Finance This, Property That

Dion Fernandes

Finance This, Property That is your go-to podcast for expert insights and advice on building wealth through property investment. Hosted by, Dion Fernandes, a seasoned finance professional with over 13 years of experience, each episode delves into the intricacies of property purchasing, offering valuable tips and strategies for those looking to create wealth through real estate.From basic questions to advanced technicalities, Dion brings on trusted advisors and specialists in their fields to provide listeners with practical knowledge and actionable steps. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor or simply looking to expand your property portfolio, Finance This, Property That is here to empower and educate you every step of the way.

  1. APR 26

    Episode 90: Why Strategy Comes Before Property (And How to Build It Right)

    In this solo episode of Finance This Property That, Dion Fernandez breaks down what a real finance and property strategy actually looks like — and why most investors are getting it backwards. Before you even think about buying property, Dion explains why having a clear, structured plan is the difference between slow progress and scalable, repeatable growth. If you’ve ever wondered why some investors rapidly build portfolios while others get stuck after one or two properties… this episode connects the dots. 🧠 What You’ll Learn Why strategy must come before property — always The biggest mistake most investors make when starting out How borrowing capacity and lender sequencing shape your future The impact of structuring on tax, equity, and long-term growth Why having the right team (that actually communicates) is critical How to turn property investing into a repeatable system — not guesswork 🧩 The 3 Key Questions Every Strategy Must Answer Dion outlines the core framework every investor needs: What’s your end goal? What does your ideal portfolio actually need to look like to get there? What can your current structure support? And what needs to change before your next move? Is your team aligned? Are your broker, accountant, and property experts working together — or in silos? 🚀 Key Takeaway A strong strategy doesn’t just make investing possible — it makes it repeatable. With the right structure and team, investors can scale from 1–2 properties to 4–6+ properties with confidence — not luck.

    8 min
  2. APR 16

    Episode 88 Why Most Property Investors Are Building on Sand (And Don’t Know It)

    Most investors think they’re building wealth… but in reality, they’re just stacking properties with no real strategy behind them. In this solo episode, Dion breaks down one of the biggest mistakes he sees every week working with clients, the disconnect between finance strategy and property strategy. If you’ve ever bought a property (or are thinking about it), this episode will challenge how you think about investing and show you why having a clear plan from day one is the difference between building wealth… or getting stuck. This is Part 1 of a 4-part series diving deep into how to align your finance and property decisions to actually move forward. ⏱️ Key Timestamps 00:00 – Intro to the 4-part series 01:10 – Why most investors are “building on sand” 03:00 – The blind spot that’s costing investors big 05:30 – Investing vs accumulating assets (huge difference) 08:10 – The massive gap between finance and property strategy 11:00 – Why no one is connecting the dots (and why it matters) 13:20 – The real cost of moving without a plan 15:30 – Common mistakes: overleveraging, poor structure, delays 18:00 – Why high-income earners still get stuck 20:00 – Building a strategy that actually works 22:00 – What to expect in the next episodes 🔑 Key Takeaways • Most investors are buying property without a clear end goal • Accumulating assets ≠ investing strategically • Finance structure and property decisions must work together • A bad structure can delay your progress by years • The right strategy makes every next decision easier and faster 📣 Call to Action If you want to understand how your finance and property strategy should actually work together, reach out to Dion directly. 📲 Instagram: @DionFinanceSpecialists 🌐 Website: financethispropertythat.com.au ⚠️ Disclaimer The information shared in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances. Always seek professional advice before making financial decisions.

