The Property Nerds

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal, founder and CEO of InvestorKit, and Jack Fouracre, partnership manager, and Chris Huxter, head of commercial property at Fouracre Financial, discuss the evolving landscape of commercial finance in Australia. The trio dives into the rapidly evolving commercial finance landscape in Australia, highlighting the influx of non-bank and third-tier lenders entering the space. The growing competition has pushed loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) higher, with some lenders now offering up to 80 per cent LVR – even though SMSFs have been making commercial property more accessible to everyday investors. They then discuss how SMSFs are gaining traction as a vehicle for commercial investment due to tax advantages and long-term control, advising that buyers should have at least $550,000 in funds and a clear strategy. To avoid costly mistakes, they stress the importance of open communication with brokers and lenders, and emphasise that investors who understand LVRs, asset types, and SMSF structures are best positioned to take advantage of the expanding opportunities in commercial real estate.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal, founder and CEO of InvestorKit, and Chris Huxter, head of commercial property, explore the rising interest in commercial real estate and how investors can shift from residential portfolios to this cash-flow-focused asset class. The duo begins by discussing the growing appeal of commercial property for investors, particularly those seeking strong cash flow opportunities, emphasising that timing is of the essence. Arjun then outlines three key scenarios where commercial investments make strategic sense: transitioning from residential property, consolidating wealth before retirement, and leveraging superannuation funds. Through real-life case studies, the duo highlights the benefits and challenges of commercial property investment, including building repairs and coordinating lease agreements with multinational tenants, emphasising the importance of due diligence and strategic negotiation. With reliable tenants, high yields, supply-limited locations, and diversified, flexible assets, commercial properties ensure strong returns and long-term resilience for investors.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal, founder and CEO of InvestorKit, and Jack Fouracre, partnership manager at Fouracre Financial, discuss the growing trend of joint property investment with friends or family. The duo begins by discussing the complexities and potential pitfalls of joint investment, starting with the financial implications, as co-owners often face challenges with borrowing capacity as lenders typically consider the total debt but only half of the rental income. Arjun and Jack recommend precise strategic planning, trust structures, and a well-defined exit strategy to avoid future conflicts. Similarly, business owners may consider using a bucket company to reduce personal tax liabilities while investing in property. Ultimately, the duo stresses the importance of aligning goals and obtaining professional guidance to mitigate risks and make joint property investment successful.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal, founder and CEO of InvestorKit, and Jack Fouracre, partnership manager at Fouracre Financial, discuss the three key traits of a booming property market in Australia. According to the co-hosts, smart investors who want to grow their portfolio must understand the property markets and recognise the three key factors that allow them to make data-driven decisions. Arjun and Jack said that the primary key criterion is the number of days a property stays on the market (DOM), with a reduction in DOM indicating a hot market where properties sell quickly, enhancing buyer urgency and seller confidence. The second trait is tight rental markets, as shown by low vacancy rates, which indicate strong demand and drive up property values. Finally, the third trait is inverse growth rates, where markets that underperformed in the past, like Sydney and Perth, are poised for a rebound. Using Townsville as an example, the co-hosts share strategies on identifying the three key factors that signal a growth cycle and a good property investment.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal, founder and CEO of InvestorKit, and Jack Fouracre, partnership manager at Fouracre Financial, explore the growing role of self-managed super funds (SMSF) in property investment in Australia. The duo discuss the increasing popularity of SMSF, which they believe is driven by investors reaching borrowing limits outside superannuation and seeking new avenues for property investment. Jack explains how SMSF borrowing differs from traditional loans, focusing on super contributions and rental income instead of personal income, which creates a separate borrowing capacity for property purchases. The co-host also shares how younger investors can benefit from going through SMSF to build their portfolio, starting with residential properties before transitioning to commercial properties. Additionally, they delve into the diversification that SMSF offers, including shares, cash, or business premises, supporting both retirement savings and business needs.

The interest rate cut announcement sparked a flurry of activity among investors, pushing them to review borrowing capacities, market dynamics, and future financial strategies. In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit and Jack Fouracre from Fouracre Financial discuss the latest RBA rate cut announcement and its impact on the property market. While modest in its immediate financial impact, the rate cut is expected to influence consumer sentiment and open new opportunities for property investors, with the duo pointing out the importance of having a clear strategy to navigate the upcoming changes in the market. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of the rate cut for investors with substantial debt, and how lenders’ flexibility in assessing income has increased, allowing more self-employed investors to secure a loan. The co-hosts said that while further cuts could increase investment, borrowers must remain cautious and not rely solely on rate cuts for financial relief.

As the first Reserve Bank of Australia meeting draws to a close, the anticipated rate cut is forecast to impact the real estate market across the country, giving investors more opportunities to build their portfolios. In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit and Jack Fouracre from Fouracre Financial discuss the ever-changing landscape of interest rates and its impact on the property market. The duo discuss misconceptions about interest rate cuts and borrowing capacity, various borrowing strategies, and the pitfalls of cross-securitisation, in which multiple properties are used as collateral for a single loan. Arjun and Jack then emphasise the importance of timing in property purchases, stressing that savvy investors should act before interest rates drop rather than wait for a cut to make a move. Artwork

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit and Jack Fouracre from Fouracre Financial discuss the key trends shaping the 2025 Australian property market. Drawing from their latest research report, 7 Trends That Shape Australia’s Property Market for 2025, Arjun and Jack highlight the key factors influencing the property landscape. The first major trend concerns the anticipated decline in interest rates, which the pair said is expected to boost consumer sentiment significantly. The co-hosts then discuss housing affordability and demand before moving towards supply shortages, which continue to drive price growth nationwide. The podcast also touches on broader issues, such as tax policies and population distribution.

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to reset your investment strategies, refocus, learn from the past, set new goals, and work out a fresh budget. In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit and Jack Fouracre from Fouracre Financial share strategies for improving borrowing power and paying down debt sooner. The duo discuss the importance of examining monthly spending on private health insurance, income protection, life insurance, credit card debt and personal loans, which can limit borrowing capacity and potentially curb spending habits. The co-hosts emphasise the need to be financially ready to invest, as the upcoming interest rate cuts will prompt more buyers to enter the market.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal from InvestorKit and Jack Fouracre from Fouracre Financial discuss recent research into the most undersupplied housing markets in Australia, and what this might mean for investors. They begin the podcast reflecting on the success of their businesses throughout 2024, following the launch of Fouracre Financial and the ongoing success of Investigate Buyers Agency which has been recognised as Australia’s Buyers Agency of the Year for two consecutive years. They then discuss a research paper that examines Australia’s most undersupplied housing markets, identifying 25 regions with significant supply shortages. The podcast delves into the methodology behind the Supply Shortage Score (SSS), a metric developed to assess housing supply conditions. This score considers various factors, including future supply, established supply, price pressure, rental pressure, housing availability, and people movement. The pair then wrap up looking at some of the challenges facing housing affordability, from transaction costs such as stamp duty and capital gains tax, through to problems facing the building sector, including construction costs and labour shortages.