The Property Couch

With borrowing capacity tightening and negative gearing changes reshaping the numbers, investors are being pushed towards cheaper properties, higher yields and new strategies. But could adapting to the new environment mean compromising the quality of your assets? In this jam-packed Q&A episode, Ben, Polly and Luke unpack the post-budget property traps investors need to avoid, before answering listener questions about grandfathering, offset accounts, upgrading the family home...

Over the past 10 episodes, we've covered the complete home-buying journey. From defining your brief and researching the market through to inspections, negotiations, auctions, settlement and moving in, PRE-Purchase was created to help buyers navigate one of life's biggest financial decisions with greater confidence. This final episode is simply a thank you. Thank you for coming along on the journey, for sending in questions, and for helping shape a series that was built around the real chal...

Settlement day is finally here. After months of preparation, research, inspections, negotiations and paperwork, ownership of the property is about to transfer into your name. But what actually happens on settlement day? In Episode 10 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain how settlement works, what PEXA is, when you'll receive the keys, and the practical lessons they've learned from years of helping buyers navigate moving day. You'll also learn why settlement times aren't gu...

You've bought the property. You've gone unconditional. Settlement is approaching. Now comes one final check. In Episode 9 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain the purpose of a pre-settlement inspection, what buyers should be checking, and what to do if something isn't working or has changed since the day you purchased the property. Many buyers mistakenly think a pre-settlement inspection is another building inspection. It's not. The purpose is to confirm the property is...

The auction is over. You're the highest bidder. But the property didn't sell. Now what? In Episode 8 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of the buying process: negotiating after a property passes in. You'll learn what happens immediately after the auction, why buyers shouldn't rush to increase their offer, the first question to ask the agent, and how experienced buyers use time, information and good questions to negotiate more effective...