Why Most Australians Never Build Real Wealth – And How To Get Ahead
Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast
Release Date: 02/02/2026
Property Investment & Wealth Creation Australia | The Michael Yardney Podcast
The property rules have changed… again. What worked five years ago won’t work the same way in 2026. The winners won’t be the loudest, the fastest, or the most aggressive – they’ll be the most strategic. So today, Brett Warren and I unpack exactly what’s changed, what still works, and how smart investors can position themselves to win in the next phase of the property cycle. We discuss the evolving landscape of property investment, emphasising the need for strategic planning and adaptability in response to changing market conditions. We explore the impact of...
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Inflation has eased… except where it hasn’t. Interest rates were meant to be heading down… until they weren’t. And suddenly everyone’s blaming government spending. But is Canberra really the culprit - or is that just a convenient headline? Today, Ken Raiss and I unpack what’s actually driving Australia’s sticky inflation, why the RBA is worried about “capacity constraints”, and what policy makers could do that would genuinely take pressure off prices - without smashing households and without sabotaging the property market. Now you've probably read about inflation and heard...
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What if I told you that one of the most significant demographic shifts shaping our cities, our housing markets, and even our social lives over the next few decades… isn’t migration, isn’t birth rates, and isn’t ageing? It’s something far more personal. In today’s show, Simon Kuestenmacher and I are talking about a silent revolution - the rise of the single-person household. More Australians than ever are living alone, and it’s not just retirees or Gen Zs in tiny apartments. From the newly single at 54 to the solo 29-year-old navigating life on their terms,...
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What if the biggest obstacle between you and the life you want isn’t the market, the economy or your upbringing... but your programming? What if your money habits, your emotional reactions and even your results as a property investor are simply the byproducts of a mindset you inherited rather than chose? And what if you could rewrite that programming? In today’s show Tom Corley and I discuss how early life experiences shape our habits and beliefs, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, gratitude, continuous learning, and building relationships. We also...
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Today Ken Raiss and I reflect on the evolution of property investment over the past two decades, discussing significant changes in demographics, market conditions, and more importantly, what hasn’t changed. Because if you understand that, you’ll be far better positioned to thrive in the next property cycle. Takeaways Investing in property requires a long-term perspective. Demographic shifts significantly influence property demand. Supply constraints are a growing challenge in the housing market. Technology is changing how we approach property investment. ...
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Today, Simon Kuestenmacher and I examine the evolving landscape of home ownership in Australia. For generations, owning a home has been at the heart of the Australian dream. In 1966, nearly three-quarters of Australian households owned their home, either outright or with a mortgage. Fast-forward to the 2021 Census, and that figure had slipped to just 63 per cent. For younger Australians, the drop has been even steeper. And while renting is far more common today, the cost of entry into home ownership has never been higher. So what’s driving this change? Is it...
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At its first meeting for 2026, the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate to 3.85%, as most economists expected. That move officially ends the shortest and most modest rate-cutting cycle since the RBA began inflation targeting back in 1993. So what does this really mean for property investors, home buyers, and Australia’s housing markets? That’s what I’m going to unpack, along with Dr Andrew Wilson’s latest housing market data for January. Now, let me give you a quick spoiler alert. Yes, this rate rise will take some heat out of buyer demand in...
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Today’s show is going to hit close to home for a lot of Australians. Because despite living in one of the richest countries on the planet, the vast majority of Aussies are quietly battling something uncomfortable – the inability to actually build their wealth. We’re working harder than ever. We’re earning more than ever. But most households still feel like they’re running on a treadmill. Why is that? Well, it’s rarely about income. It’s rarely about intelligence. It’s rarely about effort. Today I’m joined by Australia’s leading...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineToday’s show is going to hit close to home for a lot of Australians.
Because despite living in one of the richest countries on the planet, the vast majority of Aussies are quietly battling something uncomfortable – the inability to actually build their wealth.
We’re working harder than ever. We’re earning more than ever. But most households still feel like they’re running on a treadmill.
Why is that? Well, it’s rarely about income. It’s rarely about intelligence. It’s rarely about effort.
Today I’m joined by Australia’s leading property tax strategist, Ken Raiss, to help you understand why Australians struggle to accumulate wealth and what the wealthy do differently.
Takeaways
· Most Australians feel financially insecure despite living in a wealthy country.
· Mindset plays a crucial role in determining financial success.
· Wealth creation requires strategic planning and a clear roadmap.
· Investors often limit their potential due to outdated beliefs.
· The importance of having a strong 'why' behind financial goals.
· Asset ownership and structuring can significantly impact wealth accumulation.
· A holistic approach to wealth creation is essential for long-term success.
· Inheritance and estate planning require careful consideration and strategy.
· Successful investors think long-term, often planning decades ahead.
· Collaboration with a wealth strategist can enhance financial outcomes.
Chapters
00:00 Why Australians struggle to build wealth despite high incomes.
04:50 Planning, education and the missing roadmap to wealth.
09:00 Wealth stages: growth, consolidation and preservation differ.
12:40 Using peak earning years to accelerate long-term outcomes.
16:10 Ownership structures, trusts and protecting accumulated wealth.
20:00 Why successful investors think long-term and work with strategists.
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.
Get a bundle of eBooks and Reports at: www.PodcastBonus.com.au
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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.