First Time Property Investor

S2E17 - Changes To SMSF Lending: Why the New Rules Might Be a Blessing in Disguise

The episode explains recent changes that will shut off new borrowing through SMSFs for residential property, while noting what hasn’t changed: SMSFs still exist, commercial property lending via SMSF remains possible, and residential property can still be bought outright with cash. The hosts argue the change affects less than 1% of lending and is being catastrophised by industry players who profit from SMSF property transactions, warning listeners not to rush due to FOMO-driven marketing like “45 days” offers. Connect with us ➜ https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod [https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod] First Time Property Investor is for Australians who want to invest in property but feel stuck between too much information, conflicting advice, and the fear of getting it wrong.  Get honest conversations, practical insights, and clear strategy to help you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence. Hosted by Imti, Pete and Skye, with insight from the finance, buying, sales and property management sides of the industry. * (00:00) - SMSF Borrowing Shakeup * (01:24) - Why Everyone Panicking * (03:38) - Who SMSF Property Suits * (04:34) - What Actually Changed * (05:17) - Hidden Costs And Drag * (06:43) - Property Bro Pivot * (07:45) - Psychology And Better Alternatives * (09:29) - FOMO Marketing Trap * (12:57) - Who To Trust For Advice * (17:03) - Real Risks For Existing Deals * (18:48) - Final Takeaways And Help

S2E16 - The Dark Side Of Investing: How A One-Stop Property Shop Lost Our Client $350,000 Of Equity (Part 2)

This is part two of Julia's story - a cautionary tale about a seasoned property investor who built $350,000 in equity across two properties, only to find herself in a situation that could cost her everything. In part one, the hosts walked through the story at a high level. In this episode, they slow it right down: breaking apart each of the 10 red flags in Julia's purchase journey - not just what they were, but why they felt completely reasonable in the moment, what the real risks are, and how you can spot them before it's too late. Connect with us ➜ https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod [https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod] 00:01 Referral Fees & Scaling Commissions 08:44 The "Educational" Seminar 16:37 Nominating A Pre-Selected Team 22:44 Pre-Filled & Unconditional Contracts 29:58 Hacking The Loan Structure 34:36 Cross-Collateralisation of Loans 37:15 Rental Guarantees & High Vacancy Rates 40:43 Pre-Selected Builders 42:38 One-Stop Shops 45:07 Takeaways & Julia's Outcome First Time Property Investor is for Australians who want to invest in property but feel stuck between too much information, conflicting advice, and the fear of getting it wrong.  Get honest conversations, practical insights, and clear strategy to help you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence. Hosted by Imti, Pete and Skye, with insight from the finance, buying, sales and property management sides of the industry.

S2E15 - The Dark Side Of Investing: How A One-Stop Property Shop Lost Our Client $350,000 Of Equity (Part 1)

What happens when a successful investor follows advice from people they thought they could trust? In this episode, the team unpacks the real-life story of Julia, a migrant who worked tirelessly to build wealth through property, only to find herself locked into two unconditional contracts that put more than $350,000 of equity at risk. From community referrals and educational seminars to referral commissions, house-and-land packages, SMSF property purchases, and unconditional contracts, this episode reveals how a series of seemingly small decisions created a financial nightmare. Part one focuses on Julia's journey and how the situation unfolded. In part two, the team will break down the red flags, warning signs, and practical lessons every investor should know to avoid finding themselves in the same position. Connect with us ➜ https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod [https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod] First Time Property Investor is for Australians who want to invest in property but feel stuck between too much information, conflicting advice, and the fear of getting it wrong.  Get honest conversations, practical insights, and clear strategy to help you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence. Hosted by Imti, Pete and Skye, with insight from the finance, buying, sales and property management sides of the industry. * (00:00) - The Phone Call That Started It All * (01:00) - Meet Julia: Building the Australian Dream * (02:30) - The Referral That Changed Everything * (03:45) - From Accountant to Property Seminar * (05:00) - Trust, Community & Hidden Incentives * (07:00) - Why the Red Flags Didn't Feel Like Red Flags * (08:30) - The One-Stop-Shop Property Model * (11:15) - Two Contracts Signed in Two Weeks * (13:00) - SMSFs, Trusts & Complex Structures * (14:00) - The Team Behind the Transactions * (14:45) - The Contract Clauses That Were Crossed Out * (17:00) - Why Great Service Can Sometimes Be Dangerous * (18:30) - The Myth That 'Property Always Goes Up' * (19:00) - The SMSF Property That Was Worth Less Than Purchase Price * (20:30) - How Trust Led to an $80,000 Overpayment * (22:00) - The Second Property Problem * (24:00) - The Negative Equity Risk * (24:45) - The Only Way Out: Selling a Good Asset * (25:30) - Why Choosing Your Own Professionals Matters * (26:00) - The Bigger Lesson From Julia's Story * (27:00) - Part Two Preview: The Red Flags Every Investor Should Know

