115 – Maxwell Shifman – Is Property Development Dead?
Property development in Australia is getting harder—and this episode unpacks why. Soaring costs, endless planning delays, contradictory government policies, and a risk-averse planning culture are pushing developers to the edge. If you're struggling to make your numbers work, you're not alone.
In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, we explore what’s broken in the system and what needs to change. Our guest, Maxwell Shifman from Intrapac Property, shares blunt insights from the front lines of residential property development including:
Why planning systems are paralysed by zero-risk thinking
How rising construction and infrastructure costs are crushing feasibility
The myth of affordable apartments near train stations
Why government housing targets are set up to fail
How rezoning taxes and red tape are stalling supply
The real reason developers are shelving projects across Australia
Strategies for surviving and adapting in today’s tough market
"We tax housing like we want less of it—then wonder why no one’s building."
Property Development Training
Want to learn how to manage property development with confidence?
If you're ready to take control of your development journey, check out my Property Developer Training. This step-by-step course covers everything from finding a site to running feasibilities and successfully completing a small-scale development. You'll learn how to avoid the pitfalls I’ve faced and set yourself up for success.
New Course: Building Blueprint – Navigating Construction During Turbulent Times
To help you successfully navigate the construction phase of any project, I’ve added a brand new, standalone course included with the Property Developer Training called Building Blueprint: Tactics for Navigating Construction During Turbulent Times. This course dives deep into construction contracts, common building pitfalls, and how to mitigate risks during the construction phase.
So head over to propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look... I would love to see you on the inside...
Property Developer Quiz
Ready to find out if you’re ready to become a developer?
Take the free Property Developer Quiz and see where you stand. Whether you're just starting or already working on projects, this quiz will help you assess your readiness and point out any gaps in your development knowledge.
Take the free Property Developer Quiz (https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz) and get a sense of where you are at…
Free book - Discover the secrets of a Million Dollar Property Developer
Grab Your Free Book: "Become a Million Dollar Property Developer"
Want to know how I delivered a 20-townhouse project on my first development? Grab a free copy of my book, Become a Million Dollar Property Developer, where I share the lessons I learned—and how you can apply them to your own projects.
Grab a free copy of my popular book Become a Million Dollar Property Developer about my journey into property development at https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/digital_book.
Social Connection
Youtube - catch up on all the episodes and my property project updates - https://www.youtube.com/@propertydeveloperpodcast196
Facebook - see what's happening on site, what I'm up to and more on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/propertydeveloperpodcast
Instagram - check out my short videos about developing and my latest site updates on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/property_developer_podcast/
LinkedIn - connect with me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-developer-podcast
Links
Intrapac Property - https://intrapac.com.au/
Episode Transcript
Justin:
Let’s start with your background. How did you get into property development?
Maxwell:
So I’ve been in the property industry now for about 17 years. My father was a small developer in Melbourne’s Bayside area, so I was exposed to development early on. I did engineering and law at university,
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1:18:13
114 – Dan Holden – Avoiding a building disaster
There are few things more complicated during a property development than the builder going bust during the construction phase of a project. It puts you in a very precarious position and becomes very tricky to navigate. So many issues have to be resolved and the whole process can be very stressful and time consuming.
This is exactly what happened with property developer and development financier Dan Holden from Holden Capital. During a construction phase his builder went bust through no fault of his project, and he had to scramble to fix it. I have also had my own issues with a builder facing difficulties during a building phase, so have some experience of what it is like to wonder if the building will ever be finished.
Given all the turmoil in the building industry over the past few years, we look at how you can protect yourself for a building disaster and set your project up for construction success.
In this episode, Dan and I discuss:
The current state of the lending market and what it means for developers
How to protect yourself from the chaos caused by a builder collapse
What to look out for in a builder’s contract (and when to step in)
How to mitigate risk during construction: warning signs, cost escalation, supply chain issues, and more
The critical role of risk management in today’s turbulent building industry
Property Development Training
Want to learn how to manage property development with confidence?
If you're ready to take control of your development journey, check out my Property Developer Training. This step-by-step course covers everything from finding a site to running feasibilities and successfully completing a small-scale development. You'll learn how to avoid the pitfalls I’ve faced and set yourself up for success.
