Most property buyers think the hard part is finding the right property… But the reality is the way you BUY property can completely change the outcome you get.

In this episode, we break down the brutal truth about:

• Private Treaty

• Multiple Offer Situations

• Property Auctions

We discuss how buyers overpay, the psychology behind real estate negotiations, auction tactics, buyer mistakes, and the strategies experienced property investors use to stay in control during negotiations.

Are new builds actually the better investment… or are investors being distracted by tax benefits?

In this episode we break down the REAL numbers behind established vs new build property investing in Australia

The 2026 Federal Budget may have just changed Australian property investing forever.

The government says these changes are designed to improve housing affordability, yet Treasury is forecasting 35,000 fewer homes as a result of the policy changes.

At the same time, Cairns has secured major infrastructure funding including upgrades to the Western Arterial Road, education investment, and regional development projects.

So what actually happens next?

Is the Cairns property market heading for another boom, or are buyers about to get caught out?

In this episode of Investment By Design, I sit down with Cairns-based mortgage broker Stacey from Zory Financial Solutions to break down what is really happening with borrowing capacity, buyer behavior, lending conditions, and property opportunities in the Cairns property market in 2026.

With Cairns house prices rising sharply over recent years, many buyers are discovering that what they think they can borrow and what the banks will actually lend them are two very different things.

Everyone says we just need more housing… but in Cairns, there are already approved developments that never get built. So what’s actually stopping them?

In this episode, I sit down with James McPeak from McPeak Town Planning to break down the Cairns housing market, land supply, and the real reasons developments stall—even after council approval.

If you’ve ever wondered how to buy property with your super in Australia, this episode breaks down the process in a clear, practical way.

In this episode of the Investment By Design Podcast, we unpack the 5 key steps to buying property with super, including how an SMSF property investment works, the structures involved, the common mistakes people make, and what you need to understand before taking action.

Most property investors think wealth is built when the market is rising… But the truth is, real wealth can be built in any real estate market.

In this episode of the Investment By Design Podcast, we sit down with Todd Sloan from “Pizza and Property” to break down exactly how investors can continue to grow their portfolio, create equity, and build long-term wealth even in a slowing or declining property market.

In this episode of the Investment by Design Podcast, we sit down with Alesha Wilson from Ray White Cairns to unpack her journey from army life to building a property portfolio in one of Australia’s most talked-about markets. After moving to Cairns, Alesha didn’t just settle into a new lifestyle — she took action. Within just 3 years, she secured 3 investment properties and built a strong foundation for long-term wealth.

In this episode of the Investment by Design Podcast, I sit down with Natasha Whalley‑Thompson — one of Cairns’ leading real estate agents who has sold over 130 properties in the past 12 months and consistently ranks among the top Ray White agents in Australia.

Natasha shares what she’s seeing on the ground in the Cairns property market right now — from first home buyers turning to units, to auction strategies that actually work, and the big mistakes buyers make when purchasing real estate.

Over the last few years something interesting has been happening in the Cairns property market. Interstate buyers are arriving, billions of dollars are being invested in infrastructure, and property prices are beginning to move.

So the question is: Why is everyone suddenly talking about Cairns?

In this episode of Investment by Design, we unpack the bigger story unfolding across the Cairns property market, the Cairns real estate market, and the wider Cairns economy.

For years, Cairns has been viewed primarily as a tourism city. But is that still the full picture? With major investment flowing into health infrastructure, education, airport upgrades, housing growth, defence and major events, Cairns may be entering a new phase — one where the Cairns economy becomes more diversified, more resilient and more attractive to long-term business owners, professionals and property investors.

Joining us for this conversation is Omer Bernstein, who brings a unique perspective as a local business figure, investor and someone closely connected to JCU.

In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with financial planner Ben Cole to unpack what financial advice actually means in Australia, how loan structuring and asset selection impact long-term outcomes, and why strategy matters more than chasing the next investment.

Why do so many property investors in Cairns and regional Australia get stuck after one or two properties even when prices are rising and rents are strong? In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Kurt from Blue Collar Money to unpack the finance mistakes we see repeatedly holding investors back across Cairns, Far North Queensland, and Australia more broadly.

Most investors think tenancy issues come down to “bad tenants.” Experienced property managers know that’s rarely the real problem.

In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Adam Saitta from Benchmark Real Estate Cairns, a local property manager with 20 years of hands-on experience, to unpack where investors most commonly go wrong with tenancies and how those mistakes quietly erode returns over time.

Are you at risk of making an expensive property mistake? In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Keegan Lake, a Cairns-based real estate sales expert with 8 years of industry experience and lifelong local knowledge, to break down the 5 biggest mistakes buyers make when purchasing property and how to avoid them.

In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with David Murphy, Director at Ray White Cairns & Cairns Beaches, to unpack what’s really happening across the residential and commercial property markets in Far North Queensland. With an economics degree, decades of industry experience, and an office that manages over 2,000 properties while selling both residential and commercial real estate, David brings a rare data-backed perspective on where Cairns has been and where it’s heading next.

What does a real investment return look like in the Cairns property market right now? In this episode, I break down one of my own recent property purchases, a $420,000 Cairns apartment that produced $74,892 profit in the first 12 months.

Is Cairns heading for a decade of growth or are major structural constraints beginning to bite? In this deep-dive episode, we sit down with Economist Pete Faulkner of Conus Business Consultancy to unpack the real forces shaping the Cairns economy today and into the future.

With decades of experience analysing regional markets, working with councils, industry groups, and major businesses, Pete provides rare clarity on what’s actually happening underneath the headline numbers. Whether you’re an investor, business owner, or someone who wants to understand where Cairns is heading, this conversation breaks it all down in a clear, data-backed way.

Is Cairns on the verge of a major transformation? In this in-depth conversation, we sit down with Sarah Mort, Managing Director of MiHaven Cairns, to unpack the real forces shaping the city’s future.

With 20 years of experience in the Cairns economy and over $50 million in NDIS projects, 135 share house rooms, and multiple residential developments, Sarah provides rare insight into what’s really happening on the ground.

Thinking about buying an apartment in Cairns? Don’t overlook this investment class! Apartments and units can be one of the most affordable and high-potential property types for first-time buyers and investors alike, especially here in Cairns.