Prices are climbing, tempers are flaring, and a simple promise—“buy with just a 5% deposit”—isn’t as simple as it sounds. Joe and Michael unpack the new rules around Australia’s First Home Guarantee and why it might not be the slam dunk the federal government believes. We draw a clean line between the federal guarantee and state‑based grants and stamp duty concessions, then walk through what that means in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. The boys don't just complain, Jo...

The biggest property gains often come from the most boring moves—and that’s exactly where Steve Palise thrives. We sit down with the engineer‑turned‑buyers’ advocate and author to dismantle catchy myths, unpack the fundamentals that actually drive returns, and show how to pick between residential, commercial, and development without getting lost in the hype. Steve shares how he scaled a buyers’ agency from overseas using deep-work blocks, SOPs, and a serious CRM, then channelled that structur...

Think financial planners are only for the wealthy? Ray Regmi and Malissa Vargas from Ryker Capital don't think so, revealing why financial advice might be most valuable for everyday Australians. Ray, with 21 years in financial services, and Malissa, with 32 years in lending, share powerful insights about the transformative impact of good financial planning. They explain why waiting until you're wealthy to seek advice is like saying "I need to be fit before I go to the gym" – completely backw...

In our conversation with Jacob Fahmy, Client Director for Latitude Accountants, the boys discuss all things small business - the backbone of the Australian economy. Australia's small business owners are facing unprecedented challenges through increasing regulations, proposed tax changes, and economic policies that favour large corporations over local entrepreneurs. Jacob explains how structuring is the cornerstone of tax and accounting for small businesses (as well as employees) by he...

Looking to grow wealth through property but can't afford your own backyard? JP Gabriel, founder of Investr buyer's agency, reveals to Joe and Michael his powerful strategies for navigating Australia's challenging property landscape. JP shares his personal journey from tech professional at LinkedIn to successful property investor, building a portfolio across three states. He tackles head-on the biggest conundrum facing potential buyers today: "I want to buy my own home, but I'm either scrapin...

The controversial $3 million superannuation tax has sparked fierce (if not overblown) debate across Australia, with important questions about fairness, implementation challenges, and political accountability taking centre stage. Targeting roughly 80,000 Australians (0.5% of the population) with super balances exceeding $3 million, this policy increases their tax rate from 15% to 30%. While Michael argues it affects only the wealthy, he admits there are several flaws that shouldn't be ignored...

Australia's housing market is being strangled by the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) phenomenon, with the average first home buyer age jumping from 34 to 37 in just three years. This devastating trend shows how local opposition to development is driving up prices and pushing homeownership further out of reach for young Australians. This episode touches on: • The NIMBY mindset • Sydney's poor urban planning compared to Melbourne's more efficient grid layout • Top 10 Sydney suburbs with less...

Joe and Michael explore how Trump's tariffs are reshaping the Australian economy through currency devaluation, interest rate changes, and property market shifts, with surprising benefits for some and challenges for others. Overall, these won't affect Australia too negatively, in fact, they might actually improve things for the Australian economy as we look to other markets, particularly China and Europe. Follow us for more property news and mortgage advice! ▸Website - https://itssi...

The boys discuss the government schemes that can actually help you get into the market and start building wealth. Find out: • Why someone earning $90,000 with HECS debt takes home approximately $5,200 less annually than someone without. • What you can do if your HECS debt is stopping you from buying a property. • Info on the federal government's investment of $182 million in NSW infrastructure to enable 25,000 new homes. • Suburbs like Goulburn will benefit owner-occupiers priced out of...

Australia's housing crisis has reached a breaking point, forcing all political parties to place housing policy at the forefront of their election platforms. In this episode, we dissect the competing visions for solving Australia's housing affordability crisis, exploring whether any party has realistic solutions to the mounting pressure. Labor's ambitious promise of 1.2 million new homes by 2030 sounds impressive, but we examine whether this target is achievable given construction industry co...

