The Property Nerds

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we break down what’s actually happening inside SMSF lending right now… and why it’s opening doors most investors don’t even realise exist.

From 90% LVR opportunities to commercial deals that can cashflow from day one, this episode is all about understanding what your super can actually do when lending strategy is done right.

We walk through real numbers, real scenarios, and where most people either unlock growth… or get stuck.

Because in property, it’s not just what you buy, it’s how you structure it.

Timestamps:

01:20 - More lenders entering the SMSF space

02:40 - 90% LVR in SMSF (and why it’s a game changer)

04:40 - Who this strategy actually works for

07:10 - Residential SMSF: what a $600K deal looks like

10:45 - Why contributions + rent matter more than you think

12:00 - Commercial SMSF explained

18:20 - The biggest mistake investors make with SMSF strategy

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we break down how he went from working full time while studying, to buying his first investment at 23 and scaling to three properties across multiple states using strategy, not luck.

This isn’t a story about earning crazy money. It’s about decisions, discipline, and understanding how the game actually works.

We unpack:

1. Why buying in your own backyard can hold you back
2. The small money habits that accelerated his first deposit
3. How one decision changed everything
4. What most first time buyers get wrong about apartments
5. How equity replaced saving for his second property

If you’re in your 20s and feel like Sydney has priced you out, this episode will show you what’s actually possible when you shift your strategy.

Because property isn’t about where you live. It’s about how you play the game.

Timestamps:

05:11 - Why Sydney felt impossible at the start

06:09 - The advice that stopped him buying units

08:29 - Why buying in your own backyard can be a mistake

12:39 - First property

18:59 - Using equity to fund property #2

21:05 - The reality of rising debt and cash flow pressure

27:05 - Third property + shifting to non-bank lending

31:48 - His advice for anyone starting in their 20s

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we sit down with an investor who asked a simple question years ago: “Do you think we’re in a position to buy a house?” What followed was a seven year journey building a diversified portfolio across Australia before ultimately purchasing a Sydney home.

From borderless investing to buying in markets most Sydney buyers overlook, this episode unpacks the strategy, mindset and lessons behind building a portfolio of eight properties worth over $7 million.

We unpack:

1. Why he chose to invest outside Sydney early in his journey
2. How borderless investing opened up opportunities across multiple states
3. The Adelaide purchase that nearly doubled in value
4. Why “ugly” properties can outperform beautiful ones
5. How investing first helped unlock the ability to buy a Sydney home

This episode is a real world case study of how long-term strategy, disciplined decision-making, and diversification can compound into serious results.

Timestamps:

02:15 - The question that started the journey

05:10 - Why he looked outside Sydney first

12:05 - Treating property like a “bricks and mortar bank account”

15:50 - Regional investing and the Toowoomba purchase

19:30 - Dealing with maintenance and investor mindset

23:10 - The off the plan mistake that went backwards

27:00 - Moving from growth to passive income assets

30:45 - The importance of portfolio reviews

Whether you're considering your first investment, thinking about buying interstate, or wondering how investors actually build portfolios large enough to change their financial future, this episode offers a transparent look at the journey behind the numbers.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-financial/

Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/

Are you on the list of professionals who can borrow at 90-95% with no LMI?

Most property investors assume they need a 20% deposit.

Many wait years to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance. But in 2026, there are dozens of professions quietly accessing high-leverage loans without paying a cent in LMI.

Doctors know.Some lawyers know.Most investors don’t.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we break down how LMI actually works, which jobs qualify for waivers, and when paying LMI might actually make you more money.

We unpack:

1. The professions eligible for 90-95% LMI waivers
2. Why banks offer waivers to certain industries
3. The partial LMI refund strategy most investors don’t know about
4. When to stop using high leverage in your portfolio
5. A real whiteboard comparison: 90% waiver vs 97% with LMI

If you’re building your first property, scaling your 3rd, or trying to move faster without waiting years to save a deposit, this episode will change how you think about leverage.

Because in Australia, property isn’t just about price, it’s about finance strategy.

Timestamps:

02:15 - What Lenders Mortgage Insurance Actually Is

05:40 - The Partial LMI Refund Most Investors Miss

08:50 - Professions That Qualify for 95% Loans

12:10 - Government Schemes & First Home Buyer Guarantees

16:05 - 90% Waiver vs 97% With LMI

18:45 - When Paying LMI Makes Financial Sense

20:10 - When to Ditch the LMI Waiver Strategy

21:30 - Scaling Beyond Your First 2-3 Properties

Whether you’re trying to enter the market sooner, stretch your deposit further, or optimise your finance strategy for long term scaling, this is an episode you need to hear.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-financial/

Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/

Are the banks quietly shutting the door on trust lending?

Major lenders are pulling back. Macquarie stepped out. CBA tightened policy. ANZ followed. Anti money laundering reforms are expanding. DTI limits are biting. Suddenly, the “endless borrowing” strategy many investors relied on looks very different in 2026.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we break down what’s really happening in the lending landscape and what it means for property investors building portfolios today.

