Property Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast

Today Ken Raiss and I zoom out from the noise, unpack what's really going on beneath the surface, and help you make sense of the shifting forces shaping our economy, our property markets, and your long-term wealth.   The RBA wrapped up the year with a steady hand, but the tone behind that decision has raised more than a few eyebrows. Sure inflation is easing… except where it's not. Growth is soft… except where it matters. And the Board is hinting that some of these price pressures may be more persistent than we hoped.   So the narrative of "rate cuts in 2026" suddenly looks a lot less convincing than some commentators would have us believe.   At the same time, the property markets are setting up for another fascinating year. Prices continue to rise despite all the affordability hand-wringing, and that's because the market is being driven not by those who can't afford to buy, but by those who can.   And that creates very different conditions for investors, upgraders, downsizers, and the bank of Mum and Dad.   Plus, there's a fresh wave of questions about mortgage strategy. Should you fix now? Should you stay variable? Is waiting a mistake? With mixed signals from lenders - some even lifting fixed rates - this decision is far from straightforward.   Takeaways    ·         The Reserve Bank is navigating a complex economic landscape. ·         Interest rates are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future. ·         Inflation continues to be a significant concern for the economy. ·         The property market is influenced by those with financial capacity. ·         Intergenerational wealth transfer is becoming increasingly important. ·         Mortgage strategies should be tailored to individual circumstances. ·         The bank of mum and dad plays a crucial role in property purchases. ·         Understanding market dynamics is essential for investors. ·         Financial planning should align with long-term goals. ·         A holistic approach to wealth management is necessary.   Chapters    00:00 Why inflation risks keep rate cuts further away than expected. 04:00 The RBA's inflation dilemma as growth stays soft. 08:10 Per-capita recession pressures and who rates really hurt. 10:40 Why property prices rise despite affordability stress. 13:40 Equity, downsizers and the Bank of Mum & Dad drive demand. 16:40 Fix or variable: certainty, affordability and smart loan strategy.   Links and Resources:   Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/ ·        Win a hard copy of What Every Property Investor Needs To Know About Finance, Tax And The Law ·        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.   Join Ken Raiss and Michael Yardney, plus a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people. https://www.wealthretreat.com.au/   Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au     Michael Yardney   Get the team at Metropole Wealth Advisory to create a Strategic Wealth plan for your needs. Click here and have a chat with us     Ken Raiss, Director of Metropole Wealth Advisory       Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future. Or click here: https://demographicsdecoded.com.au/

Over the past year we've been told affordability would cap prices, that demand would fade, that higher costs of living would finally slow housing down. And yet, here we are – national home prices finishing the year almost 10 per cent higher, with some capital cities recording extraordinary double-digit growth.  So what really happened?  In today's episode, we're stepping away from opinions and into the evidence as Dr Andrew Wilson unpacks his end-of-December House Price Report, and it reveals not just where prices moved in 2025, but why they moved, and what that means as we head into 2026.  We'll talk about the cities that surged, the markets that quietly turned the corner, why units are suddenly back in favour, and why the next phase of this property cycle is likely to look very different from the last one.  If you want clarity instead of noise, and data instead of doom-and-gloom, this is an episode you'll want to stay with. Takeaways  ·         House prices have surged nearly 10% over the past year. ·         Patience is crucial in property investment; rushing leads to poor decisions. ·         2025 saw the strongest growth in property prices in three years. ·         Interest rates have significantly influenced buyer and seller confidence. ·         The market is expected to stabilize, with steady growth in 2026. ·         Long-term investment strategies are essential for success in real estate. ·         Understanding economic cycles is key to making informed investment decisions. ·         The current property growth is based on fundamentals, not speculation. ·         Chronic under-supply and population growth are driving market demand. ·         Investors should not make decisions based on short-term news.   Links and Resources: Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/ ·        Win a hard copy of How To Grow A Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio In Your Spare Time. Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report ·        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.   Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au    Get the team at Metropole Wealth Advisory to create a Strategic Wealth plan for your needs. Click here and have a chat with us Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here Join Michael Yardney plus a team of experts, at Wealth Retreat 2026 on the Gold Coast in May. Find out more about it here and register your interest www.wealthretreat.com.au It's Australia's premier event for successful investors and business people.   Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future.

