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In this episode, Stuart makes the case for becoming a value-add property investor when budgets are tight. Rather than stretching for a bigger dwelling in a weaker location, he argues for prioritising high land value in an A-grade area and accepting a tired home you can improve. He outlines the highest-ROI upgrades (kitchens, bathrooms, paint, flooring, efficient heating/cooling; and, where sensible, adding a third bedroom), how these boost rent and reduce vacancy, and the smart way to fund works by borrowing the renovation cost and park cash in an offset to preserve flexibility and deductions. He clarifies the distinction between repairs and improvements (immediate deduction vs. depreciation), why a depreciation schedule is important, and the role of a seasoned local buyer’s agent in avoiding costly missteps.

In the Q&A, Stuart tackles two big listener themes. First: simplifying a messy mix of assets to maximise retirement income, define required spending, prioritise tax-free super income streams, rebalance from low-yield positions to diversified income, and set a clear drawdown plan with adequate cash buffers. Second: navigating a rezoning/subdivision opportunity on a large primary residence, how main-residence CGT rules interact with a prior rental period, when profits can be taxed on revenue account, GST considerations, timing if purchasing another home, and choosing between an outright sale to a developer or a JV. He also lists the advisory bench needed: property accountant, tax lawyer, town planner, valuer, and development project manager.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

In this Q&A episode, Stuart works through a series of nuanced listener questions that all sit at the intersection of tax, structure, and long-term decision making. While the scenarios vary, the common thread is the cost of getting the structure wrong early, and the difficulty of undoing it later.

We begin with a Melbourne couple in their 30s navigating a generous but complex proposal from ageing parents: the potential transfer of an investment property that may become a future family home. Stuart unpacks the trade-offs between gifting now versus inheriting later, the often-overlooked capital gains and stamp duty consequences, and why emotional intent does not override tax law. The discussion highlights how building, ownership, and funding decisions interact over decades, not just at the point of transfer.

Next, Stuart addresses a listener holding a legacy agreed-value income protection policy. With premiums rising sharply, the focus turns to how to think about policy add-ons, what actually protects long-term earning capacity, and why some features feel comforting but deliver little real value relative to their cost.

The episode then shifts to a detailed portfolio question from a high-income family weighing multiple competing uses of surplus cash flow: renovating the family home, upgrading, buying more property, investing in shares, or accelerating super contributions. Stuart reframes the decision away from “which option is best” and towards understanding opportunity cost, borrowing constraints, and the difference between emotional returns and financial ones. Inflation, real versus nominal returns, and the illusion of certainty in long-term projections are all addressed.

We also explore whether recycling equity from investment properties to pay down a principal place of residence actually works in practice. Stuart explains the tax mechanics, where investors commonly trip up, and why some popular strategies sound elegant in theory but are messy or counterproductive in reality.

As always, the episode is less about definitive answers and more about building a framework for making better decisions when the stakes are high, the numbers are large, and the consequences are long-lasting.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Stuart pulls apart the perennial “REITs vs direct property” debate and shows why they’re not substitutes but tools for different jobs. He explains how A-REITs work (structures, stapled securities, payout rules, typical 30–40% gearing) and why their liquidity and ~5% income appeal can be offset by equity-like volatility and index concentration (think one or two giants driving returns). He contrasts this with direct residential property: full control, the ability to gear up to 100%, negative-gearing benefits while working, lower observed volatility, and returns dominated by capital growth, making it a more potent long-term wealth builder when you buy true investment-grade assets. Stuart compares long-run numbers: REITs ~6–8% p.a. with higher year-to-year swings versus quality residential property targeting ~8%+ with smarter selection and sensible leverage. He then reframes their roles: REITs can be an income sleeve (especially when rates are low), while direct property is fundamentally a growth engine. In the listener Q&A, Stuart clarifies tax treatment for “informal trust” share portfolios for minors who are taxed on income, the pitfalls of penal child tax rates, and what actually triggers CGT when transferring to an adult at 18 cutting through conflicting internet guidance so parents don’t make costly ownership-structure mistakes.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

In this Q&A episode, Stuart tackles a wide mix of real-world scenarios that highlight a consistent theme: asset quality and long-term strategy matter far more than short-term market noise. We start with a listener holding an underperforming one-bedroom apartment and work through why some assets simply never recover, regardless of broader market conditions. From there, we explore whether trading two good properties for a single premium home makes sense, and why “levelling up” often outperforms spreading capital thinly. 

