Damien Rayner, MBA

🏡 Brisbane Joins the Million-Dollar Club — What This Means for Investors Brisbane has officially crossed a major milestone: 👉 Median house price now sits at $1.015 million 👉 That’s a $68,300 rise in just 12 months, according to the latest PropTrack data This places Brisbane firmly in the ranks of Australia’s million-dollar cities — a market that’s seen exceptional growth, but also growing affordability constraints for everyday buyers. As a property investor and strategist at Custodian we see this as a defining moment — not just for Brisbane, but for those looking to enter the market below this median threshold. Here’s the key insight: While headlines highlight rising prices, the real opportunity lies in securing quality land and build packages in high-demand growth corridors — still priced below the $1M mark. These areas offer: ✅ Access to infrastructure and population growth ✅ Significant tax advantages through depreciation ✅ Strong long-term capital growth potential We help clients build sustainable property portfolios, even in a market like Brisbane — where smart strategy is essential to navigate rising prices while still maximising returns and minimising risk. 📉 The gap between what you can afford and what’s still affordable is widening. Now is the time to be proactive, not reactive. #BrisbaneProperty #PropertyInvestment #MillionDollarMarket #PropertyPortfolio #HouseAndLandPackages #WealthBuilding #CustodianProperty #InvestmentStrategy #PassiveIncome #SmartInvesting

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First National Real Estate & Hospitality Fund has issued its second round of payouts, with equity holders receiving MVR 34.94 per share. Annualised returns stand at 14% for equity, 12% for bonds. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gzFQmseW

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A hard truth for brokers. A client gets declined by the bank. Cashflow is tight. ATO is circling. An MCL steps in. Then another. Then a third — to repay the first two. Daily repayments stack. Margins evaporate. Supplier confidence collapses. Director stress turns into panic. Within months: • Receivers appointed • Personal guarantees called • Director’s property exposed • Business liquidated The tragedy? Revenue was there. Customers were there. The business was viable. But the capital structure became toxic. This is where brokers carry real responsibility. Stacking short-term, high-cost facilities to solve a structural funding problem is not a strategy — it’s escalation. Sometimes the right solution isn’t another unsecured advance. It’s stepping back, restructuring properly, and using available property equity to reset the balance sheet before it’s too late. The difference between restructuring and receivership is often timing. If you have a client under pressure from multiple MCL facilities, don’t wait until enforcement action begins. Call Paul Lee, GM – 0485 931 323 Let’s fix it before it becomes terminal. #CommercialFinance #BrokerResponsibility #SMELending #BusinessRescue #CashflowCrisis #PrivateCredit #PropertyBackedFinance #EquityTap

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IS NZ SHARE MARKET COLLAPSE AT RISK? The NZ isn’t screaming “imminent crash,” but nevertheless vulnerable. Diversification (beyond NZX-heavy portfolios), focus is on quality dividend payers with strong balance sheets,long-term horizon are prudent NZ equities can deliver solid returns in a recovery, but Market Economists expect volatility based events NZX’s biggest vulnerabilities are sensitivity to global risk events, rate-sensitive composition, and any deterioration in NZ’s key trading relationships Had PM Luxon held to his last election promise and ad nauseam “Growth Growth Growth” Economic & Productivity NZ would have been far better placed March Year End reported results Government reading of Economy preceding May Budget will have major bearing Assessed risk early May was moderate but not elevated compared to more speculative markets like US tech The risk of a New Zealand share market crash centres on potential rapid decline in the NZX 50 index, driven by high interest rates, inflationary pressures, and global economic volatility affecting company earnings The warnings now are palpable While market corrections or volatility are expected, major crashes often occur when these pressures induce recessionary fears, triggering panicked selling Now we are in a worsening wartime situation The risks have been clear and obvious for all to see,but they are being under played by National In that context, the fact that World USA & Bank of England recognise increasing risk is real and potentially imminent: is something that is now really very important US Uk Markets are particularly exposed to correction being reported by Analysts and Banks Confidence in private credit going, Al and other risky values, overvalued markets and rising asset prices do not reflect risks and World Economic threats Markets appear to be behaving as if none of that risk exists. Raising the question Have prices and reality become dangerously disconnected by nativity Global Tech companies have had hundreds of billions of dollars poured into them to build AI infrastructure Which may not work if this war continues because raw material supplies to build the chips will be severely at risk These issues will arise virtually simultaneously and there might be a domino effect The consequence would be a sharp fall in stock market prices and making households feel poorer, will then cut spending That fall would in turn upset interest rates, affecting inflation Business demand decline will reduce revenue on a base of rising costs Profit Earnings Stock Price disruption will immediately follow The risk that we might see is a credit crunch rather than a banking driven credit crunch The question is not then, whether a correction is coming It is, when it is coming and how bad, it will be Government Business Boards will soon face the toughest ever test and must be prepared Time to act, is before any crash not when the bubble has burst

