Wealth Coffee Chats

Using Home Equity Without Risking Your Home Smart Structuring Explained

On this Monday education session of Wealth Coffee Chats, we tackle one of the biggest fears in property investing: “What if I lose my home?” For many homeowners, the idea of using equity to invest feels risky. More debt. More interest. Longer loan terms. Rising rates. It can feel like you’re moving backwards instead of building wealth. But what if the issue isn’t using equity — it’s how you structure it? In this episode, we break down: Why fear stops people from accessing their home equity The common mistakes that make investing feel unsafe What cross-collateralisation is — and why it can put your home at risk How the “all-monies clause” can limit your flexibility Why using one bank for everything isn’t always the safest option How to structure loans across separate lenders to protect your assets How equity is calculated (80% LVR explained simply) A real-world scenario showing how growth can help recycle equity How to create flexibility and control while protecting your home We walk through a practical example of releasing equity correctly, building a “brick wall” between properties, and setting up a structure that allows growth to eventually pay down non-deductible debt. The key takeaway? It’s not about taking on reckless risk. It’s about structuring smartly, protecting your home, and creating flexibility for the future. If you’ve ever worried that using equity means gambling your family home, this episode will help demystify the strategy and show you how it can be done safely and effectively. As always, if you’d like to explore how this applies to your own situation, reach out to the advisory team for a personalised discussion. Have a great week ahead!

Interest-Only vs Principal & Interest: The Strategy That Could Shape Your Portfolio

Interest-only or principal and interest — which one should you choose, and when does it actually make sense? In this episode of Wealth Coffee Chats, we unpack the real strategy behind structuring your home and investment loans. While principal and interest is typically the smart move for your owner-occupied home (especially to reduce non-deductible debt faster), there are scenarios where interest-only can play a powerful strategic role — particularly during your acquisition phase or when planning to convert a PPR into an investment property. But lending policies have changed. Banks no longer assess interest-only loans the way they used to, and that shift can significantly impact your borrowing capacity. From shortened assessment terms to full reapplications when interest-only periods expire, today’s lending environment requires far more strategy and forward planning than before. In this episode, we cover: * Why principal and interest is usually ideal for your PPR * When interest-only can make sense as part of a long-term plan * How converting a home into an investment property affects deductible debt * The impact of updated bank servicing rules on borrowing power * Why a five-year interest-only term could reduce your assessed capacity How lender policy differences can dramatically change your borrowing outcome The role of PAYG variations in improving cash flow Why loan structuring is never “set and forget” If you’re building a portfolio, upgrading your home, or planning your next acquisition, this episode will help you understand how loan structure decisions today can affect your borrowing power tomorrow. Strategy matters — and the right structure can make all the difference.

Division 296 Explained: The Super Tax Change That Could Cost You More Than You Think

On this episode of Wealth Coffee Chats, we break down Division 296 - the proposed superannuation tax reform that could significantly impact high-balance super funds from 1 July 2026. While a $3 million super balance may sound like a distant milestone, long-term growth, inflation, property gains, and inheritances could push more Australians into this bracket than they realise. With tax rates potentially increasing from 15% to 30% for balances between $3–10 million - and up to 40% beyond that - this is not just a high-net-worth issue. It’s a long-term planning issue. But beyond the headline tax rates, there’s a lesser-known implication that deserves attention: how Division 296 may affect death benefits from 2027 onwards. Executors could find themselves responsible for calculating and paying additional tax on super fund income earned before a member’s passing - even after the account is closed. In this episode, we cover: * What Division 296 is and when it takes effect * The new tax thresholds for super balances above $3 million * Why long-term growth and inheritances could bring more people into scope * What changed regarding unrealised gains taxation * How death benefit taxation may work from 1 July 2027 * Why estate planning and structuring conversations are now critical * What steps to consider before the new financial year begins If you’re building wealth through super, planning retirement, or expecting significant asset growth in the future, this is an important update to understand now - not later. As always, this episode is educational in nature. Speak to your financial adviser, accountant, and solicitor to ensure your strategy aligns with your personal circumstances.

The New AML Laws That Will Change How You Invest, Transact, and Build Wealth

In this Tax Tuesday episode of Wealth Coffee Chats, we unpack one of the most significant-and least talked about-regulatory changes Australia has seen in over 20 years. The AML/CTF Tranche Two reforms are here, and they will fundamentally change how property investors, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals interact with their professional teams. From real estate agents and accountants to buyers’ agents, developers, and crypto platforms, the government is expanding mandatory reporting obligations far beyond banks and financial advisers. Many of the professionals you trust are now legally required to report transactions, behaviours, and structures that raise red flags-without ever telling you they’ve done it. This episode breaks down what these reforms are, why they’re being introduced, when they take effect, and how they could impact everything from property purchases and trust structures to offshore transfers and crypto transactions. If you work with a “six-star team” or move money across borders, this is essential listening. In this episode, we cover: * What the AML/CTF Tranche Two reforms actually are and why they exist * Which professionals are now mandatory government reporters * When the new obligations begin and how the rollout will happen * What types of transactions must now be reported, including property, trusts, crypto, and offshore transfers * Why accountants, real estate professionals, and advisers can’t warn you if a report is filed * How complex ownership structures and high-value transactions will face greater scrutiny * The penalties professionals face for non-compliance-and why they’ll ask more questions * What investors should do now to stay compliant and protect themselves. These reforms mark a major shift in government oversight and financial transparency in Australia. Whether you’re actively investing or planning your next move, understanding these changes now can help you avoid surprises later. Stay informed, keep everything above board, and make sure you know why your advisers are suddenly asking more questions.

Why Education Is the Ultimate Advantage in Property Investing

In this Monday edition of Wealth Coffee Chats, we dive into one of the most overlooked-but most powerful-tools in property investing: education. Fresh off a Brisbane town planning bus tour with Sam Saggers, this episode explores why even seasoned investors keep coming back to learn more, and how staying educated builds confidence in an ever-changing market. From first-time investors to clients who’ve been investing for over 15 years, this conversation highlights why seeing opportunities in real life, asking questions, and learning alongside like-minded people can completely change the way you invest. Cities evolve, strategies shift, and opportunities look very different today than they did a decade ago-making ongoing education more important than ever. We also talk openly about the fear and buyer’s remorse that can show up before every purchase (yes, even for experienced investors), and how education helps calm those nerves and support better decision-making. Whether you learn best online, in person, or by being out on the ground, this episode explains why investing time in learning is really an investment in your future confidence and outcomes. In this episode, we cover: Why experienced investors still attend bus tours year after year How seeing properties in person changes your understanding of opportunity The role education plays in overcoming fear and buyer’s remorse Why there is no such thing as a “perfect” property-only trade-offs The value of learning directly from experts like Sam Saggers How different learning styles impact investor confidence Why property education must evolve as markets and cities change Upcoming live events, bus tours, and opportunities to get involved If you’ve ever felt unsure, hesitant, or overwhelmed when making property decisions, this episode is a reminder that clarity comes from learning-and that the right education can be a true game changer.