The SDA HOUSING Podcast NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA

Well here it is folks! The big reveal, the big topic ... the SDA WALL OF SHAME! Minh has dropped the hint a few times now that this episode was coming, and today we invite back Brad Fuller from Brighter Living, to come into our Brisbane office, to contribute to this controversial episode. 

To begin with, lets just say that we wont be 'defaming anyone in this episode', as that would make us the bad guys, but boy oh boy do we wish we could spill the beans on all the dirt on the "who" and the "what" we know of in the SDA industry. If anyone from ASIC or the NDIS is reading this, please give us a call, as we have already agreed to sit down with the authorities to be the 'whistle blowers' :)

But that aside, lets just say that gossip and truth gets around a lot out there in the NDIS industry and lots of people talk. Whats the old saying? "Where there is smoke, there is fire". Because of the reputations of our two speakers across SDA, both Minh and Brad have had much interactions across the country with many NDIS stakeholders. The information gleaned from investors and providers has enabled our team to collate a list of organisations and individuals who are either corrupt, dirty, or "professional" bad guys who rip off investors out of their life savings, and are destroying families.

It's probably an open secret that there are lots of bad actors in the NDIS, but more so within the SDA sector which is 100% property orientated, and thus, there will always be "potential" conflicts of interest constantly. As such, we have this one hour podcast discussion about the types of shameful actions of agents, builders, providers, or spruikers, who operate in the SDA to derive enormous profits without the care in the world about the negative impact of their actions - on investors, or on the NDIS. Making false promises, charging exorbitant fees, and leaving investors 'high and dry' without the hope of tenants in these SDA homes.

Alas, we must be careful about what we write in this episode description, as we may be held accountable. But we do encourage you to listen to Minh and Brad's thoughts on this subject matter. We caution all investors to "be very very very careful" about taking advice from inexperienced and unprofessional players in this sector. These "so called experts"  can be seen "on every street corner" and when we say street corner, we mean 'everywhere on Facebook'.

We sincerely hope that the NDIS or ASIC catches up with these groups and individuals we are referring to. They are blatantly ripping off investors, and hopefully they are either fined, imprisoned or banned from doing business every again. Sadly though, white collar crimes are rarely punishable with imprisonment. 

Most SDA spruikers are unlicensed - they are  unlicensed in real estate, & or they are unlicensed in financial advice, & or they are unlicensed as a provider to give any disability advice. And if no licensing in any form, their Professional Indemnity Insurance will not cover them (or YOU!) for any financial losses. It will be legal damages against them personally in court, so make sure they have a nice house! :)

Investors should seek legal advice if they feel that they have been taken advantage of by fake and unlicensed businesses which made guarantees, false advertising, lied or not disclosed conflicts  to induce a buyer into an SDA, causing financial loss. 

Everyone  working in SDA, who are doing dodgy things, or giving bad advice, should be held accountable - end of story!
For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via email info@ndis.property

www.sdahousingpodcast.com.au

This episode welcomes Sean Kirkland (FORMSPACE)  who is a well established SDA Building Designer within the NDIS, having designed 100 concept designs over the years. Minh interviews Sean finally after 5 months from whence Sean reached out to us to express his appreciation for what we did on the podcast show.

The main topics covered in this interview are:

SDA Design Quality
Sean expressed concerns about poor design practices in the SDA space, noting that many builds were temporary solutions rather than fit-for-purpose housing outcomes.

Becoming a Registered NDIS Provider
Sean discussed his journey to be a registered NDIS provider, highlighting the extensive process involving audits, applications, and background checks to signal his commitment to quality in the SDA space.

Role of Building Designers vs. Architects
Sean elaborated on the differences between building designers and architects in the SDA space, emphasizing the practical construction experience that building designers like himself bring to SDA projects.

Importance of Real-World Experience
He stressed the importance of real-world construction experience, which he believes is crucial for effective SDA design, a skill set that differentiates him from others in the field.

Projects Across Locations
Sean mentions working on projects in locations such as QLD, SA, VIC, and NSW, involving HPS, FA, & IL housing, villas, and apartments.

Compliance with Standards
Sean emphasises the importance of staying updated with the latest SDA standards and NCC changes to ensure compliance and relevance in their work.

Client-Centric Design Approach
Sean emphasizes the importance of listening to clients’ needs and feedback to establish a clear brief, which guides the entire design process.

