Getting into a new home from around $330K might sound impossible - but for eligible buyers, the Government’s Help to Buy scheme is making it a reality. With as little as a 2% deposit and the Government contributing up to 40%, we break down how it works, what’s changed, and why more buyers should be taking a serious look at this opportunity.

Topic timestamps

04:06 Why we’re revisiting Help to Buy

05:29 What and how the Help to Buy scheme works

11:37 $600K home example: deposit, Government share and mortgage

13:58 Why you may need more than a 2% deposit

17:30 Changes to income limits and capacity

18:49 Changes Property price caps in Victoria

26:03 Understanding the Government’s 40% share

28:45 Renovations and home improvements

30:58 Interest rates and smaller mortgage repayments

34:26 Land discounts and market opportunities

35:41 How to apply: eligibility and finance approval

37:47 Fixed-price contracts and turnkey inclusions

38:47 Finance first: avoid paying deposits before approval

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Ben Pitt from Barry Plant Ballarat joins us to unpack what landlords really need to know about property management. From finding the right tenant and understanding pets and tenant rights, to management fees, rental increases and changing compliance requirements, we cover the key considerations for protecting your investment and keeping your rental property running smoothly.

Topic timestamps

02:40 - Welcome to Ben Pitt from Barry Plant

03:08 - What Makes a Great Property Manager?

05:50 - What Does a Property Manager Actually Do?

08:26 - How Often Should You Speak to Your Property Manager?

10:18 - Choosing the Right Property Manager

13:40 - Challenges Facing Landlords & Rental Compliance

19:13 - What Does Rental Compliance Cost?

20:28 - Upcoming Compliance Changes - Air Conditioning & Draught Proofing

26:18 - How Do Property Managers Choose the Right Tenant?

32:10 - Pets, Tenants & Landlord Rights

33:47 - Property Management Fees & Rental Payments

38:50 - Rooming Houses, Co-Living & Dual Living Properties

42:12 - Top 4 Things Tenants Want in a New Build

45:54 - Do Property Upgrades Attract Better Tenants?

47:52 - Final Advice & Wrap-Up

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The collapse of Bathla Group has left thousands of buyers facing uncertainty and raises an important question for anyone building a home: what actually happens if your builder goes under? In this episode, we explain the critical differences between a developer collapse and a builder collapse, how Victoria's new Home Warranty scheme works, and the practical steps every homeowner can take to protect themselves.

Topic timestamps

01:29 - Bathla Group fallover

10:53 - Difference between off-the-plan developer and home only builder

14:51 - Off-the-Plan Buyers: What are you protected by?

17:31 - Building on Your Own Land: How you’re protected

25:43 - The Insurance Gap vs the Real Cost of Building

29:45 - Steps to take if your ‘home only’ builder goes under

36:51 - Steps to take if your ‘off-the-plan’ developer builder goes under

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Building a higher-end custom home is about more than great design. We share five expert tips to help you choose the right team, manage your budget and avoid costly mistakes before construction even begins.

Topic timestamps

7:10 - How to choose the right custom builder

14:14 - Should you choose the builder or the designer first?

22:30 - The budget mistake you don’t want to make

31:36 - Planning stage… You get what you pay for

38:05 - Top considerations for your home design and features

44:28 - Make selections and resolve allowances before signing

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Thinking about buying a narrow block? Don't sign anything until you've heard this episode. We unpack the hidden design restrictions, compliance traps and costly mistakes that catch buyers every week - and explain how to turn a narrow lot into a fantastic home with the right planning.

Topic timestamps

3:00 - What is a narrow lot?

4:44 - Is it under 300sqm?

8:47 - What is - and can you build - boundary to boundary?

12:00 - Can you have a double garage?

16:05 - What is the wall-on-boundary limit?

19:41 - What about backyard and private open space requirements?

25:12 - What to look for in a narrow lot design.

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Retaining walls are one of the most overlooked - and potentially expensive - aspects of building a new home. In this episode, we explain why even seemingly flat blocks can require retaining, how it can impact your home design and budget, who is responsible for the cost, and the key questions every buyer should ask before signing a contract.

Topic timestamps

1:21 - Introduction to retaining walls

4:40 - What are retaining walls and why do we need them?

11:50 - Can retaining walls dictate the position of the house?

20:33 - What types of retaining walls are available?

22:44 - Turnkey Builder vs doing it yourself

25:35 - Alternative to retaining walls

27:40 - How much do retaining walls actually cost?

32:05 - Can retaining walls cause disputes with neighbours?

37:25 - Who to ask and what to ask for your block / build

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Just weeks away from handover? Before you sign anything, learn how to identify genuine defects, understand what's considered "within tolerance," and make the most of your leverage before final payment. Whether you hire an independent inspector or do your own walkthrough, this episode will help you approach your PCI with confidence

03:15 - Why the PCI Is One of the Most Important Stages

04:46 - What a Practical Completion Inspection (PCI) Actually Is

08:45 - Final Payment, Leverage & Common Money Mistakes

14:52 - Defects vs. Within Tolerance: What You Can Expect

24:58 - Should You Hire an Independent Building Inspector?

30:09 - DIY PCI Walkthrough: What to Bring & What to Check

35:48 - After the PCI: What Happens Before & After Handover

38:28 - New Buyer Protection Laws & Your Rights

40:06 - Handover Documents You Must Collect

42:24 - Final Tips for a Smooth Handover

44:20 - Free Handover Checklist

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Victoria's new Buyer Protection Laws take effect from 1 July 2026 and represent the biggest overhaul of consumer protection in the building industry in years. We unpack the key changes, including First Resort Home Warranty, Rectification Orders and the controversial new insurance timing requirements, while exploring the real-world impact on both home buyers and builders.

Topic timestamps

2:23 - Why are the laws changing?

4:42 - Increased scrutiny of builder financial health

9:14 - Domestic Building Insurance (DBI) now becomes First Resort Home Warranty.

10:57 - Introduction of Automatic consumer cover

13:06 - Changes to timing of insurance being taken out.

21:43 - Building and Plumbing Commission officially (BPC) becomes the central regulator

24:51 - Rectification orders

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