There is a reason some investors scale quickly and build real wealth while others stay stuck for years. It is rarely about income, suburb choice, interest rate cycles or luck. More often than not, the difference comes down to mindset. Specifically, the standard you apply to the small things. As Sam Gordon explains in this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast:
How you do anything is how you do everything.
The habits you practise in private are reflected in the outcomes you achieve in public. Whether that is how you structure your desk, prepare for your week or review a property deal, the small habits compound into the big financial outcomes. When you combine this mindset with the right environment and the right investment strategy, the results can be life changing.
Below, we break down the mindset, the behaviours and the investing frameworks that the top one percent of investors follow. These work regardless of your starting point or income level.
Sam grew up on a farm where he was responsible for cleaning the sheds. It was a simple chore, but it planted a lesson that shaped his life. The standard you apply to the smallest, unseen tasks is the standard you carry into everything else.
If you take shortcuts with a broom, you will take shortcuts with your finances. If you let the small things slide, the big things eventually follow. Excellence is not an act. It is a habit.
Property investors who scale quickly all share a few traits. They are consistent, they make decisions quickly, they stay organised and they operate with clear intent. A cluttered desk often becomes a cluttered financial plan. A delayed email becomes a delayed opportunity. The one percent rule is about integrity with your standards. When repeated consistently, it becomes your competitive advantage.
One of the most powerful themes from the episode is the idea that your environment shapes your ceiling. When you surround yourself with people who think bigger, act sharper and move faster, your mindset naturally expands. Sam describes this as the energy or frequency you operate in.
This is why events like the APS Summit create life changing outcomes. More than a thousand people attended the most recent event. Many arrived unsure about what was possible. They left believing in a different future. When you hear real people talk about holding six, eight or ten properties, something inside you shifts. You start asking yourself why not me.
People underestimate how much proximity influences behaviour. When you are around people who are winning, you begin to expect more of yourself. You start operating with more confidence. You lift your standards. You stop tolerating average. This is not motivation. This is recalibration.
A surprising insight from the conversation is that many people earning 300 to 500 thousand dollars per year still feel financially stuck. These people are often referred to as Henrys. High Earners, Not Rich Yet.
High incomes often come with high living costs. Luxury cars are financed. Large homes create enormous mortgage commitments. Frequent upgrades and expensive experiences become normal. On the outside these people look rich. Behind the scenes, some are running negative cash flow households and do not realise it.
Many Henrys believe they must buy in elite, inner city suburbs to feel like successful investors. These properties often come with holding costs of 40 to 60 thousand dollars per year. They drain borrowing capacity and make it extremely difficult to build a scalable portfolio.
Solid, affordable growth markets in blue collar areas consistently outperform these prestige markets in the early accumulation phase. They deliver stronger growth, higher rental demand and significantly lower holding costs.
Sam puts it plainly. You must kill the ego. Status does not build wealth. Strategy does. If your goal is to build long term wealth, choice and financial freedom, you need to focus on performance, not postcode. Properties under seven hundred thousand dollars often deliver better outcomes than prestige homes in the early years.
Many new investors believe they must buy their dream home first. This belief is costing people years of progress.
If your ideal home is worth multiple millions, buying it too early destroys your borrowing power. Banks treat your primary residence as a liability. It locks you into repayments for decades and limits your ability to buy investment properties.
Rentvesting gives you the lifestyle you want without sacrificing your long term financial future. You can live in the suburb you love, continue building your career income and use your borrowing capacity to acquire growth focused investment properties.
New investors often panic about temporary negative cash flow. They want neutral or positive properties from day one. The reality is that growth properties often cost ten to twenty thousand dollars a year to hold. Your income covers this. The property’s job is to grow.
When a property grows by one hundred thousand in a year, the holding cost becomes insignificant. If a portfolio of six properties grows by half a million or more in a year, the investor is not upset about the temporary outlay. This is how wealth is built. Through compounding equity, not short term cash flow.
Scaling a portfolio is not about buying and holding forever. That mindset belongs to a different generation. Real investors buy for growth, then sell when the market has delivered its full return. This frees up borrowing capacity, resets cash flow and allows you to reinvest into stronger opportunities.
This is how portfolios grow from two properties to seven and beyond. Selling is not failure. It is strategy.
One of the biggest mindset shifts investors need to make is understanding the role of their income. Your job or business income pays your bills and cushions your portfolio during negative cash flow periods. It is your cash flow engine.
Your properties exist to grow your wealth. They are your long term growth engine. Their purpose is capital appreciation. Once growth has been achieved, you consolidate, sell strategically and move capital into high income assets later.
This separation helps investors avoid emotional decisions, lifestyle inflation and poor portfolio planning.
The most powerful message from the conversation is that success does not depend on your upbringing, income level or the economy. It comes down to your standards and your beliefs. As Sam often says, the only person who can stop you from becoming an elite performer is you.
Once you remove excuses, upgrade your habits and raise your expectations, your identity shifts. You begin to think, act and invest like someone who expects to win.
Identify small habits that are holding you back. The little things compound into the big things.
Determine whether your properties are true growth assets or expensive liabilities.
Focus on long term returns, not short term cash flow.
Consider whether rentvesting might accelerate your wealth faster.
Surround yourself with people who stretch your thinking and challenge your beliefs.
If you want a tailored plan to scale your portfolio with confidence, reach out for support. The right team and the right strategy can change everything.
👉 Click here to book a free strategy call with our team
For more conversations like this, listen to the full episode with Sam Gordon on the Australian Property Investment Podcast, where we dive deeper into mindset, structure, and the strategy of property investing in Australia.
If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that property markets do not move in straight lines. They move in cycles. When you understand those cycles, make decisions early and focus on strategy instead of emotion, you begin to put yourself in the driver’s seat.
