Own It Property Podcast

In this episode, Dion sits down with Tim Wilson, Shadow Treasurer of Australia, to unpack what the federal budget really means for first home buyers and renters. They cover why building fewer homes and taxing investors harder could push rents and prices up, how the 5% deposit scheme has already inflated entry-level property prices, and why grandfathering old rules risks creating a two-tiered market that locks buyers out for longer. A candid, no-spin look at the policy behind the headlines.

Have you ever made an offer on a property, been told to "offer more," and then jumped up tens of thousands of dollars without knowing where the vendor actually stood? That's called double stepping, and it's one of the most common ways buyers cost themselves money at the negotiation table.

In this episode of Own It, host Dion Marsden, a former real estate agent, breaks down exactly how double stepping works from the agent's side, why it benefits the seller when buyers fall for it, and the simple question you need to ask after every offer to protect yourself. You'll learn how to always secure a counter offer, how to use that information to negotiate with confidence, and why the party who keeps moving without getting anything back is the one who loses out.

If you're planning to buy a property and negotiate directly with a vendor, this quick, practical episode could save you thousands.

Plus, a look ahead to next episode covering self-managed super fund property purchases.

Most buyers waste time focusing on the wrong things when purchasing a property — shiny kitchens, new bathrooms, trendy finishes — and completely ignore what actually drives long-term value. In this episode of the Own It Podcast, Dion breaks down the 80/20 Rule for Property Buying and explains why just 20% of a property determines 80% of its long-term performance.

You’ll learn:

What the non-negotiables are when buying property

Why location, land, asset type, and floorplan matter more than renovations

Which compromises are safe to make — and which ones can cost you hundreds of thousands

Why cosmetic features depreciate while fundamentals drive growth

How buyers get trapped chasing “perfect” properties that underperform

Why off-the-plan apartments are a classic example of focusing on the wrong 80%

This episode is essential listening for first-home buyers, upgraders, and anyone feeling stuck trying to choose between properties. If you want to buy with confidence — not emotion — this framework will change how you look at property forever.

Buying near a busy road, train line, school, or powerlines is one of the most common dilemmas buyers face — and the advice online is confusing at best. In this episode, Dion breaks down the real impact these compromises have on property value, future resale, and your day-to-day living.

Using real examples and buyer behaviour insights from the market, Dion explains:

Which compromises are fixable and which ones never change

Why busy roads and train lines usually mean a 5%–20% discount

How these “discounts” work — and why you’ll also sell for less

The biggest red flag of all: buying under powerlines

How buyer psychology shapes demand around schools, roads and transport

When buying a compromised property can be a smart move

When the risk is simply not worth it

If you're considering a home on a main road, near a train line, across from a school, or anywhere close to powerlines, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make the right call.

Choosing what to buy is just as important as choosing where to buy — and yet most buyers get it wrong. In this episode, Dion breaks down asset selection and explains the real differences between houses, townhouses, units, and apartments. Using fresh CoreLogic data and real buyer stories, he ranks these property types based on long-term performance, land value, demand, and risk.

You’ll learn:

Why houses consistently outperform other property types

The difference between a good townhouse/unit and a bad one

Why land value is the number one driver of capital growth

The biggest risks of buying brand-new or off-the-plan

Which types of apartments can perform — and which never do

How lifestyle vs investment goals change what the “best” asset looks like for you

Whether you're a first-home buyer, investor, or upgrading, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and choose the property type with the strongest long-term upside.

It looks shiny, brand-new, and full of promise — but buying off-the-plan could be one of the riskiest moves a buyer can make. In this episode, Dion breaks down why most off-the-plan apartments don’t perform, what really drives value in property, and how government incentives can actually mask serious financial risks.

You’ll learn:

Why more than half of Melbourne’s apartments resell for a loss

How developers “bake in” incentives to inflate prices

The danger of buying something that doesn’t yet exist

Why land is the only thing that truly drives long-term value

The few rare cases when buying off-the-plan can still make sense

If you’ve ever been tempted by a brand-new apartment with stamp duty savings, listen to this first — it could save you years of regret.

Overpaying for a property is every buyer’s worst nightmare — but it’s also completely avoidable if you know what signs to look for. In this episode, Dion breaks down exactly how to recognise when a property is overpriced, what data actually matters, and how to separate real value from emotional hype.

You’ll learn:

The red flags that a property is struggling (and overpriced)

How to use average days on market as your biggest pricing clue

Why social proof — the number of buyers inspecting — is more powerful than the price guide

How to read an agent’s confidence and use it to your advantage

Why emotion is the number one reason buyers overpay

This episode gives you a clear, data-driven strategy so you can buy with confidence — not panic — and finally stop worrying about paying too much.

Underquoting is one of the biggest frustrations buyers face — a property is advertised in your budget, only to sell hundreds of thousands above the quoted range. In this episode, Dion and mortgage broker David Pelligra cut through the noise to explain what underquoting really is, how the legislation works (and doesn’t), and why quotes and actual value are often two very different things.

They cover:

The difference between fair, competitive, and underquoting

Why Victorian quoting laws are still so grey and frustrating

The biggest red flags that a property is underquoted

How to do your own research so you don’t fall for false ranges

Why focusing on value, not the quote, is the only way to buy smart

If you’ve ever wasted weekends chasing properties you could never afford, this episode will give you the tools to spot the traps and stay ahead.

Off-market deals have become the buzzword in real estate — buyers think they’re secret bargains, and sellers love the idea of a quiet sale. But are off-markets really the golden ticket everyone makes them out to be?

In this episode, Dion and mortgage broker David Pelligra pull back the curtain on the truth about off-market properties. They cover:

What an off-market property actually is (and isn’t)

The real reasons vendors choose to sell off-market

Why exclusivity can make buyers overpay

The biggest risks and red flags to look out for

How to access genuine off-market opportunities without wasting time

If you’ve ever thought “off-market = cheaper,” this episode will change the way you see these so-called hidden gems.

Should you buy your next home first or sell your current one first? It’s one of the biggest questions homeowners face — and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In this episode, Dion and mortgage broker David Pelligra break down the pros and cons of each strategy, the risks of bridging finance, and how to structure your settlements so you’re not left stranded between two homes (or two mortgages).

You’ll learn:

Why selling first is usually safer financially

The hidden risks of buying first in a hot market

How bridging finance really works (and why it’s often a last resort)

Smart ways to use long settlements and licence agreements

The biggest mistakes buyers and sellers make when lining up their moves

If you’re upsizing, downsizing, or just planning your next move, this episode will help you make the right call with confidence.