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539 | CASE STUDY: “Their Forever Home Might Change… BUT Their Plan Didn’t” – Chat with David Robertson

By in Case Study, Podcast, Property Investment

Back by popular demand…

We’re bringing you another powerful Case Study episode featuring someone who lives and breathes property, finance, and wealth planning every single day. 

It’s none other than David Robertson, Head of Property Wealth Planning at Empower Wealth!  

And yes, he’s just as passionate as we are about helping Australians achieve financial peace… no matter where they’re starting or where they want to end up. 

In this episode, we’re unpacking a scenario that proves you DON’T need to have all your ducks in a row to start planning. 

Tune in to learn…

✔️ How to plan for future expenses even if you don’t have exact dates
✔️ Why flexibility can be your biggest strategic advantage
✔️ How this couple optimised their portfolio and cash flow
✔️ Why just TWO investment properties is enough to reach $3,000/week in retirement
✔️ How to “trade through” short-term negative cash flow
✔️ Which Forever Home they chose — the $2.1M or $1.1M option — and why 

🎯 Plus, stick around for Ben’s “What’s Making Property News” segment, where he shares a solution that could save property buyers hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Whether you’re still figuring out where you want to live or want to see how flexible planning actually works — this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get clear, get confident, and get started. 

Free Stuff  

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – CASE STUDY: “Their Forever Home Might Change… BUT Their Plan Didn’t” – Chat with David Robertson 
  • 1:11 – Bryce has seen the Freo movie too many times 😉  
  • 2:54 – Donate today and give others the gift of sight! Bryce’s upcoming 50th charity 
  • 4:46 – Free webinar replay: How to retire on $3K a week
  • 5:47 – Spruiker feedback: “Can you show us some sales to justify $620K?” 
  • 10:13 – Mindset Minute: Be careful who you ask advice from!  
  • 14:02 – Welcome back, Dave! 
  • 15:23– The consistent market theme Dave and his team see in property wealth planning 
  • 17:15 – Case Study: John & Jodie’s backstory  
  • 20:18 – A strategy for those that “don’t have all their ducks in row” 
  • 22:44 – Long-term goals & the starting positions  
  • 26:22 – Future expenses: How to plan even if you don’t know the exact dates 
  • 30:21 – The Golden Strategy: Only two investment properties needed?! 
  • 33:11– Considering rentvesting? Listen to this first  
  • 34:15 – Digging into the numbers: Surplus & buffer drops  
  • 36:04 – How investors “trade through” a negative cashflow position 
  • 38:36 – The Forever Home: Should they choose the $2.1M or $1.1M option? 
  • 44:44 – Is it in today’s dollars?   
  • 46:21 – Diving into the debt & short drops in loans  
  • 47:47 – Retirement income source: The balance between super and passive income 
  • 51:48 – Their wealth projection overview 
  • 52:31 – “… and that’s what financial peace looks like.”  
  • 56:33 – Want more great, in-depth case studies? Join the waitlist for our third book! 

And… 

 

538 | Property Spruikers 2.0: The Latest Tactics Designed to Trap You

By in Case Study, Podcast, Property Investment

“History doesn’t repeat itself—people repeat history.”  

Folks, today’s episode is on an issue that’s very close to our hearts and remains just as crucial today as when we started the podcast ten years ago… 

The alarming rise of the new-age Property Spruikers. 

We’re talking about the same tricks but in a new disguise designed to serve one purpose: their own interests at the expense of aspiring Australians. 😮   

Today we’re exposing the updated playbook of today’s spruikers, highlighting the deceptive strategies you need to be wary of.

Here’s what we cover…

⚠️ Rapid mortgage payoff schemes, like the “debt-free in 7 years” illusion 

⚠️ Overloading investors with multiple off-the-plan properties 

⚠️ Reckless “risk-free” promotion of supercharging your Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSF)  

⚠️ Emotional manipulation through high-pressure webinars and seminars

⚠️ Huge advertising budgets of $100K–$220K a week driving aggressive marketing campaigns

⚠️ PLUS, we reveal real case studies of spruikers who’ve been caught, unpacking the tactics these operators use, and the sad consequences for investors who fall prey to them

This is our updated, essential consumer awareness episode, aimed to give ALL investors (and to-be investors) the knowledge and tools to avoid being burnt by “$10 haircuts.”  

