In this episode of Investment by Design, we look at Cairns property investing through a different lens: Cairns tourism, local business growth, major development, the Cairns Aquarium, the Cairns economy, and what these forces mean for the future of the Cairns real estate market and North Queensland property investors.What does it really take to make a $54 million bet on Cairns?I sit down with Daniel Leipnik, the man behind the Cairns Aquarium, to unpack one of the biggest tourism and development stories our region has seen.This is not just a conversation about an aquarium. It is a conversation about risk, vision, business creation, tourism, leadership, employment, and the future of Cairns.For property investors, the Cairns property market is shaped by more than house prices, rental yields and vacancy rates. It is shaped by population growth, business confidence, tourism, infrastructure, private investment, major projects, and the people willing to back the region before the outcome is obvious.Daniel shares what it took to bring the Cairns Aquarium to life, including the challenges before construction, the funding journey, the hurdles during construction, what surprised him most, and what has happened since opening.We also talk about his new business ventures, the reality of building and keeping a great team in Cairns, what tourism looks like after COVID, and where he believes Cairns needs to go next.If you are researching Cairns property, investing in North Queensland, building a business, watching the local economy, or trying to understand where Cairns is heading over the next decade, this conversation is worth your time.In this episode we cover:• The $54 million Cairns Aquarium project• Why major private investment matters to Cairns• What can go wrong when bringing a major project to life• Cairns tourism before and after COVID• The challenge of finding and keeping good staff• New business ventures after launching the aquarium• What Cairns is missing• The future of Cairns tourism and business• What all of this means for property investorsAt The Buyers Co, we help clients buy property with strategy, due diligence and local market insight across Cairns and North Queensland. If you are thinking about investing in Cairns and want to understand the market beyond the surface-level numbers, get in touch with us.Find out more about The Buyers Co at www.thebuyersco.com.au

Cairns property investors are facing a new wave of uncertainty as government tax changes and shifting property policies continue to impact confidence across the market.In this Cairns property market update, we discuss how recent tax changes, legislative inconsistency and poor communication from government can affect investors, landlords, homeowners and buyers trying to make smart long-term decisions.The issue is not just one policy change. It is the constant uncertainty. When rules are introduced, changed, withdrawn or poorly explained, it becomes harder for property investors to plan, manage risk and understand what the future may look like for the Cairns real estate market.In this video, we break down what these government policy shifts could mean for the Cairns property market, including the potential impact on investor confidence, rental supply, housing affordability, landlord decision-making and long-term investment strategy.If you are investing in Cairns, buying property in North Queensland, or trying to understand how tax changes may affect the Australian property market, this discussion will help you think through the risks and opportunities more clearly.At The Buyers Co, we help buyers and investors navigate the Cairns property market with local knowledge, due diligence and a clear investment strategy.www.thebuyersco.com.auSubscribe for weekly Cairns property market updates, investment insights and real estate commentary.Comment below: do you think these tax and policy changes will help the property market, or make the housing crisis worse?

In this video, I break down the 5 best suburbs to buy property in Cairns and 1 suburb I’d be very careful investing in right now. If you’re looking at the Cairns property market, Cairns real estate, or trying to understand where to buy an investment property in Cairns, this video will help you think through the suburbs with long-term growth, lifestyle appeal, rental demand and risk.After investing in Cairns property for more than 16 years and building a $5.5M property portfolio, I’ve learned that not all suburbs are equal. Some areas have strong fundamentals that make sense for long-term buy-and-hold investors, while others can look attractive on paper but carry risks that buyers often overlook.In this video I cover:* The 5 Cairns suburbs I’d consider buying and holding for the long term* The key fundamentals I look for before buying* Why lifestyle, land supply, rental demand and affordability matter* The suburb I’d be careful buying in right now* How I think about risk when investing in Cairns propertyThis is not financial advice, and every buyer’s situation is different, but if you’re looking to buy in Cairns, invest in Cairns property, or understand the local market better, this video is a great starting point. #CairnsProperty #CairnsRealEstate #PropertyInvesting #AustralianProperty #BuyersAgent

Cairns property investing is one of the most talked-about opportunities in the Queensland property market, but is Cairns still good value for investors, or has the easy money already been made?