S2E14 - Should You Buy New Or Established? (Part 2)

With recent property tax changes reshaping the investment landscape, many first-time investors are asking the same question: should you buy established property or consider a new build instead? In this episode, the team breaks down a practical five-step framework covering the recent budget changes, investment timeframes, borrowing capacity, cashflow, and risk. Learn how each factor can influence your decision, the hidden trade-offs of both strategies, and why your personal circumstances matter more than ever. If you're trying to work out which path makes the most sense for your first investment property, this episode will help you cut through the noise and make a more informed decision. Connect with us ➜ https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod [https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod] 00:37 Understanding The Budget Changes 05:55 Timing Your Investment Strategy 11:36 Borrowing Capacity & Changes To Lending 17:36 The Importance Of Cashflow & Stress-Testing Your Investment 24:57 Understanding Risk Potential First Time Property Investor is for Australians who want to invest in property but feel stuck between too much information, conflicting advice, and the fear of getting it wrong.  Get honest conversations, practical insights, and clear strategy to help you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with confidence. Hosted by Imti, Pete and Skye, with insight from the finance, buying, sales and property management sides of the industry.

S2E13 - Should You Buy New Or Established? (Part 1)

With more investors considering new builds, knowing how to separate opportunity from marketing hype has never been more important. In this episode, the team breaks down a practical framework for researching new build investment properties, including what makes a location attractive, the key data points to analyse, and the red flags that often signal trouble ahead. Learn why established suburbs continue to outperform many new estates, how supply and demand really impact growth, and the simple checks you can use to avoid costly mistakes before signing a contract. Whether you're considering a house-and-land package, townhouse, or micro-development, this episode will help you make a more informed investment decision. Connect with us ➜ https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod [https://linktr.ee/ftpi.pod] 00:00 Introduction: New Builds vs Established Property 02:00 What Makes a Good New Build Investment Location? 03:00 Why Many New Estates Underperform 04:45 How to Research Investment Areas Properly 05:45 The Key Data Points Every Investor Should Check 08:00 Infrastructure: What Actually Matters? 10:00 Building Approvals and Future Supply Risks 11:15 Population Growth: The Missing Side of the Story 13:30 Why Micro-Developments Can Be More Attractive 14:00 Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away 15:00 The Problem with Cheap House & Land Packages 17:15 How to Stand Out in High-Supply Estates 20:00 Features That Improve Rental Demand and Resale Value 21:00 Understanding Negative Equity Risk 24:00 How New Estates Are Marketed to Investors 27:00 Finance and Contract Risks to Watch For 28:30 Why Independent Property Management Advice Matters 29:30 Rental Guarantees Explained 30:30 A 5-Step Framework to Pressure-Test Any New Build 36:30 Building the Right Team Around Your Investment 38:00 Final Thoughts: The Fundamentals Haven't Changed