In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben and Polly unpack one of the most important investing skills you can build: Critical Thinking. The conversation centres on the growing number of “guaranteed return” propositions showing up in property investing — and why those promises should always be challenged. From guaranteed rent to guaranteed growth, they break down why the real issue isn’t just the headline offer, but the downside risk that often gets ignored. If a property underperforms, loses valu...
May 29, 2026•9 min
You found the property. You've secured finance. You've survived inspections... Now comes the paperwork that can make (or break) the deal. In Part 3 of our Buying a Home series, Ben is joined by Nicole Faid and Kirsty “KD” Dunphey to unpack the legal side of buying property, and reveal the hidden risks buyers often don't discover until it's too late. Inside: ✔️ Why "submitting an offer" may already legally bind you ✔️ The clauses Nicole NEVER buys without ✔️ Subject-to-finance and building & ...
May 28, 2026•1 hr 12 min
Building new often gets a bad rap when we’re talking about property. But what if you’re not building purely for investment? In this Throwback Tuesday episode, Bryce and Ben unpack when building new actually makes sense and what to consider before choosing land, location and design for your future family home. For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 259 | Q&A: A Tax-Saving Hack For An Offset Account, The Simplest Way to Keep Track of Your Properties and How To Distinguish “Emotional V...
May 26, 2026•6 min
In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben is joined by building inspector Paul Baker to unpack one of the most common causes of property damage: Water. It comes from everywhere — leaking gutters, under-slab plumbing issues, failed waterproofing, cracked grout, balconies, bathrooms, and more. And according to Paul, it’s behind the vast majority of the issues he sees in homes. This conversation breaks down why water causes so much damage, what warning signs buyers and owners should look out for, an...
May 22, 2026•10 min
Negative gearing reforms. Capital gains tax changes. Trust adjustments. Housing affordability measures. Productivity promises. Beyond the latest Federal Budget headlines… what are the real consequences? This week, Ben is joined by David Robertson, Chief Economist, Head of Economic and Markets Research at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, and Evan Lucas, Market Commentator, to unpack one of the most ambitious (and controversial) budgets in decades. Together they explore: 💰 What tax reform could mean fo...
May 21, 2026•1 hr 4 min
Ben Kingsley sits down with Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator and Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of housing, tax reform, productivity and Australia’s economic direction. In this special interview, they unpack the proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, the growing challenge of housing affordability, construction bottlenecks, energy policy, lending restrictions and what all of this could mean for everyday Austral...
May 19, 2026•46 min
In this Friday Fundamentals episode, Ben is joined by Evan Lucas to unpack a bold policy idea for first home buyers. Evan’s hill to die on? Australia should use a super-like system to help people save for their first home deposit. Instead of relying on grants, 5% deposit schemes, or capped first home buyer programmes, he argues that the super infrastructure already exists and could be used much more effectively to help people build real deposit savings from the moment they enter the workforce. T...
May 15, 2026•11 min
The 2026 Federal Budget just changed the property landscape... and not in the ways most people expected. Recorded the day after the announcement, this special emergency episode brings Bryce back to the couch with Ben for an unfiltered, fast-thinking breakdown of what actually happened and what it means for property investors. Negative gearing has changed. CGT treatment has shifted. Regional markets are exposed. And as Bryce puts it: "Location now does 90% of the heavy lifting." In this episode, ...
May 13, 2026•1 hr 11 min
TPC Gold has a new name… say hello to Throwback Tuesdays 👋 Same timeless property investing insights from the archives, just with a fresh new label. In this one, former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss explains why silence creates uncertainty … and uncertainty creates anxiety. Bryce, Ben and Chris unpack how regular communication builds trust, why even “there’s no update yet” can be reassuring, and how these lessons apply to property, business and everyday negotiations. For the original episod...
May 12, 2026•8 min
Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On , our Friday mini-series where we unpack big questions from the community. This week, Shane and Luke tackle a topic that sparks plenty of debate: Is it actually harder for young people to buy property today — and is it someone else’s responsibility to fix it? They explore the gap between income and property prices, the impact of changing economic conditions, and why expectations around first home ownership may need to shift. At the same time, they discuss the...
May 08, 2026•8 min
What if the biggest property mistake isn’t what you buy… but what you do next? In our latest Q&A episode, Ben K is joined by Couch Crew Polly & Ben T (Fellow QPIAs) to unpack three real investor dilemmas that don’t have easy answers: 🏡 A regional property surges 60%… do you cash out or stay in? 💰 Sell an investment to eliminate your home loan… or keep building wealth? 👯 Combine forces to buy better… or go solo and keep control? This episode breaks down: The difference between market v...