In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, I sat down with Abdullah Nouh from Mecca Property Group to unpack what he is seeing on the ground in 2026, how he identified the bottom of the market early and what everyday investors should focus on if they want to build momentum this coming year.
The key theme throughout our conversation was clear:
The winners in this market are not always the ones with the biggest budgets. They are the ones with clarity, strategy and structure.
Most investors try to pick the top when they should be watching for the bottom. Abdullah identified the bottom of the Melbourne market around August to September last year by reading the signs and not the headlines.
This is a powerful reminder.
If you wait for newspapers to confirm it is a good time to buy, you may have already missed it.
Experienced investors look for shifts in data, behaviour and competition levels rather than predictions.
Melbourne is not one market. It is a series of micro-markets moving at different speeds. When you assess an area, the key question is not whether the area is growing. The question is: What pressure is being applied to supply and demand?
These areas often have higher land supply pipelines and more new builds which can dampen capital growth.
These regions tend to hold their value better over time and have higher land-to-asset ratios.
Investors do not need to predict the future. They need to follow where people, employment and infrastructure are moving. That is often where opportunity appears.
It is one of the most common questions investors ask. The answer in today’s environment is clear. Quality is beating quantity.
Owning multiple lower-priced properties may sound attractive, but it often comes with:
A higher-quality asset often offers:
The real question is not how many properties you can buy. It is how much value you can create from the properties you own.
Granny flats can be an excellent strategy but only when used for the right purpose.
A smart approach could look like this: Buy well, add a granny flat, hold long enough for it to pay itself off, then re-assess.
In many cases, demolishing both dwellings and developing townhouses or duplexes becomes a strong exit strategy.
Most successful investors move through three stages:
Commercial property often becomes relevant once investors reach the consolidation stage, particularly for business owners or near-retirees seeking strong income without managing multiple tenants.
It can provide:
Commercial is often not an upgrade. It is a transition from asset building to lifestyle building.
Many new investors chase cashflow from property too soon. The strongest cashflow asset you already have is your earning ability. Your job or business is your income engine. Property should be your wealth engine.
Focus on growth assets first and allow equity to become your tool for leverage. That is how many investors go from one property to three in a short space of time. Yield strategies work best once the portfolio has a foundation. Equity is what builds momentum early.
The first investment is rarely perfect but it is incredibly important. It becomes a mindset shift and a launchpad. When done well, it builds confidence and often paves the way to the second and third purchases.
You do not need to know everything before you start. You need structure, clarity and support. Investors pay for expertise because it fast-tracks results and helps avoid costly mistakes.
Here is a simple framework to move forward with clarity and confidence:
Know whether you are in acquisition, optimisation or consolidation. Your phase determines your strategy.
Review your income, equity and borrowing capacity. These three figures shape your pathway.
A strong broker, accountant and buyer’s agent are not expenses. They are leverage tools.
You do not need perfect timing. You need clear structure and time for strategy to compound.
Not sure where to begin? Want a second opinion on your financial setup?
👉Click here to book a free strategy call with our team
And don’t forget to tune in to the full episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast for more insights from other leading voices in finance, property, and investing.
When most Australians think about property investment, they focus on location, interest rates and timing. But the number one reason investors fail has nothing to do with suburbs or strategy.
It’s cashflow panic.
The moment the repayment schedule and rental income land on the spreadsheet, many investors see one thing: red. And when people see red, they stop.
This single fear becomes the biggest handbrake to building a portfolio. Unless you can afford to hold the asset, the hottest market, the best buyer’s agent or the lowest rate means very little.
That is why strategic planning matters and it is where financial advice has an important role to play.
Experienced financial planners see it constantly. Ninety five percent of clients who want to grow their portfolio worry they will be haemorrhaging cashflow. All they see is red.
Even when structured through trusts, SMSFs or individual names, the concern is always the same. What if I cannot afford it each month?
This fear alone stalls progress more than interest rates, government policy or market conditions. And that is the problem. A strong property strategy means nothing without a clear cashflow strategy.
To build wealth strategically, each professional holds a different piece of the puzzle:
It is the final piece that is often misunderstood. Good financial planners do not sell products. They build strategic frameworks that link income, equity, tax, structure and accountability into one planned trajectory.
Financial planning is not about getting rich. It is about turning unpredictable income into predictable outcomes with clarity and purpose.
Financial planners are no longer just the super guy or insurance sellers. The industry has evolved significantly since the GFC. Today, quality planners work across:
One planner put it clearly.
“Our job is not to maximise returns. It is to make lifestyle and financial outcomes finally meet.”
Financial advice is often misunderstood because the value is not always instant. It can be summarised into three pillars.
Returns are not always immediate. Strategy compounds over time. After five years, the value of advice typically outweighs any fees paid.
Not everyone wants to spend Friday night analysing spreadsheets. Outsourcing removes financial stress and decision fatigue.
Advice gives direction. Structure removes confusion. Clarity builds momentum.
Neither a broker nor a planner can fix cashflow without the client. It begins with behaviour. The most effective clients are those who take ownership and treat their careers as strategically as their portfolios.
Many clients successfully increased their salary by 20 to 30 percent within months simply by using a financial plan as leverage during salary reviews.
The best way to shift your income is to get better at your job and go get promoted.
One of the biggest mistakes in property investing is buying the asset before building the strategy. For example, investors who purchase inside an SMSF without understanding the rules often face costly complications.
The lesson is clear. Start with strategy. Buy second.
Many Australians target 150 thousand dollars passive income as their finish line. But when you include tax, living costs, inflation, school fees, longevity and health, that number can quickly fall apart.
You can feel rich on paper but broke in real life if your income stops.
Instead of aiming for retirement, a more meaningful approach is purposeful financial independence. That may include micro retirements such as six months between roles to recover, reset and prepare for the next stage of growth.
Once an investor owns several properties and has solid equity, the number one risk is no longer capital growth. It is income stability.