The world's changing faster than ever, isn't it?   Technology, AI, shifting markets, changing values – sometimes it feels like we can't keep up.   But in a world that never stops changing… there are still some things that never change.   And when it comes to building wealth through property, understanding what doesn't change might be even more important than trying to predict what will.   In today's episode, I explore what really stands the test of time — the principles, habits, and fundamentals that never go out of fashion, even when everything else does.   Hopefully, by the end of today's show, you'll come out with some ideas about how to get some more certainty in these uncertain times.   Takeaways  ·         Strategic property investors think in 10-year timeframes. ·         Optimism leads to better outcomes in life and business. ·         Understanding market cycles is crucial for investors. ·         Timeless principles of property investment remain unchanged. ·         Human behavior drives market trends, influenced by emotions. ·         Quality assets in desirable locations outperform others. ·         Scarcity and limited supply are key fundamentals. ·         Patience and long-term planning are essential for wealth building. ·         Strategies over shortcuts are vital for successful investing. ·         Having experienced advisors can guide better investment decisions.   Chapters    00:00  Why timeless principles matter more than predictions. 01:42  Long-term thinking beats short-term noise in investing. 04:20  Optimism and mindset shape financial outcomes. 07:10  Major disruptions appear each decade—yet life moves on. 09:40  Bad news is rarely as bad as headlines suggest. 11:20  Market cycles pass, but long-term growth persists. 13:10  Human behaviour drives markets more than data. 14:40  Property fundamentals—location, scarcity, quality—never change. 16:00  Strategy, patience and discipline outperform shortcuts.   Links and Resources:   Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/ ·         Win a hard copy of How to grow a multi-million dollar property in your spare time. ·         Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.     Michael Yardney   Get the team at Metropole to create a Strategic Wealth plan for your needs. Click here and have a chat with us.     Join us at Australia's Premier Wealth Retreat for Elite Business Investors and Business People on the Gold Coast on May 30th. Find out all about Wealth Retreat here. https://wealthretreat.com.au/   Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au   Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future. Or click here: https://demographicsdecoded.com.au/

Most property investors dream of financial freedom… but how do you actually live off your portfolio when the time comes?   In today's show, Brett Warren, national Director of Property at Metropole and I reveal the 'end game' of property investment – the steps to turn bricks and mortar into a lifestyle, how to transition from growth to cash flow, and why living off equity could be the smartest strategy of all.   Our conversation highlights that property investment is not just about acquiring properties but creating a portfolio that provides financial freedom and choices in retirement.     Takeaways  ·         Property investment requires a clear end game. ·         The strategy for property investment changes over time. ·         Education is a continuous journey in property investment. ·         Quality properties are more important than quantity. ·         Transitioning to cash flow requires careful planning. ·         Living off equity is challenging but possible with the right strategy. ·         Diversification is key to a resilient portfolio. ·         Protect your income-earning capacity with insurance. ·         Planning for the future starts today.     Chapters    01:13 – Why You Need to Plan Your Property End Game  03:33 – The Four Stages of a Property Investor's Journey  06:17 – Transitioning from Growth to Cash Flow  09:10 – Living Off Equity and the Role of Diversification  13:21 – Protecting Yourself, Buffers, and Asset Structures  16:44 – Building Wealth That Gives You Choices   Links and Resources:   Answer this week's trivia question here - http://www.propertytrivia.com.au/ ·        Win a hard copy of Michael Yardney's Guide to Investing Successfully ·        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.   Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au https://propertyupdate.com.au/podcast-bonus/   Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us     Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here.   Brett Warren - National Director of Property at Metropole   Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future. Or click here: https://demographicsdecoded.com.au/

If you've been watching property prices over the past few years, you've probably noticed some strange trends – massive price rises, unpredictable shifts between cities and regions, and what feels like an endless debate about affordability.   But what if I told you that the last five years of price data might be leading investors astray?   Today, I'm joined by Stuart Wemyss, financial strategist and founder of ProSolution Private Clients, who has written a confronting article explaining why the last five years of data are the least reliable in decades.   Together, we'll unpack what's distorted the numbers – from COVID lockdowns and construction cost blowouts to volatile borrowing power and migration swings – and how smart investors can cut through the noise to focus on long-term fundamentals.   Our conversation highlights the significance of local knowledge in making informed investment decisions and the need for a strategic approach to property investment, rather than relying solely on short-term data.     Takeaways  ·         The property market is influenced by various factors, including lending volumes. ·         Rising construction costs have a significant impact on property values. ·         Borrowing capacity has fluctuated due to regulatory changes and interest rates. ·         Migration trends can create pressure on rental markets and property prices. ·         Data analysis in property investment requires both science and art. ·         Local knowledge is crucial for making informed investment decisions. ·         Investors should focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term data. ·         Understanding the reasons behind market movements is essential for smart investing. ·         Population growth alone does not guarantee property price increases.   Chapters    01:32 – Why the Last 5 Years of Property Data Can Mislead Investors  04:45 – How Surging Construction Costs Distorted Market Values  09:34 – Borrowing Capacity Shocks and Their Impact on Growth  17:07 – Migration Waves, Rentals and Why Sydney & Melbourne Lagged  23:55 – Work-From-Home, Regions and the Return to Big City Demand  27:26 – Cheap Money, Lending Volumes and Why Long-Term Data Matters   Links and Resources:   Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here   Stuart Wemyss – Prosolution Private Clients   Read Stuart's article here: https://prosolution.com.au/why-property-investors-shouldnt-trust-the-last-5-years-of-price-data/   Stuart's Book – Rules of the Lending Game & Investopoly   Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au   Also, please subscribe to my other podcast Demographics Decoded with Simon Kuestenmacher – just look for Demographics Decoded wherever you are listening to this podcast and subscribe so each week we can unveil the trends shaping your future. Or click here: https://demographicsdecoded.com.au/