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Fresh off a breakthrough win and a multi-million dollar payday, Australia’s most exciting young golf prospect sits down with to unpack the mindset behind his rapid rise. 23-year-old Elvis Smylie opens up about the independence required in golf, the pressure of performing on global stages, and why ownership of your career matters more than talent alone. We also dive into: • The psychology of elite performance • The role of his team and caddy • Joining LIV Golf and embracing team dynamics • Managing money, expectations and pressure at 23 • The business side of professional golf • His goals for the 2026 majors Watch now on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eyf94zB3 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eZWJVuwZ Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e3epmkyt

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💥 Australia’s housing market just hit another record! In the past 5 years, total residential value has jumped from $7.25 trillion to $11.6 trillion. 👉 That’s an increase of $4.35 trillion — the equivalent of adding 1.7 times Australia’s GDP. 👉 In just the last 3 months, housing stock added $213 billion in value — enough to “rebuild” a city the size of Brisbane. 👉 Today, the total value of housing across Australia is higher than the combined market cap of the ASX Top 50 companies (including CBA, BHP, NAB, and more). What’s driving this surge? 3 consecutive rate cuts → lifting buyer confidence Investors returning → new lending up 3.5% Second-tier cities leading → Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth growing nearly 10% year-on-year 🏡 Housing in Australia isn’t just shelter — it’s the country’s largest wealth reservoir. Spot the trend, act early, and the future becomes lighter to carry. ✨ #BellindaInsights #WinsproBA #RealEstateAustralia #PropertyInvestment #AustralianHousing #InvestmentStrategy #Brisbane #Adelaide #Perth #HousingMarket #WealthBuilding

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My position on how the CGT changes might affect the startup industry is: it’s complicated. More than one thing can be true at a time, such as: CGT changes might make Aussie startups less internationally competitive, *as well as* Australia is still a great place to work in startups. I think Daniel Petre is right: making a lot of money by selling your startup or selling your ESOP probably shouldn’t be your primary motivation to join a startup or start one. Not just for the quality/safety of life reasons Daniel mentions. Remember most startups fail, and even if you succeed in building a significantly better solution to a valuable problem, the causes of failure are often external to your startup. You may execute flawlessly and yet still fail. If, in all probability, your startup fails, your equity will be worth nothing or close to it. Perhaps worry more about your chances of being in a position to pay any CGT at all. Australia has always been and will continue to be a harder place to succeed in startups. This will probably make it a bit harder than it already is to attract and retain great talent and maybe much harder to attract and retain great talent from overseas. Successful founders and early hires will keep less from their exit and that may result in fewer of them investing less early-stage capital to back the next generation of startups. Or it may not - there are a lot of other variables in that equation. It’s not hard to predict the effects of changes but it’s very hard to predict the degree to which those effects will apply. I’m not ready to say whether the degree of change will be small or large and open to either outcome as a possibility. Let’s consult, let’s give feedback, by all means lets use our AI superpowers and social media fluency to effectively apply pressure but let’s not lose our sh*t about it yet either. Your most likely outcome is still paying $0 CGT on $0 capital gains.

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If the CGT discount changes… investors won’t disappear. They’ll just change behaviour. Example I modelled: $350K → $1M sale Today tax ≈ $153K Proposed tax ≈ $306K Same growth. Double the tax. This shifts the game: • Long-term holding matters more • Flipping gets riskier • Structure + timing become strategy Markets don’t break because of policy. They adapt. (General info only - not tax advice)

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Australia’s inflation numbers may have eased on the surface… but underneath, the pressure is still building. Just released: Headline inflation fell from 4.6% to 4.2% in April, which initially sounds positive. But the number the RBA watches most closely, trimmed mean inflation, actually increased to 3.4%, remaining well above the RBA’s 2–3% target band. This is important because it shows inflation is becoming broader and “stickier” across the economy, not just isolated to fuel prices. The temporary fuel excise cuts helped soften headline CPI, but economists are warning that relief may only be temporary once those measures roll off from July. We’re now seeing inflation flow through into: • freight and logistics • construction materials • groceries • travel costs • home building expenses • wage pressures What’s also changing is the conversation around rates. “Will the RBA need to hike again later this year?” Westpac is warning inflation risks remain tilted to the upside and believes underlying inflation could stay near 4% throughout 2026. Meanwhile: • Commonwealth Bank is leaning toward a pause for now. • NAB believes the economy is slowing, but inflation remains stubborn. • ANZ expects rates to stay restrictive longer than many anticipated. At the same time, unemployment has jumped to 4.5%, the highest level in over four years, which complicates the RBA’s decision further. So what does this likely mean for the next RBA meeting in June? Right now, the market is leaning toward a HOLD in the near term as the RBA waits to see: • whether unemployment continues rising. • whether oil prices remain elevated globally. • whether inflation expectations continue spreading through wages and business costs. Focus on cash flow, keep buffers in place, avoid overextending and buy quality assets that can perform even in a higher-rate environment.

