In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with accountant Munzurul Khan from KHI Partners to unpack the tax implications of property ownership in Australia.

Munzurul outlines the key differences between owner-occupiers and rentvestors, noting that while the former receive no ongoing tax deductions, they benefit from capital gains and land tax exemptions.

Rentvestors, however, can claim a wide range of deductions, including loan interest, maintenance, and borrowing costs.

Munzurul emphasises meticulous recordkeeping, using spreadsheets and property managers for accurate tax claims, while also highlighting deductions for work expenses, insurance, and super contributions.

He also breaks down how capital gains tax applies when selling an investment property, highlighting the 50 per cent discount available after 12 months of ownership.

The duo also provides the benefits of collaborating with a strategic accountant over a purely transactional one, particularly for long-term planning.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer speaks with Dr Diaswati (Asti) Mardiasmo, chief economist at PRD, about the complexities facing first-time buyers in Australia’s evolving property market.

Asti likens the market to an octopus with many influencing factors: population growth, interest rates, supply, government support, and foreign investment laws – all of which buyers must consider.

She encourages breaking the market into smaller, manageable segments, such as stock type and location, to identify realistic opportunities.

Notably, cities such as Brisbane, Adelaide, and Hobart are now outpacing Sydney and Melbourne in growth, with units experiencing stronger price increases due to limited housing supply.

Despite support schemes like the 5 per cent deposit program, Asti notes that rising prices and limited scheme availability make it more challenging to enter the market.

She urges buyers to focus on financial readiness over seasonal timing, warning against waiting for perfect conditions.

In this episode of the First Property Buyer Show, host Emilie Lauer sits down with KHI head buyer’s agent and Australia’s former top mortgage broker, Ross Le Quesne, to discuss finances and long-term wealth-building strategies.

The episode begins with Ross sharing insights from his journey, having purchased his first home in the early 2000s for $315,000, which would be worth over $1 million today, illustrating the growing challenges that first-time buyers face.

He stresses the importance of focusing on future goals rather than emotional attachments to properties, cautioning against becoming accidental investors.

Ross also debunks the myth that a 20 per cent deposit is necessary, highlighting options like family guarantor loans and lender’s mortgage insurance to help buyers enter the market sooner.

He emphasises consulting a mortgage broker early for financial guidance beyond loans and warns against off-the-plan properties, urging buyers to choose assets that support long-term wealth creation.

Ultimately, Ross encourages buyers to act promptly, as property remains a powerful wealth-building tool despite current market challenges.