The Property Playbook - EP9: Smart Money Habits for First-Time Buyers with Glen James
Release Date: 01/30/2025
Hotspotting
Is Australia really heading into the “grandaddy of all property booms” just because of a couple of interest rate cuts? If you believe the headlines, that’s exactly what’s happening. But here’s the problem: those headlines are mostly rubbish. In this episode, we cut through the media hype and take a hard look at what’s really driving property prices – and it’s not interest rates. From shallow journalism to economist echo chambers, we expose the flawed logic behind the property boom narrative and explain why it doesn’t stack up against real data or historical precedent. Join us...
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How does someone go from trading commodities in New York City to selling some of Melbourne’s most luxurious homes? In this episode of The Property Playbook, host Tim Graham sits down with Nicholas Brooks, Director of Marshall White Stonnington, to explore his unique journey into real estate and what it takes to thrive in the top end of Melbourne’s property market. 🔑 What you'll learn in this episode: Nick’s transition from finance in New York to high-end real estate in Melbourne What makes Stonnington one of Melbourne’s most desirable property regions The current trends in...
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Australia is one of the most urbanised nations on earth, but how is its population growth reshaping the map? New data from .id reveals surprising trends across the country’s fifty largest cities and towns. Some regional centres are surging ahead while others are slipping behind. The Sunshine Coast has quietly become the fastest growing city in the nation, just ahead of Perth. Geelong, Ballarat and Hervey Bay are rising fast, while places like Whyalla tell a very different story. Melbourne has overtaken Sydney again, and a small but booming area in Lake Macquarie has broken into the top fifty...
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What do some of the highest rental yields in Australia have in common with some of the biggest property busts? In this episode, we explore the darker side of high yield towns and why some locations that promise strong returns can become financial traps. From Moranbah to Port Hedland, the history of boom and bust in resource-driven towns is littered with painful lessons. Why are some towns offering yields above 12 percent while their property values plummet? What really lies beneath the glossy headlines and impressive statistics? And why are so many of these markets cheap for a reason? This...
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Why does it now cost nearly a million dollars to build a basic home in Australia? The latest NAB Residential Property Survey reveals some uncomfortable truths. Construction costs are soaring, government taxes and delays are adding layers of expense, and productivity in the building sector has fallen dramatically over the past 30 years. Yet investors are still being blamed for rising prices, even though they make up just a quarter of buyers. So what is really driving the housing crisis? If you want to understand the forces shaping property prices, affordability and supply across the country,...
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🎙️ Why the Election Won’t Fix the Housing Crisis Australia has voted — but will the Federal Election result change anything for the housing crisis? For real estate consumers, the answer is... probably not. In this episode, we cut through the political noise and unpack what the election outcome really means for home buyers, investors, renters, and the property industry. While the re-election of the Albanese Government may provide short-term relief for homeowners, it offers little hope for renters or first-home buyers — because, quite simply, the government still doesn’t understand...
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This was one of the most highly anticipated and highly attended webinars of the year — and for good reason. In this exclusive session, Hotspotting founder Terry Ryder and iBuyNew CEO Daniel Petersen explore the powerful impact the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games will have on property markets across South East Queensland. ✔ Learn from case studies of past Olympic host cities, including Sydney, Athens, London, and Tokyo ✔ Discover how infrastructure, population growth, and legacy planning have driven real estate booms ✔ Understand why Brisbane is poised to outperform every...
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🎙️ Perth Property: Boom or Bust? Cutting Through the Noise In the confusing world of real estate commentary, how do you know who to trust? In this episode, we unpack the conflicting headlines surrounding the Perth property market — with some claiming the boom is still raging, while others say it’s well and truly over. So, who’s telling the truth? We expose the dangerous influence of vested interests in property media and explain why so much of what gets published is little more than PR spin. You'll hear why independent analysts from CoreLogic (Cotality), PropTrack, and Domain are...
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🎙️ The Positive Cashflow Property Myth Busted Think high interest rates mean goodbye to positive cashflow? Think again. In this episode, we break down why smart investors are still finding strong cashflow opportunities right now across Australia. We explore the truth behind the long-held myth that you can’t have high rental yields and capital growth — and reveal why this old idea no longer holds water. From booming regions like South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland, to overlooked gems like Darwin (the nation’s most affordable capital), there are markets offering: ✅...
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Government support for first-home buyers always seems to spark the same criticism: that it drives up prices and does more harm than good. But where’s the evidence? In this episode, we unpack the recurring claims that FHB schemes like deposit guarantees and grants inflate property values — and ask why these arguments persist despite a lack of supporting data. We explore how media narratives often miss the mark, focusing blame on young buyers instead of tackling the real issues: supply constraints, high construction costs, and planning bottlenecks. If helping first-home buyers is always the...
info_outlineOwning your first home might feel like a distant dream, but the right financial habits can bring it closer than you think. In this episode of The Property Playbook, host Tim Graham sits down with Glen James—creator and host of the Money Money Money podcast and founder of the Glen James Spending Plan.
Glen shares practical tips on saving smarter, spending wisely, and investing confidently to help first-time buyers achieve their property dreams.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- The most common financial mistakes that hold first-time buyers back and how to avoid them. Glen's top strategies for saving a deposit while balancing other financial priorities.
- Practical tips for staying financially resilient in a high-interest-rate environment. Advice for singles re-entering the property market after a separation.
- How the Glen James Spending Plan helps people take control of their money and get onto the property ladder.
Guest Bio:
Glen James is a retired financial adviser with over 10 years of experience. As the creator of the Glen James Spending Plan and the Money Money Money podcast, Glen is dedicated to helping people spend, save, and invest with confidence through simple, actionable advice.
Follow Glen James:
Website: https://www.moneypodcast.com.au/
Podcast: Money Money Money
Spending Plan: The Glen James Spending Plan
Follow The Property Playbook:
Website: www.hotspotting.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timgraham_hotspotting/