The true cost of owning a home in 2026

Buying a home is not just about saving the deposit and getting the loan approved.

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo unpack the true cost of owning a home in 2026 and why buyers need to look beyond the purchase price.

They cover upfront costs like stamp duty, conveyancing, building and pest inspections, lender fees, moving costs, insurance and lenders mortgage insurance.

They also break down the ongoing costs that can catch people out after settlement, including council rates, water charges, utilities, strata fees, maintenance, repairs and emergency expenses.

Eddie and Carlo also discuss loan structure, offset accounts, fixed versus variable rates, interest rate buffers, lifestyle costs and why buyers need to avoid becoming “house poor”.

If you’re buying your first home, upgrading, or thinking about investing, this episode gives you a practical checklist for understanding what you can comfortably afford.

⏱️ Timestamps:

 00:00 Intro
 01:01 The true cost of owning a home
 01:48 Upfront costs buyers need to know
 03:16 Stamp duty, legal fees and inspections
 05:40 Insurance and lenders mortgage insurance
 07:06 Ongoing costs after settlement
 15:13 Loan structure and interest costs
 25:45 2026 affordability checklist

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who is planning to buy property and wants to avoid being caught out by hidden costs.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

Commercial property inside an SMSF

With recent changes affecting residential property in self-managed super funds, more investors and business owners are starting to look at commercial property as an alternative.

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo unpack how commercial property lending works inside an SMSF, what makes it different from residential property, and why it may suit certain business owners.

They discuss limited recourse borrowing, deposit requirements, lease terms, rental yields, lender rules, GST, stamp duty, and the importance of having enough funds in the SMSF before making a move.

Eddie and Carlo also break down the potential benefits and risks, including longer leases, business premises ownership, higher entry costs, vacancy risk and why choosing the right commercial asset matters.

If you run a business, have an SMSF, or are considering commercial property as part of your long-term wealth strategy, this episode gives you a clear starting point for what to think about.

⏱️ Timestamps:

 00:00 Intro
 00:50 Welcome back to The Broker’s Lounge
 01:18 Commercial property inside an SMSF
 02:13 How SMSF commercial lending works
 04:53 Buying your business premises through super
 07:46 Why commercial property is getting more attention
 13:25 Who this strategy may suit
 17:10 Benefits and risks of commercial property

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who wants to understand commercial property and SMSF lending.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

Negative gearing, SMSF changes and the new lending landscape

The lending landscape is changing, and investors are feeling the impact.

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo unpack the latest Budget changes and what they could mean for property investors, first home buyers and anyone looking to borrow.

They cover negative gearing changes, capital gains tax, borrowing capacity, rental income, lender servicing, debt-to-income limits and why different banks may now give very different answers.

They also break down the new self-managed super fund property rules, including the cut-off date for signed contracts and why commercial property may become a bigger focus for some SMSF investors.

If you own an investment property, are thinking about buying one, or want to understand how these changes could affect your lending options, this episode gives you a clear look at what to consider next.

⏱️ Timestamps:

 00:00 Intro
 01:01 Budget changes and the impact on lending
 03:56 Negative gearing changes explained
 06:04 Capital gains tax changes
 07:04 How borrowing capacity is being affected
 10:23 What could happen to rents?
 15:37 APRA and debt-to-income limits
 19:00 SMSF property lending changes

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to understand how the latest property and lending changes could affect them.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

Negative gearing changes and what investors need to know

Negative gearing changes could reshape how investors borrow, buy and plan their next property move.

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo unpack the proposed changes to negative gearing and what they may mean for borrowing capacity, property prices, rents and investor strategy.

They explain how the changes could affect established properties, newly built homes, lending assessments, rental yields and the way banks look at investment loans moving forward.

They also discuss what this could mean for first home buyers, new investors, existing investors, builders, developers and anyone relying on tax deductions as part of their property strategy.

If you own an investment property, are thinking about buying one, or want to understand how the lending landscape could shift, this episode gives you a clear look at what to consider next.

⏱️ Timestamps:

 00:00 Intro
 01:01 Budget changes and negative gearing
 02:31 What is actually changing?
 04:54 Which properties may still qualify?
 06:51 What negative gearing means
 08:48 Why lenders are already reacting
 12:05 How borrowing capacity could be affected
 22:53 What should property investors do now?

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to understand how negative gearing changes could affect their next property move.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

How to buy property with more confidence

Buying property can be emotional, stressful and easy to get wrong, especially when the market is moving quickly and agents are working for the seller.

