Property investing and property development are two very different strategies—each with their own strengths, challenges, and outcomes. In this episode, we’re walking through the key differences between the two, sharing stories from our own journey and what we’ve seen across the industry.

We unpack what’s involved in each approach, how to know which one suits your current situation, and why combining both can be a powerful way to build wealth. Whether you’re looking for cashflow, long-term growth, or a mix of both, this episode will help you think more clearly about your next step.

Episode Highlights

[01:20] Bob’s advice: stop procrastinating and make a decision
[02:40] Hilary’s industrial project story: pulling the trigger changes everything
[04:00] Aussies love property—but what kind of strategy suits you?
[05:10] Why long-term growth is the backbone of investing
[07:30] How many properties do you need to retire?
[09:10] Easier finance and lower barriers with investment
[10:40] The catch: limited control and slower growth
[12:00] Vacancy rates and management headaches
[13:50] The WA property crash and what to learn from it
[15:00] Balancing capital growth and rental yield
[16:30] What happens when you hit the serviceability wall
[18:00] Property investing as a starter strategy
[19:05] Pros of development: higher margins and faster returns
[20:15] Built-in buffers and more control over the outcome
[22:05] The creative and exciting side of development
[24:00] Joint ventures—develop without your own capital
[25:30] Risk factors and the importance of proper education
[27:45] Why feasibility matters more than ever
[30:30] The best of both worlds: develop and hold
[34:00] How to use development to build a portfolio faster
[36:00] The magic formula: pay cost price, not retail
[39:00] What's faster—saving $250k or developing it?

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Check out all the episodes - https://bit.ly/3ZDe2fZ

🔑 Exclusive Property Mastermind Mentoring - https://bit.ly/4ieAu6B 🔑

Property Mastermind Courses:

👉 Getting Started in Property Development - https://bit.ly/4iwTI7E
👉 The Ultimate Property Development Bundle - https://bit.ly/3OH4VVy

Property Mastermind Events:

👉 The 3-Day Live Workshop - https://bit.ly/3ZnBe0j
👉 Full Event Schedule - https://bit.ly/4g0inzD

Connect with us:

👉 Property Developer Secrets & Hacks on Facebook - https://bit.ly/49r6kJo
👉 Facebook Page - https://bit.ly/3D2eH1S
👉 Instagram - https://bit.ly/3D1a7AP
👉 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Vp4ToG

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Councils can fast-track your project or drain your cashflow—sometimes in the same week. In this episode we unpack how to navigate council planning schemes, relaxations, objections and the politics that so often dictate approval.

Learn practical tactics for pre-lodgement meetings, choosing the right town planner, negotiating setbacks and density, and budgeting for inevitable delays.

Whether you’re preparing your first DA or refining a multi-site play, the discussion lays out clear, experience-tested steps to keep your timeline—and interest costs—under control.

Episode Highlights

[00:21] Why every council’s planning scheme is different
[01:50] The birthday tip: ask before you buy (applies to DA submissions too)
[03:34] Town planners, architects and surveyors—getting the team sequence right
[06:48] From printed zoning books to online portals: tech that sped up due diligence
[09:15] What councils look for when a DA lands on the desk
[10:46] Density relaxations: spotting changes 18 months before they hit the code
[13:13] Rear-boundary setback wins and how to justify them
[15:45] The real cost of slow approvals—interest, holding costs and missed windows
[17:30] Fast-track programs (CDC, RISK-SMART, SEALSMART) explained
[20:27] Objectors vs. planning law: when to push back and when to listen
[22:40] Political interference: mayors, media and election-season grandstanding
[25:55] Maternity leave surprises—what happens when your file sits idle
[28:18] Identifying anti-development councils before you buy
[30:42] Traits of a town planner who will fight (not fold)
[33:26] Negotiation mindset: professional, persistent, evidence-based
[38:29] Long settlements as an insurance policy against council delays
[40:10] Upcoming masterclass and three-day workshop invitations

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to property development, understanding building contracts isn’t optional—it’s essential. From fixed price and cost-plus to guaranteed maximum price and design-and-construct models, knowing your contract structure can protect your bottom line and help you build with confidence.

In this episode, inspired by a listener question from Cam, Bob and Hilary take a deep dive into how different contracts work, what to watch out for, and how to ensure value for money when there’s no competitive tension. They also share a few real-world lessons from their current projects—including a surprising mistake from a long-time quantity surveyor.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – Listener email: Cam’s real-world development situation in South Australia
04:30 – Bob and Hilary’s current contract challenges and quantity surveyor misstep
06:45 – Lessons learned: when to rely on QS vs tender pricing
10:00 – Overview of contract types: Fixed Price, Cost-Plus, GMP
11:15 – Why financiers love fixed price and time contracts
13:00 – Cost-Plus contracts: what they are and why builders like them
15:20 – Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP): benefits and savings share models
17:30 – Design and Construct (D&C) contracts explained
21:00 – How D&C improves buildability and controls costs
22:30 – The tender process and when to use it
24:00 – Advice for Cam: how to ensure value for money without tendering
27:00 – Residential vs commercial builder mindset
31:00 – New industrial and childcare/townhouse projects on the horizon

🏠🏠🏠

Check out all the episodes - https://bit.ly/3ZDe2fZ

🔑 Exclusive Property Mastermind Mentoring - https://bit.ly/4ieAu6B 🔑

Property Mastermind Courses:

👉 Getting Started in Property Development - https://bit.ly/4iwTI7E
👉 The Ultimate Property Development Bundle - https://bit.ly/3OH4VVy

Property Mastermind Events:

👉 The 3-Day Live Workshop - https://bit.ly/3ZnBe0j
👉 Full Event Schedule - https://bit.ly/4g0inzD

Connect with us:

👉 Property Developer Secrets & Hacks on Facebook - https://bit.ly/49r6kJo
👉 Facebook Page - https://bit.ly/3D2eH1S
👉 Instagram - https://bit.ly/3D1a7AP
👉 YouTube - https://bit.ly/3Vp4ToG

🏠🏠🏠

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.