On the latest episode of The Property Nerds podcast, self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Kent Lardner take a deep-dive into the latest media headlines, using data to give listeners a more complete picture of what is actually happening in the property market. 

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, and Kent, director of Suburbtrends, discuss the tightening inventory levels in the national capital, tipping that the ACT may actually have the potential to pip Sydney for prices in just 18 months. 

The duo explain the importance of looking beyond “median house prices” and why using robust data is key to fully grasp how a region will likely perform.

Will Canberra be Australia’s most expensive city?

On the latest episode of The Property Nerds podcast, self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Kent Lardner discuss how investors can find the ‘true demand’ for an area by studying the rental market.

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, and Kent, director of Suburbtrends, discuss the fluidity of the rental markets, the city exodus into regional markets and how investors can use the data to see emerging trends. 

The duo scan the country, pointing to the SA3 regions that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why you should be watching the rental market

On the latest episode of The Property Nerds podcast, self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal deep-dive into property data and unpack what the biggest trends in Australia’s housing markets mean for investors.

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, and Leigh, director of Hills Finance, discuss popular property and finance “myths” and whether they actually affect one’s journey into real estate investment or not. Can population growth translate to capital growth? Is that really the max cap of your borrowing capacity or can you get more? Should you always go for the “best rate”?

The nerds also talk through the difference between buying new and old properties, the value of understanding (and being critical of) historical trends, and the importance of smart financial strategies and a good team of professionals in today’s ever-changing landscape.

Busting the biggest property and finance myths

On the latest episode of The Property Nerds podcast, self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal share their expert opinions on how APRA’s latest intervention will affect property markets.

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, and Leigh, director of Hills Finance, give their straightforward and data-driven insights on how APRA’s recent move to cool home loan risks will impact the current real estate market dynamics.

To put things in perspective, they also look into how previous similar interventions from the financial regulator affected property markets. They also underscore the importance of assessing property markets beyond a single indicator and encourage people to have an “open approach” to investing. 

They also discuss the latest financial data and what property market trends could emerge before the end of 2021.

Cutting the waffle on APRA’s latest crackdown

As headlines herald the start of the great Australian property market correction, self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal call on investors to hold their horses and examine the real deal behind the recent interest rate hikes.

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, and Leigh, director of Hills Finance, explain why the RBA’s latest round of monetary policy tightening should be viewed as a “return to normal” and not the doom-and-gloom scenario as it’s popularly painted to be.

With a persisting rental crisis becoming a more prominent issue across the capital market, the nerds also discuss the factors driving the housing supply crisis, lay out long-term and concrete solutions to address the problem, and call on the government and regulators to explore systematic changes that will create a sustainable property market both for investors and owner-occupiers.

For a deeper look into the regions where the duo forecasts rental prices will surge, read here: 10 Aussie regions where rents are set to skyrocket.

The real deal behind the rate hikes

As the Australian property market undergoes a significant period of change, self-professed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal sit down to discuss and analyse the three core values of the industry: finance, policy and property.

Arjun, founder of InvestorKit, and Leigh, director at Hills Finance, talk about the recent increases to the cash rate and discuss the recent forecasts on where this rate will sit come the end of the year. The pair encourage proactivity within Australian households when it comes to their finances, discussing the benefits of refinancing amongst a host of other financial adjustments that can be made.

They also dive into the “horrible” changes to Queensland’s land tax before touching on the NSW decision to reform stamp duty offerings to first home buyers.

In this episode, you will also hear:

- Data analysis of the major market trends
- Predictions on future market behaviour
- Three big investment tips for the next six months

Breaking down the 3 property pillars

In this special episode, self-proclaimed data nerd Arjun Paliwal is joined by another self-labelled data geek, John Foong, to scrutinise what strategy works best in a market downturn.

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, sits down with the chief revenue officer at Domain to peruse current market conditions and unpack why a “feast-or-famine” view of the real estate market can result in costly investing mistakes.

Drawing from his extensive experience as an investor across different countries and his established career across several industries, John explains why optimising holding phases and taking advantage of buying windows no matter the phase of the market cycle ultimately trumps the timing-the-market investment strategy.

The duo also give their predictions for the trends that emerged during the pandemic, such as the tree-change and sea-change trends and pore over the data points (both historical and present) to back their belief that the property market’s current downswing will not be as detrimental as pessimists paint it to be.

Stop viewing the property market as ‘feast or famine’

On this episode of the Property Nerds, hosts Arjun and Leigh Paliwal sit down to discuss three major topics in the real estate industry. 

To begin with, they touch on the Reserve Bank of Australia’s latest cash rate increase, what the decision spells for future plans, and how it has impacted borrowers. 

