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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 

 

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… 

 

492 | The Hidden Cost of Get Rich Quick Schemes

By in Case Study, Podcast, Property Investment

 

What would you do if you worked 16-hour days on the road and were utterly exhausted the few days you were home? With a family to care for and a past of previous divorces, you’d probably want to change your lifestyle. 

But what if it’ll cost you $42,000 A YEAR? 

Or, what if you’d made the #1 biggest investing regret of your life in a get-rich-quick scheme and had lost half a million dollars?! How would you recover and get back on track towards a comfortable retirement?    

In this Case Studies episode, we’re mapping out two plans for two couples (names have been changed for privacy 😊) whose stories testify to the fact that there is no one “right” way to invest in property. 

Psst – we bet you’ll be intrigued by the unexpected turn of events in Case Study #2. It’s a reminder that the path to financial freedom often involves tough reality checks to see new opportunities.   

It’s an inspirational episode that holds many cautionary tales, tune in now to avoid falling into the same traps!   

   

Free Stuff Mentioned

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – The Hidden Cost of Get Rich Quick Schemes 
  • 1:22 – Even the sun shines once 😉 and a message from Kurtis  
  • 5:23 – Thank you for all your feedback!  
  • 6:31 – The magic in “Sliding Door” moments  
  • 7:49 – Mindset Minute: Grant Mayo on how to figure out if you should buy it!  
  • 11:01 – Don’t listen to our pod if you love flashy cars 😉  
  • 12:43– Case Study #1: Not All Lifestyle Design Is Measured In Dollars 
  • 15:22 – The Problems: Past divorces and a $42K pay cut?! 
  • 18:43 – The Power of Automobile University  
  • 20:28 – Moorr: Brand-new insights to track the impact of your offset on your total debt levels! 
  • 22:04 – “Investing isn’t just for rich people” 
  • 24:09 – The Plan: How James will get his energy and life back while paying off the mortgage 
  • 29:04 – Buying for $600k in 2028: But why don’t they act NOW?  
  • 31:53 – Risk profiling, recency bias & the perfection solution  
  • 35:09 – The hard work behind the scenes  
  • 40:12 – Results & 5 key takeaways  
  • 43:34 – Case Study #2: The True Price of Get Rich Quick Schemes 
  • 46:07 – His #1 biggest investing regret  
  • 50:20 – They were unclear on THIS important knowledge  
  • 54:04 – The fears & their penny-drop moment 
  • 55:51 – The Plan Pivot: The dream home was not feasible?? 🙁  
  • 1:02:13 – “Sometimes healing comes from bringing the darkness into the light, in a place of trust”  
  • 1:04:02 – The Result: Debt free 2 years before retirement 
  • 1:09:26 – Is it time for your engine check?  
  • 1:11:19 – The Modest & Comfortable budget needed in retirement 

And… 

  • 1:13:32 – Lifehack: How much does it cost a day to blow $10K in a year?!  
  • 1:14:55 – WMPN:  46% of Commonwealth Bank’s customers in 2023 were from THIS generation 😮  

486 | “Stuff This!”: How to Tackle Financial Anxiety

By in Podcast, Property Investment

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PLEASE NOTE: We have changed the names of the folks in these case studies.  

We’ve all experienced the gut-wrenching anxiety that comes with property investing, and it’s a natural response considering the huge sums of money and extensive time involved.  

But what happens when it becomes an overwhelming feeling that wakes you up at 2am?  

Folks, this is a REAL story from today’s honest and inspirational case study.  

From Billy, a single dad holding onto his ambition to secure a future for his son amidst personal and financial upheaval, to Liz and Michael, a couple who found themselves constantly fighting their financial fears.  

Hear how these investors confronted their anxieties, took that first big step with a qualified accountability partner and created their path to freedom.   

The end result? One plan maximises time in the market resulting in a passive income of $2K and the other one creates a net wealth of $17M at retirement 😮  

Tune in now to find out step-by-step how these folks will achieve this!  

P.S. Huge thank you to today’s guests for opening up about their journeys, we know it’ll inspire many folks in the community to take action.  

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

 

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – “Stuff This!”: How to Tackle Financial Anxiety 
  • 2:43 – PICA Webinar: Stage 2 Property Reforms (QLD)  
  • 3:28 – Social reach out from Kurtis (Share the ep you’re listening to on your socials!)  
  • 6:08 – Vale Steve Waters  
  • 8:46 – Mindset Minute: What is consistency?  
  • 13:05 – How MoneySMARTS saved this listener! 
  • 14:33 –  Moorr Upgrade Teaser! 
  • 16:31 – Case Study #1: Billy 
  • 20:20 – The magic of soundboards 
  • 22:06 – External Problems: A growing business & limited borrowing capacity  
  • 23:30 – Mortgage-Savvy Brokers vs. Accountants  
  • 26:59 – The Internal Challenge 
  • 28:47 – The Plan: How to put more cards on the table  
  • 31:59 – Contingencies Amanda built into this “Single Gent Plan”  
  • 38:15 – How Billy is maximising his tax deductibility  
  • 39:44 – The end goal and his focused transformation  
  • 43:25 – Case Study #2: Liz and Michael  
  • 45:46 – The Anxiety Pitch 
  • 47:43 – Where did the stress and anxiety come from?  
  • 50:52 – Bryce & Ben’s experience with investing anxiety  
  • 55:09 – Google Maps Analogy: There is NO one-size-fits-all!  
  • 57:27 – The Epiphany: “Stuff this!”  
  • 58:41 – The Plan: The contingency child and education 
  • 1:03:54 – How this couple took action 
  • 1:07:25 – $17M at retirement and no more anxiety! 
  • 1:10:16 – Thank you to Amanda, Stu, Billy, Liz & Michael!  

And… 

  • 1:10:47 – Lifehack: A Bed-Time Routine for Strengthening Connection 
  • 1:14:25 – WMPN: Disturbing data from Victoria: House and land sales plummet  

 

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