  

P.S. We also answer the crucial question: “If you’re already wealthy, why continue working?” and explain our motivations for starting—and continuing—The Property Couch podcast and Empower Wealth, our advisory business.  

Free Stuff  

FREE LIVE WEBINAR: How to Build a Property Portfolio and Retire on $3K per Week (Even in a Changing Interest Rate Environment)

📅 When: 7:30pm AEDT, Tuesday, 25th March

It’s our FIRST live event of 2025, folks—and with interest rates shifting, it’s the perfect time to revisit your property strategy. Join us as we reveal 3 powerful secrets to help you start living your lifestyle by design, including:

  • 🔑 Secret #1: How to build a multi-million-dollar portfolio—without impacting your family budget.
  • 🔑 Secret #2: How to retire on $3,000 per week as a passive investor, with 5 properties or less!
  • 🔑 Secret #3: How the world’s best investors think—so you can block out negative market noise.

🎁 BONUS: Everyone who registers scores a FREE copy of our guide, “Our Top 5 Frameworks for Property Investors”—your essential resource for smarter investing!

Spots are limited! Reserve yours now 👉 (IMPORTANT: You’ll receive an email to confirm your email address once you’ve registered. Make sure to complete this step to receive your unique webinar access link and registration bonus) 

 

(Not Free) Join PICA: Australia’s independent voice run BY investors FOR investors
Become a member of the Property Investor’s Council of Australia (PICA) for just $5! This not-for-profit organisation spreads essential updates, tips and resources against property spruikers, legislative changes and more with the goal of protecting property investors.

 

Articles from Ben’s “What’s Making Property News”: Corelogic’s Bellwether markets point to signs of recovery 

 

Guests & Episodes Mentioned:  

 

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – Property Spruikers 2.0: The Latest Tactics Designed to Trap You
  • 1:28 – Full disclosure & WHY we started the podcast 10 years ago  
  • 9:51 – Free Webinar: How to Retire on $3K a Week  
  • 10:55 – Mindset Minute: Are you holding on to these leashes or are they holding on to you?
  • 14:01 – The evolve & dissolve story: “History doesn’t repeat itself—people repeat history.”  
  • 16:48 – What is a property spruiker?  
  • 19:33 – Beware this #1 spruiker myth!  
  • 20:40 – The playbook for how spruikers operate 
  • 26:31 – $100k to $220K a week on advertising budgets?!  
  • 29:19 – Strategy #1: “Buy 6, Sell 3” 
  • 35:22 – Strategy #2: “Debt-Free Illusion”  
  • 40:05 – You’re paying for your own guarantee  
  • 41:34 – Strategy #3: “Supercharged SMSF”  
  • 45:01 – Folks, SMSFs aren’t light to set up!   
  • 47:38 – Strategy #4: The “High-Pressure Webinar/Seminar Funnel” 
  • 49:15 – The ASIC process: How they try to defend the everyday investor  
  • 53:21 – “If we’re so wealthy, then WHY are we still working?”  
  • 1:00:20 – Real Case Studies: A) The Institute  
  • 1:03:42 – B) Buy a house for a buck 
  • 1:05:45 – C) The “risk-free” SMSF investments 
  • 1:08:16 – D) New social media-savvy spruikers 😮  
  • 1:10:16 – E) The “Targeting Grieving Homeowners” Scandal 
  • 1:12:58 – Final takeaway: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 
  • 1:14:20 – “You pay for my independent valuer”  

And… 

  • 1:16:26 – Lifehack: Does your kid want a phone? Ask them to demonstrate these 8 things first!  
  • 1:21:46 – WMPN: Bellwether markets point to signs of recovery 

 

(Replay) FREE LIVE Webinar: How to Build a Property Portfolio & Retire on $3K Per Week

By in Case Study, Free Resources, Podcast

This Webinar Replay Has Now Expired

Thanks for your interest in our recent webinar!

