550 | How to Stack the Pain (and Why It Works): A Behavioural Guide to Better Money Habits (LIVE Q&A from Bali)

Resources Mentioned: 

• Bryce’s 50th Charity Event: Together, we raised an incredible $74,592.98! 
  In honour of this milestone, Bryce, the TPC team, and 22 amazing community members travelled to Bali to support the John Fawcett Foundation.  
   
  Together, this donation funded 368 cataract surgeries,1,901 patient screenings, 719 pairs of glasses, 12 prosthetic eyes, 600 bottles of eye drops, and more — changing lives in the most powerful way. 💛  
   
  To everyone who donated, shared, or supported in any way — thank you. This wouldn’t have been possible without you. If you’d like to learn more about this incredible cause, or still wish to contribute, you can do so here >> 

Questions We Answer 

Q1) “Are apartments and townhouses in premium lifestyle markets like Gold Coast and Noosa a smart investment?” from Carolyn

Hi Bryce and Ben,

My questions are largely around the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Property Markets and particularly Apartments/Villas/Townhouses. I hear the land does the heavy lifting and houses are a better investment (and yes for the primary residence) but I’d like your thoughts on buying into apartments in quality developments e.g. the Gold Coast and Noosa. Does location do the heavy lifting?

Do you have any stats on capital appreciation of buying new vs buying older in these or similar areas?

Seems to be greater value in depreciation in the first five years of a new build? And then when do extra costs e.g. increases in body corp/maintenance etc. kick in on both in terms of timeframes?

Is there an ideal hold time for an investment property for it to break even for portfolio growth and to leverage to the next one? (Assuming you are starting to grow a portfolio)

Also, is it generally 2 years of capital appreciation to cover stamp duty, purchasing and selling costs as a rule of thumb? When is buying off the plan a good idea vs established, depending on availability, location and personal requirements.

The Select Residential Reports we had access to from yourselves 2 years ago indicated growth percentages for Noosaville Units ( and Gold Coast was much the same) as:

• 2024: 3.6%
• 2025: 7.2%
• 2026: 10.3%
• 2027: 13.2%
• 2028: 16.4%

Do you feel this remains relevant with such economic uncertainty and do you have any update on this for the next 5 years?

Having 2 daughters in their early 20s who will want to stay in SE QLD, what is the future of development with access to first home buyers schemes etc. likely to be like? Is it better to help them out in a family trust situation with property? I’m sure some of this will be covered in your new book however any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I’d also like to say thank you for your podcast which did lead me to the Advisors day in Brisbane last year and I am now the proud owner of a CERT IV in Mortgage Broking, it’s like getting a pen license. Ha Ha

I’ve secured an opportunity to commence a Part Time Mentorship in July with a Broker aligned with Purple Circle who is located in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane.

If you have 5 minutes over the course of the trip I’d love to make sure I’m on the right track to becoming an “investment savvy mortgage broker” and combining my love of property and finance. Ultimately, I’d love to work in the buyers agency area also. Whilst I’m currently ensconced in my own swimwear retail businesses I feel this is a good sideways move and a great basis to learn lots more about the property world.

Thanks so much

Carolyn

 

Q2) “What buffers?” from Katrina & Rhys  

Bryce and Ben, we are terrible savers. So bad we buy houses so we don’t spend money. We have had a budget for years so have always known we overspend. If we want to do something, we make it happen. I can hear you saying “pay yourself first” and “put the money somewhere you can’t see it”. The reality is we are flying through life on a buffer of luck with the flag of determination waving in the air.

Picture that little car on the monopoly board, $20 to their name and looking at what they can mortgage to buy park land. That’s us.

No amount of self help books or podcasts can save us. We have 2 investment properties now, but by not building up our savings buffer and reducing what we owe on our PPR, we are concerned we are going to fall short of our retirement goal.

What’s the secret Bryce and Ben, tell us how we can build up our savings buffer?

My other question is, how do you find like minded individuals to spend time with and discuss property. I’d love to talk about investment properties all day but Rhys would find a deserted island and set up a new 1 bedroom PPR. 

