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. 4D AGO

    Episode 93: The Right Property + The Right Finance Strategy

    🔥 Top Quotes “The people with a tailored finance strategy and tailored property strategy working together… they can’t lose.” “You need three things to build a portfolio: growing income, growing equity, and good credit history.” “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.” 🧠 Episode Synopsis In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Dion and property strategist Chris McNulty dive deep into the relationship between finance strategy and property strategy—and why most investors fail by treating them separately. The discussion explores how organization, credit positioning, long-term planning, and surrounding yourself with the right advisors can dramatically accelerate wealth creation. Chris shares real-world insights from working with investors at different levels, while Dion breaks down why credit history, lending structure, and strategic sequencing are often the hidden factors behind successful portfolios. This episode is packed with practical lessons around portfolio building, avoiding costly mistakes, choosing the right team, and understanding why patience and execution matter more than hype. ⏱️ Episode Breakdown 0:00 – 4:00 | Why Finance Strategy Matters  Difference between organized vs unprepared investors  Why strategy-driven clients scale faster  Tailored finance + tailored property strategy working together 4:00 – 10:00 | The Noise in Property Investing  Misconceptions around trusts and borrowing  “Don’t know what you don’t know”  Why social media advice can lead investors astray  Importance of understanding the why behind strategies 10:00 – 16:00 | Credit Scores & Portfolio Growth  The hidden importance of credit history  What lenders actually look at first  Credit score benchmarks explained  Real example:  Recovering from a poor credit profile  Delayed gratification leading to multiple property purchases 16:00 – 22:00 | Collaboration Between Advisors  How finance strategists and buyer’s agents work together  Importance of shared knowledge and alignment  Real examples of strategy sessions and education  Why communication between professionals matters 22:00 – 29:00 | Why Saying “No” Matters  The danger of “yes people” in property investing  Educating clients through strategy and context  The psychology behind negotiations and offers  Why confidence and conviction matter in execution 29:00 – 35:00 | Choosing the Right Team  How investors should vet advisors  Why cheaper advice can cost more long term  Cross-checking strategy with:  Accountants  Brokers  Buyer’s agents  Financial planners  The importance of specialization and expertise 35:00 – End | Patience, Time & Long-Term Wealth  “Go slow to go fast” philosophy  Why wealth creation takes time  Letting the market work for you  The role of patience, systems, and consistency in portfolio growth

    26 min
  2. MAY 10

    Episode 92 - The Property Mistakes Costing Investors Thousands

    In this episode of Finance This Property That, Dion sits down with buyer’s agent Jessica Giandomenico from Vesta Buyers Agency to unpack one of the biggest mistakes property investors make — buying property before building the right strategy around it. This conversation dives deep into the importance of finance strategy, buyer’s agents, due diligence, off-market opportunities, and why building the right team around your investment journey can save you hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. From structuring finance correctly to understanding what makes a good street, this episode is packed with practical insights for investors wanting to avoid costly mistakes and grow wealth safely and strategically. ⏱️ Episode Chapters 00:00 – Intro & Why Most Investors Start Too Late 01:45 – Jessica’s First Year Building Vesta Buyers Agency 04:20 – Why Buyer’s Agents & Finance Strategists Must Work Together 08:15 – The Biggest Breakdown in Property Purchases 11:40 – How Proper Strategy Speeds Up Portfolio Growth 15:05 – Off-Market Opportunities & Why Preparation Matters 18:30 – Trust Lending, Finance Clauses & Real Contract Timelines 22:10 – Due Diligence Most Investors Completely Miss 26:15 – Why The STREET Matters More Than You Think 29:10 – Cheap Conveyancing & Poor Advice Can Cost You Millions 32:00 – Building The Right Professional Team Around You 34:00 – Final Advice: Stop Buying Property Without A Strategy 🔥 Key Topics Covered Why buying property is NOT the hardest part The role of finance strategy before purchasing How off-market deals actually work Why investors lose opportunities by not being prepared Due diligence mistakes that cost investors money The importance of buyer’s agents, brokers, solicitors & property managers Trust lending timelines and finance clause realities Understanding street appeal and suburb selection Why “free advice” can become very expensive 🎯 Who This Episode Is For First-time investors Property buyers using trusts or SMSFs Investors wanting long-term wealth creation Buyers frustrated missing out on properties Anyone wanting a smarter property strategy before buying

    37 min
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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

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.