New Course: Building Blueprint – Navigating Construction During Turbulent Times
To help you successfully navigate the construction phase of any project, I’ve added a brand new, standalone course included with the Property Developer Training called Building Blueprint: Tactics for Navigating Construction During Turbulent Times. This course dives deep into construction contracts, common building pitfalls, and how to mitigate risks during the construction phase.
So head over to propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look... I would love to see you on the inside...
Property Developer Quiz
Ready to find out if you’re ready to become a developer?
Take the free Property Developer Quiz and see where you stand. Whether you're just starting or already working on projects, this quiz will help you assess your readiness and point out any gaps in your development knowledge.
Take the free Property Developer Quiz (https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz) and get a sense of where you are at…
Free book - Discover the secrets of a Million Dollar Property Developer
Grab Your Free Book: "Become a Million Dollar Property Developer"
Want to know how I delivered a 20-townhouse project on my first development? Grab a free copy of my book, Become a Million Dollar Property Developer, where I share the lessons I learned—and how you can apply them to your own projects.
Grab a free copy of my popular book Become a Million Dollar Property Developer about my journey into property development at https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/digital_book.
Social Connection
Youtube - catch up on all the episodes and my property project updates - https://www.youtube.com/@propertydeveloperpodcast196
Facebook - see what's happening on site, what I'm up to and more on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/propertydeveloperpodcast
Instagram - check out my short videos about developing and my latest site updates on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/property_developer_podcast/
LinkedIn - connect with me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-developer-podcast
Links
Holden Capital - https://www.holdencapital.com.au/
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1:31:41
113 – Levelling up to luxury projects
Steve Maroun has an interesting story to share about his journey into property development. Interestingly, Steve started studying law at university while running a property maintenance business. He then realised that law was not for him and he got his builder's license and moved into property development, following in the footsteps of his father.
After completing an apartment complex project on the property next door to where he lived, he made the move into luxury, high end projects to capitalise on market opportunities. Keep an ear out for how Steve explains the difference between developing a mid-range product versus a lux finish project.
We have also discuss how to navigate through the many challenges that you face as a property developer.
Property Development Training
If you are interested in learning the fundamentals of property development, in your own time and at your own pace, then be sure to head over to www.propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look. I take you step by step through the development process so you know exactly what is needed to find a site, run a feasibility and complete a small scale property development, be that a duplex or 3 or 4 unit site. The training includes bonus programs called Raising Capital (learn the essentials around raising cash) and Taking it to the Next Level for people who may want to go into developing full-time.
So head over to propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look... I would love to see you on the inside...
Property Developer Quiz
Keen to find out how ready you might be to become a developer? Then take the free Property Developer Quiz (https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz) and get a sense of where you are at…
Free book - Discover the secrets of a Million Dollar Property Developer
Grab a free copy of my popular book Become a Million Dollar Property Developer about my journey into property development at https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/digital_book.
This book is ideal for anyone who intends to get into small-scale property development and wants an insider’s guide to successfully obtaining wealth, fulfilment, and glory.
In this book, Justin will share how he succeeded in delivering a 20-townhouse project on his first property development project and what he learned along the way.
Many people have a dream of becoming a property developer. They aspire to build properties, grow portfolios, and amass great wealth. However, many people often struggle with making the leap into property development.
This book has the answers for how you can make the leap into property development. Grab your free copy now.
Social Connection
Youtube - catch up on all the episodes and my property project updates - https://www.youtube.com/@propertydeveloperpodcast196
Facebook - see what's happening on site, what I'm up to and more on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/propertydeveloperpodcast
Instagram - check out my short videos about developing and my latest site updates on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/property_developer_podcast/
LinkedIn - connect with me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-developer-podcast
Links
LaneVick - https://www.lanevick.com/
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112 – Managing a property development project from another state
Managing a project remotely comes with some unique challenges. Keeping the team on the same page and working together can be difficult when you can't just drop by the site for a meeting.
Mark Gallo is a Sydney based mortgage broker who is currently doing a duplex project in Victoria. Mark shares with us how and why he ended up doing a project interstate, the lessons he has learned about managing from a distance and some finance tips for how to position your project to obtain the best funding in the current lending markets.
