Podcast · Business

The Property Couch

by Ben Kingsley, Opti & The Couch Crew · English · Business

Australia’s top property podcast for everyday investors who want real results, not hype. Originally shaped by long-time hosts Ben Kingsley and Bryce Holdaway, The Property Couch has evolved into a new chapter led by Ben alongside the expanded Couch Crew. The foundations remain the same: practica

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 13 min
Latest: 15 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 4 minNew

619 | Recession-Proof Properties & Foolproof Rules of the School Belt - Chat with Glen Coutinho

Some properties keep attracting buyers. Others need a discount to get their attention. What separates the two? Is it the renovation? The suburb? The school around the corner? Or could moving just one street over change what you’re really buying? This week, Glen Coutinho, RT Edgar Sales Manager, returns to The Property Couch almost a decade after his first appearance, joining Ben Kingsley and Shane Pope to unpack the lessons that come from 40 years in real estate. From Melbou...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

13 Oct 2026 · 12 minNew
How to Stop Money Slipping Through Your Fingers | Throwback Tuesdays
You get paid. You’re careful. You don’t do anything extravagant. Then a week later, you check your bank account and think… where did it all go?! In this week’s Throwback Tuesday snippet, Ben and Bryce unpack the idea of slippage (the small, everyday spending that quietly adds up...) and explain why the answer isn’t necessarily more willpower. 📖 How to Stop Money Slipping Through Your Fingers 🎧 Listen to the original episode 📗 Get Make Money Simple Again free LISTEN TO THE FIRST ...
9 Oct 2026 · 9 min
Would You Rather Own 1 Great Property Or 12 Average Ones? | FUNdamental Fridays
Is owning more investment properties always better? Not necessarily. In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Ben Kingsley sits down with Lachlan Delhunty from The Folio Group to discuss one of the biggest misconceptions in property investing: The belief that more properties automatically means more wealth. Lachlan shares a real-world example of an investor who accumulated 12 properties across four years, only to discover the portfolio wasn't producing the results they expected. They discuss: ...
8 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
618 | The $4.5 Million Asset Behind Your Property Portfolio? - Chat with Don Glendinning
Your biggest asset may not be your home or property portfolio. It could be your ability to keep earning an income. But what happens to everything you’ve built if illness, injury or death suddenly takes that income away? In Episode 618 of The Property Couch, Ben is joined by Chemere Brown, Head of Financial Planning at Empower Wealth, and Don Glendinning, Regional Sales Manager at NEOS, to unpack the personal insurance safety net behind your wealth plan. Through real-life claim sto...
6 Oct 2026 · 30 min
Breaking: Could Victoria's New Auction Rules Make Things Worse for Buyers?
Victoria has introduced major changes to the way residential properties are sold, including new reserve price rules for auctions and fixed-date sales. But will the reforms actually make things easier for buyers? In this breaking news episode, Ben Kingsley is joined by Couch Crew regular Ben Thompson (qualified property investment adviser by day and licensed auctioneer on weekends) to unpack the new rules and the unintended consequences buyers need to know about. 📖 Read our full breakdow...
2 Oct 2026 · 14 min
Should Wealthy Retirees Still Get Government Benefits? | FUNdamental Fridays
Can Australia continue funding the level of concessions, subsidies and benefits we're currently providing? In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Ben Kingsley is joined by Evan Lucas for a thought-provoking discussion about government spending, welfare, pensions and the growing cost of supporting an ageing population. The conversation explores whether Australia's safety net is targeted in the right places, and whether some government benefits should be better aligned with financial need. They dis...
1 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
617 | How Is Prime Land Created to Outperform Over Decades?
Why does land in one suburb command a lasting premium while land somewhere else doesn’t...even when both have houses, shops and transport? 📈 In this special solo episode, Ben shares his latest framework shaped by more than 30 years of property experience. He takes us beyond the headlines and short-term market cycles to explain the forces that can make a location more valuable over decades: jobs, accessibility, scarcity, lifestyle, buyer behaviour and the momentum that builds when these factor...
