Novice investors being blindsided by spruikers

By |2020-01-23T13:24:56+11:00January 23rd, 2020|

How do you recognise a con artist from a professional?  The property industry is unregulated, which gives ample opportunity for property spruikers to masquerade under the guise of being property investment experts. Property marketers have almost perfected this art, while actually receiving huge commissions for selling you a property.   For 15 and a half years and counting, we have been educating consumers to seek independent advice from trusted professionals. It may just save you from making the most expensive mistake of your life.   There is no such thing as a free lunch!  

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The Property Planner’s predictions for 2020

By |2020-01-22T11:20:39+11:00January 21st, 2020|

As we begin the journey of a new year, it is time to place our head on the proverbial chopping block and make a few predictions. As 2019 showed, with most pundits predicting a continuation of property values falling, this is a particularly risky exercise. But, what the heck, let’s give it a go anyway. We outline our predictions for: 1. The capital cities. 2. When property values will reach record prices. 3. When growth rates will normalise and what will precipitate this happening. 4. How and why property data lags behind real-time events. 5. The supply and demand factors that will drive growth, and those which will apply the brakes. 6. How buyers should approach the current market. 7. The impact of APRA and the government, including policies they will implement to slow down the market and increase the supply of affordable housing. 8. And finally, what an ideal world 'could' look like in 2020 (versus our predicted outcomes). So, come take a ride with us in our time machine as we explore what 2020 has to offer!

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Money Management – 7 steps to success (Ep.30)

By |2020-01-22T13:58:34+11:00January 21st, 2020|

Money - it can be your best friend or your worst nightmare.   Being able to manage your money is not only vital to financial success, it is also critical to your mental well-being. Most research shows that concerns about money are in the top 1 or 2 stressors of our lives.   It only takes a few big bills to make you feel like your credit card or depleting savings is a runaway horse, threatening to buck you further away from your goals. But we aim to get you back in the driver’s seat and on track to achieving your ideal lifestyle.   In episode 30, we discuss “Money Management – 7 steps to success”.  Listen as David Johnston, Cate Bakos and Peter Koulizos take you through the 7 steps to implementing an effective money management system, the critical mistakes to avoid and how you can spend more money on what matters most to you.  

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Congenial negotiation tactics and how to apply them in the right situation (Ep.29)

By |2020-01-14T12:49:52+11:00January 14th, 2020|

So, you’ve found the property for you and now comes the negotiation battle. Get ready and brace yourself! It may be time to put down your shield and sword. Not all negotiations are adversarial back and forth matches of strikes and sneaky jabs. Sometimes the softer approach is the winning one. In episode 29, we discuss “Congenial negotiation tactics and how to apply them in the right situation”. Listen as David Johnston, Cate Bakos and Peter Koulizos take us through how to build trust with real estate agents and get on their good side, why adversarial negotiations are not always desirable and how you can cut the competition off at the knees.

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2019, the year that was (and a sneak peek at 2020) (Ep.28)

By |2020-01-21T16:01:39+11:00December 23rd, 2019|

Jump on the roller coaster as we take a look at 2019 in the rear view mirror.   If you look to your left you will see the Royal Commission into Banking coming to a close with a slap on the wrist for lenders. On the right we have the LNP with a surprise victory, taking out the election. Back to your left is APRA reducing the assessment rate and caps on lending and the RBA slashing rates.   Hold on to your hat's ladies and gentlemen! We’ve hit the trough and started to climb.   In episode 28, we discuss “2019, the year that was (and a sneak peek at 2020)”.  Listen as David Johnston, Cate Bakos and Peter Koulizos take us through the events that shaped the property market as we shut the door on 2019 and some predictions of what's in store for 2020.  

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How many properties do you need to retire wealthy? (Ep.27)

By |2019-12-23T15:06:15+11:00December 23rd, 2019|

The magic number.   There are many voices and opinions which will tell you that you need to amass as much property as you can over your life time.   We’ll let you in on a secret – in the property game, it's often the case that less is more!   In episode 27, we dissect “How many properties do you need to retire wealthy?”.  Listen as David Johnston, Cate Bakos and Peter Koulizos take you through why 2 to 5 properties is the optimal number for most Australians, why quality trumps quantity and the danger of taking the advice of property spruikers.

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The different property types that you can spend your hard earned cash on (Ep.26)

By |2019-12-21T15:35:42+11:00December 18th, 2019|

Property – it’s a veritable panacea for reaching any of your financial or lifestyle goals. But not all property is created equally. The property comes in many different shapes and sizes, purposes and potentials. The key is knowing what type of property asset is the smartest buy to align with your long-term goals. In episode 26, we dissect “The different property types that you can spend your hard-earned cash on”. Listen as David Johnston, Cate Bakos and Peter Koulizos take you through the ins and outs of residential property, as well as the risks and rewards of commercial investment opportunities.

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Why is property a good asset class to invest in? (Ep.25)

By |2019-12-17T13:01:13+11:00December 17th, 2019|

Leaving aside those who invest in vintage cars or antiques, the vast majority of Australian’s will make a choice between investing in property, shares or a combination of both. There’s no doubt that the key to retiring comfortably is to make good investment choices throughout your working life. So, what’s inside your investment portfolio? In episode 25, we dissect “Why is property a good asset class to invest in”. Listen as David Johnston, Cate Bakos and Peter Koulizos take you through why property is perceived as a reliable investment, the pitfalls that you don’t get with shares and the need for diversification.

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How mortgage strategy shapes your ability to hold property, and grow your wealth for decades into the future! (Ep.24)

By |2019-12-10T17:44:15+11:00December 10th, 2019|

It’s widely known that getting a low interest rate can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars over your life time. What most people don’t get is how an effective mortgage strategy can make you hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more, over the same period. In episode 24, we dissect “How mortgage strategy shapes your ability to hold property, and grow your wealth for decades into the future!”.

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How property and market trends have changed over the decades (Ep. 23)

By |2019-12-05T15:04:10+11:00December 3rd, 2019|

Get ready to jump in the time machine and explore Australia’s transition through the decades. Learn how our approach to living has been impacted by the fortunes and growth of our nation. The team cover Victorians to Edwardian’s, pre—war to post war, art-deco to villa units, toilets separate to the house to alfresco dining, split level living, formal dining rooms, McMansions and everything in between. It’s clear to see that changes in property trends have mostly boiled down to three things – evolutions in wealth, transport and jobs. In episode 23, we dissect “How property and market trends have changed over the decades”

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