The Finance Bible

#108 - Stop Buying Properties To Lose Money

*Please note, this episode was recorded before the 2026 Federal Budget. Negative gearing gets sold as a cheat code, but what if it’s just a fancy way to normalise losing money? Zeke and Oscar get real about the negative gearing vs positive gearing debate and why most people arguing online don’t understand what they’re actually signing up for. We talk cash flow, tax deductions, and the difference between a strategy that looks good “on paper” and a deal that feels good every week.  We break down the basics in plain English: negative gearing means your rent is lower than your expenses, so you run at a loss that can reduce your taxable income. Positive gearing means your rent covers the costs and you keep profit, which can increase your taxable income. Then we dig into the nuance most investors miss, like how depreciation and other costs can still create tax advantages even when the property is neutral or cash flow positive. The goal isn’t to worship one label, it’s to buy a property that makes sense before tax and doesn’t wreck your budget.  From there, we go deeper into real-world property investing strategy: serviceability, borrowing power, and why cash flow can help you scale from one investment property to the next faster. We also challenge the myth that high rental yield means you must give up capital growth, and we walk through the long-term view where retirement income from rent can matter just as much as the final sale price. We wrap with a reminder that location selection is everything, and that future policy changes could make “tax-first” plans riskier than people think.  If you want a clear, practical take on building wealth through real estate investing without getting trapped by bad math, hit play. Subscribe to the Finance Bible Podcast, share this with someone debating gearing, and leave a review with your take: are you team cash flow, team growth, or both? Did you like this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/support] 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Follow us on Instagram @z [https://www.instagram.com/thefinancebiblepodcast]ekeguenthrothofficial @oscardonproperty and @assetroad [https://www.instagram.com/assetroad] for daily insights, property breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes updates. Explore more at www.assetroad.com.au [https://www.assetroad.com.au] Top 10 Finance Podcasts in Australia on Feedspots ranking- https://podcast.feedspot.com/australian_personal_finance_podcasts/ [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJQdFOYX4%2BIeCPdJ0eRH9%2BGUG%2BrqHeTiRwfFFvrmRsW0ZCHp6B3h4RcH%2BBvN3w7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlVSAVSAUIWscVR%2FnkoVkiKhMUIFLT9lsMI1T17JdKIRVVFiNYEwNHBQ5I%2Fe6PVxYbRCEgSQf2WQ0iEdPmk04XH0nu5hvczRbP5Ajz86BM8BwXEBdKBQlbCxRG8%2BWbShwiEd0lXhT6I9kVUQDsnWAoJg%3D%3D] Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Asset Road Pty Ltd recommends you seek independent financial, legal, taxation or other advice as required. All investments carry risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

OD #20 - The budget that was supposed to save young Aussies .... but didn't

They called it the most ambitious budget in decades and framed it as a win for young Australians, but when we read the fine print, the housing story gets uncomfortable fast. Oscar goes solo to unpack the 2026 Australian federal budget and what it means for anyone under 35 trying to buy a first home, get financially stable, or even just keep up with rent.  We walk through the two big levers: negative gearing being restricted to new homes and the capital gains tax shake-up that replaces the 50% CGT discount with a new approach to taxing real gains for newly purchased assets, with a minimum 30% rate. On paper, it sounds like it should cool investor demand and help first home buyers. In practice, the grandfathering rules mean existing investors keep many of the best benefits, while new buyers face the changed settings. We also talk through why many Australians are wary of new builds and off-the-plan purchases, which complicates the government’s push toward construction.  Then we zoom out to the real-world pressure cooker: inflation running hot, repeated interest rate hikes, and how even a small rate move can wreck borrowing capacity for first-time buyers. Most importantly, we dig into the second-order effects people ignore, especially the risk that rents rise when established property becomes less attractive to investors and rental supply tightens. Finally, we call out what’s missing from the budget if the goal is true housing affordability: more housing supply, better zoning, faster approvals, and stamp duty reform.  If you’re trying to make sense of the Australian property market right now, listen through, share it with a mate, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What do you think this budget changes for you? Did you like this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/support] 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Follow us on Instagram @z [https://www.instagram.com/thefinancebiblepodcast]ekeguenthrothofficial @oscardonproperty and @assetroad [https://www.instagram.com/assetroad] for daily insights, property breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes updates. Explore more at www.assetroad.com.au [https://www.assetroad.com.au] Top 10 Finance Podcasts in Australia on Feedspots ranking- https://podcast.feedspot.com/australian_personal_finance_podcasts/ [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJQdFOYX4%2BIeCPdJ0eRH9%2BGUG%2BrqHeTiRwfFFvrmRsW0ZCHp6B3h4RcH%2BBvN3w7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlVSAVSAUIWscVR%2FnkoVkiKhMUIFLT9lsMI1T17JdKIRVVFiNYEwNHBQ5I%2Fe6PVxYbRCEgSQf2WQ0iEdPmk04XH0nu5hvczRbP5Ajz86BM8BwXEBdKBQlbCxRG8%2BWbShwiEd0lXhT6I9kVUQDsnWAoJg%3D%3D] Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Asset Road Pty Ltd recommends you seek independent financial, legal, taxation or other advice as required. All investments carry risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