May 07, 2026•55 min
The RBA just hiked again ... and this time it wasn't even close. Eight members voted to raise the cash rate to 4.35%. Only one dissented. Ben Kingsley and economist Evan Lucas break down what the 8-1 vote really signals, why the RBA's own forecasts should worry you, and what Ben means when he says "winter is coming for the Australian economy." 💡 Thinking about refinancing or adjusting your loan strategy? Let our team help you review your options . LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >> M...
May 05, 2026•1 hr 20 min
What if one simple move could put an extra $662 back in your pocket every month… and potentially boost your borrowing power by up to $100,000 ? In this Friday Fundamentals episode of The Property Couch, Ben Kingsley sits down with tax specialist Danish Ahmed to unpack a time-sensitive HECS/HELP strategy that many Australians don’t even realise exists. With indexation approaching on June 1, this episode walks through a real-life scenario showing how paying down your HECS debt early could help you...
May 01, 2026•9 min
A $700 inspection could save you $70,000. In Part 2 of our How to Buy a Home series, Ben is joined by leading building inspectors Paul Baker and Miles Clark to unpack one of the most overlooked and financially risky parts of buying property: building and pest inspections. You’ll learn: ✔️ What a good inspection should (and shouldn’t) cover ✔️ How to interpret “major defects” without panicking ✔️ The red flags inspectors look for in older homes ✔️ How to choose the right inspector (and avoid cost...
Apr 30, 2026•53 min
🔥 THE HILL I’LL DIE ON 🔥 Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On , our Friday mini-series where industry experts share the one belief they stand firmly behind. This week, Ben is joined by Nerida Conisbee, Chief Economist at Ray White, to unpack a key issue in today’s housing debate: Investors provide rental housing. Nerida explains why this often-overlooked reality plays a critical role in the property market — and what happens when investor participation declines. The conversation explores renta...
Apr 24, 2026•10 min
Property management has changed… but not in the way most investors realise. In Episode 594, we put the spotlight on one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) parts of real estate: property management. Joined by experts in the property management field, we’ve got Phil Tarrant, CEO of Managed and host of the Smart Property Investment Show, and Corinne Bohan, Director of Image Property. Together, they dive into the growing complexity of the industry from rising regulation and tenant expectatio...
Apr 23, 2026•1 hr 4 min
📌 Sign the Petition (URGENT – closes next week on 1 May): Victorian Parliament Petition (VIC residents only): https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/improve-the-efficiency-and-fairness-of-the-residential-tenancies-list/ Change.org Petition (open to all): https://c.org/CjQx88vrbT This is not a typical Property Couch episode. In this urgent and important conversation, Ben steps in as Chair of the Property Investors Council of Australia (PICA) to unpack a real-life case that high...
Apr 21, 2026•37 min
Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On , our Friday mini-series where members of the Property Couch crew share bold property and money opinions they’re willing to stand behind. This week, economist Evan Lucas joins Ben Kingsley to tackle a big topic: Personal income tax. Evan argues that Australia’s current tax system places too much pressure on income earners and may be discouraging aspiration and productivity. He explains how bracket creep, tax thresholds, and behavioural responses all play a ro...
Apr 17, 2026•11 min
What if the best time to buy your first home… is when everyone else is hesitating? With rising interest rates, higher living costs and shifting market sentiment, many would assume it’s the worst time to enter the property market. But here’s the twist: It might actually be one of the most important times to get your strategy right. Welcome to Part 1 of our 3-part mini-series on how to buy a home , where we break down the foundations every first-time buyer needs before they even start looking at p...
Apr 16, 2026•1 hr 7 min
A listener asked a question many property investors quietly worry about: “We’ve bought a lemon… should we sell and move on, or hold? ” It’s a tough spot to be in. In this bonus snippet, Bryce and Ben unpack how to determine whether a property is truly a “lemon” — and more importantly whether to cut your losses or stay the course. For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 253 | Top Tips for First Home Buyers. LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >> MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP: 👉 Apple...