In this episode, I am joined by David Galloway-Penny, Ken Turner and Tim Lyon to debate where they would invest today, including houses vs units, the best Cairns suburbs to buy in, the risks investors need to watch, and whether regional Queensland property still has room to grow.

We discuss what we would personally do with an $800,000 property investment budget in Cairns, including older houses on larger blocks, dual occupancy opportunities, granny flats, townhouses, units, and inner-city suburbs with strong rental demand.

This conversation covers some of the biggest questions investors are asking about the Cairns property market right now:

00:00 Cairns Property Market Debate: Is It Too Late to Invest?

00:24 Where Would 4 Cairns Agents Invest $800k Today?

05:21 Houses vs Units in Cairns: Which Is the Better Investment?

17:41 New vs Established Property: Tax Changes, Negative Gearing & Rental Supply

26:15 Is Cairns Still Good Value or Has the Easy Money Been Made?

30:26 Underrated Cairns Suburbs, Bayview Heights & the Future of Supply

31:24 Cairns Apartment Prices, Replacement Cost & New Developments

We also debate the real risks in the Cairns market, including flood zones, crime stigma, body corporate costs, construction costs, interest rates, rental supply, and whether investors are still being rewarded for buying properties that others overlook.

If you are researching Cairns property, investing in Queensland, buying an investment property in Australia, or looking for suburbs with strong rental demand and long-term growth potential, this podcast gives you a practical on-the-ground view from 4 local agents working in the market every day.

Cairns has changed significantly over the past few years. Prices have risen, rents remain tight, land is becoming harder to find, and investors are being forced to think more carefully about what they buy, where they buy, and how they create value.

Whether you are a first-time investor, an interstate buyer, a local homeowner, or someone comparing Cairns to other regional Australian property markets, this episode will help you think through where the opportunities and risks may sit today.

#cairnsproperty #propertyinvesting #queenslandproperty #australianproperty #realestateinvesting

Everyone told me not to buy this property.

My wife hated the complex. Most investors would have walked away. On paper, it looked like the kind of property you avoid.

But I saw something different.

Seven years later, that $165,000 purchase is now worth approximately $470,000 and generates around $300 per week positive cash flow.

In this video, I break down:
• Why almost everyone thought buying this property was a mistake
• What I saw that others missed
• The investing lesson that completely changed how I buy real estate
• How this one purchase helped shape our property portfolio
• Why some of the best opportunities are often the properties nobody wants

If you're interested in property investing, cash flow property, building wealth through real estate, or learning how to spot opportunities others overlook, this video is for you.

Subscribe for weekly videos covering:
🏡 Property investing
📈 Market analysis
💰 Wealth creation strategies
🔨 Renovation projects
🌴 Cairns property market insights

Thinking about buying property in Cairns or North Queensland?

Visit: https://www.thebuyersco.com.au

0:00 The deal nobody wanted me to touch

1:13 Why everyone avoided this property

3:11 Taking the risk anyway

4:10 The cash flow changed everything

7:21 Was it worth it nine years later?

#PropertyInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyMarket #WealthCreation #PassiveIncome #PropertyInvestor #CashFlowProperty #CairnsProperty #AustralianProperty #RealEstate

Would you bet your financial future on one property market Every property investor is making a bet, whether they realise it or not. Buying is a bet. Waiting is a bet. Sitting on the sidelines is also a bet.

In this episode, I break down how I would think about choosing a property market in 2026, using Cairns as the case study. This is not just a Cairns property market update. It is a decision-making framework for investors who are trying to work out whether they should buy, wait, or walk away.

We look at the bull case for Cairns property, including population growth, rental shortages, limited housing supply, infrastructure, relative affordability and the long-term demand drivers supporting the market.

But we also look at the risks.

Insurance costs, cyclones, affordability pressure, economic concentration, government policy, lending changes and the danger of buying the wrong asset in the right market.

The real question is not simply whether Cairns property will boom.

The bigger question is whether the risk of buying is greater than the risk of doing nothing.

For many investors, waiting feels safe. But if there is no clear plan, waiting can quietly become financial complacency. Prices move, rents rise, borrowing power changes, and the opportunity you were waiting for may become harder to access.

In this video, I share the framework I would personally use before buying in any property market:

• Is demand real?
• Is supply constrained?
• Do the numbers work after real costs?
• Does the asset have a reason to outperform?
• Can I hold the property long enough for the strategy to play out?

