The Truth About Property Investing and Why So Many Fail
Hotspotting
Millions of Australians dive into property investment aiming for financial freedom or a secure retirement, but most never achieve it. In this episode, we explore why so many fall short and what separates the 1% who build sizeable property portfolios. Based on my new book Why Property Values Rise, we uncover the 12 rookie mistakes that slow investors down, from following the herd to ignoring expert advice. If you’re serious about property wealth, understanding these pitfalls could transform the way you invest. Tune in to discover practical strategies, insider tips, and the key mindset shifts...
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Inside Australia’s Housing Crisis
Hotspotting
Almost everyone agrees Australia is in a housing crisis — but why can’t we agree on what’s causing it? In this episode, we unpack a revealing Macquarie University study that shows the nation is united on the problem, yet divided on the reasons behind it. We dive into what Australians think is driving the crisis — from population growth and interest rates to housing supply and taxes — and why the usual media scapegoats like foreign buyers and investor tax breaks don’t rank as highly as you’d expect. You’ll also hear why misinformation, mixed messaging and a lack of political...
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Price Growth Differences
Hotspotting
Property prices are rising… or falling… depending on who you ask. With major data sources reporting completely different results, it’s no wonder Australians are confused about what’s really happening in the market. In this episode, we break down the latest numbers from PropTrack and Cotality to uncover where the data aligns, where it clashes, and why “official” figures aren’t always as solid as they seem. From Darwin’s conflicting unit prices to the quiet strength of regional markets, we dig into the rubbery numbers shaping big investment decisions. If you want a clearer,...
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AI Meets Conveyancing: The Future of Property Law
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Guest: Ian Perkins, Co-Founder & Director, Lawlab What if reviewing your property contract was as simple as uploading a file and letting AI do the rest? In this episode of The Property Playbook, Tim Graham sits down with Ian Perkins of Lawlab, one of Australia’s most innovative property law firms, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of conveyancing. Founded in 1899 and reinvented for the digital age, Lawlab has revolutionised property transactions with secure, streamlined technology—making the process faster, smarter, and more transparent. Ian unveils their...
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Do Australians Actually Want More Affordable Housing?
Hotspotting
While housing affordability dominates political debate, most Australians don’t actually want prices to drop. In this episode, we unpack new data showing strong confidence in the property market and explore how government policies, limited supply, and buyer sentiment are keeping prices on the rise. We also look at why politicians talk about affordability but rarely act — and what this means for buyers, renters, and investors across Australia.
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The Pulse Highlights The Winning Trifecta For Investors
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What if the suburbs with the best rental returns were also the ones skyrocketing in value? In this episode of The Pulse, we uncover the most surprising trend in Australian real estate — the same locations we picked for their high yields are now leading the nation in capital growth. We dive into the data from past editions and reveal how many of these 50 hotspots have doubled in value in less than five years. From Perth to Queensland to South Australia, these affordable, high-performing markets are delivering a true investor’s dream — strong cash flow, rapid price growth, and long-term...
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Why Property Values Rise
Hotspotting
Every investor wants to know the secret to finding Australia’s next property growth hotspots — but how do you actually predict where values will rise next? In this episode, we dive into the key drivers behind property growth and unpack the metrics and indicators that reveal which locations are set to outperform. Forget backward-looking data — this is about reading the signs of the future. Based on insights from the new book Why Property Values Rise, you’ll learn how to spot tomorrow’s top-performing suburbs today and make smarter, future-focused investment decisions.
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The Truth About High-Yield Locations Every Investor Needs to Know
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High-yield property markets are disappearing fast — so where are investors still finding strong returns in 2025? In this episode, we unpack Australia’s shifting property landscape and reveal the locations that still offer solid rental yields and room for growth. We also explore how savvy investors are using depreciation to lift their returns and stay cashflow positive, even as yields tighten nationwide. If you’re serious about property investing, this episode will help you spot the opportunities others are missing and make smarter moves in today’s market.