Job loss, illness or forced career change can unravel years of work. This is why sequencing matters and why liquidity, buffers and income protection should be built into your long term strategy.
Financial planning is not a set and forget model. It is a collaborative partnership. Advisors do not take control. They help investors take control of their own decisions.
The goal is simple. Clarity, confidence and control over what truly matters, not what social media promotes.
Building wealth through property is not just about buying well. It is about holding well, planning well and living well along the way.
You do not need millions to benefit from advice. In fact, the best time to engage a planner is before major decisions are made. You may benefit from professional guidance if:
✔ You want to grow your property portfolio with confidence
✔ You and your partner often disagree about money
✔ You feel uncertain about structure or direction
✔ You are hitting borrowing limits but want to keep building
✔ You want a clear roadmap backed by numbers not hope
🎙 This article is based on an episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast featuring ASO Wealth. A powerful conversation about cashflow, behaviour and purpose-driven wealth for Australian investors.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”
That proverb perfectly captures the spirit of Atelier Wealth and the journey shared between Aaron Christie-David and Damian Walker.
From humble beginnings in a small Sydney office to becoming one of Australia’s Top 100 mortgage brokers, their story isn’t just about numbers – it’s about persistence, teamwork, and the belief that success compounds when you surround yourself with the right people.
Investing can often feel isolating. Many people “join the gym” of property investing but never quite show up consistently. That’s where community makes all the difference.
The Property Accelerator Group was designed to give investors a place to stay accountable and connected. Each month, members jump online to discuss strategies, ask questions, and learn from guest experts… from financial planners to property data analysts like the team at HTAG.
It’s not a Facebook group or a marketing gimmick. It’s a space for genuine investors to “pop the hood” and see what’s really working in the market, with open conversations and expert guidance leading the way.
When Aaron and Damian were recognised by The Adviser and Mortgage Professional Australia as part of the Top 100 Brokers in the Country, it wasn’t about ego. It was validation of consistency, depth, and an unwavering commitment to problem-solving.
Many brokers in the industry use only a handful of lenders – typically five or six – which limits how well they can truly serve their clients. By contrast, Atelier Wealth actively uses more than 20 lenders, allowing them to navigate even the most complex financial scenarios.
Their philosophy is simple: the best brokers aren’t the ones who write the biggest loans, but those who solve the hardest problems.
In the beginning, there was no luxury of choice. Every lead mattered.
Aaron often says, “If I didn’t kill, I didn’t eat.”
The early days were built on grit – early mornings chasing leads, late nights structuring deals, and constant learning. Nothing came easy. Every client mattered, no matter how small the loan was.
That mindset – to always find a way to help – became the foundation of their long-term success. Over time, the business evolved from surviving deal-to-deal to creating a thriving referral-driven model built on trust, reputation, and results.
Even with national recognition, the team remains grounded in their core values: empathy, communication, and integrity.
Atelier’s approach has never been about chasing big loans or cutting corners. They don’t finance depreciating assets like cars because they believe in helping clients build wealth through appreciating, income-producing assets.
And in an industry where communication is often overlooked, they’ve made it their competitive edge. As Damian puts it, “If you can track your pizza, you should know where your loan is.”
Clients shouldn’t have to chase updates. Every person deserves transparency – especially when dealing with one of the biggest financial decisions of their life.
Ten years in, Atelier Wealth has grown into one of Australia’s most respected mortgage brokerages. Behind the success is a culture built on learning, humility, and mutual support.
The company has also been recognised as a Top Mortgage Employer, reflecting their commitment to creating an environment where people can thrive both personally and professionally.
And while they’re now looking to fill a marketing role, their hiring philosophy remains the same – bring in people who align with the business values, not just the job description.
In an industry that demands so much output, longevity comes from taking care of yourself first. Both Aaron and Damian openly discuss the importance of mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
Whether it’s having a personal coach for accountability or knowing when to switch off, they emphasise that health is wealth.
If you’re constantly redlining, you can’t show up fully for your clients or your team. That’s why they prioritise balance – recharging, exercising, and making time for family – so they can return sharper and more effective.
Few times in recent history have seen every property segment moving simultaneously.
Recent RBA rate cuts have increased borrowing capacity, while the First Home Guarantee Scheme – with no income caps and higher price limits – has fuelled demand among young buyers.
Upgraders are taking advantage of higher equity as sub-$1.5 million homes in Sydney rise sharply in value. Meanwhile, self-managed super fund (SMSF) investors are becoming increasingly active, leveraging competitive lending products and flexible structures to expand their portfolios.
Everywhere you look – first-home buyers, investors, upgraders, and commercial purchasers – activity is surging.
One of the most notable shifts has been the rise of SMSFs as a vehicle for building long-term property wealth.
With more lenders entering the space and even major banks re-entering the market, SMSF lending has become more accessible than ever.
Investors are recognising that they can buy property using their superannuation, often with as little as 10 percent deposit and no lender’s mortgage insurance. For many Australians, that means turning dormant super balances into active, appreciating assets.
However, as Aaron and Damian emphasise, SMSFs are not a shortcut – they’re a strategic tool that requires careful planning and professional advice.
If there’s one recurring theme the Atelier team has seen over the years, it’s this: inaction costs more than mistakes.
The best investors take action, learn, and adjust. Poor performers overthink, listen to the wrong advice, and wait for the “perfect time” that never comes.
Many buyers get caught up in generational noise – listening to well-meaning parents who bought decades ago and can’t grasp today’s market realities. A million-dollar home might seem outrageous to someone who paid $80,000 in the 1980s, but it’s the modern entry point in many parts of Sydney.
Aaron and Damian see it every day: the clients who act decisively are the ones who build wealth over time. Those who hesitate are left watching from the sidelines, burdened by regret.
Success in property and in business isn’t about doing it all yourself. It’s about surrounding yourself with the right people, asking questions, and taking consistent action.
