THE PROPERTY NERDS: The fixed-rate trap

Most investors get caught up debating fixed versus variable interest rates, but the real risk is choosing a structure that stalls your entire property strategy. On The Property Nerds podcast, hosts Arjun Paliwal and Jack Fouracre break down the ultimate fixed versus variable rate debate and why most investors are thinking about it the wrong way. Fouracre explains that while fixed rates offer certainty and variable rates offer flexibility, both come with trade-offs that can either unlock or limit investors' next move. He highlights how many investors got burned during COVID-19 after locking in higher fixed rates, only to face costly break fees when it dropped and opportunities opened up. The episode also dives into lesser-known factors like rate locks, offset limitations, and how lender policies can quietly shape your borrowing power. But the real focus is strategy, not rates. The duo emphasise that flexibility, structure, and working with the right broker matter far more than chasing the lowest number.