    7 min
  3. APR 9

    Episode 87: From $740K to $1.7M: The Power of Smart Property Investing

    🧠 Episode Synopsis In this deep-dive episode of Finance This Property That, Dion sits down with property strategist Chris McNulty to unpack a real-world deal that transformed a $740K purchase into a ~$1.6–1.7M asset in under a year. The conversation goes beyond surface-level property advice, exploring the critical importance of strategy, execution, team alignment, and market timing. Chris breaks down why most investors fail—not بسبب bad strategies, but بسبب poor execution, lack of preparation, and misunderstanding of value-add opportunities. The episode highlights how leveraging the right structure, avoiding overcapitalisation, and focusing on scalable, repeatable processes can dramatically accelerate wealth creation. It’s a masterclass in thinking long-term, building the right team, and letting the market do the heavy lifting. ⏱️ Episode Breakdown 0:00 – 3:00 | Introduction & Context  Welcome back episode featuring Chris McNulty  Light banter (injury story)  Setup for a deeper, multi-episode discussion 3:00 – 10:00 | The “Lycora Street” Deal Breakdown  Purchase journey: missed deal → re-secured at $740K  Importance of persistence and timing  Key deal traits:  Corner block  Misunderstood by agent (“granny flat potential”)  Early signs of a “mispriced asset” opportunity10:00 – 18:00 | Strategy vs Execution  Why most investors fail:  Lack of preparation  Poor team alignment  Hesitation in competitive markets  “Time kills deals” principle  Real example of clients losing a deal due to indecision 18:00 – 25:00 | Value Creation Explained  Turning $740K → ~$1.6M+ through:  Dual dwelling strategy  Market growth + forced equity  Key insight:  You’re not buying one asset—you’re creating multiple value streams  Importance of:  Overestimating costs  Underestimating end values 25:00 – 30:00 | Why Most Property Strategies Fail  Myth of “one-size-fits-all” strategies  Critique of overhyped approaches (e.g. granny flats)  Key mistake:  Investors copying strategies without context  Emphasis on:  Site-specific decision making  Understanding planning potential 30:00 – 34:00 | Team, Structure & Long-Term Thinking  Importance of aligned professionals:  Broker  Accountant  Buyer’s agent  Common mistakes:  Wrong trust structures  Poor communication between advisors  Strategy must extend 10–20 years ahead, not just the purchase 34:00 – 38:00 | Final Lessons & Takeaways  “Cheap, cheerful, good enough” vs overcapitalising  Repetition and systems = consistent results  The power of:  Patience  Execution  Clear strategy  Where to find Chris and Dion ⏱️ Episode Duration Duration: 38:00

    38 min
  4. MAR 19

    Episode 84: Before You Buy Another Property, Listen to This

    In this solo episode of Finance This Property That, the focus shifts from property selection to what truly determines long-term success: your finance strategy. The episode unpacks why most investors get stuck early—prioritising interest rates, rushing into deals, and neglecting structure—only to hit borrowing ceilings after one or two purchases. Through practical insights and a real client example, listeners learn how strategic loan structuring, disciplined planning, and the right team can transform a modest portfolio into a scalable, multi-property asset base. This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about building wealth through property without hitting avoidable roadblocks. 🧩 Episode Breakdown [00:00 – 01:30] Introduction & Big Idea Overview of why finance strategy—not property choice—determines portfolio growthCommon mistake: chasing rates instead of scalable funding structures[01:30 – 04:00] The Wrong Starting Point Investors focusing on “what to buy” instead of “how to fund”Why high income or equity alone doesn’t guarantee borrowing powerThe danger of signing contracts without a clear finance plan[04:00 – 06:30] What a Real Finance Strategy Looks Like Discovery process: income, debt, equity, and constraintsStrategic finance diagnostic explainedStructuring loans so each property stands independentlyImportance of flexibility as properties perform differently[06:30 – 08:00] The Foundations of Scaling Three essentials for property investing:Strong incomeEquity or cashClean credit historyWhy small financial habits (like unnecessary credit cards) can derail long-term plans[08:00 – 10:00] Case Study: From $1.5M to $4M Portfolio Client example: restructuring debt and improving cash flowSaving ~$2,500/month through better loan setupStrategic use of equity and tax positioningBuilding a clear 2-step acquisition plan with professional support[10:00 – 11:00] Stuck vs Scaling + Final Advice Poor structure = locked equity + limited borrowingStrong structure = flexibility + repeatabilityBuild a team: broker, accountant, buyer’s agent, plannerFinal takeaway: slow down, plan properly, then scale faster

    11 min

About

Finance This, Property That is your go-to podcast for expert insights and advice on building wealth through property investment. Hosted by, Dion Fernandes, a seasoned finance professional with over 13 years of experience, each episode delves into the intricacies of property purchasing, offering valuable tips and strategies for those looking to create wealth through real estate.From basic questions to advanced technicalities, Dion brings on trusted advisors and specialists in their fields to provide listeners with practical knowledge and actionable steps. Whether you're a first-time buyer, a seasoned investor or simply looking to expand your property portfolio, Finance This, Property That is here to empower and educate you every step of the way.