Atelier Wealth’s journey from a three-desk office to a national Top 100 brokerage is proof that depth of experience, teamwork, and strong values will always outlast shortcuts.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your property journey, consider joining the Property Accelerator Group – a place to learn, grow, and go further together.
If you’ve been watching the Australian property market lately, you might be getting a strange sense of déjà vu.
Loan applications are piling up, banks are taking weeks to assess deals, and buyers are scrambling to go unconditional just to compete.
It feels a lot like the COVID property boom all over again.
In the latest episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, Aaron Christie-David sits down with Atelier Wealth’s own Nate Condie to unpack what’s really happening behind the scenes in lending, why trust structures are dominating, and how smart investors are using equity to scale even faster in 2025.
During COVID, Australians witnessed one of the most chaotic property markets in modern history. Auctions were packed, properties sold before hitting the market, and buyers were making offers without cooling-off periods just to stay in the game.
Fast forward to today and we’re right back there.
Banks are overloaded, with some taking up to four or five weeks just to pick up a new application. That’s not even approval time… that’s just to open the file. When turnaround times stretch like that across multiple lenders, it’s a strong signal that the entire market is in overdrive.
Buyers are once again going unconditional to secure deals, sellers are confident enough to reject pre-auction offers, and FOMO (fear of missing out) is creeping back into the conversation.
As Aaron puts it, “People will look back and realise this was a sweet spot in time. We’re living it right now.”
While the headlines may look familiar, the driving forces are a little different this time around. Interest rates have steadied, buyers have adapted, and confidence has quietly crept back into the market.
But the biggest shift we’re seeing is strategic. Investors are smarter. They’re diversifying across assets, using trusts, and leveraging every bit of equity they can access.
And that’s where things get interesting because trust lending has become the buzzword of 2025.
If there was one phrase that defined the lending landscape this year, it’s “trust lending.”
Before this boom, only a small percentage of loans were written in trusts. Now, Aaron and Nate estimate that over 90% of their new purchases are being structured this way.
Why? Because investors are scaling aggressively. Setting up a trust gives flexibility, asset protection, and until recently more generous borrowing conditions.
However, the banks are starting to catch on.
Non-bank lenders and major players like Macquarie had been leading the way with policies that allowed multiple trusts to be treated more favourably for servicing. But as volumes spiked, those policies tightened. Macquarie has already revised its position, signalling that the golden era of easy trust lending may be coming to an end.
In Aaron’s words, “We knew this golden patch wouldn’t last forever. At some point, the banks were going to cotton on.”
For investors, that means timing is critical. Those who act now, before further restrictions or lower LVR limits come in, will likely have more options on the table.
While the public obsesses over interest rates, top brokers know that equity is what truly drives growth.
As Aaron and Nate explain, the question isn’t “Can I get a cheaper rate?” It’s “How do I unlock more usable equity so I can keep growing?”
Here’s a real example from the team:
A client wanted to tap into the equity of their first investment property to buy a second. After running multiple valuations, most banks came back at around $64,000 in available equity. But by pushing through several valuations and comparing lender policies, Atelier Wealth secured $164,000 instead – an extra $100,000 they could use to scale faster.
That additional funding allowed the client to go from one to three properties, without dipping into cash reserves.
It’s a perfect illustration of why strategic brokers focus on structure, not shortcuts. As Nate puts it, “We’re not chasing rates, we’re chasing outcomes.”
One advanced move gaining traction is refinancing existing investment loans from individual names into a trust.
When done correctly, this can ring-fence debt, protect assets, and maintain negative gearing, provided there’s a loan agreement between the individuals and the trust.
But it’s not without risk.
Only a handful of banks currently support this structure, and moving a property into a trust can reduce borrowing capacity since negative gearing benefits often can’t be applied in lender calculators.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and as Aaron warns, “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.”
The key is to plan ahead. If you’re already capped out on borrowing power, this strategy could actually set you back rather than help you scale.
While the property market may be chaotic, the Atelier Wealth team thrives on precision, structure, and teamwork.
Every client scenario is reviewed by multiple sets of eyes, with daily team stand-ups ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. The brokerage runs like a finely tuned machine – one built on collaboration rather than competition.
Interestingly, none of the team members originally came from banking. Each has been trained from the ground up in Atelier’s unique approach: strategy first, service always.
That internal culture of accountability and care is what keeps turnaround times tight, even when the industry as a whole is struggling. As Aaron puts it, “If you want a job done, give it to a busy person.”
Mortgage broking isn’t a solo game – it’s a team sport.
Each deal involves multiple layers: valuations, policy checks, pricing negotiations, and compliance reviews. Having different team members with unique strengths allows Atelier to move quickly and deliver consistent results.
Daily WIP meetings cover every loan in flight, ensuring constant communication between brokers, analysts, and strategists.
For clients, that means one thing: confidence. You’re never left wondering where your deal stands or when you’ll hear back.
In fact, Aaron notes that one of the biggest compliments the team receives is simply being responsive. It sounds basic, but in a market where many brokers go silent for weeks, it’s a competitive advantage.
With property demand surging and bank policies shifting, the winners this year will be those who act strategically, not reactively.
Here’s what separates top-tier investors from the rest:
For serious investors, it’s about playing chess, not checkers.
If you’re feeling stuck with your borrowing capacity, wondering how to scale your portfolio, or curious about whether a trust structure is right for you, now is the time to act.
The Australian Property Investment Podcast continues to share real insights like these every week, helping investors cut through the noise and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
To explore your own lending strategy or discuss how to unlock more equity, reach out to the Atelier Wealth team. Our door is open (even if the banks’ inboxes aren’t).
Most people talk about wanting to invest in property, but few take real action. For Lauren Chapple, what began as curiosity and a few hours spent listening to The Australian Property Investment Podcast turned into something far bigger: a full-time career in mortgage broking and a four-property portfolio before the age of 30.
