Property Investment, Success & Money | The Michael Yardney Podcast

Have you ever looked at today's property prices and wondered, How is this even possible?
How can values keep climbing when interest rates are still high, affordability is stretched to breaking point, and so many Australians feel locked out of the market?
 
You're not alone. It feels counterintuitive. It feels unfair.
 
And for many, it feels completely unsustainable. But here's the uncomfortable truth about our housing market - and it's the part most people don't want to hear.
 
Property prices don't rise because the average Australian can afford them. They rise because the marginal buyer – the person actually able to transact today – can.
 
And right now, that marginal buyer looks very different from the one we had even a decade ago.
 
Takeaways 
·         Property prices are rising due to the marginal buyer's ability to transact.
·         Wealthy buyers are dominating the market, driving prices up.
·         Downsizers are reshaping the market by purchasing debt-free properties.
·         Government incentives are pushing more buyers into the market.
·         Buyers are adapting by compromising on location and property type.
·         Structural under supply is a significant factor in rising prices.
·         Affordability issues are sidelining some buyers but not all.
·         The Bank of Mum and Dad is a major influence in property transactions.
·         Investors need to focus on quality assets in gentrifying suburbs.
·         Long-term market predictions indicate continued price growth despite challenges.
 
Chapters 
00:00  Why prices keep rising despite poor affordability.
04:30  Who the real marginal buyers are today.
08:20  Downsizers, cash buyers and the Bank of Mum & Dad reshape demand.
12:30  First-home-buyer incentives push prices, not affordability.
16:00  Behaviour shifts: units, townhouses, rent-vesting.
19:30  Structural undersupply ensures ongoing price growth in 2026.
 
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.
 
Michael Yardney
 
Get the team at Metropole to create a Strategic Wealth plan for your needs. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au 
 
Join Michael Yardney and 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.

If you could see one number that reliably predicts where property prices are heading next, would you want to know what it is?
 
Well, today, you're about to find out — and it's not what you think.
 
You see…most investors think population growth drives property prices… but today I'm joined by Stuart Wemyss, financial strategist and founder of ProSolution Private Clients, who's done some fascinating analysis showing that the real driver of housing price growth is lending volumes — not population growth or money supply.
 
Our conversation highlights the need for long-term strategies and a focus on fundamentals to achieve sustainable growth in property investments.
 
Takeaways 
·         Property price growth is influenced by various factors, not just population growth.
·         Lending volumes can be a better predictor of property price movements than population growth.
·         Investors should be cautious of markets driven primarily by speculation.
·         Consumer sentiment plays a crucial role in lending and property prices.
·         Economic factors like interest rates significantly impact lending volumes.
·         A high proportion of investors in a market can signal potential risks.
·         Understanding market cycles is essential for long-term property investment success.
·         Focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term trends.
·         Successful property investment requires a coordinated strategy across financial services.
 
Chapters 
 
01:46 – Why the Last Five Years of Property Data Can Mislead Investors 
04:40 – Lending Volumes vs Population Growth: What Really Drives Prices 
08:20 – Cash Buyers, Investor Ratios and Market Stability 
11:38 – Sentiment, Employment and the Factors Behind Borrowing Power 
15:23 – State-by-State Differences and Why Markets Move Out of Sync 
17:55 – How Lending Trends Predict Cycles and Help Time Your Entry
 
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/

Everywhere you look, people are talking about the Brisbane property market.
 
The Olympics are coming, property prices have surged, and there's this growing belief that Brisbane is the place to be for investors right now.
 
In fact, it's not just Brisbane, but a whole swag of new and let me call them inexperienced buyers agents are suggesting buying in regional areas of northern Queensland.
 
But history tells us something interesting - when everyone's talking about a market, it's often already too late.
 
So, is Brisbane still a smart investment play, or has the boat already sailed?
 
To help unpack that, I'm joined by my business partner and National Director at Metropole, Brett Warren, who's based in Brisbane and has been studying this market for decades.
 
Despite being a proud Brisbanite, Brett's going to share why he believes now might not be the best time to be chasing growth in Brisbane, and he's here to tell us why.
 
In this conversation, we discuss the current state of the Brisbane property market, the implications of the upcoming Olympics, and the importance of strategic investment.
 
