In this episode of Property Soup, Allan sits down with Nick Clunes from Lending Lab to unpack the power of trust lending—and why getting your structure right could be the key to scaling your property portfolio beyond two properties. If you’re stuck at one or two investments and wondering how others build to five, six, or more, this episode is packed with must-know insights.

• 💸 Why Most Investors Get Stuck: Learn why focusing purely on interest rates or buying in “blue chip” suburbs can backfire—especially when those properties drag down your borrowing power.

• 🧱 Trust Structures Explained Simply: Find out how trust lending actually works (in plain English), and why trusts are treated differently by lenders—giving you the ability to scale faster with the right setup.

• 📉 How to Avoid the Biggest Mistake: Discover why maxing out your personal borrowing and funneling that into a trust without the right loan agreements can kill your future borrowing capacity.

• 🔁 Smart Lending Sequence: Nick breaks down the critical order of lenders when scaling through trusts—and how choosing the wrong one first could leave you stuck for years.

• 🏠 What to Buy and Where: From regional growth areas to Airbnb-optimized properties, learn what kinds of properties work best in trust structures to become cash flow positive faster.

🎯 Takeaway: The wrong structure or asset can stall your journey for years. The right combo of strategy, structure, and lending can unlock the path to 3+ properties in just a few years—even on a modest income. Get the right advice, early.

In this episode of Property Soup, Allan and Travis break down the five essential questions every property investor should ask to make smarter, data-driven decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting, these insights will help you build a more resilient and profitable portfolio.

• 💰 True Cash Flow: Learn why focusing on net cash flow—factoring in maintenance, management fees, and vacancies—is crucial for sustainable investing.

• 📈 Sustainable Growth Market: Discover how to assess economic drivers and demographics to identify areas with long-term capital growth potential.

• 🏡 Ideal Tenant Profile: Attracting quality tenants starts with understanding local demographics and amenities—find out how to minimize vacancy risks.

• 🎯 Long-Term Strategy: Investing without a clear goal can lead to mistakes. Allan and Travis explain how to tailor your strategy for capital growth or cash flow.

• 📉 Market Downturn Performance: Can your investments weather a downturn? Learn why diversification and risk assessment are key to long-term success.

🎯 Takeaway: These five questions can make or break your property investment journey. Get clear on your strategy, leverage data, and invest with confidence!

In this episode of Property Soup, Allan and Travis highlight four common mistakes property investors often make and share actionable strategies to avoid them in 2025. Learn how to set yourself up for success by making smarter decisions and avoiding costly pitfalls in your property investment journey.

• 🌐 Skipping Due Diligence: The hosts discuss the importance of researching vacancy rates, job growth, and infrastructure projects before investing in a property.

• 💰 Overleveraging Finances: Allan and Travis emphasize the need for buffers to weather rising interest rates and unexpected expenses.

• 🚫 Following the Herd: Discover why chasing “hot markets” can lead to poor returns and how data-driven strategies can help you identify growth areas early.

• 🛠️ Not Having the Right Team: Property investing is a team sport! Learn why working with buyers’ agents, brokers, and accountants who align with your strategy is critical to scaling your portfolio.

🎯 Takeaway: Avoid these common mistakes, and set yourself up for long-term success in property investing.

In this episode, the discussion revolves around specific scenarios where hiring a buyer’s agent may not be the best choice for homebuyers. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding the real estate market and suggests that some buyers may benefit from a more direct approach to purchasing a property. The video aims to empower buyers with the knowledge to make informed decisions, highlighting both the advantages and potential downsides of engaging a buyer’s agent.

• 📈 Understanding Market Dynamics: Knowledge of the local real estate market can empower buyers to make more informed decisions.
• 💪 Negotiation Skills Matter: Strong negotiation skills are crucial in real estate transactions.
• 💸 Financial Implications of Representation: Engaging a buyer’s agent typically involves commission fees, which can add to the overall cost of purchasing a home.
• 🏠 Understanding Property Types: The choice of property can influence the necessity of a buyer’s agent.
• ⏱️ Assessing Time Commitments: Utilizing a buyer’s agent can sometimes prolong the home-buying process due to additional meetings and discussions.
• 🔍 Personal Circumstances: Each buyer’s situation is unique, influencing their decision to hire an agent.
• 🎯 Empowerment Through Knowledge: Ultimately, the episode advocates for buyers to educate themselves about the home-buying process.

In this episode of Property Soup, Allan and Travis discuss strategies for negotiating in cooler property markets, contrasting them with the dynamics of hot markets. They explore the benefits of investing in cooler markets, emphasizing the potential for long-term growth and less competition.

• 🌊 Market Dynamics: The discussion revolves around how property markets function like waves, where timing can significantly impact investment success.
• 🏡 Cool vs. Hot Markets: Cooler markets may provide better opportunities for investors who prefer patience and less competition.
• 📈 Investment Strategies: Investors in cooler markets can buy properties at lower prices before potential growth, contrasting with the high competition in hot markets.
• 🔍 Current Trends: Victoria is identified as a currently cooler market with strong long-term growth potential.
• 💰 Yield Considerations: The hosts highlight the importance of rental yields and how they affect investment decisions.
• 🏙️ Regional Insights: Major regional centers in Victoria, such as Bendigo and Ballarat, are mentioned for their potential for capital growth.
• ⏳ Long-Term Outlook: The conversation emphasizes the value of patience and strategic timing in property investment.

This episode discusses the importance of negotiating property deals in a hot market. It highlights the significance of understanding different types of markets and the need for transparency and respect in negotiations.

• 💰 Negotiating in a hot market is crucial for property investors.
• 📊 Understanding different market types (lukewarm, hot, cool) is essential.
• 🔑 Simplifying offers and being transparent can increase chances of acceptance.
• 🏡 The role of real estate agents in negotiations is crucial.
• 🛠 Pride and humility play a significant role in successful negotiations in a hot market.

In this episode, Allan and Travis discuss the importance of exploring the benefits of using property in a self-managed super fund, including leveraging to maximize returns and secure a comfortable retirement.

• 💡 Travis discusses the advantages of buying property in a self-managed super fund, highlighting the potential for higher returns and financial growth.
• 💡 Leveraging $200k from a super fund to buy a $600k property, showing how this strategy can double assets in 10-15 years.
• 💡 Importance of seeking advice and setting up a team to navigate the process of investing in property through a self-managed super fund.
• 💡 Real-life example of purchasing a property in Bendigo through a super fund, showcasing the potential for substantial asset growth and income.
• 💡 Discussing the long-term benefits of leveraging property in a self-managed super fund, leading to financial security and increased retirement income.

Melbourne has been overlooked in the property market due to the shiny object syndrome and the focus on other hot markets. However, it offers great fundamentals for long-term investment.

• Melbourne has been underrated due to the focus on other markets with short-term gains.

• The property growth cycles in Melbourne often have bursts followed by periods of stability.

• Other markets like Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane have seen explosive growth, leading to less attention on Melbourne.

• Rental yields in Melbourne are not as favorable compared to other markets, but this is due to the already grown prices.

• Despite this, Melbourne is currently undervalued and offers opportunities for bargain deals with less competition.

• 👀 Melbourne has been overlooked in the property market.

• 📈 Property growth cycles in Melbourne have bursts followed by stability.

• 💼 Other markets like Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane have seen explosive growth, leading to less attention on Melbourne.

• 💰 Rental yields in Melbourne are not as favorable compared to other markets due to already grown prices.

• 💎 Melbourne is currently undervalued, offering opportunities for bargain deals with less competition.