The Property Nerds

Rental rates are surging across the country, and some regions are tipped to see higher growth than others. In this episode of The Property Nerds, Smart Property Investment’s Grace Ormsby sits down with Junge Ma, senior research analyst at InvestorKit, about the state of Australia’s rental market. Junge explains why extremely low vacancy rates are fuelling strong rental growth in regional towns and capital cities alike. She unpacks how post-COVID-19 migration trends are creating new patterns of demand across the country’s diverse rental market. The pair also chat about the sudden rise of Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide as Australia’s hottest rental markets, with some suburbs seeing rental increases of up to 20 per cent in the past 12 months.

Does the market determine the news or can news impact the market? In this episode of The Property Nerds, Junge Ma, senior research analyst at InvestorKit, is joined by Dr Sunny Nguyen, who most recently served as an economist and analyst at the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and has now joined Moody’s analytics as assistant director for APAC. The duo delve into the world of data, with Sunny explaining methods that she used at the RBA to quantify factors previously thought unquantifiable. She unpacks how economists can measure things such as popular sentiment towards housing by analysing the language used in media reports. Sunny and Junge also talk about how the stories in the news can impact consumers’ decisions, and discuss the way that such data can be used to inform forecasts of likely behavioural shifts among buyers and sellers.

While pursuing an aggressive strategy of building wealth, it’s important not to lose sight of the important things in life, and to take time out to enjoy what you’ve built. On this episode of The Property Nerds, host Arjun Paliwal shares some personal news and reflects on the importance of getting your priorities in order. He reminds listeners that health is a crucial part of building and protecting wealth. With this in mind, the investment expert delves into InvestorKit’s strategy for scaling portfolios, which follows the simple cycle of: acquire, optimise, and consolidate. He explains what this looks like from a practical perspective, and also discusses how investors might find the space in this aggressive approach to ensure that they’re able to enjoy the important things without sacrificing financial goals. Arjun gives a snapshot into what the next few episodes will look like, and some of the exciting data that the InvestorKit team will be bringing to listeners.

Whether you’re in an early adopter market or a second wind market, knowing which stage you’re at is vital for optimising investment success. On this episode of The Property Nerds, host Arjun Paliwal goes solo to discuss the three key phases that all housing markets go through, and the key indicators that set each phase apart from the others. He breaks down the three major stages in a market cycle – early adopter, hotspot and second wind – and explains how knowing the signs can help investors predict when a market is about to boom. Arjun also identifies five clues that investors can follow to discover which market stage they are in, using open-access market data.

When it comes to affordability as well as choice, one state is leading the way. In this episode of The Property Nerds, the Sunshine State takes centre stage as co-hosts Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal discuss the latest InvestorKit report, shining a light on Queensland’s investment potential. The duo break down the methodology that helped the firm identify the top five regions in Queensland where property prices are under $500,000, and future prospects that suggest significant growth and investment opportunities. Leigh explains why, in this current financial environment, the $500,000 price point is important, while Arjun shares insight into rental trends impacting the areas in focus. Together, they also discuss big-picture thinking when selecting investment locations, and how metrics like infrastructure spending and job availability can be important factors for investors.

For maxed-out property investors who are struggling to get a loan, investing in an SMSF can provide you with a second wind. In the latest episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal delve into the increasingly popular and ever-complex world of SMSF property investing. Arjun and Leigh discuss the pros and cons of investing via a self-managed super fund, from turnaround times, to minimum account balances and loan-to-value ratio. They explore the importance of building a strong professional relationship with your accountant and financial planner to ensure that every investment decision you make works for your individual needs.

People are living longer than ever, which is good news, but housing may not be keeping up with the change. In the latest episode of The Property Nerds, host Arjun Paliwal is joined by Simon Kuestenmacher of The Demographics Group to discuss the profound implications of demographic shifts on the property market. Simon explains how the preferences and needs of an older population influence housing demand and investment strategies. The duo delve into the role of migration in buffering the effects of an ageing population, and what opportunities it presents in the housing market. Arjun and Simon also examine the barriers to downsizing for older Australians, and cover some of the policy shifts that could potentially bring more movement into the market by encouraging rightsizing.

With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) still holding firm to the 4.35 per cent cash rate, getting your finance right is more important than ever. On this episode of The Property Nerds, InvestorKit’s Arjun Paliwal and Hills Finance’s Leigh Paliwal examine how cash rate fluctuations have changed the financial landscape for property investors across Australia. The pair explore why “undervalued” and “overvalued” markets may not always be what they seem, and how understanding research methodology can give you the upper hand. The duo also delve into the relationship between wages, inflation and house prices when deciding where and when to buy.

Australia’s top auctioneer shares insider tips for blitzing the big day. In this episode, host and Hills Finance director Leigh Paliwal sits down with Andy Reid, a leading Melbourne auctioneer and straight-talking property pro. Andy reveals why knowing your state legislation can give a savvy buyer the upper hand and put you in a strong position to negotiate. He weighs up the benefits of lowballing bids versus coming in strong, and shares why vying with the auctioneer for the “alpha” position can shoot a buyer in the foot.

Interest rates may be at a standstill, but that hasn’t stopped 10 Australian cities from reaching new heights. In this episode, InvestorKit founder Arjun Paliwal and his co-host Leigh Paliwal spill the beans on Australia’s hottest markets, both large and small. The duo share why Dubbo is an unlikely hero of NSW property, why finance lending is up over 11 per cent from last year, and what unemployment rates mean for housing. They also share an exciting development in their own property journey, one that is sure to start the next chapter for themselves and their family.