116 – Zac Constantinou – From the Site Shed to the Loan Desk

Property development has always been a balancing act — but right now the scales feel especially heavy. Rising construction costs, messy feasibilities, shifting lender appetite, and a market still absorbing the post-COVID shock are making it harder than ever to get a project funded and delivered. If you’ve been feeling the squeeze, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on behind the scenes. In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, we speak with Zac Constantinou, who started his career delivering medium and high-density projects in Sydney before moving into the finance world where he now works on construction funding and private capital at Shore Financial. Having worked both on site and on the lending side, Zac offers a rare perspective on what makes a project viable — and what sinks it. We cover a wide range of practical insights, including: Why “buying well” is still the most important part of development How private capital has stepped in as bank appetite has tightened The differences between traditional funding and private lenders What lenders now look for before backing a project Common red flags with builders and consultants The impact of cost blowouts and how to manage them Why some Sydney markets are heating up again after recent planning reforms The importance of clean feasibilities, strong documentation, and telling a clear lender story How developers can position themselves for success in a tougher environment “One of the biggest mistakes developers make is underestimating how even small cost or sales shifts can blow out a feasibility.” Property Developer Training If you’re ready to take control of your development journey, my Property Developer Training will help you build the skills and confidence to run a small-scale project from start to finish. It covers everything from finding a site and running your numbers to managing consultants and navigating construction. You’ll learn the frameworks I use on my own projects — and the mistakes I wish I’d avoided. New Course: Building Blueprint – Navigating Construction During Turbulent Times Included with Property Developer Training is a brand new course, Building Blueprint, designed to help you understand construction contracts, avoid common pitfalls, and manage your builder relationships through uncertain market conditions. If you want to strengthen your construction knowledge, this course will give you a major advantage. Head over to https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com to learn more. Property Developer Quiz Not sure if you’re ready to take on a development?Take the free Property Developer Quiz and find out where you stand. Whether you’re new to the space or already working through your first project, the quiz will help you identify your strengths and uncover any gaps in your knowledge. Take the quiz at: https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz Free Book – Become a Million Dollar Property Developer Want to know how I delivered a 20-townhouse project on my first development? Grab a free digital copy of my book, Become a Million Dollar Property Developer, where I share my journey, the lessons learned, and the strategies you can apply to your own projects. Download it here: https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/digital_book Social Connection YouTube – Watch all episodes and follow my project updates: https://www.youtube.com/@propertydeveloperpodcast196Facebook – See what’s happening on site and behind the scenes: https://www.facebook.com/propertydeveloperpodcastInstagram – Short videos, site updates, and development tips: https://www.instagram.com/property_developer_podcast/LinkedIn – Connect with me professionally: https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-developer-podcast Links Shore Financial – https://shorefinancial.com.au/