Ever wondered if you can unlock your superannuation to fund a property development? It is a popular question, but the ATO rules are incredibly strict! 

In Episode 246 of the Property Mastermind Podcast, Hilary Saxton and Bob Anderson break down exactly what you need to know before using a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) in the real estate game. Bob explains why investors leave industry funds to chase better than the average 7% return , why accountants generally recommend a minimum balance of $200,000 to get started , and the massive tax benefits of taking control of your retirement savings. 

Crucially, they answer the ultimate question: Can you develop in your own SMSF? You'll learn why the answer is usually "no" if you need to borrow money , the rare exceptions for cash-funded projects , and how you can act as an external "Loan Partner" to potentially earn 10-17% returns on other people's developments. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for general discussion only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a licensed professional.

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
00:00 - Welcome & Our Gold Stevie Award Win! 
02:10 - Bob’s Tip of the Week: Beware of Australian "Dinosaurs" 
05:12 - Why do people switch to a Self-Managed Super Fund? 
07:26 - The $200k minimum threshold for an SMSF 
10:11 - Property development and SMSFs: How do they work together? 
13:26 - Can you develop in your own SMSF? (The borrowing rules) 
15:11 - The unrelated 50/50 joint venture loophole 
17:09 - The "Loan Partner" strategy (earning 10-17% interest) 
19:15 - The 15% tax environment and pension phase benefits 
29:53 - How to get your free SMSF Checklist

Ever wondered if you can unlock your superannuation to fund a property development? It is a popular question, but the ATO rules are incredibly strict! In Episode 246 of the Property Mastermind Podcast, Hilary Saxton and Bob Anderson break down exactly what you need to know before using a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) in the real estate game. Bob explains why investors leave industry funds to chase better than the average 7% return , why accountants generally recommend a minimum balance of $200,000 to get started , and the massive tax benefits of taking control of your retirement savings. Crucially, they answer the ultimate question: Can you develop in your own SMSF? You'll learn why the answer is usually "no" if you need to borrow money , the rare exceptions for cash-funded projects , and how you can act as an external "Loan Partner" to potentially earn 10-17% returns on other people's developments. Disclaimer: The information in this episode is for general discussion only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Always consult a licensed professional.
Links
<ul>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Attend the 3 Day Workshop on the Gold Coast: <a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo">https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo"></a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Chat to Hilary about the current investment opportunity we have:&nbsp;<a href="https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call">https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Join the Ultra-Urban Database for upcoming investment opportunities: <a href="https://bit.ly/45sqO2F">https://bit.ly/45sqO2F</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Head on over to our website to find out more about our workshop and education options: <a href="https://www.propertymastermind.com.au/">Our Website</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Connect with handovers.com: <a href="https://handovers.com/">https://handovers.com/</a></li>
</ul>
Episode Highlights 00:00 - Welcome &amp; Our Gold Stevie Award Win! 02:10 - Bob&rsquo;s Tip of the Week: Beware of Australian "Dinosaurs" 05:12 - Why do people switch to a Self-Managed Super Fund? 07:26 - The $200k minimum threshold for an SMSF 10:11 - Property development and SMSFs: How do they work together? 13:26 - Can you develop in your own SMSF? (The borrowing rules) 15:11 - The unrelated 50/50 joint venture loophole 17:09 - The "Loan Partner" strategy (earning 10-17% interest) 19:15 - The 15% tax environment and pension phase benefits 29:53 - How to get your free SMSF Checklist

Want to sky-rocket your property development career? Bob Andersen & Hilary Saxton are here to add value to your property journey, whether it be through high-quality education, guidance, and accountability. Stay tuned for weekly episodes!

Want to sky-rocket your property development career? Bob Andersen &amp; Hilary Saxton are here to add value to your property journey, whether it be through high-quality education, guidance, and accountability. Stay tuned for weekly episodes!

Property Mastermind - All Things Property Development

Property Mastermind Podcast with Bob Andersen & Hilary Saxton

Ep 246 -  Using SMSF For Property Development

The first 12 months of your property development journey are often the most challenging, confusing, and critical. How you navigate this first year will determine whether you build a successful, profitable career, or simply add another expensive mistake to the statistics.

In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, hosts Hilary Saxton and Bob Anderson provide a roadmap for surviving and thriving in your first year as a developer. They explore the psychological hurdles you will face, from the fear of paying for education to the temptation of allowing everyday life—work, family, and holidays—to derail your momentum. Bob shares his practical strategies for managing consultants , explaining why being a "squeaky wheel" and paying invoices immediately will ensure your project stays on track. Whether you are starting with plenty of cash or looking to attract your very first investor, this episode unpacks the daily habits and mindset shifts required to transform from a novice into a confident property developer.