29 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 15 min
(LIVE) RBA Sep 2026 | Rates Hit a 15-Year High. What Happens Next?
Four rate rises this year. And the RBA may not be finished yet... The Reserve Bank has unanimously raised the cash rate by another 0.25 percentage points, taking it to 4.60% — its highest level in 15 years. With property prices falling and the economy showing signs of slowing, could another rate rise be on the cards in November? Ben Kingsley and economist Evan Lucas unpack today’s decision in this September Economic & RBA Update. 💡 Thinking about refinancing or adj...
25 Sep 2026 · 13 min
How To Tell If An Agent Is Legit | FUNdamental Fridays
How do you know whether you're choosing a good buyer's agent? Following the recent collapse of several buyer's agency businesses, Shane Pope and Ben Thompson tackle an important question: What should property buyers be looking for when selecting a buyer's agent? In this week's FUNdamental Friday, they discuss the red flags, warning signs and key qualities that can help buyers make a more informed decision. They explore: ✅ Why paying large fees upfront may be risky ✅ The importance of prov...
24 Sep 2026 · 56 min
616 | Why Chasing Yield Could Cost You - Q&A Day
With borrowing capacity tightening and negative gearing changes reshaping the numbers, investors are being pushed towards cheaper properties, higher yields and new strategies. But could adapting to the new environment mean compromising the quality of your assets? In this jam-packed Q&A episode, Ben, Polly and Luke unpack the post-budget property traps investors need to avoid, before answering listener questions about grandfathering, offset accounts, upgrading the family home...
S1 · E12 · 22 Sep 2026 · 3 min
What Should I Do After Watching PRE-Purchase? | PRE-Purchase Conclusion
Over the past 10 episodes, we've covered the complete home-buying journey. From defining your brief and researching the market through to inspections, negotiations, auctions, settlement and moving in, PRE-Purchase was created to help buyers navigate one of life's biggest financial decisions with greater confidence. This final episode is simply a thank you. Thank you for coming along on the journey, for sending in questions, and for helping shape a series that was built around the real chal...
S1 · E11 · 22 Sep 2026 · 9 min
What Actually Happens On Settlement Day? | PRE-Purchase Ep 10
Settlement day is finally here. After months of preparation, research, inspections, negotiations and paperwork, ownership of the property is about to transfer into your name. But what actually happens on settlement day? In Episode 10 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain how settlement works, what PEXA is, when you'll receive the keys, and the practical lessons they've learned from years of helping buyers navigate moving day. You'll also learn why settlement times aren't gu...
S1 · E10 · 22 Sep 2026 · 6 min
What Happens At A Pre-Settlement Inspection? | PRE-Purchase Ep 9
You've bought the property. You've gone unconditional. Settlement is approaching. Now comes one final check. In Episode 9 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain the purpose of a pre-settlement inspection, what buyers should be checking, and what to do if something isn't working or has changed since the day you purchased the property. Many buyers mistakenly think a pre-settlement inspection is another building inspection. It's not. The purpose is to confirm the property is...
S1 · E9 · 22 Sep 2026 · 16 min
What Happens When A Property Passes In At Auction? | PRE-Purchase Ep 8
The auction is over. You're the highest bidder. But the property didn't sell. Now what? In Episode 8 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of the buying process: negotiating after a property passes in. You'll learn what happens immediately after the auction, why buyers shouldn't rush to increase their offer, the first question to ask the agent, and how experienced buyers use time, information and good questions to negotiate more effective...
S1 · E8 · 22 Sep 2026 · 22 min
How Does Buying At Auction Actually Work? | PRE-Purchase Ep 7
Auction day can be one of the most exciting and intimidating parts of the home-buying journey. In Episode 7 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope walk through exactly what happens on auction day, from arriving at the property and understanding auction terminology through to bidding strategies, reserve prices and signing contracts after a successful purchase. This episode focuses on what happens when you're buying at auction and successfully purchase the property. You'll learn how au...
