Finding the right people to fund your projects is one of the biggest hurdles for aspiring developers. Whether you are looking for a "boots on the ground" partner or a silent investor, choosing the wrong person can sink a deal faster than a bad build.

In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, Hilary and Bob look ahead to 2026, unpacking the strategies you need now to attract high-quality Joint Venture (JV) partners. They break down the critical difference between an Equity Partner (who shares the risk and profit) and a Loan Partner (who acts as the bank), and why knowing the difference is vital for your legal structure and profit margins.

Bob shares his "horror story" of a design-by-committee disaster where investors fought over bathroom tiles for four weeks, while Hilary reveals how a casual chat at the hairdresser turned into a potential business deal. From mastering the "two ears, one mouth" rule of networking to spotting the red flags of indecisive investors, this episode is your guide to building a capital-raising database that actually converts.

Links

• Attend the 3 Day Workshop on the Gold Coast: https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo 
• Chat to Hilary about the current investment opportunity we have: https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call
• Join the Ultra-Urban Database for upcoming investment opportunities: https://bit.ly/45sqO2F
• Head on over to our website to find out more about our workshop and education options: Our Website
• Connect with handovers.com: https://handovers.com/

Episode Highlights

01:36 – Bob’s Tip of the Week: Why choosing a JV partner is like getting married—you need to choose wisely and communicate often (because most business "marriages" don't even last two years).
02:50 – The Definition: Unpacking the difference between an Equity Partner (on title, in the deal) and a Loan Partner (lends money for a return, not on title).
06:07 – The Golden Rule: Bob shares advice from an old Italian developer: "You never go broke making a profit." Don't be greedy; sometimes it's better to pay interest than share 50% of the upside.
17:31 – Finding Partners: How to build a database of investors before you even find a site so you aren't scrambling for cash later.
22:42 – The Networking Ratio: Why you have "two ears and one mouth"—the secret to attracting partners is listening twice as much as you speak.
29:13 – The Hairdresser Strategy: Hilary shares a real-life example of how a casual conversation in a salon chair turned into a lead by finding common ground.
34:41 – The "Hobby" Mindset: Why you need to talk about property development with the same casual enthusiasm as golf or fishing to normalise it and peak interest.
49:44 – The Money Question: The one question you must ask early to weed out time-wasters (and why avoiding it is a red flag).
52:42 – Bob’s Horror Story: The 5-storey apartment project where 6 investors had design input, leading to a $20,000, four-week argument over bathroom tiles.