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
01:27 - The "Deal or No Deal" Masterclass: Bob discusses the recent live session where he broke down the due diligence process for a duplex and a 7-townhouse project (now available on YouTube).
06:03 - The Value of Education: Why the upfront cost of learning how to develop property is an exponential investment that pays off across every future project.
08:52 - The Biggest Threat to Your First Year: How daily life—work, family, and social events—steals your time and diminishes your focus on your development goals.
12:27 - The "Holiday Trap": Why taking a three-week holiday to Bali might feel good now, but won't change your life like completing your first property development will.
14:05 - The Two Roads of Development: Understanding the difference between starting with your own capital versus needing to find investors, and how the strategies differ.
16:26 - The "Hot Site" Warning: Why trying to find investors after securing a site with a tight 30-day settlement puts you under immense, unnecessary pressure.
20:59 - Assembling Your First Team: The crucial initial hires for a small subdivision or duplex, including a town planner, surveyor, and building designer.
26:13 - The Importance of Momentum: Why you must constantly look ahead and run tasks simultaneously (like applying for finance while finalising building approvals) to avoid costly delays.
28:30 - How to Manage Consultants: Bob's two rules for getting priority service—pay your invoices the day you get them, and be the professional "squeaky wheel" following up on promised deadlines.
33:18 - The $1,000/Day Delay: A real-life example of a childcare renovation where waiting on a police report was costing $1,000 a day in holding costs, and how taking decisive action saved the budget.

The first 12 months of your property development journey are often the most challenging, confusing, and critical. How you navigate this first year will determine whether you build a successful, profitable career, or simply add another expensive mistake to the statistics.
In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, hosts Hilary Saxton and Bob Anderson provide a roadmap for surviving and thriving in your first year as a developer. They explore the psychological hurdles you will face, from the fear of paying for education to the temptation of allowing everyday life&mdash;work, family, and holidays&mdash;to derail your momentum. Bob shares his practical strategies for managing consultants , explaining why being a "squeaky wheel" and paying invoices immediately will ensure your project stays on track. Whether you are starting with plenty of cash or looking to attract your very first investor, this episode unpacks the daily habits and mindset shifts required to transform from a novice into a confident property developer. Links
<ul>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Attend the 3 Day Workshop on the Gold Coast: <a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo">https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo"></a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Chat to Hilary about the current investment opportunity we have:&nbsp;<a href="https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call">https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Join the Ultra-Urban Database for upcoming investment opportunities: <a href="https://bit.ly/45sqO2F">https://bit.ly/45sqO2F</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Head on over to our website to find out more about our workshop and education options: <a href="https://www.propertymastermind.com.au/">Our Website</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Connect with handovers.com: <a href="https://handovers.com/">https://handovers.com/</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Episode Highlights 01:27 - The "Deal or No Deal" Masterclass: Bob discusses the recent live session where he broke down the due diligence process for a duplex and a 7-townhouse project (now available on YouTube). 06:03 - The Value of Education: Why the upfront cost of learning how to develop property is an exponential investment that pays off across every future project. 08:52 - The Biggest Threat to Your First Year: How daily life&mdash;work, family, and social events&mdash;steals your time and diminishes your focus on your development goals. 12:27 - The "Holiday Trap": Why taking a three-week holiday to Bali might feel good now, but won't change your life like completing your first property development will. 14:05 - The Two Roads of Development: Understanding the difference between starting with your own capital versus needing to find investors, and how the strategies differ. 16:26 - The "Hot Site" Warning: Why trying to find investors after securing a site with a tight 30-day settlement puts you under immense, unnecessary pressure. 20:59 - Assembling Your First Team: The crucial initial hires for a small subdivision or duplex, including a town planner, surveyor, and building designer. 26:13 - The Importance of Momentum: Why you must constantly look ahead and run tasks simultaneously (like applying for finance while finalising building approvals) to avoid costly delays. 28:30 - How to Manage Consultants: Bob's two rules for getting priority service&mdash;pay your invoices the day you get them, and be the professional "squeaky wheel" following up on promised deadlines. 33:18 - The $1,000/Day Delay: A real-life example of a childcare renovation where waiting on a police report was costing $1,000 a day in holding costs, and how taking decisive action saved the budget.

Ep 245 - The First 12 Months In The Life Of A Property Developer 

When developing property, design isn't just about aesthetics—it is a critical driver of your bottom line. A brilliant design can maximize your sale price, while a poor one can blow out your construction costs and leave your property languishing on the market.In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, hosts Hilary and Bob explore the high-stakes world of design decisions. Inspired by a recent collaboration with Adrian Ramsay from the "Talk Design" podcast, they unpack why over-specifying your finishes will eat into your profits, but under-specifying will punish you even more when buyers make lowball offers. Bob shares his war stories, from the disastrous "pink duplex" filled with eccentric (and unsellable) choices to the architect whose apartment designs were stunning but practically unbuildable. Learn why you must lock in your design brief early, how simple changes like increasing ceiling heights can dramatically boost perceived value, and why squeezing an extra townhouse onto a block might actually be the worst financial decision you can make.