Manny returns to discuss the latest shifts in Australia's property market. (Melbourne might be back in the game). Join us for our upcoming event "Ready, Set, Buy" at Strathfield Golf Club on Thursday, April 10th, featuring expert insights from Manny, Joseph, and Peter Ishak on property investment fundamentals. Live in Sydney? Get your free ticket on eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ready-set-buy-an-insiders-guide-to-property-investment-tickets-1278531635539?aff=FSWJ Follow us ...

The long-awaited 0.25% interest rate cut from the Reserve Bank of Australia has finally arrived, bringing welcome relief to homeowners after rates reached their highest point in 15 years. But beyond the modest monthly savings—about $180 for the average New South Wales mortgage holder—lies a much more significant opportunity that savvy Australians shouldn't overlook. First-time buyers with median NSW salaries now have an additional $12,000-$14,000 in borrowing capacity, potentially bridging t...

This week Joe and Michael explore the interest rate predictions from ANZ, CBA, and Westpac, while we unravel the political and economic factors shaping these forecasts. Discover how migration trends and government policies focusing on individual welfare create a challenging landscape for first-time homebuyers, as we spotlight the disconnect between policymakers and the realities of the housing market. With interest rates likely to drop, they boys also take a look at the best Sydney suburbs to...

The boys kick off the new year with a recap on the financial activity we saw over Christmas. All we can say is don't make your settlement date during the holiday period! Moving into the world of personal loans and debt consolidation, we dissect the growing trend of managing multiple debts post-holiday season. The episode takes a deeper look at the changing travel landscape and the impact of gambling on financial decisions. With major airlines altering services and competit...

Welcome It's Simple broker, Anthony Fontana, to the Finance Show with Joe!Tackling today's challenging homeownership landscape, we explore how the "Bank of Mum and Dad" is reshaping the property market. Discover strategic financial solutions like guarantor loans and the First Home Guarantee that are helping families overcome housing affordability issues. With expert advice on navigating lending options from institutions like First Mac and Macquarie, we underscore the importance of diverse fin...

Damien joins us in this episode, the longest-standing member of It's Simple Finance, who stumbled into the world of brokering after an unexpected encounter at a wedding. With Damien, we explore Sydney's wealthiest suburbs to uncover the concept of "good debt" and how strategic financial planning with accountants can maximize tax efficiency and bolster property portfolios.Shifting our lens to the broader economic landscape, we ponder the Reserve Bank of Australia's potential interest rate...

What happens when a property investor decides to switch sides and become a mortgage broker? David shares his compelling journey on our latest episode of the Finance Show. Discover how a miscalculation by a lender nearly derailed his property purchase plans in Perth and how It's Simple saved the day. David's experience underscores the importance of motivated brokers and the art of matching clients with the right lender, illustrating how diverse bank offerings can meet specific customer needs.E...

Curious about which suburbs in Australia are thriving and why? Join us on The Finance Show with Joe as we explore the incredible growth of areas like Gables and Lismore in New South Wales, where family-friendly environments and innovative social housing initiatives have sparked impressive property value increases. We break down the factors making these suburbs attractive, from desirable schools to resilient rental markets, even in the face of natural challenges like flooding.Despite the downt...

On this episode, we get into the skyrocketing Perth market, where some homes are gaining $1,000 a day! Ever wondered where to find the next big investment opportunity? We've got you covered with an in-depth look at regional Victoria, particularly Melbourne, where the lingering effects of COVID-19 have shifted the investment landscape. With investors exiting, property values and rental yields have seen fluctuations.Plus, don't miss our special guest, Manny, who shares expert advice for fi...

In this episode we break down Anthony Albanese's controversial housing bill, dissecting the shared equity scheme designed to help first-time buyers and the political clash it ignited between the Coalition and the Greens. We'll unpack why the Greens' demands on negative gearing and capital gains tax changes are seen as impractical and explore the limited impact of this bill on property prices due to stringent eligibility criteria. Compare this with the existing home guarantee scheme, and you'l...