What Went Wrong With Australia's Affordable Housing Project?
Talk Property To Me Podcast
Did Australia make an impossible promise? 40, 000 affordable homes were supposed to be built by 2029 yet in 2 years only 2% were completed. Is it possible to finish the task? In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie give their thoughts on the matter and discuss the practical implications of the affordable housing promise that may never be delivered.
info_outline
The Truth About Airbnbs – Risky or Easy Profit?
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down investing in Airbnb properties and the associated risks and possible gains. Can investing in Airbnb be a passive source of income? Who is your biggest competition? If you’re thinking about investing in an Airbnb or already own one - this video can help you in your decision making and the future perspective ahead.
info_outline
Do Interest Rates Actually Fix Inflation?
Talk Property To Me Podcast
The RBA has lifted the cash rate to 3.85% (4 February 2026) — the first hike in over two years. 📈🇦🇺 But will higher interest rates actually bring inflation down… or will it just squeeze mortgage holders while prices keep rising? 💸🏠 In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down why they believe rate hikes won’t fix Australia’s biggest inflation drivers — especially supply-side inflation, electricity costs, government spending, and the impact of an ageing population spending more as rates rise. ⚡🧾👵 They also dive into the...
info_outline
Australia’s Scariest Property Tax? Victoria’s Windfall Gains Tax Explained (Up to 62.5%!)
Talk Property To Me Podcast
Victoria’s Windfall Gains Tax (WGT) is one of the most controversial property taxes in Australia — and many investors still don’t know it exists. 🇦🇺🏠💸 In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down how the Victorian Windfall Gains Tax works, why it’s often called a “hidden property tax”, and how it can charge up to 62.5% on rezoning-related land value increases — even on unrealised gains (yes, you can get a tax bill without selling the property). ⚠️📩 If you own property in Victoria, invest in Australian real estate, buy land...
info_outline
Homeowners: This Is How You Buy Property With ZERO Deposit in Australia
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down one of the most powerful wealth-building strategies in Australian real estate: how everyday homeowners are using equity in their existing home to buy investment properties with zero cash deposit. Most Australians assume they need years of savings to buy an investment property — but many are already sitting on usable equity without realising it. In this episode, Brad and Aaron explain step-by-step how investors are extracting equity from their owner-occupied home, structuring loans correctly, and using that...
info_outline
Scrapping CGT Discounts Could Crash Australia's Rental Market — Here's Why
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie unpack the growing debate around scrapping capital gains tax (CGT) discounts in Australia — and whether this move would actually fix housing affordability or make the crisis even worse. With mounting pressure on the government to reform CGT, many argue that pushing investors out of the market will help first-home buyers. But is that really how the Australian property market works? In this episode, we break down: 👉Why removing CGT discounts may reduce rental supply, not prices 👉Who property investors really...
info_outline
Inflation Returns to Australia—Will the RBA Be Forced to Hike?
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down why inflation is rising again and what it could mean for Australia’s interest rates in 2026. With electricity prices, rent and housing costs keeping inflation elevated, the big question is: will the RBA hike in February 2026, or hold and reassess mid-year? We unpack the key drivers behind the latest inflation headlines, why rate rises don’t fix electricity prices, and what the Big Four banks are predicting (with opinions split). If you’re a homeowner, investor, or planning to buy, this episode focuses on...
info_outline
These are Australia’s BIGGEST Property Sales of 2025 (Up to $82.5M!)
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down the Top 5 property sales of 2025 — including Sydney’s record $82.5M waterfront deal in Rose Bay, an $81M Barangaroo penthouse, and more jaw-dropping prestige sales across Vaucluse, Bellevue Hill, and Mosman. If you follow Sydney luxury real estate, waterfront homes, and high-end property investing, this episode is packed with insights on scarcity, record pricing, buyers’ agents, and how “manufacturing equity” through renovations applies from $50M homes all the way down to everyday investors. 🔍 Key...
info_outline
Newcastle & Lake Macquarie 2026: Which Suburbs Will Explode in Value?
