Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast

Right now, thousands of Australian property investors are being drawn to off-the-plan properties like moths to a flame. And I understand why.
 
After the 2026 Federal Budget changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, new properties are suddenly looking very attractive. The marketing is glossy, the tax benefits sound compelling, and the salespeople are convincing.
 
But here's what those salespeople won't tell you. Signing that contract is the easy part. What happens over the next two years - and at settlement - can financially ruin you.
 
Today, I'm chatting with Dorian Traill, Senior Wealth Strategist at Metropole, who walks us through exactly how the finance side of these deals works, and more importantly, all the ways it can go catastrophically wrong.
 
If you or someone you know is being tempted by an off-the-plan purchase right now, you need to hear this episode before you sign anything. And even if you're not interested in buying off the plan at present, there's going to be some great tips from Dorian to help you as a property investor.
 
In this episode, we discuss the hidden risks of buying off the plan in today's changing market.
 
We unpack why glossy marketing, tax incentives, and pre-sales can make these projects look safer than they really are.
 
We discuss how long settlement timelines expose buyers to finance changes, income shocks, and valuation gaps.
 
We explore why lender caution, oversupply, and shrinking loan ratios can derail a deal at settlement.
 
We also look at how contract clauses, design changes, and delayed builds can leave investors trapped in risky commitments.
 
Takeaways
 
• Off-the-plan sales help developers secure bank funding by proving enough pre-sales.
• Buyers often commit years before completion, increasing exposure to changing circumstances.
• Conditional finance approvals usually expire long before settlement arrives.
• Lenders may reject loans in oversupplied postcodes or high-rise buildings.
• A lower valuation at settlement can force buyers to find extra cash.
• Oversupply can push rents down after temporary rental guarantees end.
• Small apartments often attract fewer buyers and weaker resale competition.
• Contract variation clauses can reduce apartment size or alter finishes materially.
• If a developer fails, buyers may remain trapped in limbo.
• Tax benefits cannot rescue a poorly chosen property or weak location.
 
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.
•        Every entry receives a copy of a fully updated Michael Yardney Property Report.
 
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
Dorian Traill – Senior Wealth Strategist at Metropole. https://metropole.com.au/expert/dorian-traill/
 
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here
 
 
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.
 
About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation Australia
 
Success in property investment isn't just about numbers - it's about mindset, behaviour and decision making.
 
In The Michael Yardney Podcast, we explore the psychology of wealth, the habits of successful investors, and how to think strategically during uncertain market conditions.
 
Regular topics include:
• Psychology of money and wealth
• Investor behaviour and market cycles
• Rich habits vs poor habits
• High performance mindset
• Risk management thinking
• Decision making under pressure
• Long-term investing discipline
• Overcoming fear in property markets
• Building wealth through strategy, not speculation
 
If you want to avoid common investor mistakes and develop the mindset required to build lasting wealth in Australia's property market, this podcast is for you.
 
More resources at:
https://propertyupdate.com.au
https://metropole.com.au

Today, I want to share 25, let's call them commandments, for financial wealth and success.
 
And to get the message across best to you, I decided to do something a little different. Normally, I have a guest, but this time it will be just you and me as I share these ideas with you.
 
These aren't property rules, and most of them aren't even investment rules in the traditional sense.
 
They're the broader truths about money and behaviour I've collected over the years, the ones that apply whether you're buying property, building a business, or simply trying to retire with options rather than regrets.
 
In this episode, I discuss that real wealth comes from mindset, patience, and discipline more than from chasing shortcuts or trying to predict the market.
 
I also emphasize that progress should be measured against your own starting point, not against other people's highlight reels.
 
I also remind you that ultimately, the person you become matters just as much as the assets you build.
 
Takeaways 
 
• Wealth is built through patience, consistency, and discipline
• Market volatility is the price of long-term growth
• Measure your progress against your own starting point
• Focus on process, not market predictions
• Quiet accumulation creates real wealth
• Character matters as much as money
• Emotional steadiness helps during uncertainty
• Luck favours those who prepare well
• Reinvest consistently over time and allow compounding to work its magic.
• Avoid chasing shortcuts and quick wins
 
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 – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.
 
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here
 
 
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property plan. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
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.
 
About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation Australia
 
Success in property investment isn't just about numbers - it's about mindset, behaviour and decision making.
 
In The Michael Yardney Podcast, we explore the psychology of wealth, the habits of successful investors, and how to think strategically during uncertain market conditions.
 