#107 - The Hidden Costs of Buying an Investment Property (No One Talks About This)

Most people budget for a deposit and a loan, then act shocked when property investing gets expensive. We’ve just been traveling between markets and seeing the same pattern with buyers again and again: the purchase price is only the beginning, and the “small” line items are what break cash flow. So we lay out the true cost of buying an investment property in Australia in plain English, with real ranges and the exact categories you should be modelling before you sign a contract. We walk through the big upfront costs that first-time investors miss, starting with stamp duty and why the structure of the purchase can change what you pay. We also cover legal and conveyancing fees, plus why a strong contract review can protect you from nasty surprises. Then we get into one of the highest ROI steps you can take on an established home: the building and pest inspection, not just for risk reduction but also for negotiating the purchase price and getting repairs handled properly. From there we zoom into lending: application and valuation fees, and lender’s mortgage insurance (LMI) when you borrow above an 80% LVR. We explain why LMI isn’t automatically a dealbreaker, but why you have to stress test your numbers with buffers and higher rates. Finally, we detail ongoing holding costs like property management fees, council rates, strata or body corporate, water charges, insurance, maintenance, and vacancy, because long-term wealth comes from holding great assets, not from guessing. If you’re serious about building a sustainable portfolio, skip the hotspot hype and run the math. Subscribe to the Finance Bible Podcast, share this with someone planning to buy, and leave us a review with the one cost you’ve been underestimating. Did you like this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/support] 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Follow us on Instagram @z [https://www.instagram.com/thefinancebiblepodcast]ekeguenthrothofficial @oscardonproperty and @assetroad [https://www.instagram.com/assetroad] for daily insights, property breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes updates. Explore more at www.assetroad.com.au [https://www.assetroad.com.au] Top 10 Finance Podcasts in Australia on Feedspots ranking- https://podcast.feedspot.com/australian_personal_finance_podcasts/ [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJQdFOYX4%2BIeCPdJ0eRH9%2BGUG%2BrqHeTiRwfFFvrmRsW0ZCHp6B3h4RcH%2BBvN3w7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlVSAVSAUIWscVR%2FnkoVkiKhMUIFLT9lsMI1T17JdKIRVVFiNYEwNHBQ5I%2Fe6PVxYbRCEgSQf2WQ0iEdPmk04XH0nu5hvczRbP5Ajz86BM8BwXEBdKBQlbCxRG8%2BWbShwiEd0lXhT6I9kVUQDsnWAoJg%3D%3D] Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Asset Road Pty Ltd recommends you seek independent financial, legal, taxation or other advice as required. All investments carry risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