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How Property Made Millions of Australians Wealthy
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Australia’s wealth keeps breaking records — but is it all built on property? The latest ABS data shows total household wealth has hit $17.76 trillion, with residential real estate making up the bulk of it. Meanwhile, a global report ranks Australia as the second wealthiest country in the world, behind only Luxembourg. In this episode, we unpack what’s really driving Australia’s growing prosperity, why property plays such a massive role, and what this means for the future of the housing market. Tune in for a grounded look at the numbers behind the headlines — and what they reveal...
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The Truth Behind Those “Cheap Property” Lists in Australia
Hotspotting
You’ve probably seen the headlines claiming you can still buy a home in Australia for under $300K — but is it really that simple? In this episode, we dig into the truth behind those “cheap property” lists and why they often mislead buyers and investors. We’ll unpack how these headlines get made, what they leave out, and why chasing a bargain in the wrong place could cost you more than you think. Tune in for real talk on the Australian property market, smart investing, and how to separate solid advice from clickbait.
info_outlineThe trend we call the Exodus to Affordable Lifestyle is among the most powerful forces impacting real estate markets across Australia.
It’s a trend that been around for at least the past 10 years, with more and more residents of the biggest cities relocating to smaller cities or regional areas in search of a different and more affordable lifestyle, empowered by technology which allows many people to work remotely.
It was NOT created by the Covid lockdowns. It was under way long before Covid appeared in 2020 and it continues to have considerable momentum now that we are well beyond the pandemic restrictions.
But media continues to perpetuate the fiction that this was a Covid thing – and to express surprise that, now that we no longer have lockdowns and border restrictions, people are not all moving back to the big cities.
The latest quarterly edition of the Regional Movers Index confirms that this trend is as strong as ever – and it has generated more shock/horror/amazement from journalists who think it was all about the Covid lockdowns.
One article in major media expressed surprise that “Australia is not going back to the pre-pandemic way of life”.
And there’s a very good reason for that: this trend has very little to do with the pandemic.
The Regional Movers Index – which is a collaboration between the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) and the Commonwealth Bank - has once again reported that there are far more people relocating to regional areas than making a move in the opposite direction to major cities, with a 27 per cent difference in the June 2024 Quarter.
What the latest figures confirm, according to RAI chief executive Liz Ritchie, is that “the population movement we’re seeing is a sustained trend”.
Ritchie says: “Regional Australia has become the nation’s new frontier.”
The latest data highlighted a number of specific hotspots that are reaping the benefits of Australia’s romance with the regions.
Lake Macquarie, which sits beside Newcastle in NSW, has emerged as one of Australia’s most popular destinations for movers, securing an almost 5 per cent share of net internal migration over the past year.
Neighbouring local government areas on the NSW south coast such as the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla both experienced strong annual and quarterly surges in movement, according to the report.
Large centres within a few hours’ drive of capitals remain popular with many movers, however the regions that experienced the biggest population changes over the past 12 months were generally further afield, including Townsville (Qld), Mid-West Regional (NSW), Strathbogie (Vic), Murray Bridge (SA), Greater Geraldton (WA) and George Town (Tas).
Approximately three-quarters of the city dwellers who made the move to the regions in the past three months found new homes in either regional NSW or Victoria, confirming that Sydney continues to shed the highest number of residents, followed by Melbourne.
But that’s not to say that Queensland’s appeal has waned entirely, with regional Queensland’s share of net city outflows sitting at 19 per cent, even though it was as high as 41 per cent this time last year.
Indeed, the Sunshine Coast has retained its title as the nation’s most popular destination for relocators, accounting for a 14 per cent share of net internal migration. The Gold Coast has slipped down in the rankings, however, with the city experiencing a net outflow of people to other regional areas.
Western Australia also proved attractive for relocators, with Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Capel and Northam all seeing an inflow of new residents.
The overall picture is that the trend of people moving from Sydney and Melbourne to regional areas continues strongly, with large numbers of big city dwellers still seeking a different and more affordable lifestyle.