Regular topics include:
• Psychology of money and wealth
• Investor behaviour and market cycles
• Rich habits vs poor habits
• High-performance mindset
• Risk management thinking
• Decision-making under pressure
• Long-term investing discipline
• Overcoming fear in property markets
• Building wealth through strategy, not speculation
 
If you want to avoid common investor mistakes and develop the mindset required to build lasting wealth in Australia's property market, this podcast is for you.
 
More resources at:
https://propertyupdate.com.au
https://metropole.com.au

Most of us spend years trying to figure out money - what to do with it, how to invest it, how to make it work harder. But imagine if someone had taught you the fundamentals when you were a child.
 
Because here's what I've seen over the years - the families who build lasting generational wealth don't just accumulate assets. They pass on the mindset, the habits, and the financial literacy that lets the next generation take it even further.
 
So what if we could give our kids that advantage? What if we could raise children who grow up genuinely confident about money, investing, and building wealth - instead of spending their adult years trying to unlearn bad money habits?
 
And don't worry if you don't have children yet or are not planning to have children. There'll be lots in today's show to help you with your money habits.
 
My guest today - Sarah Megginson is one of Australia's most recognised personal finance experts, with over 20 years of experience in property, finance and investment journalism.  Her new book is called "How to Raise Rich Kids: Build Lasting Wealth for Your Children" - and it's a genuinely practical guide for any parent who wants to get this right, whether they feel totally on top of their own finances or are still working it out themselves.
 
In this episode I'm speaking with Sarah Megginson about raising financially confident kids and why money habits start earlier than most parents realise.
 
We unpack how children absorb money attitudes from home, and why your own behaviour shapes their financial future.
 
We discuss practical ways to teach budgeting, saving, and decision-making through everyday moments like shopping and family conversations.
 
We also look at how digital money, credit, and buy now, pay later can confuse young people without proper guidance.
 
Finally, we explore why the real legacy is not just wealth, but financial intelligence, confidence, and family values.
 
Takeaways
 
• Early money lessons at home shape children's habits long before adulthood.
• Open conversations about money reduce fear and build financial confidence.
• Children learn budgeting faster when they help compare real prices.
• Digital spending removes friction, making impulse purchases easier to justify.
• Buy now, pay later can hide debt from young people's awareness.
• Parental stress around money often becomes children's emotional money blueprint.
• Passing on financial intelligence matters more than handing over assets.
• Involving kids in decisions builds responsibility and long-term confidence.
• Reframing "we can't afford that" teaches values, not scarcity.
• Regular family money talks help prevent silence, shame, and poor financial choices.
 
Links and Resources:
 
Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.propertytrivia.com.au/
•        Win a hard copy of Negotiate Influence Persuade.
•        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report – What's ahead for property for 2026 and beyond.
 
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here
 
 
Sarah Megginson's Book How to Raise Rich Kids -  https://www.amazon.com.au/How-Raise-Rich-Kids-Children/dp/1923390244
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au 
 
 
Get the team at Metropole to create a Strategic Property plan for your needs. Click here and have a chat with us.
 
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.
 
About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation Australia
 
The Michael Yardney Podcast is one of Australia's leading property investment podcasts, helping investors understand the Australian property market and build long-term wealth through strategic property investing.
 
Each week we explore:
• Australian property market updates
• Property investment strategies in Australia
• Melbourne property market trends
• Sydney property market forecasts
• Brisbane property investment opportunities
• Capital growth property strategies
• Property cycles in Australia
• Negative gearing and tax strategy
• Interest rates and their impact on property
• Buyer's agent insights and investment planning
 
If you're serious about building a high-performance property portfolio and creating financial freedom through real estate, this podcast will give you the clarity and strategy you need.
 
Learn more at:
https://propertyupdate.com.au
https://metropole.com.au

Here's a question that makes almost every Australian a bit uncomfortable if they're honest with themselves.
 
Do you actually want housing to become more affordable, or do you just want it to become more affordable for your kids while your own home keeps growing in value?
 
That tension sits underneath almost every conversation about housing affordability in this country, and it's rarely spoken about directly.
 
By the end of this episode, you'll understand why affordability isn't really one problem but several problems wearing the same name, why a property crash wouldn't actually solve anything, and why the real path forward for Australia is a much slower and more deliberate one than most people expect.
 
In this episode I'm speaking with Simon Kuestenmacher, and we unpack why housing affordability is more complex than the headlines suggest.
 