Her story is a reminder that success in property isn’t reserved for the lucky. It’s built on courage, commitment, and the willingness to move forward even when things feel uncomfortable.
Lauren grew up on the NSW Central Coast, living what she describes as a “normal” upbringing: school, uni, and a few detours while trying to find her path. She studied exercise and sport science, meteorology, even considered joining the police force, but none of it quite clicked.
In the background, though, something else was brewing.
Money and property were always part of the conversation at home. Her parents owned an investment property nearby and often talked about saving and long-term security. Without realising it, Lauren was being primed for a career in finance.
She began downloading property research reports, reading investment blogs, and listening to podcasts. One of them, The Australian Property Investment Podcast, eventually changed her life.
When Lauren first met Atelier Wealth Director Aaron Christie-David at an industry event, she introduced herself, mentioned she was an avid listener of the podcast, and asked about opportunities.
A few weeks later, she packed up her life on the Central Coast, relocated closer to the Atelier Wealth office, and joined the team as a Loan Strategist.
“Moving down was a big decision,” she says. “But I knew I’d be learning from the best. If I wanted to grow both as an investor and professionally, this was the place to do it.”
That single decision set off a chain reaction that transformed not only her career but also her personal finances.
Lauren and her partner Chris had been saving diligently while renting. Like many young Australians, they felt buying their own home was out of reach. Instead of giving up, they shifted their mindset: if they couldn’t buy where they lived, they’d buy where they could afford.
In 2022, they purchased their first investment property in Ipswich, Queensland for $450,000, a four-bedroom home on a large block. They rolled up their sleeves, made a few simple improvements, and watched the property nearly double in value within three years.
“It’s now worth around $850,000,” Lauren explains. “It’s crazy to think how much growth can happen in such a short time when you take action.”
Before joining Atelier Wealth, Lauren worked for a local brokerage. She admits that even then, she didn’t fully understand how much work goes into structuring and approving a loan.
“People think brokers just send applications to banks and wait for a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. In reality, it’s a constant back and forth,” she says. “Policies change overnight, banks move the goalposts, and our job is to advocate for the client every step of the way.”
That experience deepened her understanding of what makes a great broker: the ability to think strategically, anticipate challenges, and see the bigger financial picture.
After their first property’s strong performance, Lauren and Chris leveraged their equity to buy two more investment properties, one in Darwin and another in regional Victoria, plus a block of land.
Within three years, they’d built a four-property portfolio spread across three states.
But it wasn’t easy.
“We’re very negatively geared right now,” Lauren admits. “There are weeks when we’re putting $1,000 into the portfolio. It’s not comfortable, but we know what we’re working towards. We couldn’t have saved this much equity on our own.”
That level of commitment, being willing to sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term gain, is what sets serious investors apart from the rest.
For Lauren and Chris, investing has meant saying no to short-term luxuries.
They meal prep instead of eating out, skip new clothes for months at a time, and run a small side business to keep cash flow healthy. Chris works FIFO, and Lauren focuses on maximising every dollar.
“It’s not a right to be able to invest; it’s something you earn through discipline,” she says. “We know the rewards will come later.”
This mindset, focusing on the long game, mirrors what many successful Atelier Wealth clients practice. The short-term sacrifices eventually compound into life-changing results.
Working with hundreds of investors each year, Lauren has seen patterns emerge among those who build real wealth:
Lauren now helps facilitate The Australian Property Investment Podcast Accelerator, a monthly community session where investors share wins, ask questions, and learn from each other.
“For many of us, our friends don’t understand what we’re doing,” she says. “The accelerator gives people a space to celebrate their progress without judgement.”
It’s also a reminder that property investing is rarely a solo journey. Surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference, whether it’s expert mentors or peers on the same path.
With three investment properties and a block of land, Lauren and Chris are now turning their focus to balance, seeking higher-yielding assets to offset their negatively geared properties.
They’re also keeping an eye on future opportunities, whether that’s leveraging equity, diversifying across markets, or one day purchasing their dream home.
“If you told me three years ago we’d be here, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Lauren says. “But once you start, the fear disappears. It’s just repetition and consistency from there.”
If you’re ready to take your first or next step toward building wealth through property, our team at Atelier Wealth can help you design a smart, sustainable mortgage strategy that supports your goals.
🎧 Listen to the full episode on The Australian Property Investment Podcast.
💬 Book a free strategy session: Chat with one of our experienced mortgage brokers about how to grow your portfolio with confidence.
If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve probably seen buyer’s agents calling themselves “data-driven experts.” But have you ever stopped to ask where that data actually comes from – or how it’s being used?
In this week’s episode of The Australian Property Investment Podcast, we sit down with Dr Matija Djolic, co-founder of HtAG (Higher Than Average Growth), the platform powering data insights behind many of Australia’s top property professionals. From construction sites to data science, Dr Djolic shares how he built one of the most sophisticated analytics tools in the industry – and why understanding behaviour behind the numbers is key to smart investing.
Before founding HtAG, Dr Djolic’s career looked very different. After migrating to Australia, he began working in construction and later earned a PhD in Organisational Behaviour. But despite the security of a well-paid job, something didn’t sit right.
“The nine-to-five really suffocated me,” he recalls. “It felt like there were hands around my neck every time I went to work.”
That desire for freedom led him to property investing – long before data-driven investing became mainstream. However, it didn’t take long for him to realise the problem: everyone had opinions, but there was no central source of truth. Data was scattered across dozens of reports, seminars, and sales pitches.
It was at this point that he met Alex, a software architect with a passion for solving complex problems. Together, they built what would eventually become HtAG – a platform capable of turning 150 data points and 80+ custom metrics into clear, evidence-based insights for property professionals and investors.
HtAG wasn’t designed to be a commercial product at first. Dr Djolic and Alex built it for their own use – to make better buying decisions based on facts, not hype. But what started as a personal project quickly evolved into a tool with wide-ranging appeal.