Is trust lending dead?Or is it simply evolving?

We unpack:

1. Why major banks are stepping away from new trust lending
2. The regulator pressure and DTI limits most investors don’t see
3. How non bank lenders are filling the gap
4. Why “unlimited borrowing” was never a real strategy
5. The difference between tax planning vs borrowing capacity plays

If you’re planning to buy your 2nd, 3rd or 5th property, this episode will help you understand how lending strategy, not just rate shopping, determines whether you scale or stall.

Because property is a game of finance first.

Timestamps:

02:10 - What Actually Changed in Trust Lending

04:45 - Why Macquarie’s Exit Caused Panic

07:30 - Anti Money Laundering & Regulatory Pressure

10:20 - The Truth About “Endless Borrowing”

13:15 - Are Non Banks the New Power Players?

16:40 - SMSF Lending Déjà Vu

19:30 - Major Banks vs Smaller Lenders Explained

22:10 - Why Rate Shopping Can Cost You Long Term

24:50 - The 3-4 Property Reality Most Investors Ignore

Whether you’re structuring your first investment properly, reassessing your current portfolio, or trying to understand how to scale in a tighter lending environment, this is an episode you need to hear.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-financial/

Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/

Is the Inner West becoming Sydney’s new Eastern Suburbs?

This week’s guest, Ramon Raneal, is a leading Inner West real estate agent who’s sold over 200 properties across the region and gives us an insider’s view on what’s really driving Sydney’s $2M terrace market.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we unpack one of Sydney’s most debated markets, the Inner West. From $2M “first homes” on small blocks to families migrating from Coogee and the Lower North Shore, we explore why buyers are paying premium prices for lifestyle, proximity, and identity.

We unpack:

1. Why 160sqm terraces are competing with larger blocks
2. The post COVID buyer shift into the Inner West
3. Young families and down sizers driving demand
4. Why land size doesn’t mean what it used to
5. How 3-6 month settlements are reshaping negotiations

If you’re investing in Sydney, planning to upgrade, or building a long term portfolio, this episode breaks down the psychology, numbers and strategy behind one of Australia’s most tightly held markets.

Timestamps:

02:15 - What Defines the Inner West

04:20 - $2M First Homes & PostCOVID Shifts

06:45 - Why Land Size Doesn’t Matter Here

09:30 - The 160sqm Terrace Debate

12:10 - Investor vs Owner Occupier Mindset

14:30 - How to Sell in the Inner West

18:40 - Street by Street Price Differences Explained

21:50 - 3-6 Month Settlements & Changing Negotiation Trends

24:40 - The One Upgrade Sellers Shouldn’t Ignore

Whether you’re chasing lifestyle, capital growth, or future consolidation, this is one you need to understand.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-financial/

Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we sit down with Paige Hadley to unpack the side of elite sport most people never see, the uncertainty, the sacrifice and the brutal reality that a professional playing career has a time limit.

Paige Hadley is one of Australia’s most respected netballers, with a career spanning from world cups to commonwealth games and international representation for the Diamonds. Known for her consistency, leadership and longevity at the elite level, Paige has spent more than a decade performing in high pressure, high performance environments, where contracts are short, careers are finite and planning for life beyond sport is essential.

Paige shares what finally made her start thinking seriously about money, wealth, and life after netball, how she and her partner Jordan approached property investing with contract based income and why building the right “support team” (just like sport) was the turning point that made investing feel possible and repeatable.

We cover:

1. The BTS reality of pro sport: uncertainty, sacrifice and why career length changes how athletes think about money
2. How Paige started investing with contract income and the mindset shift that took her from “I’ll just save” to building real long term wealth
3. Why a support team matters, how data builds confidence, and why going borderless is often the smarter move

Timestamps:

02:40 - “Netball isn’t forever”: when life after sport became real

08:10 - Building a business alongside sport

14:20 - What athletes should know about income, career length, and wealth

17:10 - The mindset shift from living “contract to contract” to long term thinking

22:40 - “I wouldn’t have done it alone” why support systems matter

25:30 - Sydney prices and why most people do nothing

27:40 - Why helping women invest is personal for Paige

30:00 - What holds people back from starting

33:10 - Motherhood, money choices and freedom

36:00 - Taking the plunge, asking questions, building your future

If you’ve been waiting until you “earn more,” feel more confident or have it all figured out this episode is the reminder that confidence comes after action, and the right strategy + team can change everything.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-

financial/Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we break down one of the most common investor assumptions: that chasing a higher rental yield will meaningfully boost your borrowing capacity.

Plus, we unpack a timely SMSF lending update that could change how some investors think about leverage and diversification: 90% LVR options without risk fees, and what that may mean in practice.