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down the Australia property market outlook for 2026, with a deep dive into Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. We analyse suburb-level data, long-term price trends, and the key infrastructure projects shaping growth over the next few years — including transport upgrades, hospital expansion, rezoning changes, and population growth drivers. Rather than broad national headlines, this episode focuses on where the real opportunities are forming and why some suburbs will outperform others as we move into 2026. 🔍 Key Topics...
info_outline
Buying a Home in Australia? This Is What Banks REALLY Look At
Talk Property To Me Podcast
In this episode of Talk Property To Me, hosts Brad East and Aaron Downie break down what banks really look at when approving a home loan in Australia — and why having a big deposit alone is no longer enough. If you’re planning to buy a home in 2025 or 2026, this episode is essential viewing. We explain how lenders assess your spending habits, credit score, borrowing power, and financial behaviour, and why so many buyers are shocked when their loan is rejected. In this episode, we cover: Why banks rely on the Household Expenditure Measure (HEM) How your spending habits impact borrowing...
info_outlineIn this episode of Talk Property To Me, Brad East chats with Aaron Downie, a seasoned expert from Mackenzie Buyer's Agency, sharing valuable insights on property investment and the ideal timing for purchasing property. Aaron's extensive experience in navigating the property market and his practical approach make him a relevant and credible voice on the podcast. The conversation covers the urgency of taking action in the property market, debunking the myth of trying to out-save market growth, and emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities aligned with long-term goals. Aaron's personal anecdotes and practical advice provide a refreshing perspective, offering listeners valuable insights into the complexities of property investment and the significance of informed decision-making. The episode not only challenges common misconceptions but also lays the groundwork for future discussions on specialized property investment topics, making it a must-listen for potential property buyers looking to make strategic and confident investment decisions.
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:24 - The Best Time to Buy an Investment Property
Brad and Aaron discuss the common question of when is the best time to buy an investment property. They emphasize that interest rates are just one factor and share examples of successful market timing.
00:03:16 - Taking Advantage of Market Conditions
Brad shares his personal experience of purchasing property during a time of market uncertainty and seeing significant growth in a short period. Aaron highlights the importance of understanding supply and demand dynamics in a market, rather than solely relying on interest rates.
00:06:40 - The Long-Term Perspective on Property Investment
The conversation delves into the long-term nature of property investment, emphasizing that property should be viewed as a long-term asset. They discuss the pitfalls of tracking property prices daily and the transactional costs of selling property.
00:09:28 - Influence of External Factors on Property Decisions
Brad and Aaron touch on the influence of external factors, such as parental advice and media narratives, on property decisions. They caution against taking advice from individuals who may not be where you want to be in terms of property ownership.
00:12:06 - Impact of Procrastination on Property Purchases
The discussion addresses the consequences of procrastination in property purchases, particularly when individuals have pre-approval but delay buying, only to find themselves priced out of the market. They highlight the compound loss over time due to delaying property purchase decisions.
00:13:43 - Urgency of Taking Action
Aaron emphasizes the importance of taking action in the property market without waiting. He highlights how borrowing capacities have decreased for some, stressing the need to align expectations and not try to out-save the market.
00:15:24 - Best Time to Buy
Brad and Aaron discuss the best time to buy a property, focusing on the importance of establishing short and long-term goals, regardless of whether it's for owner-occupiers or investors. They emphasize the need to buy as soon as one is able to.
00:17:16 - Rent Vesting Strategy
The conversation shifts to the rent vesting strategy, which has become popular in expensive markets like Sydney and Newcastle. They highlight the challenges of affordability and the impact of various financial factors on purchasing decisions.
00:18:22 - Overcoming Barriers to Purchase
Brad and Aaron discuss the willingness to buy property using lenders mortgage insurance and the opportunity cost of waiting to avoid such costs. They stress the importance of considering it as a cost of purchase and not delaying the buying process.
00:19:52 - Future Topics and Engagement
Brad and Aaron preview upcoming podcast topics, including an in-depth look at the Perth market, strata titled and titled properties, units versus houses, and new versus old properties. They encourage audience engagement for suggestions on future topics.
ABOUT THE HOST
BRAD EAST
Brad East is the Managing Director of Wisebuy Home Loans. Brad is an award-winning mortgage broker and has helped thousands of clients gain finance to purchase properties. Wisebuy Home Loans is the go-to mortgage brokerage for clients wanting out-of-the-box applications approved.
Website → https://wisebuygroup.com.au
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/newcastlemortgagebroker/
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/bradeast_mortgagebroker/
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/bradeastofficial