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

01:31 - Bob's Tip of the Week: If you think you can make design changes mid-construction without it costing you a fortune, "you're dreaming". 
06:29 - The Cost of Bad Design: How inappropriate design choices can either alienate your target market or result in an unnecessarily expensive build. 
09:00 - Over-spec vs Under-spec: Why spending too much on luxury fittings reduces your margin, but under-spending will result in buyers severely punishing your final sale price. 
10:47 - The "Cheap Stove" Example: How saving $1,500 on a cheap, outdated upright stove can cause buyers to drop their offer by $20,000 because it plants a seed of doubt about the entire build. 
14:04 - The Briefing Process: Why developers cannot simply ask an architect for "four townhouses" and walk away; you must provide a detailed brief based on thorough market research. 
15:32 - The "Pink Duplex" Disaster: A cautionary tale of developers building an eccentric, overly personalized design that failed to sell because it didn't appeal to the broader market. 
18:11 - More is Not Always Better: How squeezing five townhouses onto a site meant for four results in compromised, unsellable floor plans. 
27:12 - Amending Existing Approvals: Bob shares how he legally altered an existing council approval to add ensuites and extra bedrooms without triggering a massive reassessment. 
32:01 - High ROI Design Tweaks: Why spending a little extra to increase ceiling heights from 2.4m to 2.7m (or even 3m) dramatically increases the feeling of spaciousness and buyer appeal. 
35:38 - The Unbuildable Architect: The danger of hiring architects who design stunning buildings where the wet areas don't stack, making plumbing and construction prohibitively expensive.

When developing property, design isn't just about aesthetics&mdash;it is a critical driver of your bottom line. A brilliant design can maximize your sale price, while a poor one can blow out your construction costs and leave your property languishing on the market.In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, hosts Hilary and Bob explore the high-stakes world of design decisions. Inspired by a recent collaboration with Adrian Ramsay from the "Talk Design" podcast, they unpack why over-specifying your finishes will eat into your profits, but under-specifying will punish you even more when buyers make lowball offers. Bob shares his war stories, from the disastrous "pink duplex" filled with eccentric (and unsellable) choices to the architect whose apartment designs were stunning but practically unbuildable. Learn why you must lock in your design brief early, how simple changes like increasing ceiling heights can dramatically boost perceived value, and why squeezing an extra townhouse onto a block might actually be the worst financial decision you can make. Links
<ul>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Attend the 3 Day Workshop on the Gold Coast: <a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo">https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo"></a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Chat to Hilary about the current investment opportunity we have:&nbsp;<a href="https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call">https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Join the Ultra-Urban Database for upcoming investment opportunities: <a href="https://bit.ly/45sqO2F">https://bit.ly/45sqO2F</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Head on over to our website to find out more about our workshop and education options: <a href="https://www.propertymastermind.com.au/">Our Website</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Connect with handovers.com: <a href="https://handovers.com/">https://handovers.com/</a> </li>
</ul>
Episode Highlights
01:31 - Bob's Tip of the Week: If you think you can make design changes mid-construction without it costing you a fortune, "you're dreaming". 06:29 - The Cost of Bad Design: How inappropriate design choices can either alienate your target market or result in an unnecessarily expensive build. 09:00 - Over-spec vs Under-spec: Why spending too much on luxury fittings reduces your margin, but under-spending will result in buyers severely punishing your final sale price. 10:47 - The "Cheap Stove" Example: How saving $1,500 on a cheap, outdated upright stove can cause buyers to drop their offer by $20,000 because it plants a seed of doubt about the entire build. 14:04 - The Briefing Process: Why developers cannot simply ask an architect for "four townhouses" and walk away; you must provide a detailed brief based on thorough market research. 15:32 - The "Pink Duplex" Disaster: A cautionary tale of developers building an eccentric, overly personalized design that failed to sell because it didn't appeal to the broader market. 18:11 - More is Not Always Better: How squeezing five townhouses onto a site meant for four results in compromised, unsellable floor plans. 27:12 - Amending Existing Approvals: Bob shares how he legally altered an existing council approval to add ensuites and extra bedrooms without triggering a massive reassessment. 32:01 - High ROI Design Tweaks: Why spending a little extra to increase ceiling heights from 2.4m to 2.7m (or even 3m) dramatically increases the feeling of spaciousness and buyer appeal. 35:38 - The Unbuildable Architect: The danger of hiring architects who design stunning buildings where the wet areas don't stack, making plumbing and construction prohibitively expensive.

Ep 244 - The Developer’s Formula for a 7-Figure Year

Getting a "no" from a financier can feel like a punch in the gut, especially after you have poured time and money into finding what you think is the perfect development site. But before you take it personally, it is crucial to understand why the money didn't come through.

