Beyond the median: 10 Melbourne property case studies that outperformed…and why 

flat market

According to Cotality, since its daily index began at the start of 2010, Melbourne house values have risen by around 4% p.a., which is only about 1.3% p.a. above inflation.   But of course, not every property has delivered such a mediocre result. That begs the real question: which types of properties have outperformed over this period, and what …

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CGT discount changes: what property investors need to do now 

The Senate committee reviewing the CGT discount released its final report yesterday. Commentators are now suggesting the government could reduce the CGT discount for property investors and potentially cap negative gearing to two or three properties.  Let’s look at the impact a change to the CGT discount could have.  Why is CGT under the microscope?   The government …

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The Forever Test: The one principle behind all long-term wealth  

There is one investment principle that, if you truly understand it, will help you make the smartest financial decisions and create the most wealth in the long run.   I know that sounds like hyperbole, but I assure you, it’s not. I cannot overstate how important this principal is.  The most important investment principal is…  The principle is simple: buy the investments with the strongest past evidence and fundamentals to …

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Non-bank borrowing is much higher – when to use them  

The lending landscape has changed dramatically since I started this business in 2002, and especially over the last decade.   The gap between bank lenders and non-bank lenders has never been wider.   For borrowers, understanding these differences can materially shape what you can do, how fast you can do it, and in some cases, it can make or break …

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Australian vs International Shares: Why the 45:55 split does not add up 

For some time now, I have been questioning why diversified portfolios in Australia typically hold almost half of their equity exposure in Australian shares and slightly more than half in international shares.  For example, AustralianSuper’s Balanced portfolio has approximately 25% allocated to Australian equities and around 34% to international equities, while UniSuper’s Growth portfolio holds roughly 31% in Australian equities and 42% in international equities. These …

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Financial modelling for wealth: Advice or sales pitch?

There are a growing number of businesses offering financial modelling as part of their services, particularly in the property industry i.e. buyer’s agents.   It is not uncommon for buyers’ agents to provide you with a model of how you might build wealth through investing in multiple properties. These projections typically include cash flow and net worth over time, which can make it easier to …

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Property vs Shares: The hidden incentives behind the advice  

incentives advice

Conflicts of interest exist in many parts of the Australian financial services industry. The problem is that not all of them are obvious, especially to people outside the industry.  It is also important to understand that a conflict of interest does not automatically mean someone is doing the wrong thing. Even an adviser who is honest, competent, …

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A two-speed property market in 2026: where prices rise next (and where they will not) 

2 Speed

If you are thinking about buying, selling, upgrading, or investing in property over the course of 2026, you are probably wondering what property prices will do this year.   In this blog, I revisit the evidence-based factors that matter most: loan volumes, borrowing capacity, interest rate expectations, interstate migration, and where each capital city sits in its cycle.   I also explain why …

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Wealth First Principles # 4: Cash flow and debt management: The hidden engine of wealth 

Cash Flow

When people think about building wealth, the focus usually turns immediately to investment strategies. Which shares to buy? Should I purchase another property? Is now the right time to invest? These questions dominate the conversation. Yet the most important contributor to long-term financial success is not investment selection. It is cash flow and debt management.  The way you earn, spend, save, and …

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