Semple Property Playbook

Semple Property Group

Are you tired of real estate fluff and confusing corporate jargon? Whether you are a first home buyer trying to crack into the market, a downsizer looking for the right fit, or a seasoned investor hunting for your next high-yield asset, the property game can feel completely overwhelming. Welcome to the Semple Property Playbook. Hosted by Kirstin Dunn, this podcast strips away the smoke and mirrors to bring you the honest truth about the Western Australian property market.  Every episode, Kirstin sits down with industry heavyweights—from sharp buyer's agents and commercial property gurus to insider building brokers. We tackle the real questions you want answered: how to spot red flags in a building contract, the reality behind "off-market" listings, and how to diversify your portfolio without losing your shirt.  Expect honest conversations, actionable strategies, and the local Perth context you actually need. Hit subscribe, grab your notepad, and let’s dive into the playbook.

Episodes

  1. Aug 11

    Cracking the Lending Code: Borrowing Capacity, Hidden Debt Traps, and Equity Secrets with Matthew Stammers

    Navigating the mortgage market in a fast-moving property landscape can feel like walking through a financial minefield. In this episode of the Semple Property Playbook, host Kirstin Dunn catches up with long-time friend and Senior Mortgage Broker Matthew Stammers (Mortgage Choice, Mt Pleasant). Matt pulls back the curtain on how banks actually assess your loan application. He breaks down why chasing the lowest interest rate can sometimes backfire, how forgotten credit cards and Afterpay accounts quietly destroy your borrowing power, and why private school fees and health insurance are treated differently by lenders. Whether you are a first-time buyer trying to leverage the 5% Government Guarantee scheme, an owner-occupier looking to unlock equity for an upgrade, or a self-employed founder trying to navigate bank serviceability, Matt delivers straightforward, actionable advice to help you get your finance approved without the stress. Key Topics: What a Mortgage Broker Actually Does: How brokers access top-tier and second-tier lenders to find the right loan structure—at zero cost to the buyer.Why Interest Rate Isn't Everything: The hidden restrictions on payment frequency, redraw limits, and early payout penalties that rate-chasers overlook.The Hidden Debt Traps Killing Borrowing Capacity: How active store cards (like old Harvey Norman interest-free deals), Afterpay, and high credit card limits drag down your serviceability—even if the balance is zero.Bank Statement Audits: What lenders look for in your 3-to-6-month transaction history, including recurring direct debits, unmanaged spending, and gambling flags.How Banks Calculate What You Can Borrow: The 3% buffer rate, living expense calculations, and why private school fees and health insurance are treated as debts outside standard living costs.The 5% Deposit Scheme & LMI Explained: How first home buyers can purchase up to $850,000 in Perth with a 5% deposit, and what Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI) actually covers.Unlocking Equity & Bridging Loans: How Perth homeowners can use accumulated property equity as a deposit for their next purchase or utilize bridging finance in a low-stock market.Guarantor Loans & LMI Negation: How immediate family equity can back a purchase, eliminate LMI, and speed up property ownership.Self-Employed & Non-Conforming Lenders: Alternative lending policies for business owners whose taxable income doesn't reflect their real cash flow.Finance Hazards to Avoid: Why changing jobs mid-application, buying a new car, or failing to secure a pre-approval can trigger a sudden decline.Upcoming Perth R-Code Changes: How proposed density changes (like R20 at 700sqm) in areas like Cockburn could unlock backyard subdivisions, new titles, and negative gearing opportunities for investors.Keywords: Mortgage Broker Perth, Matthew Stammers, Mortgage Choice Mt Pleasant, Borrowing Capacity Perth, First Home Buyer Guarantee WA, Lenders Mortgage Insurance, Perth Property Market, Home Loan Pre-Approval, Refinancing Perth, Self-Employed Home Loans WA, Semple Property Group. Heard a topic that has caught your ear? Be sure to reach out to Kirstin and the Semple Property team at semplepg.com.au

  2. Jul 14

    The Builder's Secrets: Avoiding Red Flags with Emily Read

    In this episode of the Semple Property Playbook, host Kirstin Dunn sits down with Emily Read, Founder and Director of Emily Rose Homes. As a building broker, Emily acts as the ultimate advocate and conduit for her clients, cutting through the builder jargon to protect buyers from hidden traps. Emily drops some serious truth bombs about the WA building industry. She challenges the local obsession with double-brick homes, exposes the reality behind those flashy "First Home Owner Grant" builder promos, and reveals the exact red flags you need to watch out for before signing a PPA (Preparation of Plans Agreement). Whether you are a first-time buyer trying to escape the rental trap, or an investor weighing up the ROI on a dual-key home, Emily provides a masterclass on how to navigate site works, negotiate with sales consultants, and guarantee your dream build doesn't turn into a financial nightmare. Key Topics What is a Building Broker? Why you need a client advocate instead of relying on a commission-only builder's sales consultant. The "Double Brick" Obsession: Challenging WA's love for brick-and-tile and exploring the energy efficiency and flexibility of timber frame homes. Exposing the Promos: The truth behind $30k builder bonuses and why "cheap" base prices are the ultimate red flag. Realistic Timelines & Costs: The true cost of building a 3x2 in Perth right now, and why 8-12 month build times are actually achievable. Hidden Blowouts: Why site works, restrictive blocks, and display home "upgrades" are the biggest budget killers. Land First or Builder First? The smartest sequence for securing a house and land package in a low-stock market. The Independent Inspector: Why you absolutely need a building inspector at every stage of the build (and what to do if a builder tries to charge you a fee for it). Dual-Key & Granny Flats: Smart investment strategies for maximizing rental yield on a single block. Keywords Building Broker Perth, Emily Rose Homes, Emily Read, Timber Frame vs Double Brick WA, Perth Construction Costs, First Home Buyers WA, Dual Key Homes Perth, Real Estate Investing, Building Red Flags, Perth Property Market, House and Land Packages Perth. Heard a topic that has caught your ear? Be sure to reach out to Kirstin and the Semple Property team at semplepg.com.au

