Episodes

  • Budget fallout for property: buyers, investors and the new-build gamble

    Budget fallout for property: buyers, investors and the new-build gamble
    May 30 2026
    In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack what the post-Budget property reset is starting to look like on the ground. Even before any policy changes are fully legislated, sentiment has shifted: investors are turning cautious, lenders are tightening around serviceability, asking prices are easing in parts of Sydney and Melbourne, and nervous sellers are starting to meet more patient buyers. Pete and Chris explain why this could create a short-term window for owner-occupiers and first-home buyers, especially if they stay selective and focus on quality assets instead of compromised stock. They also dig into the second-order effects many people miss: weaker turnover, softer stamp duty receipts for state governments, a possible push toward broader land-tax reform, and the way confidence can return quickly once rates, policy or sentiment stabilise. The episode also tackles the big debate around new builds. While tax settings may steer more investors toward fresh stock, Pete and Chris question whether the numbers really stack up once you factor in high build costs, elevated rates and the risk of owning something the next investor may not value the same way. Plus, they answer listener questions on refinancing an existing investment property, when interest-only lending may still make sense, and whether downsizers in developer-heavy suburbs could benefit from the changing market. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Rask Resources – Pete's Buyers Agency – Alcove mortgage broking – Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) – All services – Financial Planning – Invest with us – Access Show Notes – Ask a question – We love feedback! Follow us on social media – Instagram: @rask.invest – TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Budget changes: What property investors, pre-retirees and retirees should do next

    Budget changes: What property investors, pre-retirees and retirees should do next
    May 26 2026
    Chris Bates sits down with James O’Reilly to unpack what the latest Federal Budget proposals could mean for Australian property investors at three very different life stages: wealth accumulators, pre-retirees and retirees. They break down how proposed changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax and trust taxation may change the numbers for investors who have relied on property for growth, cashflow and tax efficiency. From there, the conversation moves beyond headlines into practical strategy: whether younger investors may lean harder on shares, debt recycling and super, why new-build incentives can become a trap if the underlying asset is weak, and how upgrading or renovating the family home may stack up differently if CGT settings change. For pre-retirees and retirees, Chris and James explore the line-in-the-sand moment many property owners could face before 1 July next year, including whether to hold, sell, add to super or rethink how wealth gets passed on. They also discuss SMSF property risks, why tax now matters more than ever in long-term modelling, and how good advice can help people avoid rushed decisions based on policy noise. If you own property, want to buy, or are rethinking where your next dollar should go after the Budget, this episode offers a calm framework for weighing the trade-offs. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Rask Resources – Pete's Buyers Agency – Alcove mortgage broking – Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) – All services – Financial Planning – Invest with us – Access Show Notes – Ask a question – We love feedback! Follow us on social media – Instagram: @rask.invest – TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Is property investing dead? What the Budget means for buyers, rents and prices

    Is property investing dead? What the Budget means for buyers, rents and prices
    May 23 2026
    Is property investing dead, or is Australia just entering an uncomfortable reset? In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack the post-Budget aftershocks now rippling through the housing market. They start with the investor side of the equation. With Sydney auctions rattled, negative gearing changes looming, and Macquarie already cutting investor serviceability, Pete and Chris explain why many established-property buyers may step back fast. They discuss where demand could weaken first, why some investors may pivot to new builds or other asset classes, and why rental pressure could worsen if fewer investors keep stock in the market. The episode also explores the flip side: could this finally be a better window for first-home buyers? The pair look at how reduced investor competition may change conditions on the ground, why strategy matters more than panic, and what buyers and sellers should be thinking about while the policy picture is still evolving. They also answer listener questions on getting a home loan while working on contract, plus the risks of chasing offshore property opportunities in places like the UAE or New Zealand. If you want a calm, practical conversation about rents, borrowing power, first-home buyer opportunities and what the Budget could change next, this is a timely listen. Episode resources – Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Rask Resources – Pete's Buyers Agency – Alcove mortgage broking – Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) – All services – Financial Planning – Invest with us – Access Show Notes – Ask a question – We love feedback! Follow us on social media – Instagram: @rask.invest – TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • Budget shock for property investors, rents and house prices

    Budget shock for property investors, rents and house prices
    May 14 2026
    In this 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates react to a Federal Budget that could reshape Australia’s housing market faster than many investors expect. Recording the morning after the announcement, they break down the headline changes: negative gearing being restricted to new builds from 1 July 2027, a tougher capital gains tax regime, and a new minimum tax rate on trusts. But the real focus is what those changes do to behaviour. Pete and Chris unpack why investor borrowing capacity could be hit, why established-property demand may soften, and why areas with heavy investor ownership could feel the pressure first. The episode also looks at the flow-on effects for rents, first-home buyers and housing supply. With vacancy rates already tight and rates still elevated, the pair explain why the market could split further between scarce owner-occupier-grade assets and investor-led stock such as some apartments and regional hotspots. They also discuss the likely policy response, including a bigger role for the 5% deposit scheme as government tries to keep demand from falling too hard. If you want a practical conversation about what the Budget could mean for prices, rents and property strategy from here, this is a timely episode to queue up now. Episode resources - Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Rask Resources - Pete's Buyers Agency - Alcove mortgage broking - Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) - All services - Financial Planning - Invest with us - Access Show Notes - Ask a question - We love feedback! Follow us on social media - Instagram: [@rask.invest] - TikTok: [@rask.invest] DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Why does it cost so much to build in Australia? Plus Budget risks for housing