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#Sydney property prices have hit a new record high, with house values rising to $1.72 million and units to a median of $835,000 over the 12 months to June. According to Domain, these peaks represent respective annual growth of 4.20% ($68,808) and 3.25% ($25,840). Domain chief of research and economics Nicola Powell said #property prices had been driven up by this year’s two cash rate cuts – and the resultant increase in borrowing capacity. And because Sydney is such a high-price housing market, the rate reductions move through it at a “much quicker pace” than other capital cities. “Increased borrowing capacity is coming out as faster rates of price growth, and with an expected rate cut in August that’s going to provide a firm platform for the spring selling season.” House #pricegrowth was strongest in the city’s south-west region, where values skyrocketed 10% annually to $1.21 million. For units, Sydney’s outer south-west topped the rankings; its median is now $570,000 following a year-on-year climb of 6.7%. Dr Powell said house prices were soaring in western locations because houses there were more affordable than in other regions. 

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🚀 CommBank Just Made Commercial Property Lending Easier Than Ever Big news for commercial property investors CommBank has streamlined its lending process, opening up loans of up to $5 million with a faster and simpler approach. ✅ Minimal financial disclosure ✅ Serviceability based on lease agreements ✅ Faster, simpler approvals ✅ Covers purchase and refinance transactions Key Lending Criteria: 📊 ICR ≥ 1.5x 🏦 LVR ≤ 65% This new approach can be a game-changer for investors seeking flexibility, efficiency, and growth opportunities in the commercial space. If you’re reviewing a transaction or exploring funding options, feel free to reach out for a confidential discussion happy to guide you through how this can support your investment strategy. #CommercialProperty #Finance #Investment #Lending #CommBank #BusinessGrowth

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In a market moving as quickly as the Gold Coast, speed without strategy is where buyers overpay. 1. Use real-time comparables not outdated data Sales from 60–90 days ago are already stale in a rising market. This suburb grew 2.4% in a single quarter, that lag can materially distort value. You need live buyer sentiment, current stock levels, and recent contract prices not just settled sales. 2. Know your numbers before you negotiate Understand exactly where the property sits from a valuation standpoint today. That means factoring in micro-location, product type, and demand depth not just suburb medians. Your offer should be deliberate, not reactive. 3. Win on terms, not just price The best buyers don’t always pay the most. They: Align settlement to the seller’s ideal timeline Reduce conditions where possible (without increasing risk) Offer clean, low-friction contracts Asking the right questions of the agent uncovers what actually matters to the seller and that’s your leverage. 4. Move with speed and certainty Opportunities don’t wait in this market. Have your finance, due diligence, and advisors lined up before you engage. Confidence and clarity are powerful negotiating tools. 5. You can create competitive pressure as a buyer too! Strong buyers control the narrative: Position your offer with a clear expiry Show readiness to sign immediately with Legal advice Signal that you’re assessing multiple opportunities This shifts urgency back onto the seller. 6. Stay disciplined The fastest way to lose is to chase. If the numbers no longer stack up or emotions start driving decisions walk away. There’s always another opportunity, but overpaying compounds long-term risk. Negotiation isn’t about being aggressive it’s about being informed, prepared, and precise. #QLDProperty#BrisbaneProperty#AusPropertyMarket#AussieBuyersAgent #AussieHomeLoans#LendiGroup#mortgageBroker#PIPA Alana Murphy

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Bridging loans are becoming a powerful solution in today’s market. Whether it’s buying before selling, unlocking equity quickly, or securing opportunities fast — speed and flexibility matter more than ever. At Assetline Capital we’re seeing brokers use bridging finance to help clients move with confidence. Got a tricky scenario? Reach out — chances are we can help. CLINCH that deal now… #BridgingLoans #MortgageBroker #NonBankLending #AssetlineCapital #PropertyFinance Adam Garganis Catherine Jones Steven Menta

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𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 - Recreation has become the clear weak point in Australian household spending, with new CommBank data showing it is the only major category in annual contraction. Recreation spending fell 2.6% in April in seasonally adjusted terms and is now down 0.4% over the year, the weakest result since February 2021. The latest Household Spending Insights (HSI) report points to households paring back travel and leisure in response to higher costs and geopolitical uncertainty. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/g--bBguq Visit lydian.com.au to learn more about our financial services. 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐭: https://lnkd.in/e4kVzpEq

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