They then analyse the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest lending indicators and why the figures “make sense” when sentiment, borrowing capacity and other market factors are considered. They then reveal their must-buy locations around the country and relay what buyers should look for in prospective purchasing areas.

In this episode, you will also hear:

How your borrowing capacity can end up working against you
Detriments of data weighting
Understanding the best, middle, and worst-case scenarios

3 is the magic number

On the latest episode of The Property Nerds podcast, self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal explain why it’s due time investors review their portfolios — and how they can start by shopping for a new mortgage.

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, and Leigh, director of Hills Finance, look into the latest data on finance and lending before providing their expert take on why the Reserve Bank of Australia is at risk of overshooting its rate hike cycle.

On the back of seven consecutive rate hikes, the duo also recommended property owners shop around for a new mortgage, with Leigh providing insider insights on how to get the best rates and what types of cost-cutting deals are currently on market. Arjun also explains how a lending and equity position review can help investors who are on a portfolio-scaling journey.

Lastly, the mini brain trust unpacks the housing shortage that is happening across the country and talks about the factors that have brought on the supply squeeze.

Why it’s time to shop for a new mortgage

With Christmas just around the corner, data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal sit down to unpack what the latest lending stats tell us about the state of the Australian property market.

Arjun, founder of InvestorKit, and Leigh, director at Hills Finance, give us the low-down on lending, reflecting on the consecutive cash rate rises and the flow of data that comes with it.

Arjun visits the idea of what currently defines an undervalued property, before turning his attention to seven trends that are set to leave their mark on the market in 2023.

From financial assistance sugar rushes to consumer sentiment and job market activity good old-fashioned supply and demand, Arjun and Leigh impart their own wisdom to listeners in this must-hear end-of-year episode.

7 trends savvy investors don’t want you to know for 2023

To get the ball rolling in 2023, data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal dissect the biggest trends in finance, policy and real estate to help investors charge ahead into the new year. Arjun, founder of InvestorKit, and Leigh, director at Hills Finance, debunk the gloomy narrative around the “mortgage cliff” and “mortgage prison” borrowers are said to face this year before enumerating the strategic ways borrowers can avoid finding themselves on the edge of this financial conundrum.

They discuss the latest lending data, analyse why refinancing is becoming the new norm among mortgage holders and explain why it might be time to reevaluate your loan. The pair also touches on the latest inflation data and unpack what it means for the trajectory of the Reserve Bank’s rate hike this year.

Finally, they talk about the newly rolled out NSW First Home Buyer Choice scheme and pore over the pros and cons of the policy.

Stop making a mountain out of the mortgage cliff

Data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal have cautioned investors against playing real estate roulette when choosing their next location.

Arjun, founder of InvestorKit, and Leigh, director at Hills Finance, unpack the latest lending data and encourage investors to review their financial positions in the face of the Reserve Bank’s rapid rate hike cycle.

As refinancing becomes a higher priority for Aussies who are coming off their fixed-rate contracts, the duo also looks at the possible options that are available for home owners and investors to buffer their mortgages.

The duo also brings back their analysis of overvalued and undervalued markets before highlighting the significance of identifying locations that have “healthy” growth prospects.

Which markets are overvalued and undervalued in 2023?

With the ceiling to the Reserve Bank’s interest rate hike cycle still out of plain sight, data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal say it’s more important than ever for investors to be proactive in improving their financial positions.

Arjun, founder of InvestorKit, and Leigh, director at Hills Finance, unpack the rising trend of refinancing among mortgage holders and present different financing strategies that can help investors continue scaling their portfolios despite the increasing pressure on borrowing capacity.

They also warned against getting caught up with predictions in the market and instead urged market players to “focus on the chain of events” that can set up the stage for a forecasted scenario so they can accordingly improvise and adapt their strategies.

Lastly, they talk about Australia’s ongoing infrastructure boom and explain its potential impact on the property market.

How to find the ‘X Factor’ scenario for your borrowing capacity

In this episode, data nerd Arjun Paliwal is joined by Nerida Conisbee to make sense of the different housing data indicators and work out what it means for future property trends.

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, sits down with Ray White’s chief economist to talk about how the market is beginning to show signs of recovery before analysing which areas are poised to lead the rebound.

For investors looking to “make a call” in their investment strategy, the duo underlines the importance of not only taking into account housing data but also economic indicators, demographic trends and other market-shaping factors.

They also address the different challenges in today’s market, including the ongoing rental crisis, escalating construction costs, and supply shortages before unpacking the short, medium and long-term indicators that investors need to keep track of to make informed and data-driven investing decisions.

The data sets investors must keep track of

With the RBA delivering another blow to mortgage holders’ borrowing capacity in May, data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal offer insights into how mortgage holders can improve their financial positions. 

