Property Addicts Australia

“Investing in real estate isn’t about finding the next hotspot, it’s about playing the long game.” - John Comino, Bridge to Bricks

Episode Takeaways:

✅Sydney remains a solid investment due to infrastructure growth, scarcity, and high demand, but affordability remains a challenge.
✅Investors should prioritise areas with government investment, such as Badgerys Creek and the Sydenham-Bankstown corridor, rather than chasing short-term trends.
✅Strata properties in Sydney can be a great starting point for investors, but due diligence on strata reports is crucial to avoid costly mistakes.

Meet John Comino

John Comino is the CEO of Bridge to Bricks Buyers Agents, a licensed and independent buyer’s agency helping investors and homebuyers make informed property decisions. With a background in finance and accounting, he spent over 20 years working across Europe and Asia before pivoting into real estate to follow his passion for property investing. Now a long-term investor specializing in the Sydney market, John combines data-driven analysis with deep industry experience to guide clients through successful property purchases.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage broking and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

“Property isn’t an entirely passive investment. You need to engage with it, understand its cycles, and leverage its advantages.” - John Comino

Episode Takeaways:

✅Leverage is the game-changer. Real estate may grow slower than shares, but leveraging with loans makes property a powerful wealth-building tool.
✅Sydney real estate isn’t overpriced. When measured against inflation and gold, Sydney property is actually undervalued.
✅The 18.5-year property cycle matters. John predicts a strong market for the next two years before a possible downturn around 2027.

Meet John Comino

John Comino is the CEO of Bridge to Bricks Buyers Agents, a licensed and independent buyer’s agency helping investors and homebuyers make informed property decisions. With a background in finance and accounting, he spent over 20 years working across Europe and Asia before pivoting into real estate to follow his passion for property investing. Now a long-term investor specialising in the Sydney market, John combines data-driven analysis with deep industry experience to guide clients through successful property purchases.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage broking and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

"It's better to be in the market than to wait for the perfect property that may never come."

Episode Takeaways:
✅ First-time buyers should evaluate their goals and financial situation before deciding between a first home or investment property.
✅ Rentvesting offers flexibility but may not always provide the same long-term advantages as home ownership.
✅Thorough research and understanding market cycles are essential for choosing the right property.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage broking and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

DISCLAIMER: No Legal, Financial & Taxation Advice

Property Twins channel contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The projections are for illustrative purposes only and are not an estimate of the investment returns you will receive or fees and costs you will incur. 

“Think long-term. Correct loan structuring from the start gives you an unfair advantage to grow your investments.”

Episode Takeaways:

✅ Correctly structuring loans, such as separating owner-occupied and investment debts, can significantly reduce tax liabilities and enhance financial growth.
✅ Common mistakes like cross-collateralisation and using basic loan products without offset accounts can hinder your ability to expand your property portfolio.
✅ Standalone loan setups for each property ensure flexibility for refinancing, equity release, and future investment opportunities.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage brokerage and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

DISCLAIMER: No Legal, Financial & Taxation Advice

Property Twins channel contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The projections are for illustrative purposes only and are not an estimate of the investment returns you will receive or fees and costs you will incur.

“Looking at various lenders and how they might value your investment property or owner-occupied property is critical. It's not just about finding a lender that gives the best rate; it's about finding one that allows maximum flexibility to release equity when you need it.”

Episode Takeaways:

✅ Maximising equity through valuation shopping is essential for unlocking long-term growth and expanding your property portfolio.

✅ Choosing the right lender and understanding valuation types can significantly impact your borrowing capacity and investment opportunities.

✅ Planning for future goals rather than focusing solely on immediate costs like interest rates ensures sustained portfolio success.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage brokerage and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

DISCLAIMER: No Legal, Financial & Taxation Advice

Property Twins channel contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The projections are for illustrative purposes only and are not an estimate of the investment returns you will receive or fees and costs you will incur.

In this episode of Property Addicts Australia, we interview William Lockett, Managing Director of Specialist Finance Group. Will shares his inspiring story of building a multi-million dollar property portfolio and an ever-expanding business empire. Learn how he got started in property, the challenges he faced, and the mindset that helped him succeed.