In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, Hilary and Bob pull back the curtain on the world of commercial property finance. They explain the critical role of the bank valuer as the ultimate "gatekeeper" and why a slightly bad valuation can kill your deal. Bob shares wild stories from the trenches, including securing a multi-million dollar loan in just four hours after a primary lender pulled out right before settlement. You will learn the difference between retail and commercial brokers, why financiers care so deeply about your profit margin, and the most common reason developers get rejected (hint: the deal was never actually good to begin with).

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:

01:04 - Bob's Tip of the Week: Why an experienced commercial finance broker is worth their weight in gold when you need to fund a project.
03:47 - The Broker Difference: Why you must use a commercial broker, not a retail broker, for property development finance.
05:34 - The Two Stages of Finance: Understanding how acquisition finance and construction finance work, and why the construction lender usually pays out the first lender.
09:05 - The Gatekeeper: Why the valuer's report is the single most important factor in a financier saying "yes" or "no."
14:22 - The Valuation Lottery: A crazy story showing how two different valuers from the exact same firm can provide wildly different valuations on the same project a week apart.
18:35 - Finding Solutions: How to salvage a deal when a valuation comes in slightly low (e.g., by securing a few extra pre-sales instead of adding more equity).
21:21 - Understanding Margins: Why financiers demand a certain profit margin (e.g., 15%) as a risk buffer, and how the non-bank sector adjusts these requirements to stay competitive.
28:17 - The "Lucky" Developer Myth: Why some inexperienced developers mistakenly think they are geniuses because a rising post-COVID market temporarily hid their terrible feasibility mistakes.
30:51 - Bob's Four-Hour Approval: A high-stakes story of a major financier pulling out right before settlement, and how Bob's meticulous paperwork allowed him to secure a new loan from a non-bank lender in just four hours.
38:55 - The Harsh Reality: The most common reason financiers say "no" is simply because the developer presented a "crap deal" based on a flawed feasibility study.

Getting a "no" from a financier can feel like a punch in the gut, especially after you have poured time and money into finding what you think is the perfect development site. But before you take it personally, it is crucial to understand why the money didn't come through.
In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, Hilary and Bob pull back the curtain on the world of commercial property finance. They explain the critical role of the bank valuer as the ultimate "gatekeeper" and why a slightly bad valuation can kill your deal. Bob shares wild stories from the trenches, including securing a multi-million dollar loan in just four hours after a primary lender pulled out right before settlement. You will learn the difference between retail and commercial brokers, why financiers care so deeply about your profit margin, and the most common reason developers get rejected (hint: the deal was never actually good to begin with).
Links
<ul>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Attend the 3 Day Workshop on the Gold Coast: <a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo">https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo"></a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Chat to Hilary about the current investment opportunity we have:&nbsp;<a href="https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call">https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Join the Ultra-Urban Database for upcoming investment opportunities: <a href="https://bit.ly/45sqO2F">https://bit.ly/45sqO2F</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Head on over to our website to find out more about our workshop and education options: <a href="https://www.propertymastermind.com.au/">Our Website</a></li>
<li data-start="333" data-end="613">Connect with handovers.com: <a href="https://handovers.com/">https://handovers.com/</a></li>
</ul>
Episode Highlights:
01:04 - Bob's Tip of the Week: Why an experienced commercial finance broker is worth their weight in gold when you need to fund a project. 03:47 - The Broker Difference: Why you must use a commercial broker, not a retail broker, for property development finance. 05:34 - The Two Stages of Finance: Understanding how acquisition finance and construction finance work, and why the construction lender usually pays out the first lender. 09:05 - The Gatekeeper: Why the valuer's report is the single most important factor in a financier saying "yes" or "no." 14:22 - The Valuation Lottery: A crazy story showing how two different valuers from the exact same firm can provide wildly different valuations on the same project a week apart. 18:35 - Finding Solutions: How to salvage a deal when a valuation comes in slightly low (e.g., by securing a few extra pre-sales instead of adding more equity). 21:21 - Understanding Margins: Why financiers demand a certain profit margin (e.g., 15%) as a risk buffer, and how the non-bank sector adjusts these requirements to stay competitive. 28:17 - The "Lucky" Developer Myth: Why some inexperienced developers mistakenly think they are geniuses because a rising post-COVID market temporarily hid their terrible feasibility mistakes. 30:51 - Bob's Four-Hour Approval: A high-stakes story of a major financier pulling out right before settlement, and how Bob's meticulous paperwork allowed him to secure a new loan from a non-bank lender in just four hours. 38:55 - The Harsh Reality: The most common reason financiers say "no" is simply because the developer presented a "crap deal" based on a flawed feasibility study.

Ep 246 - Using SMSF For Property Development

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