Engagement of External Consultants
External consultants, such as Certifiers, are engaged early to provide preliminary assessment reports, which help define design parameters.

The Role of Access Consultants
Access consultants play a crucial role throughout the design to build process, ensuring compliance and functionality for disability accommodations.

Challenges in Design Compliance
Sean discusses common issues with non-compliant designs in the industry and how he addresses these by adhering to standards and suggesting alternative solutions.

Client Types in SDA Space
There are different types of clients in the SDA space, including builders and developers who trust professional advice, and first-time mom and dad investors who need guidance to separate emotions from the design process.

Marketplace Evolution
The marketplace is becoming more sophisticated with clients who are better informed and educated, leading to a demand for higher quality & more discerning SDA designs.

Choosing a Designer or Architect
Sean advises on selecting a designer or architect by looking at their portfolio to gauge competency and by understanding their intentions and history in the industry.

Industry Collaboration
Sean appreciates the efforts of  Deb and Minh, helping educate the industry & expresses a desire for increased collaboration in SDA.
For more information about what Sean does at FORMSPACE, click on the link to find out more: www.formspacebuildingdesign.com
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For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via email info@ndis.property

www.sdahousingpodcast.com.au

In this SDA Unlocked episode, Debbie gives us an overview of Bendigo, Victoria as a regional growth centre and provides an in-depth look at the data - both demand and supply of SDA.

As the Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy moves forward, the City of Greater Bendigo is focused on planning goals to create an inclusive, safe and ecological city.

The growth expected by 2036 is approximately 26% of the estimated 2023 population, and whilst not as high, the expected population growth of the NDIS population is around 11% by 2032.

Add to this the undersupply of quality New-Build SDA and the fact that 1 in 3 SDA-funded participants are not currently living in SDA leads us to see Bendigo as a high-demand location.

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SDA RESEARCH REPORTS
https://ndis.property/reports

SDA MASTERCLASS
https://ndis.property/events

FOLLOW US ON:
LinkedIn 
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

GOALS:
It is our goal to see Participants with high-needs disabilities being appropriately housed in accommodation that is right for them. Purpose built homes promote opportunities for social and economic participation, enhance self-determination, and create conditions for Participants to lead vibrant, safe, and independent lives.

www.robustdesign.com.au
www.highphysicalsupport.com.au
www.improvedliveability.com.au
www.fullyaccessible.com.au

CONTACT:
Please feel free to call us on 1300 254 397 to talk to one of our friendly staff, otherwise,  just pop on over to our website to find out more info on: www.ndis.property
For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via email info@ndis.property

www.sdahousingpodcast.com.au

In this episode, Debbie chats with 2 special guest speakers from WA - Amanda Gauci from Pulse Property Solutions and Kiera Nicholson from Collective Design Agency.

The conversation revolves around a recently completed SDA project - a triplex development in Cannington, Perth. Although both Amanda and Kiera have worked on seperate SDA projects in the past, this is the first project both companies have collaborated together.

Amanda and Kiera discuss the process of coming together to design and develop the villas, how long the project has taken, along with other aspects and challenges they faced. Debbie asks heaps of in depth questions about their design and build philosphies, and it gives our listeners an inside view of how a developer works with their design team to produce 'Participant Led' SDA product on the west coast of Australia.

LEAVE US A GOOGLE REVIEW!

--------------------
SDA RESEARCH REPORTS
https://ndis.property/reports

SDA MASTERCLASS
https://ndis.property/events

FOLLOW US ON:
LinkedIn 
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

GOALS:
It is our goal to see Participants with high-needs disabilities being appropriately housed in accommodation that is right for them. Purpose built homes promote opportunities for social and economic participation, enhance self-determination, and create conditions for Participants to lead vibrant, safe, and independent lives.

www.robustdesign.com.au
www.highphysicalsupport.com.au
www.improvedliveability.com.au
www.fullyaccessible.com.au

CONTACT:
Please feel free to call us on 1300 254 397 to talk to one of our friendly staff, otherwise,  just pop on over to our website to find out more info on: www.ndis.property
For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via email info@ndis.property

www.sdahousingpodcast.com.au

In this episode, Minh sits down with Ian to discuss the typical fees that are possibly being charged for SDA investment advice. This can take the form of either a Fee to Engage, a Fee for Services or Report Fees. They go through in detail about their thoughts on such costs being charged to investors, and whether its fair value.

