From Sweat Equity to Smart Strategy: What Business Owners and Property Investors Can Learn From Each Other
Running a business and building a property portfolio may look like two separate tracks—but in truth, they share more similarities than most realise. Both require strategic thinking. Both rely on smart use of cash flow. And both reward those who think long-term, not just short-term tax savings.
In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, host Aaron Christie-David sits down again with Andy Teece, Director of SAAB & Teece & Co., to unpack the intersections between business ownership, property investing, tax structuring, and future-focused planning. Watch the full episode here.
Andy brings decades of accounting experience to the table, having worked in a family firm that spans three generations. He knows what it looks like when business owners and investors get it right—and where they often go wrong.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key insights from the episode, giving you a fresh lens on how to run your portfolio like a business, avoid the biggest tax traps, and create real momentum in your financial life—whether you’re a business owner or a high-performing employee.
🧱 1. Your Property Portfolio Is a Business—Start Treating It Like One
Andy opens the episode by sharing a common thread he sees among successful clients: they treat their finances like they would a business.
They review performance, adjust strategy, and make informed decisions rather than reactive ones. Whether it’s buying property, paying down debt, or restructuring loans—there’s planning behind the moves.
“People think of investing as something you do outside of your main job. But if you own even two properties, you’re running a business. You’ve got cash flow, risk, overheads, and performance to track. So why not run it like one?” — Aaron Christie-David
Many investors don’t see it that way—especially business owners who already feel maxed out. But Andy argues that separating your personal wealth from your business priorities is essential if you want both to thrive.
💡 2. Sweat Equity vs. Property Equity: Which One’s Working Harder for You?
This one hit home for a lot of listeners.
Andy and Aaron discuss how many business owners spend years building their company—pouring in time, money, and mental load—without seeing a comparable wealth return. Meanwhile, someone on a PAYG income can buy a couple of properties, let the market (and compound interest) do the heavy lifting, and build wealth with fewer late nights and lower stress.
“We’ve seen clients work themselves into the ground for years to break even. But if they’d put that energy into a simple, scalable property strategy, they might’ve been better off. It’s a tough thing to admit.” — Andy Teece
The lesson isn’t to abandon your business—it’s to step back and assess whether it’s generating long-term wealth or just keeping you busy. And if it’s not working? Maybe it’s time to pivot or diversify.
🧠 3. The Mindset Shift: From Minimising Tax to Maximising Wealth
There’s no denying Aussies love a good tax deduction. But Andy warns that obsessing over tax minimisation can be counterproductive—especially if it’s at the expense of borrowing power and future growth.
“We treat tax like a national sport. But if minimising tax is costing you cash flow and lowering your reported income, you’re potentially cutting off your ability to borrow and grow.” — Andy Teece
Aaron adds that the same goes for mortgage broking. Chasing the lowest rate or trying to avoid LMI (lender’s mortgage insurance) might seem like wins—but not if it means delaying action, missing growth, or using up cash reserves.
Their advice? Tax strategy should be part of the plan—but not the whole plan. Especially in your 30s and 40s, your focus should be on building—not just preserving.
🤖 4. Yes, Even Your Accountant Uses AI (And You Should Too)
Think AI is just a tech buzzword? Andy doesn’t.
In one of the most practical segments, he shares how he’s already using ChatGPT to summarise complex tax scenarios, break down correspondence between clients and lawyers, and even sanity-check advice.
“I put the full tax conversation into ChatGPT and asked it to flag key risks, summarise points, and identify any unclear areas. It did a brilliant job. Then I could add my insights on top of that.” — Andy Teece
Aaron adds how investors can use AI tools like Gemini or ChatGPT to:
- Model equity growth over time
- Project loan balances and amortisation
- Forecast LVR (loan-to-value ratio) shifts
- Build income targets based on borrowing needs
The message? Don’t be afraid to start small. Use AI to save time, run numbers, and explore scenarios—not to replace human advice, but to enhance it.
🧾 5. Land Tax Strategy: It’s Not Just About Where You Buy, But How
Land tax isn’t the most exciting topic, but if you’re building a portfolio—it matters. A lot.
Andy breaks down the differences between land tax thresholds across states, and how ownership structure affects what you pay.
- In NSW, individuals get a threshold ($1.075M land value). Discretionary trusts don’t.
- In Queensland, trusts can access the threshold (at least for now).
- Victoria’s rules have recently tightened—catching many off guard.
“We love trusts for tax streaming, but they come at a cost—especially in states like NSW where they get hit with land tax from dollar one.” — Andy Teece
Many investors hear blanket advice like “just buy through a trust,” but the reality is far more nuanced. The right entity depends on your location, yield, borrowing strategy, and long-term goals.
💡 Pro tip: A poorly structured purchase could cost you thousands per year in tax—or limit your ability to leverage further. Always speak to both your broker and accountant before signing the contract.
🔁 6. Planning Is a Process—Not a One-Time Decision
Andy shared one of the most underrated insights in the episode: the power of pre-made decisions.
He recommends that investors and business owners set decision-making rules in advance. For example:
- “If I don’t buy a property in 9 months, I’ll engage a buyer’s agent.”
- “If my business hasn’t hit $X revenue by Year 3, I’ll reassess or exit.”
That removes emotional decision-making in high-stress periods—and creates clarity around next steps.
“So many people say, ‘Let’s give it another 6 months,’ and 6 becomes 12… becomes 5 years. Having timelines and review points keeps you honest.” — Andy Teece
Whether it’s your next purchase or business milestone, writing down those decisions ahead of time is a game-changer.
👫 7. Bring Your Partner on the Journey (Yes, Even the Non-Numbers One)
Aaron closes the episode by reflecting on how important it is for couples to align on money, even if one person is more financially inclined.
Whether it’s doing a quarterly finance date at a café, a short getaway to talk strategy, or bringing a partner along to meetings—it matters.
“If you’re 50 podcast episodes in and your partner’s not, give them time to catch up. Don’t just drop them into a Zoom with a broker or buyer’s agent and expect them to feel safe. This is a shared journey.” — Aaron Christie-Davi
A New Chapter for Investors and Business Owners
There’s no denying that property investing, like business ownership, comes with complexity. But complexity isn’t a reason to pause—it’s a reason to plan.
The most successful clients we work with aren’t the ones who make perfect decisions. They’re the ones who ask good questions, get the right people in their corner, and stay open to evolving the plan as life changes.
And whether it’s navigating land tax, reassessing your trust structure, planning for retirement, or preparing for your next acquisition—the time to act is now.
🤝 Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re self-employed, PAYG, or somewhere in between—our team at Atelier Wealth can help you navigate lending with clarity and confidence.
💼 For lending strategy, loan structuring, or borrowing power reviews:
👉 Book a call with Atelier Wealth
📊 For tax planning, trust advice, or business structure reviews:
👉 Contact Andy Teece and the team at SAAB & Teece & Co
You don’t have to do this alone—and you shouldn’t.