Apr 14, 2026•6 min
Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On , our Friday mini-series where members of the Property Couch crew share bold property and money opinions they’re willing to stand behind. This week, tax expert Danish joins Ben Kingsley with a clear message: Don’t DIY your tax return. Especially when it comes to capital gains tax. Dinesh explains how many property investors miss key deductions, overlook important costs, and end up paying more tax than they need to. From stamp duty to holding costs, he breaks ...
Apr 10, 2026•11 min
What happens when you pay a property deposit in cash… then reimburse yourself from borrowed funds later? 💸 Are buyer’s agent fees tax-deductible? 🧾 Can you still claim deductions on a holiday home if you use it during peak season? 🏡 And just how far can you trust AI when it comes to tax advice? 🤖 In this week’s jam-packed episode, Ben is joined by Julia Hartman , an old friend of the couch and Property Tax Guru, and Danish Ahmed , Empower Wealth’s Senior Tax Advisor. Julia is also the Founde...
Apr 09, 2026•49 min
If you’ve ever built a budget, felt good about it… and then completely ignored it a week later — you’re not alone . The truth is that most budgets don’t fail because the numbers are wrong. They fail because they rely on perfect behaviour in imperfect moments. For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 337 | The 4 Pillars of Money Health . LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >> MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP: 👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW 👉 Google Play: https://bit.ly/3OT86bW 👉 Web...
Apr 07, 2026•10 min
Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On , our Friday mini-series where members of the Property Couch crew share bold property and money opinions they’re willing to stand behind. This week, tax expert Julia Hartman joins Ben Kingsley to tackle a controversial topic: Blaming landlords for the housing crisis. Julia argues that increasing taxes, regulations, and costs for investors may actually reduce rental supply — which can drive rents even higher. In this episode, she unpacks the unintended consequ...
Apr 03, 2026•11 min
🏡 What happens when you’re pre-approved… but still not ready to buy? In Episode 591, Ben is joined by Kirsty, and Couch Crew member, Kirsty “KD” Dunphey, who shares her incredibly honest first-home buyer journey. Her story is one many buyers will recognise: Four years pre-approved before purchasing Endless inspections and auction losses Information overload from friends and advisors Navigating buyer’s agents, brokers and market noise Along the way, the conversation unpacks some powerful lessons...
Apr 02, 2026•38 min
“Would I be crazy to buy a freestanding home in a street full of units and townhouses?” In this throwback episode, Bryce & Ben answer this question from a first home buyer and explore why the answer isn't a simple yes or no. For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 305 | Chalk & Cheese: The Difference Between The Art & Science of Investing . LISTEN TO THE FIRST 20 EPISODES HERE >> MOORR MONEY MANAGEMENT APP: 👉 Apple: https://apple.co/3ioICGW 👉 Google Play: https://bit....
Mar 31, 2026•9 min
Welcome back to The Hill I’ll Die On, our Friday mini-series inside The Property Couch where members of the Couch Crew share bold money and property opinions they’re willing to stand behind. In this episode, buyer’s advocate Shane Pope joins Ben Kingsley to unpack a powerful truth most sellers and buyers overlook: 👉 The real estate agent is the most important part of your property transaction. It’s not just about price. It’s not just about marketing. Shane explains why even the best property on...
Mar 27, 2026•14 min
The property market is facing a perfect storm… Global conflict is driving supply shocks. Inflation is creeping back in. Interest rates are rising again. And now… tax reform is back on the table. In this groundbreaking episode, Ben is joined by Ray White Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee and Behavioural Economist Evan Lucas to unpack how these forces are colliding and exactly what it could mean for property prices, investors, and the broader economy. From shifting buyer sentiment to construction co...
Mar 26, 2026•1 hr 3 min
When Bryce and Ben first teamed up, they realised that successful property investing isn’t a one-time event... it’s a repeatable process. In this bonus episode, they revisit the five-step framework they created to help investors build sustainable portfolios. They also unpack one of the biggest traps in property investing and explain why headlines and hype often lead to “Frankenstein Portfolios.” For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 543 | How to Fix a Frankenstein Portfolio Before It’s...
Mar 24, 2026•6 min
Welcome to Episode 2 of “The Money Stuff We Don’t Talk About” , our Friday mini-series inside The Property Couch. Each week, one member of the Couch Crew shares a bold money stance and unpacks the financial truths most investors don’t talk about. This week, Polly Chu shares the hill she’ll die on: 💵 Cash is king. Having experienced the GFC early in her career, navigated investment banking during volatile markets, and built her own portfolio, Polly understands what happens when liquidity disappe...
Mar 20, 2026•15 min