Stuart also digs into the trap of using precious borrowing capacity on mediocre assets (including a candid warning about Geelong’s Corio), the risks of delaying a future move to Melbourne or Sydney, and how to make high-stakes decisions when the path is unclear. Questions from younger investors round out the episode, including whether to buy early or wait for a better asset, plus a deeper discussion about gearing into shares versus property and super strategy for a couple approaching retirement. 

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Stuart tackles the perennial question: should you fix your mortgage rate—if not now, when? He reframes “normal” using the RBA’s neutral rate (roughly 3–3.5%) and shows why today’s home loan ranges of ~5–6% (P&I) and ~5.5–6.5% (IO) are sustainable. Drawing on three decades of data, he explains why fixing has left borrowers worse off about two-thirds of the time, and why flexibility (offsets, extra repayments, refinancing, equity access) usually beats chasing a small rate win. He outlines the two defensible reasons to fix when a deal is clearly in your favour (think 2021-style anomalies) and when cash-flow protection matters more than optimisation, and why “right now” doesn’t meet that bar. In the Q&A, Stuart helps “Sam” frame a conversation with his dad about super “inheritance tax” on benefits to non-dependants, covering death-benefit tax, nominations, liquidity, and practical ways to reduce the taxable component over time. He then maps a blueprint for Lauren, who’s inheriting $3 million: building a safety bucket, buying a live-in home near Melbourne, and deploying the remainder via low-cost, rules-based investing and smart ownership structures to target ~$100k p.a. income. A grounded, evidence-first guide to rates, risk, and real-world decisions.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

In this Q&A, Stuart tackles six real-world dilemmas listeners are wrestling with. He opens with superannuation, weighing Hostplus High Growth vs Indexed High Growth and why fees (0.80% vs 0.04%) and an evidence-based tilt often beat glossy promises. For a Brisbane surgeon in training, he maps a “maximum optionality” plan, prioritising cash buffers, offsets, and low-friction, rules-based ETFs while big life variables (city, role, renovation) settle. He then explores whether to buy an “investment” today that could double as a child’s first home tomorrow, and what happens when lifestyle aims conflict with investment-grade selection before unpacking Australia’s size-over-location bias, and if central townhouses may win as cities densify. On “how much is enough?”, Stuart builds a spending-led framework (run-rate needs, sequencing risk, liquidity, giving goals) for a high-spend, asset-rich couple navigating trust/super complexity. He closes with a playbook for 22-year-old beginners: first-home schemes vs waiting, when a broker helps, and simple starting moves, emergency fund, automated DCA, smart super contributions, and only adding property when the numbers and borrowing power say “go.” Clear principles, practical next steps.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

Read Full Blog Here

In this episode of Investopoly, Stuart unpacks why relying solely on property sales data, no matter how comprehensive, can lead investors astray. While compound annual growth rate (CAGR) calculations are useful, Stuart explains that interpreting them without context can result in serious misjudgements. He walks through the three core attributes of investment-grade property and focuses on why “runs on the board” must be considered alongside timing, capital improvements, zoning, and local knowledge. 