“We committed the cardinal sin of building for ourselves,” Mat admits. “But it turned out others wanted the same thing – clarity, accuracy, and transparency.”
Today, HtAG serves investors, buyer’s agents, brokers, and even enterprise clients. The platform analyses real-time property, economic, and behavioural data, using custom-built algorithms to forecast suburb-level performance.
But it’s not just about numbers. As Dr Djolic explains, “Every data point is a representation of human behaviour.” Understanding how people act – when they rent, buy, or hold – is what turns raw information into actionable intelligence.
Unlike traditional data companies that simply provide reports, HtAG takes education seriously. Its Mastermind Community offers members everything from free resources to in-depth strategy guidance.
Dr Djolic explains the reasoning behind this approach:
“It’s one thing to see figures on a page. It’s another thing to understand the story they tell.”
Through this community, users learn how to interpret market signals, evaluate supply and demand, and recognise behavioural patterns driving capital growth. It’s a more human-centred approach to data, one that encourages investors to think critically rather than blindly follow “hotspot” headlines.
One of the most valuable lessons from Dr Djolic’s research is that most investors lack clarity before they buy. Many simply say, “I want to invest in property,” without a clear idea of their timeline, risk tolerance, or outcome.
HtAG helps users create a buyer’s brief – a structured framework that answers key questions such as:
By deconstructing long-term goals into short-term decisions, investors can finally match strategy with intent.
Dr Djolic often reminds clients that property is emotional, even when we pretend it’s rational. “You’re dealing with people’s money and their future,” he says. “The key is to combine data with discipline – to take emotion out of the decision without taking humanity out of the process.”
If there’s one concept that defines HtAG’s predictive power, it’s pattern recognition.
Because property is a relatively illiquid asset – transactions occur slowly – market trends tend to endure for longer periods than in equities or crypto. This means that once a trend emerges, it can often be tracked with a high level of probability.
HtAG uses proprietary algorithms to identify what Dr Djolic calls “warm spots” and “hot spots”:
These categories aren’t just based on price trends – they’re derived from a layered analysis of supply, demand, affordability, infrastructure, and demographic shifts. In other words, it’s not guessing – it’s forecasting built on behaviour and data science.
For those ready to take control of their portfolio, the HtAG platform offers an end-to-end system that eliminates spreadsheets and guesswork.
Users can enter their current properties, monitor cash flow, usable equity, and total debt, and create “what-if” scenarios for future purchases.
By inputting personal targets – like replacing income or paying off a home loan – investors can model different outcomes and compare which strategy gets them there faster.
The system uses 150 metrics, including long-term supply and demand trends, to narrow down opportunities. Subscribers can compare up to 75 suburbs across 33 metrics instantly, filtering results based on risk, time horizon, and yield preferences.
Unlike many platforms, HtAG publishes detailed articles on how each metric is built, the testing behind it, and how to interpret results. This commitment to transparency is part of what’s made the platform one of the most trusted data tools in the Australian property industry.
Australia’s property market has never been more complex. The gap between wage growth and property prices has widened to record levels, and emotional decision-making remains one of the biggest pitfalls for investors.
Platforms like HtAG are levelling the playing field by giving individuals access to the kind of analytics once reserved for institutional players. But data alone isn’t the full story – it’s how you connect the dots that counts.
“Data will never replace professionals,” says Dr Djolic. “But it can make professionals and everyday investors far more effective.”
For brokers, this means using insights to re-engage clients and offer strategic portfolio guidance. For buyers’ agents, it means making smarter, evidence-based recommendations. And for investors, it means finally understanding why a suburb performs the way it does.
If you’re serious about building a smarter property portfolio, start by listening to the full conversation with Dr Matija Djolic on The Australian Property Investment Podcast.
You’ll hear how HtAG is helping investors, brokers, and buyers’ agents use data to predict market performance with confidence and how you can apply the same strategies to your own investing journey.
When it comes to building wealth through property, one message stands out – you can’t win if you don’t play the game. In a recent episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, accountant, author, and property investor Allan Mason shared his insights from over four decades in business, including lessons from working with some of Australia’s most successful investors.
From the emotional traps of buying and selling to the power of structure and long-term strategy, Allan’s advice is a reminder that property is less about luck and more about discipline, mindset, and smart decision-making.
Allan’s approach begins with a mindset shift. Too many people, he says, treat property as an emotional purchase rather than a business decision. New investors often enter the market with fear and hesitation, worrying about what could go wrong – interest rate rises, maintenance costs, or tenant issues.
That mindset can hold people back. For Allan, success starts with taking action, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. It’s about participating in the market rather than sitting on the sidelines waiting for perfect conditions.
He’s seen it time and again: investors who bought decades ago and simply held on are now sitting on life-changing wealth. In 1971, the average Sydney home cost less than $20,000. The lesson? Those who waited missed out, while those who took a calculated risk built the foundations for their financial freedom.
If there’s one mistake Allan sees repeated across generations, it’s selling too early. Many people buy a property, watch it rise a little, then sell at the first sign of profit – or panic at the first sign of trouble.
Over time, those quick decisions cost them the compounding growth that builds true wealth. Allan encourages investors to treat property as a business asset rather than a short-term trade. Emotions and second-guessing, he warns, are wealth killers.
The most common regrets he hears from seasoned investors are simple: I should have bought when I had the chance and I shouldn’t have sold when I did.
Patience and perspective are what separate long-term investors from speculators. It’s a lesson that remains as relevant in 2025 as it was fifty years ago.
Buying property always involves risk, but Allan believes most of it lives beneath the surface. He compares it to an iceberg: only 15 per cent of the decision is visible logic – the numbers, the rates, the returns. The remaining 85 per cent is emotional.
Fear of the unknown drives hesitation. What if the market dips? What if the tenants damage the property? What if we can’t keep up with repayments?
