Q&A - Property vs shares, selling decisions, and smart retirement strategies

In this episode, Stuart tackles one of the most frequently asked investing questions: property vs. shares, but through a sharper lens: how leverage, gearing levels, and borrowing constraints impact the comparison. Sam asks at what point property stops outperforming shares if you can't borrow 100% of the purchase price. Stuart explains the inflection points and when ETFs might offer a better return for your capital. Bob, planning for retirement abroad, outlines a sophisticated strategy involving property sales, prepaying interest, super catch-up contributions, and CGT exemptions using the 6-year rule. Stuart dissects the layers of complexity and tax implications.

Vanessa considers selling a 1-bed unit that’s underperforming to boost super contributions and weighs the pros and cons of holding vs. exiting. Julia, with a substantial share portfolio and large cash reserves, is re-evaluating her DCA strategy due to potential burnout and health concerns. Stuart offers guidance on cash deployment and balancing liquidity with long-term planning.

Finally, Steve shares several options for managing two trust-held units and $170K in savings, including paying down debt, expanding the portfolio, or diversifying into ETFs. Stuart helps him weigh risk, return, and timing. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone fine-tuning their next move.

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Important

This podcast provides general information about finance, tax and credit. It doesn't take into account your specific objectives, financial situation or needs, so you need to assess whether it's relevant to your circumstances before acting on it. If you're not sure, speak to a licensed, trustworthy professional.