Using examples like one-off market shocks, changes to planning overlays, and shifts in buyer sentiment (e.g., towards unrenovated homes), Stuart demonstrates how seemingly strong sales data can be misleading. He also highlights how gentrification, new infrastructure, or school zoning can skew growth trends. Importantly, he emphasises that statistical reliability demands a large enough sample size, 30 to 50 sales minimum, to make meaningful conclusions. But even then, nuances like floorplan flaws or privacy issues can’t be captured in spreadsheets. Stuart’s key message: combine detailed historical data with a buyer’s agent who knows the area inside out. Without deep, local insight, investors risk overpaying or underperforming. If you’re buying, reviewing your portfolio, or relying on sales data to guide your decisions, this episode is essential listening.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

In this episode of Investopoly, Stuart dives into a diverse and thoughtful mix of listener questions, spanning early-stage investing to high-net-worth wealth structuring. He compares Hostplus High Growth vs Indexed High Growth super options, unpacking whether the significantly higher fees are worth it. Stuart also offers strategic guidance to a young couple earning modest incomes but saving aggressively, weighing up whether it’s the right time to jump into property via the First Home Buyer Scheme or stay the course with index fund investing. For a surgeon-in-training, Stuart breaks down whether to hold or sell two appreciating Queensland properties to position for a future $3–4M family home.

He also explores the emotional and strategic factors in choosing an investment property that might double as a home for adult children decades from now, and shares insights into Australia’s unique preference for space over proximity in housing. Finally, Stuart addresses a complex, high-asset retirement scenario—exploring "how much is enough" when spending $450K per year with significant assets in super, a family trust, and a Div 7A loan. Whether you’re just getting started or deep into retirement planning, this episode is packed with practical frameworks and nuanced perspectives for building wealth at every stage.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this week’s episode, Campbell tackles a variety of complex and timely superannuation and wealth-building questions, starting with the government’s revised $3 million super cap, also known as Division 296. He breaks down what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and why the new rules are far more balanced than the initial proposal. Campbell also explores what high-balance super fund holders should consider, especially those with illiquid assets, such as property.

Listeners also asked about tough decisions around when to stretch for a principal place of residence, whether to sell shares or an investment property to fund a forever home, and how to balance flexibility with long-term security. On the topic of structures, Campbell clarifies the strategic differences between using a family trust vs a company for share investing, whether the same trust can be used for a business, and how corporate beneficiaries fit into the picture.

Whether you’re navigating changing super tax laws, planning a major home purchase, or managing wealth through trusts and structures, this episode is packed with clarity, insight, and practical advice to help you make smarter long-term decisions. Tune in to get the full breakdown and stay ahead of the curve.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

In this week’s Q&A episode of Investopoly, Stuart tackles a wide range of insightful listener questions. Julianne kicks things off by asking for Stuart’s thoughts on the Canberra property market. Shelly seeks guidance on whether to subdivide and sell land to pay down debt or wait until retirement to reduce capital gains tax. Bay raises the question of when (or whether) it makes sense to shift from low-cost index investing to more actively managed super options, especially with international shares at record highs. Stuart shares his perspective on cost vs. value when managing larger balances in superannuation. Alex, a loyal listener, asks whether the priority should be upgrading to a forever home, investing in shares, or securing an investment property first, given income constraints and private school costs. Gavin, rebuilding after a divorce, seeks advice on how to prioritise debt reduction, property consolidation, and retirement goals. Kieran explores three creative options for upgrading his family home using equity and offset accounts. Finally, Andrew asks whether Stuart has recommendations for one-off financial advice, especially for those not ready for ongoing advice. This episode is packed with practical tips and long-term strategy thinking for listeners navigating real-life financial decisions.

My new book out in 2026: To join the pre-order waitlist and get a bonus. More info go to: http://www.investopoly.com.au/book

Do you have a question for the podcast? Email us at [email protected].

If you're interested in working with my team and me, discover how we can work together here: https://prosolution.com.au/prospective-client/

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform.

Subscribe to my weekly blog: http://www.investopoly.com.au/email

Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog: https://prosolution.com.au/books/

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.