The replay has now officially expired, and access to the exclusive bonuses is no longer available.

But don’t worry—there’s still a way to stay in the loop.

👋 Want to Be Notified About Future Live Webinars?

We’ve got more events and live trainings in the works! If you’d like to be notified next time we go live, just pop your details in the form below and we’ll make sure you’re the first to know.







 

🎓 Can’t Wait? Watch Our Free Masterclass

If you’re ready to start learning now, we highly recommend checking out our free, on-demand Masterclass: https://www.thepropertycouch.com.au/webinar

You’ll learn the fundamentals of smart property investing—straight from Ben and Bryce.

—–

FREE LIVE Webinar: How to Build a Property Portfolio & Retire on $3K Per Week

The property market is shifting, and with interest rates changing, many investors are asking: What’s the best strategy now?

That’s exactly what we’re unpacking in our FREE LIVE webinar, where we’ll reveal how to build a property portfolio that funds $3,000 per week in passive income—without overstretching your budget.

When? Tuesday, 25th March 2025 at 7:30 PM AEDT
Where? Online – join from anywhere!

What’s inside?
✔️ How to invest without sacrificing your lifestyle
✔️ The 5-property strategy to achieve $3K per week
✔️ The mindset shifts that separate smart investors from the rest

 

533 | Case Study: How to Retire on $3,000 a Week – Chat with David Robertson

By in Case Study, Podcast, Property Investment

As we gear up for the highly anticipated launch of our third book, “How to Retire on $3,000 a Week: The Property Couch’s Playbook for Passive Property Investing,” we’re diving deep into one of its most eye-opening case studies! 

But we’re not doing it alone… 

Joining us is David Robertson, Head of Property Wealth Planning at our very own Empower Wealth!  

With a unique, high-level view of property wealth plans across Australia, he’s here to break down the real numbers and strategies behind achieving financial freedom with just 2 investment properties. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

🔹 The biggest property wealth planning mistakes (Are you making one?) 

🔹 How couples can align on lifestyle spending vs. long-term wealth

🔹 What if you’ve recovered from a relationship breakdown? How to get back on track building a passive income 

🔹 David & Elizabeth’s case study: A young family proving you don’t need 7+ properties to retire on $3K a week! 

Give it a listen now!  

P.S. Stick around ‘til the end for Ben’s Money Alert announcement on Offset Accounts: Yours might not actually be linked to your loan account. Find out why today, and how to stop unnecessarily putting money back into the bank’s pocket!   

P.P.S. Stay tuned for next week, when Ben and Evan will analyse what’s set to be “the most politically sensitive” RBA announcement. Join them LIVE >>   

Free Stuff  

  • Work with David and our team at Empower Wealth!
    Blown away by David’s passion and expertise? Get in touch with our team of Qualified Property Investment Advisors or check out our complete financial services today. Book your free initial chat today >>  
  • Is Your Offset Account Actually Linked? How to Make Sure You’re Maximising Your Savings
    As Ben reveals in his Money Alert, be warned! Your offset account might not actually be linked to your loan accounts. That’s why at Moorr, your home for all your financial affairs, we’ve built-in reminders and alarm bells to go off if there’s more in your savings than your offset (Tune in to 1:19:11 to find out why).
    Create or log in to your account to ensure you’re maximising your money >> 
  • WAITLIST: “How to Retire on $3K a Week”! 🚀
    Be the first to get your hands on our latest book that’s your personal playbook for building a passive income through property. Join the waitlist today >>   

 