Firstly, the guys talk about the 'Engagement Fees' concept floating around out there. This is where a company or consultant charges an upfront engagement fee before providing any advice and recommendations. This can vary quite significantly from a  amounts of $3,000 to $5,000, and even upwards to $70,000 or more.

Minh & Ian discusses what is (or isn't) offered for such upfront fees, and what should be the tangible benefit to the investor. Too many SDA market players charge such fees, and offer nothing in return (rip off, one wonders???)

They then talk about the Fee for Services offering which is a more understood concept in the market, being the fees charged on a monthly retainer,  or on an hourly rate, such as an accountant or lawyer would charge as a comparison.

The third type of fees are those for reports to give the buyer more data to determine whether they wish to proceed down the track of an NDIS Property investment. This is know as 'Report Fees' and this is what we commonly do provide for clients who wish to get a report from out team.

In summary, the point of this episode, is to notify our listeners to be vigilant of the fees being charged by "agents" (aka Fake Experts) - question everything! What is the service for which the payment is being made for, and what is the cooling off period, or refund policy. Don't be fooled, we say, and get everything in writing. We want investors to be mindful of what advice is being provided.

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DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROFESSIONAL FEES

"Fee for service" refers to a payment model where clients pay a set fee for each service or consultation provided by a professional, such as a lawyer, accountant, or financial advisor. This differs from other payment models, like hourly rates or retainer fees, where the cost may vary based on the time spent or ongoing relationship.

An “Engagement Fee” is an upfront payment made by a client to secure the services of a professional advisor or consultant. It's typically a portion of the total fee for the services rendered and is often paid at the beginning of the engagement. This fee helps ensure the commitment of both parties to the project or consultation and may cover initial costs or preparations by the advisor.

A “Retainer Fee” is a regular, recurring payment made by a client to retain the services of a professional, such as a lawyer, consultant, or freelancer, for a specific period. The client pays the retainer fee upfront to secure the availability of the professional's services as needed throughout the agreed-upon period. The professional then typically sets aside a certain amount of time or resources each month to attend to the client's needs, whether they require ongoing support, periodic consultations, or access to expertise on an as-needed basis.

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LEAVE US A GOOGLE REVIEW!

SDA RESEARCH REPORTS
https://ndis.property/reports

SDA MASTERCLASS
https://ndis.property/events
For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via email info@ndis.property

www.sdahousingpodcast.com.au

In this episode, Maddie does a solo poddy, and reviews an article posted by Team DSC from their website, called "The Digital Future of the NDIS". She dives into discussion about her thoughts on this article and how some of this information may make a difference in the lives of people living with a disability as well as their family and carers. This episode covers conversation about the problems of this proposed digital change in our ever changing NDIS, and the impact on all stakeholders that live and operate within its ecosystem.

Below is the link below to the the article where you can read more about this topic:
[ARTICLE TO READ]

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LEAVE US A GOOGLE REVIEW!

SDA MASTERCLASS (Melbourne)
https://ndis.property/events

RESPITE ACCOMODATION
For more info on our Respite options for Participants, and Support Coordinators and SIL Providers to tap into, please visit our websites:
https://respiteliving.com.au/
https://ndis.property/respite/

NDIS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA:
"To achieve confidence and success in property investment within the NDIS, it is crucial to ask the right questions and get the right answers. Our team conducts thorough research on Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and provides appropriate technical advice through premium and strategy-based solutions. This ensures that our clients have access to the latest information on SDA design categories, geographic locations, building types, and other features that affect prices. We also use complex feasibility calculation spreadsheets to help investors understand the expected annual income of an SDA dwelling, the timeline stages of construction of their property, as well as revealing the hidden costs. By staying up-to-date with the latest SDA pricing and payments information, we help our clients make better-informed decisions and achieve their investment goals."

FOLLOW US ON:
LinkedIn 
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter

GOALS:
It is our goal to see Participants with high-needs disabilities being appropriately housed in accommodation that is right for them. Purpose built homes promote opportunities for social and economic participation, enhance self-determination, and create conditions for Participants to lead vibrant, safe, and independent lives.

www.robustdesign.com.au
www.highphysicalsupport.com.au
www.improvedliveability.com.au

For any podcast related queries or suggestions, please contact our podcast team via email info@ndis.property

www.sdahousingpodcast.com.au