S1 · E7 · 22 Sep 2026 · 7 min
What Happens Once My Offer Is Accepted? | PRE-Purchase Ep 6
Your offer has been accepted. Time to celebrate... but not quite settle in just yet. In Episode 6 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain what happens between having an offer accepted and becoming unconditional. This is the stage where finance approval, building inspections and pest inspections are finalised. While many buyers think the deal is done once their offer is accepted, there are still some important steps to complete before the property officially becomes uncondition...
S1 · E6 · 22 Sep 2026 · 12 min
How Do I Negotiate With An Agent? | PRE-Purchase Ep 5
You've found the property. You've completed your research. You've done your inspections and due diligence. Now it's time to negotiate. In Episode 5 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope unpack one of the most challenging stages of the home-buying journey: negotiating a private sale. You'll learn why understanding the campaign matters, how to work with agents effectively, what "rules of engagement" actually mean, and why the strongest offer isn't always the highest offer. Whether ...
S1 · E5 · 22 Sep 2026 · 8 min
What Due Diligence Should I Complete Before Buying A Home? | PRE-Purchase Ep 4
You've found a property you like. You've completed your research. Now comes one of the most important questions in the entire buying journey: Are you actually ready to commit? In Episode 4 of PRE-PURCHASE, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope walk through the final checks buyers should complete before making an offer or raising their hand at auction. From building and pest inspections to contract reviews, street inspections, neighbour considerations and risk management, this episode focuses on re...
S1 · E4 · 22 Sep 2026 · 11 min
What Should I Look For When Inspecting A Property? | PRE-Purchase Ep 3
A property can look great on inspection day... but what are you actually looking for? In Episode 3 of PRE-Purchase, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope walk through one of the most important stages of the buying journey: property inspections. From identifying red flags and hidden risks to understanding presentation techniques and buyer competition, this episode helps buyers inspect properties with greater confidence and a more critical eye. You'll learn how to assess a property's condition, recogn...
S1 · E3 · 22 Sep 2026 · 12 min
How Do I Search For A Home And Avoid Wasting Time? | PRE-Purchase Ep 2
Most buyers don't lose money because they failed to find a property. They lose money because they didn't spend enough time understanding the market. In Episode 2 of PRE-PURCHASE, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain how to research property properly, set effective search parameters and build the market knowledge needed to buy with confidence. This episode builds on Episode 1 and explores what happens after you've designed your property brief. You'll learn why inspecting properties is one of ...
S1 · E2 · 22 Sep 2026 · 10 min
Designing Your Property Brief: The Most Important Step Before You Buy | PRE-Purchase Ep 1
Most buyers start searching for properties before they know exactly what they're looking for. That's where problems begin. In Episode 1 of PRE-PURCHASE, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain why creating a clear property brief is the foundation of a successful property search. Before you start attending inspections, speaking to agents or scrolling property websites, you need clarity around what you're actually trying to buy. In this episode, Ben and Shane introduce the Buyer's Quadrant, dis...
S1 · E1 · 22 Sep 2026 · 4 min
The First Home Buyer Guide: Start Here | PRE-Purchase
Thinking about buying a home but not sure where to start? Welcome to PRE-PURCHASE, a practical step-by-step series designed to help buyers navigate one of life's biggest financial decisions with greater confidence. In this introductory episode, Ben Thompson and Shane Pope explain why they created the series, share their backgrounds in property, and walk through the framework that will guide the next 10 episodes. Whether you're preparing to buy your first home, upgrading, downsizing or simp...
18 Sep 2026 · 13 min
Is Your Property Worth Less Than You Paid? | FUNdamental Fridays
What happens if your property is suddenly worth less than you paid for it? It's a question many homeowners and investors are asking as property values soften in some parts of Australia. In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Ben Thompson and mortgage broker Luke Oxenham unpack the reality behind declining property values, negative equity and what it actually means for homeowners. They discuss: ✅ What negative equity really is ✅ Why it doesn't automatically mean financial stress ✅ The differen...