Timestamps  

  • 0:00 – Case Study: How to Retire on $3,000 a Week – Chat with David Robertson
  • 1:22 – The most politically sensitive RBA announcement…  
  • 4:20 – Mindset Minute: Your competition isn’t other people. 
  • 5:18 – From client to Head of Property Wealth Planning: Welcome David Robertson! 
  • 9:09 – Money story and family holidays  
  • 9:55 – The #2 types of bad advice 
  • 12:10 – Top property wealth planning mistakes: Are you making one?  
  • 13:55 – Which states are harder to invest in?  
  • 15:21 – Why property is actually about Lifestyle by Design  
  • 18:08 – What rentvestors often overlook…  
  • 19:25 – Are 7 properties in 10 years a realistic strategy?  
  • 24:45 – The #1 thing couples with older kids have when considering property investing  
  • 28:47 – How to resolve differences in lifestyle spending  
  • 31:31 – Do you need $3K a week? How to come up with a realistic passive income target  
  • 35:10 – How can property investing help DINKS (Double Income No Kids)?  
  • 40:57 – What if I’ve just recovered from a relationship breakdown? 
  • 44:40 – Case Study #1: Couple with Young Kids (David & Elizabeth)  
  • 48:40 – The two investment properties needed 
  • 50:35 – Why the gap between income and expenses matters 
  • 55:08 – Why do we talk about prices in current-day values?  
  • 56:18 – Why you should prioritise personal debt and offset buckets  
  • 58:31 – What happens if you do nothing?  
  • 1:02:44 – $3K in retirement: What does this go towards? (Taxes, spending, etc.)  
  • 1:09:14 – How much is each property earning?  
  • 1:13:35 – Thank you, Dave! What a knowledgeable and passionate guest.  

And… 

 

497 | Why NOT to Invest in Property Until 2036!

By in Case Study, Podcast, Property Investment

 

Seb and Bronnie (Note: Names have been changed for privacy) came to us with plans to invest in property but left with a completely unexpected strategy.  

Our advice: “DON’T invest in property until 2036”?! 😲🏡 

And in our second case study, Adam and Jacinta had a solid investment plan until an unexpected event changed everything.  

Despite Adam’s financial expertise and their three investment properties, he found himself saying, “I can’t work it out like I usually can.” So how did we help them navigate this change, free up cash, and still secure their dream family home?  

In today’s insightful episode, we’re sharing the stories of two real couples grappling with significant life decisions.  

Tune in to learn about the personalised plans we crafted for them, enabling each couple to achieve their dream home and lifestyle with the right strategy and sequencing. 

  

P.S. What’s the common thread in these case studies? The “new-age” misconception of Rentvesting. Listen now to find out if you’ve misunderstood it too! 

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

 

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – Why NOT to Invest in Property Until 2036! 
  • 1:28 – Bryce didn’t watch the game, THIS happened…  
  • 3:58 – Mindset Minute: Your alter ego can change your money story. Here’s how.   
  • 8:12 – Case Study 1: Is Rentvesting Just A Poster Child Strategy?  
  • 11:52 – The Problem: When the job clashes with your dream home!   
  • 13:43 – These folks have a strategic advantage in the property game…  
  • 16:05 – The $1.7M “pennydrop moment” that changed everything  
  • 18:27– The Solution: A Starter home?!  
  • 19:20 – Pure Vs. New-Age Rentvesting  
  • 22:17 – The Counterintuitive Strategy: Don’t buy until 2036!?  
  • 24:00 – Who does the tax system favour most? 
  • 26:43 – The Flow on Effect: 50% LVR on their dream home  
  • 28:40 – Why a Property Plan isn’t just about investment properties!  
  • 34:10 – Their Timeline & Outcome: $2,300 weekly in retirement  
  • 35:45 –  Internal Transformation: “They high-fived Amanda through the screen with excitement”   
  • 41:14 – Are we pro-rentvesting?  
  • 45:10 – Case Study 2: The Plan Curveball  
  • 46:22 – The Problem: “We need a plan we can stick to, but I can’t work it out like I usually can.”  
  • 51:17 – The borrowing capacity surprise  
  • 53:38 – Focus on the simple strategy!  
  • 54:22 – What’s the plan? Family homes, freeing up cash and investing later  
  • 56:28 – The Achievement: “Passive without the pressure”  

And…

  • 58:19 – Lifehack: Going through a tough time? Diary notes it for 30 days’ time.  
  • 1:00:38 – WMPN: CoreLogic’s May Results: Where are house prices across Australia?  

 

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