If you’ve been filtering suburbs based on yield, this episode is your reset.We cover:

1. Why yield obsession usually shows up too late and why it rarely moves borrowing capacity the way people think

2. How a 0.5% yield increase can equal only a modest borrowing bump once banks shade rent and apply DTI limits

3. The bigger levers that actually scale portfolios: income, strategy, savings rate, and lending options

4. What’s changing with higher LVRs and no risk fees, and why it matters for liquidity and diversification inside the fundTimestamps:

00:00 – “If you’re stressing about yield… it’s probably too late”

01:10 – Rental yield impact on borrowing capacity: the big misconception

03:17 – Why a higher yield feels logical

06:01 – The hidden cost: fewer markets, longer search time, missed upside

07:48 – “Cash flow isn’t king”

10:00 – Why higher prices often mean lower yields

11:01 – Fixed costs don’t scale like prices

16:30 – Why negative cash flow is more normal now

18:41 – Growth vs cash flow framing

21:05 – 90% LVR options and what’s changed

22:16 – Why that’s a meaningful difference

24:00 – Stop chasing yield, start building strategically

If you’ve been telling yourself “I just need a higher yield first,” this episode will help you zoom out, run the real numbers and focus on the variables that actually move the needle, without delaying your next purchase for the wrong reason.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-financial/

Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we sit down with Peter and Serena to unpack how they built a $5.1 million property portfolio across six properties, starting in their late 40s after nearly a nine year gap of doing nothing.

They share the honest reality of what held them back, why “knowing” isn’t the same as acting, and how building the right team changed everything. From going borderless across four states to navigating doubt, timing, finance constraints and market cycles, this conversation breaks down what it really takes to go from your first property to a serious portfolio, without rushing, guessing, or chasing fast money.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s “too late” to start, how to invest with confidence, or how to avoid costly first-purchase mistakes, this episode is your reset.

We cover:

1. How Peter & Serena built a $5.1M portfolio (6 properties) starting in their late 40s and why it’s not too late

2. The 9 year gap and the mindset shift that finally got them moving (and what it cost them to wait)

3. The team & strategy that made it repeatable. Going borderless across multiple states, staying aligned as a couple, and balancing “don’t overpay” vs “don’t miss out”

Timestamps:

00:00 - “The hardest part was making ourselves start”

02:12 - From family life to first action: what really changed

04:51 - The 9 year investing gap explained

06:11 - Why most people think they have to do it alone

08:38 - Sitting on equity without realising it

09:19 - From first purchase to serious portfolio momentum

10:30 - Switching teams: what actually matters

12:01 - Regional investing fears and data-led confidence

14:54 - What a good team should never do

16:37 - Diversification across four states

18:24 - Overpaying vs missing out: the real valuation balance

19:17 - Investing as a couple: mindset, risk and communication

22:57 - Going borderless: buying without seeing the property

26:32 - Starting late and investing efficiently

29:41 - Biggest lessons from a $5.1M portfolio

32:50 - Financial habits that made it possible

35:13 - Building wealth for the next generation

37:51 - Consolidation, retirement and what comes next

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the “perfect time,” this episode is a reminder that education without action changes nothing, but the right strategy, team and mindset can change everything.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-financial/

Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/

In this episode of The Property Nerds, we cut through the noise on property trusts, because despite what the internet says, a discretionary trust is not a magic “distribute to anyone” tax loophole.

With Ronesh from Incentum Group joining as a repeat guest, we go back to basics on discretionary vs unit trusts, the real world tax traps and why your finance strategy must come before structure if you actually want to build a portfolio.

We also unpack the lender headlines, the extra compliance pressure being placed on trust setups and the key message investors miss: costs are the cost of doing business, strategy and market cycles come first.

We cover:

• The biggest myths investors believe about discretionary trusts
• Why you can’t just “distribute income to anyone”
• Discretionary vs unit trusts: when each structure actually makes sense
• The negative gearing catch inside trusts
• Land tax differences across states
• The hierarchy investors need

Timestamps:

00:00 - The trust myth

01:59 - Lenders pulling back from trusts: what’s actually going on

02:37 - Trusts explained simply: trustee, beneficiaries, and “discretion”

04:20 - Who should buy in a trust? The 3 questions to decide

06:21 - Discretionary vs unit trusts: the key difference most investors miss

06:49 - When unit trusts make sense

09:54 - Why trusts don’t always “save tax”

11:27 - Why distributing outside the group can trigger 47%

12:26 - Land tax reality: state by state rules and why it gets complicated

21:31 - Finance first, cost of doing business last

If you’ve been trying to pick a structure based on tax savings alone, this episode is your reset: start with borrowing capacity and strategy, build the right team, then treat trust costs as part of the cost of doing business, not the thing that blocks your investing plan.

CONNECT WITH THE PROPERTY NERDS:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thepropertynerdspodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepropertynerdspodcast

CONNECT WITH FOURACRE FINANCIAL:

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fouracre.financial/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fouracre-financial/

Website: https://fouracrefinancial.com.au/

CONNECT WITH ARJUN:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arjpaliwal/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/propertybuyersagent/

CONNECT WITH INVESTORKIT:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/investorkit.com.au/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/investorkit/

Website: https://www.investorkit.com.au/

This Podcast was Recorded & Produced by KYU Media. For Production related inquiries please get in touch with us at https://kyumedia.com/