  3. Jun 16

    Navigating Commercial Property: Yields, Leases & Investing Beyond Residential with Pasquale Cianfagna

    Are you tired of residential rental yields barely covering the mortgage? It might be time to diversify, but making the leap into commercial real estate can feel like learning a foreign language. In this episode, Kirstin Dunn sits down with Pasquale Cianfagna, Managing Director of Edison Property. From starting his working life in a continental deli to becoming a powerhouse in Perth’s commercial sector, Pasquale strips away the mystery surrounding commercial property investment. They dive into the mathematical (and totally un-emotional) reality of commercial real estate, why industrial "sheds" are currently booming in Perth, and the hidden traps inside commercial leases. Whether you are wondering how bank guarantees work, who pays for the fit-out, or why you need to draw a 10km circle around the CBD, Pasquale delivers a masterclass in building long-term wealth through commercial assets. Key Topics: Falling into Real Estate: Pasquale’s journey from a seven-day-a-week deli to the top of the commercial property ladder. Residential vs. Commercial: Why commercial real estate relies on mathematical formulas and yields, rather than buyer emotion. The Training Gap: Why a three-week registration course isn't enough, and why the industry needs an apprenticeship model. The Perth Market Update: Why industrial warehouses are booming, strip shops are thriving, and how the CBD office market is evolving post-COVID. The 10km Rule: Pasquale's golden rule for finding high-performing commercial investments. Demystifying Leases: Ratchet clauses, market rent reviews, and why a cheap "rerelease" could cost you dearly. Bonds vs. Bank Guarantees: The crucial difference in commercial "lease security" and how to protect your asset The Fit-Out Myth: Why landlords prefer to offer rent-free periods instead of paying for a tenant's fit-out. Finance & Structures: Why borrowing for commercial property is tougher, and why speaking to your accountant about Trust and SMSF structures is step number one. Keywords Commercial Real Estate Perth, Property Investment Strategies, Commercial Leases, Edison Property, Real Estate Yields, Bank Guarantees, SMSF Property Investing, Perth CBD Office Market, Industrial Property Perth, Capital Growth vs Rental Income. Heard a topic that has caught your ear? Be sure to reach out to Kirstin and the Semple Property team at semplepg.com.au

  4. May 13

    The Buyer Agency Edge: Unlocking Off-Market Secrets with Max Campbell-Clause

    Are you tired of missing out at the weekend home open? In this debut episode of the Semple Property Playbook, host Kirstin Dunn sits down with Max Campbell-Clause from Acquire Buyers Agency, to reveal what is really happening below the surface of the Perth property market. Max isn't just a Buyer's Agent; he is a former Property Valuer. In this conversation, he strips away the sales "fluff" to explain exactly how to look at a property without the emotion. From the truth about "off-market" listings to the dangerous trap of buying new builds just for tax depreciation, Max shares the strategies that are helping his clients secure high-growth assets in a competitive market. Whether you are a first home buyer facing fatigue or a seasoned investor looking for the next "bridesmaid suburb," this episode is your playbook for buying better Key Topics Meet Max: From Property Valuer to Buyer’s Advocate. The "Off-Market" Truth: Do these properties actually exist, and how do you find them? Buyer Fatigue: The dangers of emotional over-spending and over-leveraging in a hot market. Defining the Role: What a Buyer’s Agent actually does (and why it’s new to Perth). "Shiny Object Syndrome": How professional staging pulls the wool over buyers' eyes. The Valuer's Mindset: Removing emotion to see the true dollars and cents. Location is King: Why "Green Title" is no longer the only metric that matters. The "Bridesmaid Suburb" Strategy: Why you should look at Tuart Hill instead of Mount Hawthorn. The Depreciation Trap: Why buying brand new for tax benefits might cost you capital growth. Keywords Perth Property Market, Buyer’s Agent Perth, Off-Market Properties, Property Investment Strategies, Capital Growth, Real Estate Valuation, First Home Buyers, Tuart Hill Real Estate, Property Depreciation. Heard a topic that has caught your ear? Be sure to reach out to Kirstin and the Semple Property team at semplepg.com.au

About

Are you tired of real estate fluff and confusing corporate jargon? Whether you are a first home buyer trying to crack into the market, a downsizer looking for the right fit, or a seasoned investor hunting for your next high-yield asset, the property game can feel completely overwhelming. Welcome to the Semple Property Playbook. Hosted by Kirstin Dunn, this podcast strips away the smoke and mirrors to bring you the honest truth about the Western Australian property market.  Every episode, Kirstin sits down with industry heavyweights—from sharp buyer's agents and commercial property gurus to insider building brokers. We tackle the real questions you want answered: how to spot red flags in a building contract, the reality behind "off-market" listings, and how to diversify your portfolio without losing your shirt.  Expect honest conversations, actionable strategies, and the local Perth context you actually need. Hit subscribe, grab your notepad, and let’s dive into the playbook.