Own It Property Podcast

From October 2025, the Australian Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme is being completely overhauled — and it could change the game for first home buyers. No income caps, no place limits, higher price caps, and access with just a 5% deposit. Sounds too good to be true?

In this episode, Dion sits down with mortgage broker David Pelligra to break down what these changes really mean. They cover:

Why the removal of income caps is such a big deal

How higher price caps could affect markets like Melbourne and Sydney

Whether buyers should be worried about a flood of competition

The risks of buying with a 5% deposit (and what lenders don’t tell you)

The biggest mistakes buyers are making right now with the scheme

If you’re a first home buyer, or even thinking about jumping back into the market, this is the guide you need before October.

Buying in a flat or falling market is easy—but what about when prices are climbing, clearance rates are high, and every open feels like a stampede? In this episode, Dion breaks down how to survive (and succeed) in a competitive, upwards market without letting FOMO push you into a bad buy.

You’ll learn:

How to value a property when the market is rising week by week

Why waiting too long to adjust your brief can cost you thousands

The risks of chasing unrealistic vendors in a hot market

Why off-markets aren’t always the golden ticket

How to balance urgency with logic so you don’t buy the wrong home

If you’ve ever thought, “If I don’t act now, I’ll miss out forever,” this episode is your reality check and playbook for buying smarter in a heated market.

So your offer’s been accepted—congratulations! But the journey isn’t over yet. In this episode, Dion breaks down exactly what happens between that exciting “yes” from the agent and the moment you get the keys.

You’ll learn:

The key differences between buying at auction vs private sale

How cooling-off periods work (and when they don’t apply)

Why it’s critical to involve your conveyancer immediately

Common contract clauses—and how to avoid getting caught out

How to prepare for your final inspection so there are no nasty surprises on settlement day

Whether it’s your first property or your fifth, this is the buyer’s roadmap for navigating the post-offer process with confidence and avoiding costly mistakes.

Missing out on a property hurts—whether it’s by $1,000 or $100,000. In this episode, Dion breaks down exactly what buyers should do (and avoid) when they lose out on a home, so they can pivot quickly, stay competitive, and avoid buyer fatigue.

You’ll learn:

How to use a missed deal to access more off-market properties

Why having a “Plan B” ready makes all the difference

The self-audit every buyer should do after losing out

How to adjust your brief in an upward market so you don’t fall further behind

Why staying professional with agents keeps you in the game

If you’ve been knocked back, outbid, or just need a reset, this is your roadmap to bouncing back without burning out.

In Part 2 of our auction masterclass, Dion is joined once again by elite auctioneer Luke Banitsiotis to break down the real strategies buyers can use to win at auction—without blowing their budget.

This episode is packed with practical, buyer-first tactics, including:

Why bidding early gives you the upper hand

How to take control of the auction (without being “that” bidder)

The power of odd increments and quick responses

How to appear like you’ve got more money than you do

Why not bidding at all is the biggest mistake of all

Luke also shares the biggest buyer blunders he’s seen, from bidding scripts to getting outplayed by vendor bids. If you’ve ever been blown out of the water on auction day—or talked yourself out of showing up—this is the strategy-packed pep talk you need.

Auctions can feel intense, confusing, and downright intimidating—but they don’t have to be. In this episode, Dion is joined by award-winning auctioneer Luke Banitsiotis to unpack exactly how auctions work from a buyer’s point of view.

They cover:

What really happens before and during an auction

The role of the auctioneer (and how it differs across states)

What a vendor bid is—and why it’s not as scary as it sounds

How buyers can avoid being caught off guard on auction day

Why transparency makes auctions fairer than private sales

Whether you're bidding for the first time or still deciding if auctions are worth the stress, this episode is packed with insight that could save you money—and calm your nerves.

Ever wondered if it's worth offering under a property's asking price—or whether you're being lured into overpaying? In this short, sharp episode, Dion zooms in on one of the most misunderstood parts of buying real estate: how asking prices and price ranges actually work.

He unpacks:

How to research what a property is really worth

When offering under the quote makes sense (and when it’s a waste of time)

Why some vendors need to “see the process” before dropping their price

How buyers accidentally overpay by trusting the quoted range

The biggest pricing trap to avoid at all costs

Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to outsmart the market, not outbid it.

In this special Q&A episode, Dion tackles your most common (and uncommon) property questions—straight from social media. From making pre-market offers and bidding at auctions to navigating off-market deals, sloping houses, deposit bonds, and shady building reports, no topic is off-limits.

Expect rapid-fire tips, myth-busting insights, and advice buyers need in today’s market, including:

Should you offer before a property hits the market?

Is a rumpus room without council approval a deal-breaker?

Do you really have a chance bidding online at auction?

What to do if your dream home has structural issues

Why you’re probably not "too early" to start property hunting

Packed with buyer wisdom, practical strategies, and a peek behind the scenes, this is one of Deon’s most information-loaded episodes yet.

This week on the Own It Property Podcast, Dion is joined by Tash to demystify one of the most underused tools in property buying: deposit bonds. Whether you're a down sizer, first home buyer, or just caught in a tight cash flow moment, a deposit bond could be the difference between securing your dream home or missing out.

Tash breaks down what a deposit bond actually is, how it works, who qualifies, and why more agents and buyers should be open to it. From auction tips to off the plan strategies, this is the episode that will make you say, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this sooner?”

If you’ve ever said, “I wasn’t ready,” this one’s for you.

Thinking of skipping a building and pest inspection? Think again. In this episode, Dion is joined by Colin from Hamley Home Inspections to break down why these checks are essential—and how to make sure they’re done right.

Colin shares wild real world stories (yes, even termites in brand-new homes), explains what red flags to look for, and why not all inspectors are created equal. They also unpack how inspection clauses actually work in contracts—and why relying on them can sometimes backfire.

Whether you're buying your first property or your fifth, this is the behind-the-scenes look at inspections every smart buyer needs.