"What you know would fill a book, what you don't know would fill a library. So regardless of age, you're always learning."

Episode Takeaways:

✅ The importance of mindset and resilience in property investing
✅ Strategies for building a property portfolio from scratch
✅ The benefits of working with mortgage brokers
✅ How to overcome challenges and stay committed to your goals

Meet William Lockett

William Lockett is a self-made businessman and property investor with a multi-million dollar portfolio and an ever-expanding business empire. As Managing Director of Specialist Finance Group, Will has extensive experience in the finance and property industries. His story is an inspiration to anyone looking to achieve financial security and build long-term wealth through property.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage broking and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

DISCLAIMER: No Legal, Financial & Taxation Advice

Property Twins channel contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The projections are for illustrative purposes only and are not an estimate of the investment returns you will receive or fees and costs you will incur.

"Don’t be tied to your lender. Look at the big picture. The banks don’t need your business more than you need them. You are playing with the rules the banks set, so navigating them strategically is crucial."

Episode Takeaways:

✅You don’t need a 20% deposit to start your property journey; smaller deposits can fast-track your entry into the market.

✅Tapping into equity is a smarter and faster way to expand your portfolio compared to selling properties.

✅Partnering with an investment-savvy broker helps navigate lending rules and strategically grow your portfolio.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage brokerage and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

DISCLAIMER: No Legal, Financial & Taxation Advice

Property Twins channel contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The projections are for illustrative purposes only and are not an estimate of the investment returns you will receive or fees and costs you will incur.

“What you are able to do today might be different to three to six months down the track. It's an ever-evolving thing that you make decisions with the information you have at this point in time”

 Episode Takeaways:

✅Prioritise finance arrangement before property search to strategically plan investments based on what you can afford.

✅Select lenders carefully to ensure flexibility and favourable terms for both initial purchases and future portfolio expansion.

✅Adopt a long-term perspective for property investment, continuously adapting to lending and market changes to sustain portfolio growth.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage brokerage and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

DISCLAIMER: No Legal, Financial & Taxation Advice

 Property Twins channel contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The projections are for illustrative purposes only and are not an estimate of the investment returns you will receive or fees and costs you will incur.

“Everything’s about information. It’s all about mindset. So, all of us in the property world, we do slightly different things, but 95% of our mindset is exactly the same."​ - Chris Gary

 
Episode Takeaways:

✅Success in property investing hinges on leveraging resources wisely and maintaining a long-term mindset, focusing on gradual growth over time.

✅Paying for experienced advisors often saves money and reduces costly mistakes compared to relying on cheaper or inexperienced alternatives.

✅Avoid trends and fads in property investing by focusing on proven strategies like investing in quality assets in blue-chip areas with enduring demand.

Meet Chris Gray

Chris Gray is a leading independent property expert with over 20 years of experience helping Australians build wealth through property investment. A former host of "Your Property Empire" on Sky News, he retired at 31 with a substantial property portfolio, showcasing the success of his strategies. As CEO of Your Empire, he continues to guide clients toward financial freedom through tailored property acquisitions.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage brokerage and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

“It's not only about the interest rate, the lowest interest rate that people keep focusing on, thinking that all banks are equal. But there's more behind the curtain. There's more to the picture, more to the story.”

Episode Takeaways:

✅Strategic lender selection is vital for maximising borrowing capacity and achieving growth in property investment.

✅Lenders vary significantly in how they assess income components such as bonuses and commissions, impacting overall borrowing potential.

✅Effective management of liabilities like credit cards and loans is crucial for enhancing your borrowing capacity with lenders.

Meet The Property Twins

The Property Twins, Sana and Mona Ali, are identical twins from Sydney who began investing in real estate at 24, building a $5 million portfolio before turning 30. Driven by a lifelong passion for property, they left corporate roles in 2017 to establish Property Twins, a mortgage brokerage and buyers agency. Their mission is to help Australian professionals achieve home ownership and build wealth through property investments.

DISCLAIMER: No Legal, Financial & Taxation Advice

Property Twins channel contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The projections are for illustrative purposes only and are not an estimate of the investment returns you will receive or fees and costs you will incur.