Arjun, founder of InvestorKit, and Leigh, director at Hills Finance, take a closer look at how the lending landscape has shifted in the wake of 11 interest rate hikes, including banks scrapping cashback offers, adjustments to fixed rates, and tightening in serviceability requirements.

Amid the challenging high-interest rate environment, the duo explore strategies for borrowers to find flexibility in their mortgages.

Lastly, they unpack the investment opportunities available to property buyers in Queensland who are working within a budget of $500,000 and below.

Finding mortgage flexibility amid high-interest rates

You may be waiting to see how mortgage rates shake out to make any big portfolio changes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be proactive about your financial management.

In this episode, Arjun Paliwal, founder of InvestorKit, and Leigh Paliwal, director at Hills Finance, talk tactics for facing interest rate pain in light of the June rate hike and potentially more in future.

They share some of the options for refinancing that have become increasingly popular as investors look to ensure they don’t end up in mortgage prison. Arjun and Leigh discuss how a second- or third-tier lender can help you out when the big four aren’t right for you.

The duo also dig into why South Australian investments have been such high performers over the past year and look at how local supply conditions and microeconomic trends can be important indicators of when an area is about to go off.

Finding your feet in the refinance boom

With the country’s interest rate at an 11-year high, what are the new rules for playing the property investment game?

Data nerd and founder of InvestorKit, Arjun Paliwal, sits down with Redom Syed, co-director at Confidence Finance, to provide a combined property research and housing finance point of view on how the Reserve Bank of Australia’s rapid rate rise cycle has raised the hurdles faced by property investors.

Amid increased mortgage repayments and reduced borrowing capacity, many property investors are skeptical about buying. However, the experts say it’s all about learning the new rules investors must play in this high-interest rate environment, such as adopting a holistic cash flow perspective and prioritising microeconomic factors over macroeconomics, among others.

Lastly, they remind investors there are always opportunities across the markets, emphasising that “doing something is better than doing nothing”.

5 new rules for investing in a high-interest rate environment

Long-term planning is an important step, albeit one many might miss at the outset of their investment journey.

Bushy Martin, author, podcaster and founder of KnowHow Property Finance, joins host, Arjun Paliwal, to discuss the planning patience that it takes to build a property portfolio and approach to investing that’s able to withstand the test of time.

Bushy, whose sizeable portfolio spans the world, reveals some of the key numbers and metrics that he believes investors should be using to determine what their investment journey will look like during the design phase.

Arjun and Bushy also discuss the importance of setting clear lifestyle goals to power your investment journey, both as motivation and so that you can tailor your approach to get what you really want out of life.

Designing a portfolio to deliver your ideal lifestyle

Analyst John Lindeman joins host Arjun Paliwal to unpack 25 core housing fundamentals across the country in 2023 as they compare to 2022.

The Property Power Partners CEO and Arjun then turn their attention to market pressure, highlighting the impact felt by population growth and movement, before explaining why rising unaffordability isn’t the most accurate measure of market performance.  

They also examine the most common mistakes made by economists who are predicting housing market trends, before John divulges his three favourite pieces of property data for the benefit of listeners.

Core housing fundamentals and common mistakes

You may be fixated on the latest developments in your local property market, but a look at the macro data could clear your investment vision.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, InvestorKit founder Arjun Paliwal takes listeners on a deep dive into the 25 housing fundamentals that make the nation’s property market move.

Arjun shares his insider tips and tricks on how to analyse markets holistically and avoid being swayed by inaccurate property claims. He explains how a razor-sharp understanding of how to interpret data can help investors accurately forecast market movement for maximum investment success.

Arjun also discusses why market demand is surging, why rental affordability ratings are in for an overhaul, and what we can expect for the future of the interest rate cycle.

The macro drivers that shape the state of Australian property

The country is facing a severe housing supply crunch, and investors are needed to contribute to fixing the issue.

In this episode of The Property Nerds, InvestorKit founder Arjun Paliwal and his co-host Leigh Paliwal delve into the factors shaping the nation’s supply crisis, which investors need to know about to make informed purchasing decisions. 

Together, the duo reveal 20 regions highlighted in InvestorKit’s latest research paper that are ripe for investment in the midst of tight markets.

They also discuss how migration will shape the nation’s future housing needs, and go over the many elements that can contribute to healthy market conditions.

Facing supply shortages

The end of the year may be just around the corner, but The Property Nerds are back in full force, just in time for the holidays!


Leigh Paliwal returns to the show after a six-month hiatus, joining fellow property nerd Arjun Paliwal to give a run down on the year that was 2023 from both a finance perspective and a family one, before turning their attention to the opportunities in the year ahead.