Those fears are natural, but they can’t dictate your financial future. For Allan, it’s about balancing rational analysis with the courage to act. There will always be “snakes and ladders” in the property game – moments when you climb quickly and others when you slide backwards. The key is to accept that volatility is part of the journey, not a sign to give up.
Before becoming a full-time author and property investor, Allan worked as an accountant for Kerry Packer, one of Australia’s most influential businessmen. That experience shaped much of his financial philosophy.
Packer once told him, “You need to be worth double what I pay you.” It was a lesson in value creation – thinking beyond compliance or cost-saving, and instead focusing on how to build, structure, and grow wealth strategically.
Allan took that mindset into his own career. He worked with clients who turned modest incomes into multimillion-dollar portfolios by taking calculated risks, setting up the right structures, and refusing to let fear dictate their financial choices.
He’s quick to note that the difference between wealthy investors and everyone else isn’t intelligence or luck. It’s a mindset… a willingness to ask better questions and think strategically about tax, structure, and opportunity.
Allan doesn’t hold back when it comes to his own profession. In his view, too many accountants focus on compliance instead of strategy. They’re cautious, reactive, and afraid of being wrong.
That attitude, he says, costs clients millions over time. Tax shouldn’t just be about minimisation, it should be about planning. A proactive accountant can help you structure your portfolio, offset capital gains, and reinvest profits intelligently.
Allan calls tax a “success fee”, proof that your investments are working. Rather than complaining about paying it, he advises people to plan ahead, use legitimate strategies, and view it as part of playing the game.
Beyond mindset, Allan stresses the importance of structure. He’s a strong advocate for using the right vehicles – companies, trusts, and particularly Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) to build long-term wealth.
In the right circumstances, an SMSF can be a powerful way to invest in property. Capital gains are taxed at just 15 per cent in accumulation mode, and potentially at zero per cent once the fund enters pension phase.
However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Cash flow, contribution caps, and preservation age all play a role in determining whether it’s the right fit. The key is to approach it with planning and professional advice rather than treating it as a quick tax solution.
Allan’s point is simple: don’t leave opportunities on the table. The wealthy rarely do.
Every investor’s risk profile changes with age. In your 20s, you may have a lower income but a higher tolerance for risk. In your 40s or 50s, that dynamic often flips – you earn more but fear losing what you’ve built.
Allan encourages investors to adapt their strategy at each stage, not abandon it. The property market rewards consistency and courage. Those who continue to take calculated risks, even later in life, often find themselves entering retirement with multiple income streams rather than a single home and a modest super balance.
He describes it as the “power of a decade”. One good decision, held for long enough, can change your family’s financial trajectory for generations.
Despite owning a significant property portfolio and publishing ten books, Allan has no plans to retire. He enjoys the process – the clients, the challenges, the learning. For him, work is less about money and more about purpose.
That purpose extends to the people around him. He believes great businesses are built on heart-centred leadership, where integrity and impact matter as much as profit. When the right people come together, he says, the ripple effect of success spreads well beyond individual wealth.
It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with the philosophy behind the Australian Property Investment Podcast, empowering Australians to think bigger, take action, and build sustainable financial futures.
If Allan’s insights have sparked ideas for your own property journey, start by reviewing your current strategy. Ask yourself:
For more conversations like this, listen to the full episode with Allan Mason on the Australian Property Investment Podcast, where we dive deeper into mindset, structure, and the long game of property investing in Australia.
In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, our Atelier Wealth directors Aaron and Bernadette Christie-David open up about the journey that shaped who they are today as partners in life, in business, and in property.
It’s a story of setbacks, risk, growth and resilience. And if you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of building wealth, this episode pulls back the curtain.
Fifteen years ago, Aaron was out of work. The global financial crisis had hit, and his “career break” was really a career collapse.
But looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened.
That setback planted the seed for something bigger. A future built on ownership, not employment. “Sometimes losing stability forces you to create your own,” Aaron recalls.
When he and Bernadette married, they had no savings, no clear plan, and plenty of uncertainty. But they shared one belief: action beats fear.
Their first property was not glamorous. It was a small apartment in North Parramatta that overlooked a cemetery and sat on a noisy main road.
“It broke every rule in the book,” Bernadette laughs, “but it got us in the market.”
They renovated the unit themselves, learned by trial and error, and even overcapitalised by spending far more than they should have. But that experience gave them something more valuable than profit: perspective.
When they sold years later for almost double what they paid, it was not luck. It was leverage, learning, and time doing its compounding work.
After that first win, they pulled out equity to buy a second property, a unit in Liverpool that became a solid long-term investment. They also tapped equity again to fund their wedding and even a convertible sports car.
“Was it a smart decision?” Aaron grins. “Maybe not. But it was ours.”
Those early choices, both good and bad, taught them how money moves and how to make it move intentionally.
Fast-forward a few years. Aaron was running a Mortgage Choice franchise. It was stable, predictable, and completely unfulfilling.
“I realised I did not own a business. I owned a job with a logo,” he says.
So he walked away. No safety net. No payout. Just conviction that there was a better way to help people build wealth.
That moment birthed Atelier Wealth. It was not a spreadsheet decision. It was a gut decision that changed everything.
Bernadette remembers the day clearly. “We had finally started making money again, and Aaron calls me to say he is leaving. I hung up on him. But in hindsight, it was the best call he ever made.”
Today, they coach clients who over analyse every detail and often never act. “I have seen people spend two years tweaking numbers and miss the best buying window,” Aaron says.
Their philosophy is simple: imperfect action beats perfect inaction every single time.
Markets shift, interest rates rise, and opportunities come and go. Waiting for the “perfect” deal often means missing the best one.
They have dabbled in shares, but property is where they have built real wealth because it gives them control.
“In shares, a CEO scandal can wipe your profits overnight,” Aaron explains. “With property, I can paint a wall, add a room, or refinance to grow faster. That control is everything.”