We explore why affordability isn't one problem, but several issues hiding under the same label.
 
We discuss how a property crash would not fix the structural pressures driving Australia's housing debate.
 
We look at the tension between wanting cheaper homes for the next generation and preserving wealth in existing property.
 
We also examine why slower, more deliberate change is the only realistic path forward for Australia's housing future.
 
Takeaways
 
• Housing affordability includes income, supply, migration, and policy pressures all at once.
• Rising property values can create wealth for owners while worsening access for first-home buyers.
• A property crash would damage confidence, savings, and household balance sheets broadly.
• Slow housing reform helps avoid panic while still improving long-term market stability.
• Population growth continues to pressure demand even when new supply is expanding.
• Affordability debates often mix emotional arguments with very different economic realities.
• Existing homeowners may support change for others while resisting value declines themselves.
• Demographic shifts strongly influence where demand grows across cities and regions.
• Short-term headlines can distract investors from structural trends shaping future property performance.
• Better decisions come from understanding trade-offs rather than chasing simplistic housing slogans.
 
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?
•        Every entry receives a copy of a fully updated Michael Yardney Property Report.
 
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter her
 
 
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
Simon Kuestenmacher: Australia's leading demographer and partner in the Demographics Group.
 
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.
 
About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation Australia
 
The Australian property market doesn't move in isolation - it's shaped by demographics, economic forces and long-term structural trends.
 
The Michael Yardney Podcast dives into:
• Australian economic outlook
• Demographic trends shaping housing demand
• Population growth and migration impacts
• Housing affordability debates
• Interest rates and inflation
• Supply shortages and construction cycles
• Government policy and property markets
• Future trends in Australian real estate
• Strategic property investment planning
 
If you want to understand what's really driving property prices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and around Australia, and how to position your portfolio for the future, this podcast delivers data-driven insights and practical strategy.
 
Explore more at:
https://propertyupdate.com.au
https://metropole.com.au

What if someone handed you the answers before you sat the exam?
 
That's essentially what today's guest is doing.
 
After decades of personal property investing and working alongside hundreds of investors at Metropole, Adam Hubbard has distilled everything he's learned - the wins, the near-misses, and the lessons that only time and experience can teach - into 10 principles that could genuinely reshape how you approach building wealth through property.
 
These aren't theories. They're hard-won truths from someone who has lived through multiple market cycles, seen investors make the same costly mistakes over and over, and quietly built significant wealth by staying the course when others panicked.
 
By the end of this conversation, you'll know exactly what separates investors who achieve real financial independence from those who stay stuck, why the most successful investors often look boring compared to everyone else, and what Adam would do differently if he were starting out today.
 
Takeaways 
 
• Mindset shifts are crucial for evolving as a successful property investor.
• A clear investment plan is essential for navigating property markets effectively.
• Long-term perspectives help investors outperform short-term market fluctuations.
• Research is key to identifying high-growth property locations.
• Effective debt management is both an art and a science.
• Contrarian thinking helps investors ignore media hype and focus on fundamentals.
• Building a professional team treats property investment as a business.
• Market cycles and economic uncertainty require strategic navigation.
• Inflation supports long-term property wealth creation.
• Avoiding analysis paralysis is crucial for taking decisive investment steps.
 
Links and Resources:
 
Answer this week's trivia question here - https://www.PropertyTrivia.com.au/
·        Win a hard copy of Negotiate Influence Persuade.
·        Everyone wins a copy of a fully updated property report.
 
Michael Yardney
 
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us.
 
Adam Hubbard – Senior Wealth Strategist Metropole  https://metropole.com.au/expert/adam-hubbard/
 
Get a bundle of free reports and eBooks: 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.
 
About The Michael Yardney Podcast | Property Investment And Wealth Creation Australia
 
The Michael Yardney Podcast is one of Australia's leading property investment podcasts, helping investors understand the Australian property market and build long-term wealth through strategic property investing.
 
Each week we explore:
• Australian property market updates
• Property investment strategies in Australia
• Melbourne property market trends
• Sydney property market forecasts
• Brisbane property investment opportunities
• Capital growth property strategies
• Property cycles in Australia
• Negative gearing and tax strategy
• Interest rates and their impact on property
• Buyer's agent insights and investment planning
 
If you're serious about building a high-performance property portfolio and creating financial freedom through real estate, this podcast will give you the clarity and strategy you need.
 
Learn more at:
https://propertyupdate.com.au
https://metropole.com.au