    Why does it cost so much to build in Australia? Plus Budget risks for housing
    May 9 2026
    Why does it cost so much to build in Australia right now? In this week’s 2 Sense episode of the Australian Property Podcast, Pete Wargent and Chris Bates unpack a fresh construction squeeze just as the housing market heads into a Budget week that could reshape investor behaviour. They break down the build-cost blowout, including the sharp rise in the cost of delivering a dwelling since 2019, and explain why higher diesel, concrete, piping, plumbing supplies and financing costs all matter. If feasible projects become marginal and marginal projects become unfeasible, the supply response Australia desperately needs gets pushed even further out. The conversation then shifts to policy risk. Pete and Chris explore reported changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, softer conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, stronger rental yields, and what tighter supply could mean for buyers, investors and rents. The episode also answers listener questions on selling an investment property to buy ETFs, and how to balance property with shares for long-term retirement goals. It’s a practical, timely listen for anyone trying to read the next phase of the housing market. Episode resources Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Rask Resources Pete's Buyers Agency Alcove mortgage broking Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • How to buy in a hot vs cool property market

    How to buy in a hot vs cool property market
    May 5 2026
    Most buyers approach property search the same way regardless of what the market is doing. Pete Wargent and Amy Lunardi argue that this is exactly where buyers go wrong. In this episode of the Australian Property Podcast, they break down how to identify the market you are actually in and how your strategy needs to change when conditions shift. Rather than relying on broad headlines, they explain how to zoom in on the signals that matter most: auction clearance rates, days on market, vendor discounting, stock levels and real buyer depth at inspections and auctions. In hot markets, they cover the need to move quickly, complete due diligence early, set a hard ceiling before negotiations begin and avoid the emotional exhaustion that leads buyers to overpay or drift from their brief. In cooler markets, they unpack how to spot a genuinely motivated vendor, when to make an offer before being invited, how to think about off-markets and EOI campaigns, and why waiting for the perfect bottom can become its own costly mistake. The result is a practical guide for first-home buyers, upgraders and investors who want to buy well in any environment. There may never be a perfect market, but there is a smarter way to buy in the one you have. Resources for this episode Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Rask Resources Pete's Buyers Agency Alcove mortgage broking Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Why buying your first home feels impossible (and what to do instead) with Lucinda Hartley

    Why buying your first home feels impossible (and what to do instead) with Lucinda Hartley
    May 2 2026
    This episode was originally featured on The Australian Finance Podcast. Discover why the traditional path to buying your first home no longer works, the trade-offs modern buyers must make, and how to rethink home ownership in today’s market. In this Australian Property Podcast episode, your host Gemma Mitchell is joined by Lucinda Hartley, author of Finding Home, to unpack what’s really changed when it comes to buying your first home. They cover: – Why the traditional “rulebook” no longer applies – How first home buyers need to rethink what “home” means – The key trade-offs you must understand before buying – How to approach home ownership in a way that fits your life today Topics Covered – Why the First Home Buyer Rulebook is Outdated – Then vs Now: What’s Changed in the Property Market – Rethinking What “Home” Means – The First Question Buyers Should Ask Themselves – Housing as “Success” vs Housing as “Security” – Is “Worst House, Best Street” Still Relevant? – Suburb vs Property: What Matters More Today – Changing Buyer Preferences (Apartments, Location, Lifestyle) – The Impact of Government Grants & Incentives – Is the 30% Housing Rule Still Realistic? – The Trade-Off Triangle Explained – The 10 Lifestyle Trade-Off Lenses – Common Trade-Offs Buyers Regret – Defining Your Non-Negotiables Before Buying – Credit Scores: What Actually Matters – Final Advice for First Home Buyers Resources for this episode ⁠Connect with Lucinda: Finding Home – Lucinda Hartley⁠ ⁠Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”⁠ ⁠Speak with the Rask Advice team⁠ Ask a question (select the Property podcast) Rask Resources Pete's Buyers Agency Alcove mortgage broking Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) All services Financial Planning Invest with us Access Show Notes Ask a question We love feedback! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @rask.invest TikTok: @rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • What tax reforms mean for the housing market

    What tax reforms mean for the housing market
    Apr 25 2026
    Pete Wargent and Chris Bates break down what potential changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing could mean for investors and renters, then zoom out to the bigger forces shaping the property market. Key topics: Possible CGT and negative gearing reforms, and the flow-on to investor demand, rents and buyers Oil prices, bond yields, sticky rents, and shaky confidence in Sydney and Melbourne The role of immigration and supply in ongoing housing pressure Listener Q&A on refinancing, fixed vs variable rates, and whether to wait or back high-quality assets Rask Resources Pete's Buyers Agency: https://allenwargent.com.au Alcove mortgage broking: https://raskmedia.com.au/services/mortgage-broking Amy Lunardi Buyers Agency (Melbourne) https://amylunardi.com.au All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes Ask a question (select the property podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    50 mins