Australia’s housing market has been facing growing pressures in recent years.

Homeowners often sit on millions in equity but can’t easily access it, while aspiring buyers without the “Bank of Mum and Dad” struggle to get into the market. At the same time, investors chase capital growth but face the costly, stressful reality of being landlords.

In this episode, we sit down with Evan Thornley, CEO of LongView, to explore a smarter alternative: a residential property fund that unlocks equity for homeowners and delivers strong returns for investors. Through products like HomeFlex and Buying Boost, LongView’s fund allows existing owners to access cash without selling, while helping buyers bridge the deposit gap. For investors, the fund offers exposure to capital growth across a diversified pool of quality homes — without the headaches of tenants, maintenance, or leverage.

Evan explains how LongView uses data science and on-the-ground expertise to identify “RODWELLs” (Robust Older Dwellings on Well Located Land), ensuring the fund consistently outperforms the market. We also hear real-world stories: families who avoided selling during divorce, homeowners funding life-changing renovations, and younger buyers who gained a foothold in the market sooner.

If you’re a homeowner looking to unlock equity, or an investor seeking a lower-risk, higher-return alternative to landlordism, this conversation reveals why LongView’s fund might be the future of property investing in Australia.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

01:37 – Innovative Property Ownership Models

04:02 – HomeFlex: Unlocking Home Equity

06:26 – Predicting Capital Growth in Property

13:44 – Investment Strategies and Market Insights

17:09 – Client and Investor Perspectives

26:36 – Diversification and Risk Management

28:26 – Portfolio Distribution Across Cities

28:46 – Future Fund Plans and Social Purpose

30:18 – Challenges in Setting Up Funds

31:23 – Clarifying Equity vs. Growth

33:23 – Investor Appeal and Market Potential

36:07 – Buying Boost and Shared Equity

38:03 – Client Success Stories

44:26 – Final Thoughts and Conclusion

About the Guest

Evan Thornley is the co-founder and CEO of LongView, a recognised leader in residential property buying and management that is pioneering funds management in Australia’s existing dwelling asset class. A technology and social entrepreneur, Evan has been a property investor for more than 30 years across Australia and the US.

Before turning his focus to housing, Evan co-founded LookSmart Ltd, one of the first Australian tech companies to list on NASDAQ, reaching a peak market value of AUD $14.2 billion and returning its investors 100x. He also co-founded GoodStart, Australia’s largest social venture and the world’s largest early childhood education provider. His career has spanned entrepreneurship, social impact, and public policy — including serving as Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation under Premier Steve Bracks, co-founding the think tank Per Capita, and helping launch activist network GetUp!

For the past eight years, Evan has been consumed with finding solutions to Australia’s housing challenges. Through LongView, he has built a platform that blends data science, deep property expertise, and innovative financial structures. His mission: to unlock housing wealth in ways that deliver both strong investor returns and better outcomes for Australian homeowners and buyers.

Connect with Evan

• Website: https://LongView.com.au/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evan.thornley/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanthornley/

Resources

• Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au
• If you have any questions or would like to be featured on our show, contact us at:
• The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast - [email protected]
• Looking for a Sydney Buyers Agent? https://www.gooddeeds.com.au
• Work with Veronica: https://www.veronicamorgan.com.au
• Looking for a Mortgage Broker? alcove.com.au
• Work with Chris: [email protected] 

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Veronica & Chris