In this episode of The Broker's Lounge, Eddie is joined by Dion Marsden from Marsden Buyers Agency to talk through what buyers need to know before making a move.

They unpack the Melbourne property market, what has changed since the Budget, why owner-occupiers could have more opportunity right now, and how confidence plays a major role in buying decisions.

Dion also shares practical tips on using a buyer’s agent, asking better questions, negotiating private sales, bidding at auction, and choosing the right selling agent when it is your turn to sell.

If you are thinking about buying, selling or bidding at auction, this episode gives you a clear look at how to approach the process with less emotion and more strategy.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:13 Meet Dion Marsden
02:32 The property market after the Budget
04:18 Why owner-occupiers may have an opportunity
08:37 Should you use a buyer’s agent?
15:17 What is happening in the Melbourne market?
19:34 The biggest mistake buyers make
32:23 Auction tips buyers need to know

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who is thinking about buying or selling property.

Follow Dion:
Dion: https://www.tiktok.com/@dionmarsden

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

What lenders really look at when assessing your loan

Getting a loan isn’t just about your credit score and this episode explains why.

Eddie and Carlo break down how lenders assess loan applications, borrowing capacity, and risk. Credit scores matter, but they’re only one part of a bigger picture.

They explore why borrowing power varies between lenders, how investment property portfolios are assessed, what changes for self-employed borrowers, and why interest-only loans don’t always increase borrowing capacity.

They also cover living expenses, debt-to-income ratios, missed repayments, and key lending trends for 2026.

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone trying to understand their borrowing options.

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:24 Why borrowing capacity varies between lenders
05:14 What lenders look at with investment property portfolios
08:09 Why banks use higher assessment repayments
10:32 What can make a loan application fail?
14:15 Lending options for self-employed borrowers
18:03 Interest-only vs principal and interest loans
20:48 How important is your credit score?

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

Should you refinance after the latest rate rise?

With the RBA lifting rates again, many mortgage holders are asking the same question: should I refinance, restructure, or just sit tight?

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo break down what the latest rate rise means for repayments, household cash flow and the pressure many borrowers are feeling right now.

They also unpack when refinancing can make sense, including lowering repayments, improving cash flow, consolidating debt, accessing equity or getting a better loan structure. But it’s not always about chasing the lowest rate.

From cashback traps and hidden fees to extending your loan term and assuming approval is automatic, this episode covers the common refinancing mistakes borrowers need to avoid.

If your loan hasn’t been reviewed in a while, this episode is a timely reminder to check your rate, understand your structure and speak with a broker before making any major decisions.

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to review their home loan.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

Could capital gains tax changes shake up the property market?

Capital gains tax is back in the spotlight after the latest Federal Budget, and the proposed changes could have a real impact on property investors, first home buyers and renters.

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo break down what capital gains tax actually means, how the current 50% CGT discount works, and what could change if the new inflation indexation model goes ahead.

They also unpack what this could mean for investment property decisions, rental supply, housing affordability, first home buyers and the broader property market.

With plenty of headlines and uncertainty flying around, the key message is simple: don’t make emotional decisions. Understand the numbers, get the right advice, and look at how the changes could affect your personal strategy.

Hit follow, leave a review, and share this episode with someone trying to make sense of the proposed property tax changes.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

Buying off the plan? Know the risks before you sign

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo unpack what buyers need to know before purchasing off the plan.

They cover the appeal of lower upfront deposits, extra time to save and buying brand new, but also explain the key risks that can show up before settlement, including valuation shortfalls, lending changes, interest rate rises, construction delays and developer issues.

If you are considering buying off the plan, this episode is a practical reminder to do your research, understand your borrowing limits and keep a strong buffer before committing.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation

When refinancing first makes sense and when it can backfire.

In this episode of The Brokers’ Lounge, Eddie and Carlo break down when refinancing before your next property purchase actually makes sense, and when it can quietly work against you. They unpack how equity release, lender policy, servicing, and timing all play a role in whether refinancing helps or hurts your next move.

They also cover the common mistakes people make, like chasing a better rate without looking at the bigger picture, taking on new debt at the wrong time, or refinancing too early without a clear purchase plan. If you’re thinking about using equity to buy again, this episode will help you understand the strategy, the risks, and how to approach it properly.

-------
Get in touch with Eddie: Eddie Malaeb - Senior Mortgage Broker
Get in touch with Carlo: https://calendly.com/carlo-o8zv/30min

More info: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/

Our Financial Services + Credit Guide: https://www.linkwealthfinance.com.au/fscg

Disclaimer: The information contained within this podcast is general in nature
and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please reach out if
you wish to discuss your personal situation