 

Q3) “Is there such thing as a savvy-structure based accountant?” from Will  

My partner and I spend a lot of time learning about different ways just trying to structure bank accounts, companies, trusts, etc. so much so we’re totally confused. We ask accounts and they give us very basic responses. Are we asking the wrong questions? Are we asking the wrong people?  

Is there such thing as a savvy-structure based accountant that sees the future and gets excited about how to strategically build a small, everyday couples’ portfolio? One that understands business and personal investment portfolios and how to have the two complementing each other, not working in isolation. Or is it only the spruikers that make us believe that such people exist?” 

Q4) “Finance, loan structures and investment properties for business owners with a highly variable income (farmers)?” from Prue 

Hi Ben and Bryce, 

Thanks so much for this incredible opportunity to travel with you and your families on this life changing event. I have learnt so much from both of you through all the wisdom you have given. 

My question relates to being a business owner with a highly variable income (farmers). What suggestions do you both have in relation to obtaining finance, loan structures and investment property purchases for people in this situation? 

We have made a profit farming for the last 20 years except last year due to terrible farming conditions. 

My husband and I are both 43 with 3 teenagers, (2 of them are at boarding school $$). We have one investment property in Adelaide being used as an Airbnb, that we can access when we visit our daughters. Are investment properties a good idea when we have a lot of capital already tied up in farming land? 

Thanks so much. 

  

Q5) “What if serviceability becomes an issue when IO loans expire?” from Adam  

My current portfolio is $3.4mill. LVR = 59%. Loans all IO. $1.64mill in personal name (x3 resi), $380k in a trust for one commercial property. Personal income $100-120k (happy to share more details of portfolio if needed). I’m concerned when these come off IO in 2027 and I go to refinance that banks will not lend to me due to serviceability of income. 

Ideally, I would like to keep all (as I’m servicing these fine), but if I did have to have to sell, how should I assess which property/s to sell? Considering location, yield, future growth potential, land size for future development etc. If I had to sell, I am considering re-investing profits into commercial to help supplement my income. Turn the portfolio cashflow positive to help with future lending and live a more fulfilling/adventure rich lifestyle sooner than planned. Would love to talk in depth with you guys on this and share any advice you might have.

Thanks, Adam. 

Timestamps  

• 0:00 – How to Stack the Pain (and Why It Works): A Behavioural Guide to Better Money Habits (LIVE Q&A from Bali)  
• 1:22 – We’re recording this from Bali for Bryce’s 50th!  
• 3:32 – Q1) Are apartments and townhouses in premium lifestyle markets like Gold Coast and Noosa a smart investment? from Carolyn  
• 4:16 – The fundamental drivers of long-term growth in coastal markets 
• 6:55 – What really makes a property “investment grade” in these lifestyle locations? 
• 9:13 – Role of Depreciation in New Builds vs. Established Properties  
• 11:11 – Lifestyle drivers in Noosa  
• 13:04 – How to find where the next generation wants to live (+ why this research matters!)  
• 16:51 – Why caravans are still holding their value  
• 17:53 – Q2) “What buffers?” from Katrina & Rhys 
• 20:50 – What does providing the best opportunity for your kids look like?  
• 22:59 – How does NOT having a buffer affect them?  
• 27:17 – The #1 driver for behaviour change  
• 29:45 – What does stacking the pain look like?  
• 35:05 – Q3) “Is there such thing as a savvy-structure based accountant?” from Will 
• 36:03 – What an honest, professional Accountant looks like   
• 40:42 – The complexity of structures & trusts  
• 46:32 – Is there a single best solution?  
• 48:42 – Q4) “Finance, loan structures and investment properties for business owners with a highly variable income (farmers)?” from Prue 
• 49:47 – Dealing with inconsistent income  
• 53:00 – The importance of liquidity & diversity for farmers  
• 57:00 – Q5) “What if serviceability becomes an issue when IO loans expire?” from Adam  
• 58:44 – Forming lender relationships & building buffers  
• 1:04:22 – How to build a portfolio that balances growth today and cashflow later 
• 1:08:57 – Thank you to all our amazing guests + wrap up from Bali!  
• 1:10:19 – Together, we raised an incredible $74,592.98!