Bernadette adds, “It is not just about owning assets. It is about understanding leverage. You can borrow, renovate, revalue, and reinvest. That is how you create momentum.”
Ten years into business, the couple reached a major milestone. They bought their own commercial office, structured through their self managed super fund using a put and call option. This strategy let them lock in the price while waiting for the next financial year.
It was not smooth sailing. During the build, they faced 13 rate rises and crushing cash flow pressure.
“There were nights we would wake up at 2 am, staring at the ceiling, wondering what we had done,” says Bernadette. “But quitting was never an option.”
Their accountant helped them restructure, their banker supported them, and they kept pushing through.
“If you are going through hell,” Aaron says, “keep going.”
As a couple in business and property, they have had to learn to manage risk differently. Aaron thrives on it; Bernadette prefers certainty.
“We balance each other out,” she says. “I am cautious where he is bold, and that tension makes our decisions better.”
Every month they sit down together, not to argue over numbers but to stay aligned. They treat their household finances like a business meeting. “It is not romantic,” Aaron laughs, “but it keeps us accountable.”
For them, property is not about early retirement. It is about legacy.
They want their daughters to see what is possible, not what is hard. “We never say, ‘you will never afford a house.’ We say, ‘here is how you can,'” says Bernadette.
They have built their portfolio so one day they can help their girls into the market, not through inheritance, but through example.
“It is not just about having assets,” Aaron adds. “It is about showing them courage.”
As their portfolio expanded, so did the back-end. Multiple lenders, trusts, ABNs, entities, insurances, and estate planning.
Most people underestimate how much organisation is required once you reach that stage. But they stress it is essential.
“Treat your personal finances like a business,” Aaron advises. “Review them, measure them, and surround yourself with experts such as accountants, solicitors, and brokers. That is how you keep momentum.”
A decade sounds long, but when you are consistent, it compounds fast.
From that small apartment overlooking a cemetery to running one of Australia’s top mortgage brokerages, the journey proves that time rewards action.
“There were no shortcuts,” says Bernadette. “Just a lot of small, consistent decisions stacked over time.”
Their vision boards, financial rituals and yearly check-ins have helped them stay focused, and their wins, from family trips to business growth, are the result of years of clarity and persistence.
For Aaron and Bernadette, the biggest takeaway from ten years of investing and business building is simple:
“We have made mistakes,” Aaron admits, “but never by standing still. Every lesson came from movement.”
If there is one thing their story proves, it is that momentum matters more than perfection.
Because in the end, wealth does not come from waiting. It comes from taking that first step and trusting that the next one will appear once you move.
Investor sentiment is a powerful undercurrent in Australia’s property market. Behind the prices, yields and headlines lie attitudes, concerns and intentions — and the latest Investor Sentiment Survey of nearly 900 property investors, conducted by PIPA, offers a revealing snapshot of where the market stands today.
In this article, we break down the key findings from the latest Investor Sentiment Survey, unpack what they mean for you as a current or aspiring property investor, and share clear, actionable next steps to help you move forward with confidence. These insights were also discussed in detail on The Australian Property Investment Podcast, giving you an inside look at how industry leaders are interpreting the data.
You might ask: why care about sentiment? The answer is simple — how people feel drives behaviour. When sentiment turns, so do investment decisions: buying, holding or selling.
PIPA, as the peak body for property investment professionals in Australia, uses this survey data to:
For you, the survey uncovers patterns of stress, opportunity, and risk well before they show up in price movements or rental growth.
One of the most striking results: 16.7% of surveyed investors reported that they sold at least one property in the past 12 months — a meaningful uptick from earlier years.
When asked how long they held the property before selling:
That suggests the decisions to sell are not rash — many are long-term investors reacting to evolving pressures.
The motivations behind selling speak volumes:
Debt burden, regulatory costs and taxation pressures are the dominant triggers. In effect, many investors are “pre-emptively lightening” their portfolios to mitigate future risk.
Not only are investors selling now — many more are contemplating it. The survey asked about future selling intentions and found a sizeable cohort now reassessing their position.
If more investors act on that sentiment, it could impact supply, rent levels, and investor confidence across markets. For existing property holders, this could nudge rental competition and vacancy rates in tighter markets.
One of the most provocative survey results was this:
Over 53% of respondents said they would stop investing if negative gearing were removed.
This result underscores two things:
In short: policy matters, but so does investor literacy. Removing incentives without educating investors could flush capital out of the sector or force some to re-orient entirely.
The survey also examined geographic preference shifts.
This signals shifting confidence across states. With rental demand rising in Queensland, investor appetite is following where projected yield and appreciation seem more favourable.
What this behaviour suggests:
The sentiment survey doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It mirrors real constraints in Australia’s housing supply, regulation and construction capacity.
Despite numerous government targets, housing supply has struggled to keep pace. This adds upward pressure to prices and stresses the rental market — even as investor sentiment wavers.
From October, new federal policies for first home buyers will take effect (e.g. stamp duty relief, grants) which may further alter capital flows and demand. Many in the industry speculate that by Easter 2026, the landscape will look significantly different.
Add to that:
These factors all feed back into investor risk, developer behaviour and market confidence.
Amid uncertainty, many survey respondents named mortgage brokers and trusted advisers as their first port of call.
Because sentiment changes quickly, professionals who provide timely, strategic advice (not just transactional deals) can help clients pivot safely.
From the data and trends above, here’s what you can do now:
Investor sentiment serves as a directional compass. When the tide shifts, it alerts us well ahead of headline metrics. Right now, Australia’s property market is at an inflection point: many are reassessing, recalibrating, and repositioning.
If you’re an active or aspiring property investor don’t wait for trends to force your hand. Get informed, stay adaptable and lean on the right advice. And if you’d like me to help weave this into your content strategy or investor communications, just say the word, we’re happy to assist.