And while many people are now at the point of putting off their financial considerations until 2024, the duo stress there’s no better time than the present to get your finances in order, especially in an environment where lenders are actively pivoting to maintain their competitive edge.

A wrap on 2023 and an eye to what’s trending for 2024

Change is afoot for The Property Nerds and the Australian market alike.

In this episode, host and InvestorKit founder Arjun Paliwal shares the exciting news that the show will be doubling its frequency to fortnightly, bringing listeners more of the data-driven insights that help them power their property decisions.

Welcoming Cameron Kusher, executive manager for economic research at REA Group, to the show, the duo discuss how Australia might also be amping up the output this year, as it’s hoped a stabilising interest rate environment will give way to an increase in property listings.

Mr Kusher shares his predictions for prices, while the pair discuss some strategies for overcoming the challenges that might persist this year and which investors will have to navigate to keep their property portfolios in strong standing.

Amping up the output

Interest rates may be at a standstill, but that hasn’t stopped 10 Australian cities from reaching new heights.

In this episode, InvestorKit founder Arjun Paliwal and his co-host Leigh Paliwal spill the beans on Australia’s hottest markets, both large and small.

The duo share why Dubbo is an unlikely hero of NSW property, why finance lending is up over 11 per cent from last year, and what unemployment rates mean for housing.

They also share an exciting development in their own property journey, one that is sure to start the next chapter for themselves and their family.

Australia’s 10 economic powerhouses

Australia’s top auctioneer shares insider tips for blitzing the big day.

In this episode, host and Hills Finance director Leigh Paliwal sits down with Andy Reid, a leading Melbourne auctioneer and straight-talking property pro.

Andy reveals why knowing your state legislation can give a savvy buyer the upper hand and put you in a strong position to negotiate.

He weighs up the benefits of lowballing bids versus coming in strong, and shares why vying with the auctioneer for the “alpha” position can shoot a buyer in the foot.

Becoming an auction whizz

With the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) still holding firm to the 4.35 per cent cash rate, getting your finance right is more important than ever. 
 
On this episode of The Property Nerds, InvestorKit’s Arjun Paliwal and Hills Finance’s Leigh Paliwal examine how cash rate fluctuations have changed the financial landscape for property investors across Australia. 
 
The pair explore why “undervalued” and “overvalued” markets may not always be what they seem, and how understanding research methodology can give you the upper hand. 
 
The duo also delve into the relationship between wages, inflation and house prices when deciding where and when to buy.

Is your finance up to scratch?

People are living longer than ever, which is good news, but housing may not be keeping up with the change.

In the latest episode of The Property Nerds, host Arjun Paliwal is joined by Simon Kuestenmacher of The Demographics Group to discuss the profound implications of demographic shifts on the property market.

Simon explains how the preferences and needs of an older population influence housing demand and investment strategies. The duo delve into the role of migration in buffering the effects of an ageing population, and what opportunities it presents in the housing market.

Arjun and Simon also examine the barriers to downsizing for older Australians, and cover some of the policy shifts that could potentially bring more movement into the market by encouraging rightsizing.

Australia’s population is ageing, and it’s impacting property

For maxed-out property investors who are struggling to get a loan, investing in an SMSF can provide you with a second wind.

In the latest episode of The Property Nerds, co-hosts Arjun Paliwal and Leigh Paliwal delve into the increasingly popular and ever-complex world of SMSF property investing.

Arjun and Leigh discuss the pros and cons of investing via a self-managed super fund, from turnaround times, to minimum account balances and loan-to-value ratio.

They explore the importance of building a strong professional relationship with your accountant and financial planner to ensure that every investment decision you make works for your individual needs.

Is SMSF investing right for you?

In this inaugural episode of the Property Nerds podcast, property gurus and self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Kent Lardner reveal how they teamed up under this new and exciting venture to shape property investing in 2021.  

InvestorKit’s head of research Arjun and Suburbtrends’ Kent talk about their own investment journeys and how their shared love for data was born.

The pair uncover industry secrets, breaking down the science to pinpoint real estate gold.

Ahead, listeners can expect Arjun and Kent to double down on data, fact-check some of the mainstream media headlines regarding property investing, and share the mic with some of their fellow property nerds.

Introducing the Property Nerds: A pair of data nerds reshaping investing

On the second episode of the Property Nerds podcast, property gurus and self-proclaimed data nerds Arjun Paliwal and Kent Lardner deep-dive into the latest headlines before unveiling the six must-know indicators when researching your next investment property. 

Arjun, head of research at InvestorKit, and Kent, director of Suburbtrends, discuss the predicted 30 per cent lift in property prices and where this forecast may materialise. 

They touch on the regional appeal and Darwin’s sudden rise to fame.

The property experts also disclose six tricks that could help you research your next investment property, helping you separate the plums from the lemons.

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