OD #19 - The Great Property Divide: Why Australia’s Market Is Splitting in Two

Australia’s property market is no longer moving as one. In this episode, we break down the growing divide between major cities—why some markets are surging while others are stalling, and what’s really driving the shift beneath the headlines. From Perth’s rapid growth to Melbourne’s reset and Sydney’s affordability ceiling, this is a city-by-city analysis of where the opportunities are forming… and where risk is quietly building. If you’re still thinking about property as one national market, you’re already behind. This episode will change how you see it—and how you move within it. Did you like this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/support] 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Follow us on Instagram @z [https://www.instagram.com/thefinancebiblepodcast]ekeguenthrothofficial @oscardonproperty and @assetroad [https://www.instagram.com/assetroad] for daily insights, property breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes updates. Explore more at www.assetroad.com.au [https://www.assetroad.com.au] Top 10 Finance Podcasts in Australia on Feedspots ranking- https://podcast.feedspot.com/australian_personal_finance_podcasts/ [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJQdFOYX4%2BIeCPdJ0eRH9%2BGUG%2BrqHeTiRwfFFvrmRsW0ZCHp6B3h4RcH%2BBvN3w7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlVSAVSAUIWscVR%2FnkoVkiKhMUIFLT9lsMI1T17JdKIRVVFiNYEwNHBQ5I%2Fe6PVxYbRCEgSQf2WQ0iEdPmk04XH0nu5hvczRbP5Ajz86BM8BwXEBdKBQlbCxRG8%2BWbShwiEd0lXhT6I9kVUQDsnWAoJg%3D%3D] Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Asset Road Pty Ltd recommends you seek independent financial, legal, taxation or other advice as required. All investments carry risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

#106 - How First Home Buyer Grants Push Prices Higher

Property prices don’t just “go up” on their own, they respond to incentives, and right now Australia is drenched in them. We’re fired up about how first home buyer grants and 5% deposit schemes can look helpful on paper while quietly bidding up the same entry-level homes first home buyers are trying to afford. When you add 95% lending into a rising interest rate environment, the risk isn’t abstract anymore. It’s repayment stress, defaults, and a system that starts planning bailouts before the ink is dry.  We also dig into the political heat on investors, especially talk of changing the capital gains tax discount. If a meaningful chunk of property investors sell or stop buying, the rental market doesn’t magically improve. Supply shrinks, vacancy tightens, and rents climb, which hits the exact people policy claims to protect. We talk through why this matters for retirement planning too, because many Australians are trying to build long-term wealth outside the age pension by creating a property investment portfolio they can actually control.  Then we shift to what we’re seeing on the ground: real growth numbers, including big monthly gains and why markets like regional Queensland surged so hard. We zoom out on how to think about “the next affordable market” without chasing yesterday’s winners, using fundamentals like infrastructure spending, employer demand, and risk checks like insurance costs and vacancy rates.  If you want clearer thinking on the Australian property market, interest rates, inflation, and smart property investing strategy, hit play and tell us what you think. Subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find it. Did you like this episode? [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/fan_mail/new] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1831974/support] 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Follow us on Instagram @z [https://www.instagram.com/thefinancebiblepodcast]ekeguenthrothofficial @oscardonproperty and @assetroad [https://www.instagram.com/assetroad] for daily insights, property breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes updates. Explore more at www.assetroad.com.au [https://www.assetroad.com.au] Top 10 Finance Podcasts in Australia on Feedspots ranking- https://podcast.feedspot.com/australian_personal_finance_podcasts/ [https://www.feedspot.com/fs/tk/GEbRwJQdFOYX4%2BIeCPdJ0eRH9%2BGUG%2BrqHeTiRwfFFvrmRsW0ZCHp6B3h4RcH%2BBvN3w7A9Y9S8PYR3R9KHAkj2RdWCPChI%2BLlVSAVSAUIWscVR%2FnkoVkiKhMUIFLT9lsMI1T17JdKIRVVFiNYEwNHBQ5I%2Fe6PVxYbRCEgSQf2WQ0iEdPmk04XH0nu5hvczRbP5Ajz86BM8BwXEBdKBQlbCxRG8%2BWbShwiEd0lXhT6I9kVUQDsnWAoJg%3D%3D] Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Asset Road Pty Ltd recommends you seek independent financial, legal, taxation or other advice as required. All investments carry risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results.