Cairns is not a perfect market. No market is. But it is a market that serious investors should understand properly before dismissing it or blindly jumping in.

Whether you are looking at Cairns, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Townsville or another Australian property market, this episode will help you think more clearly about risk, reward and the cost of waiting.

If you are considering buying property in Cairns or North Queensland and want help understanding the market, the risks and the opportunities, get in touch with The Buyers Co.

The Buyers Co.
North Queensland buyers agents helping home buyers and investors make confident, strategic property decisions.

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

00:00 Why your first investment property matters
00:57 Would I bet on Cairns in 2026?
01:34 The bull case for Cairns property
03:28 Why supply constraints matter
05:00 Affordability, migration and economic drivers
06:50 The real risks of investing in Cairns
08:23 Is doing nothing the bigger risk?
09:42 The 5-point framework I’d use before buying
12:08 My final answer: would I bet on Cairns?

#CairnsProperty #PropertyInvestingAustralia #AustralianPropertyMarket #CairnsRealEstate #PropertyInvestment #BuyersAgent #NorthQueenslandProperty #PropertyMarket2026 #RealEstateInvesting #TheBuyersCo

In this episode of Investment by Design, we launch a new monthly segment: Beers and Business.

Each month, three Cairns locals working in the property, finance and investing space sit down to unpack the biggest stories shaping the Australian property market, business landscape and investor sentiment.

In this episode, Shaun Craike is joined by Ben Cole and Kurt Checketts to break down a massive month in property and finance, including the liquidation of Dashdot Buyers Agency, current market sentiment, the Federal Budget, investor confidence, the biggest wins of the month and a practical money tip for everyday Australians trying to build wealth.

We cover:

00:00 Beers and Business kicks off

00:56 The Dashdot Buyers Agency liquidation

01:53 Why property market sentiment has shifted

03:52 Federal Budget, negative gearing and CGT changes

09:00 The lag between news and property prices

14:08 What buyers and business owners can learn from Dashdot

18:54 What we’re seeing on the ground in Cairns, property and stocks

32:33 Money tip of the month

This is not a generic property market update from people watching from the sidelines. This is a real conversation between three Cairns locals who are actively involved in property, finance, business and investing.

Whether you are a first home buyer, property investor, business owner, buyers agent, mortgage broker, financial planner or simply trying to understand where the Australian property market is heading, this episode gives you a practical breakdown of what is happening right now.

Topics covered:Australian property market, Cairns property market, Dashdot liquidation, buyers agency Australia, property investing Australia, Federal Budget Australia, investor sentiment, property market warning, business and investing, Cairns real estate, Australian real estate news, finance tips, money tips, buyers agent, mortgage broker, financial planning, Investment by Design podcast.

New episodes of Beers and Business will be released monthly as part of the Investment by Design podcast.

Subscribe for more conversations on property investing, business, wealth creation and the Cairns property market.

#PropertyInvesting #AustralianPropertyMarket #CairnsProperty #Dashdot #BuyersAgent #InvestmentByDesign #BeersAndBusiness #RealEstateAustralia #PropertyMarket #FinanceTips

Is Cairns property still worth the risk in 2026, or has the market already run too far?

In this video, I break down the Cairns property market through the lens of risk vs reward, and more importantly, asymmetric returns.

Most investors ask the wrong question. They ask, “Will property prices keep going up?”

A better question is:

“What is the realistic downside if I am wrong, and what is the potential upside if I am right?”

Cairns has seen strong property price growth, with median house prices now around $800,000 and median unit prices around $483,000. So it is fair to ask whether the market could cool, correct or even fall in the short term.

But short-term market risk is very different to long-term investment risk.

In this episode, I look at both sides of the equation:

The downside:
Could Cairns property prices fall?
Could buyer sentiment cool?
Could tighter lending or higher interest rates put pressure on prices?
What would a 10% or 20% correction actually mean?

The upside:
Why Cairns may still have significant long-term growth potential
How population growth could affect future housing demand
Why limited land supply matters
Why construction costs and replacement value are so important
How low rental vacancy rates and rising rents support the investment case
Whether Cairns property prices could realistically double again over the next 10 to 20 years

This is not about saying Cairns property is risk-free. No investment is.

It is about understanding whether the potential reward is worth the risk.

