Own It Property Podcast

#36 STOP Chasing Perfect: The 80/20 Rule Every Property Buyer Needs

Most buyers waste time focusing on the wrong things when purchasing a property — shiny kitchens, new bathrooms, trendy finishes — and completely ignore what actually drives long-term value. In this episode of the Own It Podcast, Dion breaks down the 80/20 Rule for Property Buying and explains why just 20% of a property determines 80% of its long-term performance.
You’ll learn:
What the non-negotiables are when buying property
Why location, land, asset type, and floorplan matter more than renovations
Which compromises are safe to make — and which ones can cost you hundreds of thousands
Why cosmetic features depreciate while fundamentals drive growth
How buyers get trapped chasing “perfect” properties that underperform
Why off-the-plan apartments are a classic example of focusing on the wrong 80%
This episode is essential listening for first-home buyers, upgraders, and anyone feeling stuck trying to choose between properties. If you want to buy with confidence — not emotion — this framework will change how you look at property forever.

#35 Buying Near Busy Roads, Train Lines or Powerlines: Smart Move or Big Mistake?

Buying near a busy road, train line, school, or powerlines is one of the most common dilemmas buyers face — and the advice online is confusing at best. In this episode, Dion breaks down the real impact these compromises have on property value, future resale, and your day-to-day living.
Using real examples and buyer behaviour insights from the market, Dion explains:
Which compromises are fixable and which ones never change
Why busy roads and train lines usually mean a 5%–20% discount
How these “discounts” work — and why you’ll also sell for less
The biggest red flag of all: buying under powerlines
How buyer psychology shapes demand around schools, roads and transport
When buying a compromised property can be a smart move
When the risk is simply not worth it
If you're considering a home on a main road, near a train line, across from a school, or anywhere close to powerlines, this episode will give you the clarity you need to make the right call.

#34 Unit, Townhouse or House? What’s the Safest Buy in 2025?

Choosing what to buy is just as important as choosing where to buy — and yet most buyers get it wrong. In this episode, Dion breaks down asset selection and explains the real differences between houses, townhouses, units, and apartments. Using fresh CoreLogic data and real buyer stories, he ranks these property types based on long-term performance, land value, demand, and risk.
You’ll learn:
Why houses consistently outperform other property types
The difference between a good townhouse/unit and a bad one
Why land value is the number one driver of capital growth
The biggest risks of buying brand-new or off-the-plan
Which types of apartments can perform — and which never do
How lifestyle vs investment goals change what the “best” asset looks like for you
Whether you're a first-home buyer, investor, or upgrading, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and choose the property type with the strongest long-term upside.

#33 Off The Plan Properties - The Most DANGEROUS Purchase You’ll Ever Make?

It looks shiny, brand-new, and full of promise — but buying off-the-plan could be one of the riskiest moves a buyer can make. In this episode, Dion breaks down why most off-the-plan apartments don’t perform, what really drives value in property, and how government incentives can actually mask serious financial risks.
You’ll learn:
Why more than half of Melbourne’s apartments resell for a loss
How developers “bake in” incentives to inflate prices
The danger of buying something that doesn’t yet exist
Why land is the only thing that truly drives long-term value
The few rare cases when buying off-the-plan can still make sense
If you’ve ever been tempted by a brand-new apartment with stamp duty savings, listen to this first — it could save you years of regret.

#32 HOW to Make Sure You DON'T OVERPAY for a Property

Overpaying for a property is every buyer’s worst nightmare — but it’s also completely avoidable if you know what signs to look for. In this episode, Dion breaks down exactly how to recognise when a property is overpriced, what data actually matters, and how to separate real value from emotional hype.
You’ll learn:
The red flags that a property is struggling (and overpriced)
How to use average days on market as your biggest pricing clue
Why social proof — the number of buyers inspecting — is more powerful than the price guide
How to read an agent’s confidence and use it to your advantage
Why emotion is the number one reason buyers overpay
This episode gives you a clear, data-driven strategy so you can buy with confidence — not panic — and finally stop worrying about paying too much.

#31 Underquoting: The BIGGEST Trap for Buyers. Why That $800k Property Sells for $950k

Underquoting is one of the biggest frustrations buyers face — a property is advertised in your budget, only to sell hundreds of thousands above the quoted range. In this episode, Dion and mortgage broker David Pelligra cut through the noise to explain what underquoting really is, how the legislation works (and doesn’t), and why quotes and actual value are often two very different things.
They cover:
The difference between fair, competitive, and underquoting
Why Victorian quoting laws are still so grey and frustrating
The biggest red flags that a property is underquoted
How to do your own research so you don’t fall for false ranges
Why focusing on value, not the quote, is the only way to buy smart
If you’ve ever wasted weekends chasing properties you could never afford, this episode will give you the tools to spot the traps and stay ahead.

#30 What Are Off Market Properties? Hidden Gems or Overhyped Lemons?

Off-market deals have become the buzzword in real estate — buyers think they’re secret bargains, and sellers love the idea of a quiet sale. But are off-markets really the golden ticket everyone makes them out to be?
In this episode, Dion and mortgage broker David Pelligra pull back the curtain on the truth about off-market properties. They cover:
What an off-market property actually is (and isn’t)
The real reasons vendors choose to sell off-market
Why exclusivity can make buyers overpay
The biggest risks and red flags to look out for
How to access genuine off-market opportunities without wasting time
If you’ve ever thought “off-market = cheaper,” this episode will change the way you see these so-called hidden gems.

#29 Buy First or Sell First? The Property Dilemma Explained.

Should you buy your next home first or sell your current one first? It’s one of the biggest questions homeowners face — and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. In this episode, Dion and mortgage broker David Pelligra break down the pros and cons of each strategy, the risks of bridging finance, and how to structure your settlements so you’re not left stranded between two homes (or two mortgages).
You’ll learn:
Why selling first is usually safer financially
The hidden risks of buying first in a hot market
How bridging finance really works (and why it’s often a last resort)
Smart ways to use long settlements and licence agreements
The biggest mistakes buyers and sellers make when lining up their moves
If you’re upsizing, downsizing, or just planning your next move, this episode will help you make the right call with confidence.

#28 The TRUTH About the Government’s UPDATED 5% Deposit Scheme

From October 2025, the Australian Government’s Home Guarantee Scheme is being completely overhauled — and it could change the game for first home buyers. No income caps, no place limits, higher price caps, and access with just a 5% deposit. Sounds too good to be true?
In this episode, Dion sits down with mortgage broker David Pelligra to break down what these changes really mean. They cover:
Why the removal of income caps is such a big deal
How higher price caps could affect markets like Melbourne and Sydney
Whether buyers should be worried about a flood of competition
The risks of buying with a 5% deposit (and what lenders don’t tell you)
The biggest mistakes buyers are making right now with the scheme
If you’re a first home buyer, or even thinking about jumping back into the market, this is the guide you need before October.

#27 Buyer FOMO: How to Win (and NOT Overpay) in a Hot Market

Buying in a flat or falling market is easy—but what about when prices are climbing, clearance rates are high, and every open feels like a stampede? In this episode, Dion breaks down how to survive (and succeed) in a competitive, upwards market without letting FOMO push you into a bad buy.
You’ll learn:
How to value a property when the market is rising week by week
Why waiting too long to adjust your brief can cost you thousands
The risks of chasing unrealistic vendors in a hot market
Why off-markets aren’t always the golden ticket
How to balance urgency with logic so you don’t buy the wrong home
If you’ve ever thought, “If I don’t act now, I’ll miss out forever,” this episode is your reality check and playbook for buying smarter in a heated market.