17 Sep 2026 · 59 min
615 | The $86K Gap Putting Australian Women at Financial Risk
What would happen to your finances if the person who usually manages the money was no longer there? In Episode 615, Ben Kingsley, Kirsty Dunphey and Polly Chu explore women’s financial independence and the risks that can quietly build through career breaks, unpaid caring responsibilities and leaving the bigger financial decisions to a partner. They also share practical ways to protect your future, from understanding your cash flow and investments to super contribution splitting, househo...
15 Sep 2026 · 13 min
Your Brain Is Costing You Money | Throwback Tuesdays
You probably like to think your financial decisions are rational. But behavioural economics tells us that emotion, instinct and old rules of thumb can influence our decisions far more than we realise. In this week’s Throwback Tuesday, Ben and Bryce revisit their conversation with Phil Slade on the “ape brain”, reacting versus responding, and why the rules that once kept us safe can sometimes work against us when it comes to money. For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 338 | Going Ap...
11 Sep 2026 · 9 min
Why Property Investors Need to Prepare for 1 July 2027 NOW | FUNdamental Fridays
Could millions of Australian property investors be leaving things too late? In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Ben Kingsley sits down with Greg Sugars from Preston Rowe Paterson to discuss the practical challenges surrounding the government's upcoming capital gains tax valuation requirements. With approximately 3.5 million investment properties across Australia and only around 6,000 valuers available, Greg explains why investors should start planning now rather than waiting until the last m...
10 Sep 2026 · 56 min
614 | Property D-Day: The Decisions Investors Can’t Avoid – Q&A Day
With cooling market conditions, tax changes and another rate rise expected this year, uncomfortable decisions are starting to surface for many investors. In this jam-packed Q&A Day, Ben is joined by Couch Crew, Ben Thompson (QPIA) and Shane Pope (Buyers Agent), to tackle four real scenarios facing property investors right now. Should you sell a good property when cash flow gets tight? Have recent tax changes fundamentally changed the investment equation? What happ...
8 Sep 2026 · 5 min
How Much Money is Enough? | Throwback Tuesdays
How much money is enough? It sounds like a simple question, but most of us have never actually defined the answer. In this week’s Throwback Tuesday, Ben and Bryce revisit a powerful idea from The Psychology of Money and explore why the comparison game is one you can never win... and how to start working out your own “enough” number. Because if you don’t know what enough looks like, how will you ever know when you’ve arrived? For the original episode, tune in here: Episode 395 | How This NRL S...
4 Sep 2026 · 9 min
What REALLY Happens During a Bank Valuation? | FUNdamental Fridays
Do you need to clean your home before a bank valuation? In this week's FUNdamental Friday, Ben Kingsley is joined by Neal Ellis from Preston Rowe Paterson to lift the curtain on how bank valuations actually work. Many property owners assume valuers are looking for spotless homes, premium finishes and perfect presentation. The reality is very different. Neal explains what banks really want from a valuation, why speed of access matters more than a clean house, how comparable sales drive valuati...
3 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
613 | How to Run Your Rental Property on Autopilot
Most investors think they’re buying a property. What they don’t realise is they’re also taking on a small rental business. That business generates income, incurs expenses, carries risk and creates ongoing tax, compliance and record-keeping responsibilities. While a great property manager can handle much of the day-to-day work, there are some jobs only the owner can oversee. In this practical episode, Ben is joined by Senior Tax Adviser Danish Ahmed and Moorr Product Manager ...

About The Property Couch

The Property Couch is a English business podcast from Ben Kingsley, Opti & The Couch Crew. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Ben Kingsley, Opti & The Couch Crew
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 13 min
Latest episode: 15 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id969904333

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