If you are thinking about buying property in Cairns, investing in North Queensland, comparing houses vs units, or trying to understand whether the Cairns property market still has room to grow, this video will help you think through the opportunity more clearly.

The biggest risk may not be buying before a short-term pullback.

The bigger risk may be waiting for a crash that never comes while rents, construction costs and replacement values continue moving higher.

At The Buyers Co, we help buyers and investors make better property decisions across Cairns and North Queensland.

If you are considering buying in Cairns and want help understanding the market, suburbs, risks and opportunities, get in touch.

Website: www.thebuyersco.com.au

Topics covered:
Cairns property market 2026
Cairns real estate investing
Cairns house prices
Cairns unit prices
Risk vs reward investing
Asymmetric returns in property
Cairns investment property
North Queensland property market
Cairns rental vacancy rates
Cairns population growth
Property investing Australia
Buying property in Cairns
Cairns buyers agent
Cairns buyers agency

Disclaimer: This video is general information only and does not take into account your personal financial situation, goals or risk profile. Always seek independent financial, legal and lending advice before making any property investment decision.

Most property buyers think the hard part is finding the right property…

But the reality is the way you BUY property can completely change the outcome you get.

In this episode, we break down the brutal truth about:

• Private Treaty

• Multiple Offer Situations

• Property Auctions

We discuss how buyers overpay, the psychology behind real estate negotiations, auction tactics, buyer mistakes, and the strategies experienced property investors use to stay in control during negotiations.

If you’re buying property in Australia in 2026, this is essential listening.

Topics covered:

00:00 – Why Buyers Keep Missing Out On Property
00:36 – The First Step Before Buying
01:38 – Asking Price vs True Market Value
04:12 – The 3 Ways Property Gets Sold
05:05 – How Private Treaty Really Works
07:40 – The Secret To Stronger Offers
09:50 – Multiple Offers Explained
11:35 – Why Buyers Overpay In Multiple Offers
13:45 – How To Research Property Value Properly
15:20 – Why Multiple Offers Are Blind Auctions
15:40 – Why Buyers Fear Auctions
16:15 – The Biggest Advantages Of Auctions
17:55 – Auction Strategies That Actually Work
21:20 – How To Control The Auction Room
22:45 – Emotional Buying Mistakes To Avoid
25:15 – Preparation Prevents Overpaying

Whether you’re a first home buyer, property investor, or upgrading your family home, understanding how these buying methods work could save you tens of thousands of dollars.

Subscribe for weekly episodes on:

• Australian property investing

• Cairns property market updates

• Real estate negotiation

• Wealth creation strategies

• Property market analysis

• Buyer psychology

• Investment property education

#PropertyInvestment #AustralianProperty #PropertyMarket #RealEstateAustralia #Auction #PropertyNegotiation #InvestmentProperty #BuyersAgent #CairnsPropertyMarket

Are new builds actually the better investment… or are investors being distracted by tax benefits?In this episode we break down the REAL numbers behind established vs new build property investing in Australia, including:* negative gearing* depreciation* cashflow* construction holding costs* rental income* property growth* land value vs building value* and why location still matters more than tax deductions.With the proposed negative gearing reforms likely to push more Australians toward new builds, many investors are assuming brand new properties will automatically outperform established homes.But when you actually run the maths, the results may surprise you.In this video we compare:✅ Established property investing✅ New build investing✅ House and land packages✅ Property depreciation schedules✅ Construction costs and delays✅ Cashflow vs wealth creation✅ Renovation and value-add potential✅ Long-term capital growth strategiesWe also discuss:* why depreciation is NOT free money,* why land typically appreciates while buildings depreciate,* how negative gearing really works,* and why some investors may overpay for average new builds purely chasing tax deductions.If you’re researching:* best property investment strategy Australia* established vs new build investment* property depreciation explained* negative gearing explained* best investment property Australia* house and land package investing* investment property cashflow* Australian property market* property investing for beginners* investment property tax strategies…this video is for you.Subscribe for weekly Australian property investing content focused on:* strategy,* cashflow,* wealth creation,* and long-term investing principles.#PropertyInvesting #NegativeGearing #AustralianProperty #InvestmentProperty #PropertyMarketAustralia #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyInvestmentAustralia #Depreciation #Cashflow #NewBuildVsEstablished