

Instagram: @_luckyvelasquez

The Australian property market is on the move again — and the Spring edition of The Price Predictor Index uncovers some surprising shifts.

Brisbane is strengthening, Melbourne's revival is confirmed, and Sydney is back in the growth game.

Meanwhile, Perth and regional hotspots in WA and Queensland are cooling, as Darwin surges to the top and the Gold Coast keeps powering ahead.

In this episode, we break down the latest market trends, reveal where buyer demand is heating up, and highlight what these changes mean for investors, home buyers, and anyone keeping an eye on Australia's real estate landscape.

Is negative gearing really to blame for Australia's housing crisis?

A new Finder survey asked 22 leading economists, academics, and property experts how to make housing more affordable — and their answers may surprise you. Not one pointed to negative gearing, and only one mentioned capital gains tax. Instead, the focus was on boosting housing supply, cutting red tape, rethinking demand-side incentives, and even considering the impact of migration.

In this episode, we unpack what the experts actually said, why the usual media narratives miss the mark, and what solutions could really make a difference to Australia's housing affordability problem.

Why are property prices across Australia still on the rise when affordability is already stretched? 🤔

In this episode, we dive into the latest SQM Research data showing housing listings have dropped across every capital city, tightening supply just as demand continues to surge. With migration, population growth, and poor housing policy all adding fuel to the fire, what does this mean for buyers, sellers, and investors?

Tune in as we break down the trends city by city, explore why listings are falling, and unpack how this could shape the property market in 2025.

Why are property prices across Australia still on the rise when affordability is already stretched? 🤔

In this episode, we dive into the latest SQM Research data showing housing listings have dropped across every capital city, tightening supply just as demand continues to surge. With migration, population growth, and poor housing policy all adding fuel to the fire, what does this mean for buyers, sellers, and investors?

Tune in as we break down the trends city by city, explore why listings are falling, and unpack how this could shape the property market in 2025.

Sally McManus and the ACTU want to scrap negative gearing and the capital gains tax "concession" for property investors, arguing it will fix housing affordability. But does the evidence actually stack up?

In this episode, we dive into the history of negative gearing in Australia, the real impact of CGT rules, and why blaming property investors might miss the bigger picture. From rental shortages to soaring construction costs, we unpack the policies that have shaped today's housing crisis — and what really needs to change.

Perfect for anyone interested in Australian property, housing policy, and the politics driving affordability.