The discussion also highlights Melbourne's potential as a new investment opportunity, contrasting it with Brisbane's current market dynamics.
 
The conversation concludes with practical takeaways for investors looking to navigate the property landscape effectively.
 
Takeaways 
·         Brisbane's property market has seen significant growth but may be reaching its peak.
·         Understanding property cycles is crucial for making informed investment decisions.
·         The upcoming Olympics may not significantly impact the property market as expected.
·         Investors should look beyond Brisbane for opportunities, particularly in Melbourne.
·         Melbourne is currently undervalued compared to other major cities in Australia.
·         Quality locations with proven demand are essential for long-term investment success.
·         Investing strategically and based on data is more effective than following trends.
·         The local economy and job growth are key drivers of property demand.
·         Investors should be cautious of inexperienced agents pushing regional properties without solid economic foundations.
 
Chapters 
 
01:47 – Why the Brisbane Boom May Be Peaking 
03:59 – Olympics Hype vs Real Property Cycles 
06:43 – The Risks of Chasing Regional Queensland 
09:03 – Affordability Ceilings and Slowing Momentum 
13:11 – Why Crowd-Chasing Fails and What to Do Instead 
15:48 – Melbourne's Rebound and Sydney Apartment Opportunities
 
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.
 
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au 
 
Get the team at Metropole to help build your personal Strategic Property Plan. Click here and have a chat with us
 
 
Brett Warren - National Director of Property at Metropole
 
Michael Yardney – Subscribe to my Property Update newsletter here.
 
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/

What if the biggest lessons that will shape property investing in 2026 have already happened, and we just need to stop long enough to notice them?
 
Every year leaves clues. Some are obvious in hindsight, others quietly shape the next cycle without anyone paying attention.
 
And 2025 was packed with more of these clues than most years.
 
So today, Brett Warren and I unpack the 25 lessons from 2025 that smart property investors should carry into 2026 – the insights that help you cut through the noise, stay focused, and position yourself to thrive regardless of what the economy throws at us.
 
Takeaways 
·         Every fence in your life has a purpose; understand it before removing it.
·         Media headlines can mislead; focus on long-term strategies instead.
·         Investing is about finance, not just property; have a solid financial plan.
·         Don't follow the crowd; the majority often makes poor investment choices.
·         Diversification is key; don't rely on a single income stream.
·         AI can assist in property research, but human insight is irreplaceable.
·         Demand for property is outstripping supply, creating opportunities.
·         The wealth gap is widening; those who invest will benefit more.
·         Plan for the unexpected; have buffers in place for market fluctuations.
·         2026 is a year of opportunity for strategic investors.
 
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
 
 
Brett Warren - National Director of Property at Metropole
 
 
Michael Yardney
 
Join Brett Warren 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.
 
 
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.

Whether you're just starting out, deep in your wealth-building years, or nearing retirement, it's only natural to wonder: "How do I stack up compared to others?"
 
In today's show, Simon Kuestenmacher and I look into the fascinating – and sometimes uncomfortable world of generational wealth.
 
We discuss the current financial landscape, highlighting the wealth distribution among baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z.
 
 
Our conversation delves into the challenges faced by each generation, the impact of intergenerational wealth transfer, and the importance of strategic financial planning.
 
So if you're interested in whether you're on the right track financially – whether you're ahead of the average, or still catching up – stay tuned. This conversation might be the benchmark you've been looking for.
 
Takeaways 
 
·         Money only solves money problems, not all life problems.
·         Wealth is built over decades, not overnight.
·         Averages can be misleading; individual circumstances vary widely.
·         Property remains a key asset for wealth accumulation in Australia.
·         Generational wealth transfer is significant, especially from baby boomers to millennials.
·         Millennials face unique challenges in the current economic landscape.
·         Gen Z is just starting their financial journey with high debt levels.
·         Financial strategies should be deliberate and well-planned.
·         Relationships and health are crucial components of true wealth.
·         Understanding demographic trends can inform better financial decisions.
 
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.
 
 
Join Simon Kuestenmacher 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.
 
 
Michael Yardney
 
Get the team at Metropole to create a Strategic Wealth plan for your needs. 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.