
Show Notes
Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions you'll ever make… and most people are just kind of winging it.
You're going to inspections, watching prices, trying to read between the lines on listings, and still not sure if something's actually good value or if you're about to overpay.
So this week, Nick sits down with buyer's advocate Mel Dennis to break down what actually matters when you're buying property. They unpack how to work out what a property is really worth, the mistakes buyers don't realise they're making until it's too late, and how to handle the negotiation so you don't end up paying more than you needed to.
If you're in the market, or even just starting to think about it, this gives you a clear approach so you can make the call and buy with confidence.
Inside this episode:
Why doing your research still doesn't guarantee you won't overpay
The three things you're always balancing when you buy, and how to prioritise them
How to actually work out what a property is worth (not just what it's listed for)
The due diligence most buyers think they've done… but haven't
What experienced buyers look at that others don't
How negotiations really work (and where people end up paying more)
Why some properties grow in value... and others don't
WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE, our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to.
GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to [email protected], and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
General advice disclaimer
More from Financial Autonomy
UPDATED: This episode was originally published with the wrong episode audio; it has been republished with the correct audio. Thanks for your patience!
You've worked hard, built up your savings and investments, and spent years making sensible financial decisions. But when was the last time you gave yourself permission to actually enjoy the money you've earned? It's easy to tell yourself you'll take that big holiday, make that purchase or finally start doing the things you've dreamed about once you retire. But what if waiting comes at a cost you haven't considered? In this episode, financial adviser Paul Benson explores one of the trickiest decisions when it comes to building wealth: how much should you put towards your future, and how much should you enjoy today? Through real client conversations and a spending dilemma of his own, Paul challenges the idea that the financially smartest decision is always the best one. And why getting the balance wrong could leave you with regrets that money can't fix. Inside this episode: Why being disciplined with money can sometimes work against you
You're earning good money, paying down your mortgage and doing all the right things. But are you missing an opportunity to build wealth along the way?
You've spent decades building your super and retirement is finally within reach. But what if the sharemarket crashes just as you're preparing to stop work? Could you still retire as planned? Would you need to scale back your lifestyle? And could a few bad years in the market affect how long your money lasts? In this episode, Paul Benson explores a retirement risk many people overlook. He reveals why two people with identical savings and investment returns could end up with vastly different outcomes, and what you can do to prepare. Inside this episode: Why the timing of a market downturn matters more as retirement approaches
You want to retire while you're young enough to enjoy it, with enough money to say yes to the trips, the experiences and more time with the people you love. But how do you feel confident spending your savings when you don't know how long they need to last?