Property Developer Podcast

100 – Ron Forlee – Understanding risk and opportunity in property development

Property Developer Podcast

Show Notes

Property development has some inherent risks, like any business venture, and understanding what they are and how they can be mitigated is crucial to ensuring the success of any project.

Ron Forlee is a real legend in Australian property development circles. Ron will be a name known to many listeners of the show having written a number of books on developing property in Australia including Australian Residential Property Development, An intelligent guide to Australian Property Development and Australian Residential Property Development for Investors. No doubt you have some of those books in your collection. So I was very excited to be able to speak with Ron for my 100th episode.

Ron is a trained architect who applied his training to tackle property development projects first in South Africa and then in Australia. Following his decades of experience he then transferred his lessons and knowledge into books.

I am sure you will enjoy getting to know the man behind the name as we discuss his favorite projects, what he learned from his very first development and the many lessons he has picked up along the way.

Property Development Training If you are interested in learning the fundamentals of property development, in your own time and at your own pace, then be sure to head over to www.propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look. I take you step by step through the development process so you know exactly what is needed to find a site, run a feasibility and complete a small scale property development, be that a duplex or 3 or 4 unit site. The training includes a bonus program called Taking It To The Next Level for people who may want to go into developing full-time.

So head over to propertydevelopertraining.com and take a look... I would love to see you on the inside...

Property Developer Quiz Keen to find out how ready you might be to become a developer? Then take the Property Developer Quiz (https://www.propertydevelopertraining.com/quiz) and get a sense of where you are at… Become a Million Dollar Property Developer Grab my book Become a Million Dollar Property Developer about my journey into property development. This book is ideal for anyone who intends to get into small-scale property development and wants an insider’s guide to successfully obtaining wealth, fulfilment, and glory.

In this book, Justin will share how he succeeded in delivering a 20-townhouse project on his first property development project and what he learned along the way.

Many people have a dream of becoming a property developer. They aspire to build properties, grow portfolios, and amass great wealth. However, many people often struggle with making the leap into property development.

This book has the answers for how you can make the leap into property development. Grab your copy now. Social Connection Property Developer Podcast Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/propertydeveloperpodcast Property Developer Podcast Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/property_developer_podcast/ Property Developer Podcast LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/property-developer-podcastLinks Links AYR International - www.ayr.international Episode Summary In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, host Justin Gehde speaks with Ron Forlee, a property developer and founder of AYR International. The episode focuses on understanding risk and opportunity in property development, and how to effectively manage both aspects to maximize profitability.

The conversation begins with Ron sharing his background in property development and how he got started in the industry. He explains that his approach to development has always been centered around mitigating risk and finding opportunities, which has allowed him to successfully navigate the ups and downs of the market over the years.

Risk in property development

Justin and Ron then discuss the concept of risk in property development, and how it can be managed to minimize potential losses. Ron emphasizes the impor

More from Property Developer Podcast

Oct 12, 2026

Losing $150,000 in a failed property investment could put you off development for good. For Daniel Rayner, it became a reason to learn the process and take on projects himself. In this episode, I sit down with Daniel, founder of Somerset Developments in South East Queensland, to explore his journey from corporate employment to completing his first land subdivision and building a pipeline of projects.

Aug 31, 2026

If you're a property developer, one of the most important relationships you'll ever have is with your builder. Yet surprisingly few developers ever get the chance to hear how builders actually think.

Jun 10, 2026

Planning approvals have long been one of the biggest frustrations facing property developers. Lengthy delays. Endless requests for information. Different planners interpreting the same rules in different ways. For many developers, obtaining a planning permit can feel like a lottery rather than a predictable process. But is that finally starting to change? In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, we speak with Anthony Puma from Prestige Plans about Victoria's recent planning reforms and why they could represent one of the biggest changes to property development in years. Anthony has worked on hundreds of development applications and has seen first-hand the challenges developers face when dealing with councils, planning departments and constantly evolving regulations. One of the most fascinating parts of our discussion centres on two almost identical development applications submitted to the same council on neighbouring sites that received completely different responses. We discuss:

Dec 4, 2025

Property development has always been a balancing act — but right now the scales feel especially heavy. Rising construction costs, messy feasibilities, shifting lender appetite, and a market still absorbing the post-COVID shock are making it harder than ever to get a project funded and delivered. If you’ve been feeling the squeeze, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on behind the scenes. In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, we speak with Zac Constantinou, who started his career delivering medium and high-density projects in Sydney before moving into the finance world where he now works on construction funding and private capital at Shore Financial. Having worked both on site and on the lending side, Zac offers a rare perspective on what makes a project viable — and what sinks it. We cover a wide range of practical insights, including:

Jun 7, 2025

Property development in Australia is getting harder—and this episode unpacks why. Soaring costs, endless planning delays, contradictory government policies, and a risk-averse planning culture are pushing developers to the edge. If you're struggling to make your numbers work, you're not alone. In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, we explore what’s broken in the system and what needs to change. Our guest, Maxwell Shifman from Intrapac Property, shares blunt insights from the front lines of residential property development including:

See all episodes →