Property Development Training
If you are interested in learning the fundamentals of property development, in your own time and at your own pace, then be sure to head over to www.propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look. I take you step by step through the development process so you know exactly what is needed to find a site, run a feasibility and complete a small scale property development, be that a duplex or 3 or 4 unit site. The training includes bonus programs called Raising Capital (learn the essentials around raising cash) and Taking it to the Next Level for people who may want to go into developing full-time.
So head over to propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look... I would love to see you on the inside...
Property Developer Quiz
Keen to find out how ready you might be to become a developer? Then take the free Property Developer Quiz (https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz) and get a sense of where you are at…
Free book - Discover the secrets of a Million Dollar Property Developer
Grab a free copy of my popular book Become a Million Dollar Property Developer about my journey into property development at https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/digital_book.
This book is ideal for anyone who intends to get into small-scale property development and wants an insider’s guide to successfully obtaining wealth, fulfilment, and glory.
In this book, Justin will share how he succeeded in delivering a 20-townhouse project on his first property development project and what he learned along the way.
Many people have a dream of becoming a property developer. They aspire to build properties, grow portfolios, and amass great wealth. However, many people often struggle with making the leap into property development.
This book has the answers for how you can make the leap into property development. Grab your free copy now.
Social Connection
Youtube - catch up on all the episodes and my property project updates - https://www.youtube.com/@propertydeveloperpodcast196
Facebook - see what's happening on site, what I'm up to and more on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/propertydeveloperpodcast
Instagram - check out my short videos about developing and my latest site updates on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/property_developer_podcast/
LinkedIn - connect with me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-developer-podcast
Links
Simplify Finance - https://simplifyfinance.com.au
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111 – Developing an iconic tower on billionaire’s row
Imagine going from no property development experience to delivering one of the most iconic towers overlooking Central Park in New York City, one of the world’s most expensive real estate markets. David Juracich did just that.
David is originally from Australia before moving overseas to work in banking and finance. He ended up in New York City and was involved with building an amazing slimline residential tower overlooking Central Park along what has become known as Billionaire’s Row. I thought my first project being 20 townhomes was a great start, but this guy did a huge apartment project in Brooklyn for his first development project.
His story of how he got involved with property development in New York City is quite amazing, and includes his involvement in an 84 level slimline skyscraper called Steinway Tower overlooking Central Park which apparently cost $2bn to build, yes that’s $2 billion dollars. Can you imagine the capital stack on that project?
This is quite an incredible story of a guy stumbling into large scale property developing in one of the world’s most expensive real estate markets.
Property Development Training
If you are interested in learning the fundamentals of property development, in your own time and at your own pace, then be sure to head over to www.propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look. I take you step by step through the development process so you know exactly what is needed to find a site, run a feasibility and complete a small scale property development, be that a duplex or 3 or 4 unit site. The training includes bonus programs called Raising Capital (learn the essentials around raising cash) and Taking it to the Next Level for people who may want to go into developing full-time.
So head over to propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look... I would love to see you on the inside...
Property Developer Quiz
Keen to find out how ready you might be to become a developer? Then take the free Property Developer Quiz (https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz) and get a sense of where you are at…
Free book - Discover the secrets of a Million Dollar Property Developer
Grab a free copy of my popular book Become a Million Dollar Property Developer about my journey into property development at https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/digital_book.
This book is ideal for anyone who intends to get into small-scale property development and wants an insider’s guide to successfully obtaining wealth, fulfilment, and glory.
In this book, Justin will share how he succeeded in delivering a 20-townhouse project on his first property development project and what he learned along the way.
Many people have a dream of becoming a property developer. They aspire to build properties, grow portfolios, and amass great wealth. However, many people often struggle with making the leap into property development.
This book has the answers for how you can make the leap into property development. Grab your free copy now.
Social Connection
Youtube - catch up on all the episodes and my property project updates - https://www.youtube.com/@propertydeveloperpodcast196
Facebook - see what's happening on site, what I'm up to and more on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/propertydeveloperpodcast
Instagram - check out my short videos about developing and my latest site updates on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/property_developer_podcast/
LinkedIn - connect with me on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-developer-podcast
Links
JDS Developments - https://jdsdevelopment.com/portfolio
New Zealand