Geared for Growth Property Investing Podcast

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Joey Croke, a young property investor and founder of proptech platform Arqelo, who turned an early financial setback into a fast-scaling property portfolio. Most investors never recover from a six-figure loss, especially not in their early 20s. But Joey's story flips that narrative.

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Frank Ambesi, Co-Founder of Fresh Start Advisory, who is on a mission to make property investing accessible to all Australians. With market uncertainty dominating headlines, from inflation to global conflict, many investors are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for clarity. But as Frank explains, uncertainty has always been part of the cycle. And history tells a very different story to what the media suggests. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Lachlan O'Connell, buyers agent and owner of O'Connell Buyers Advocate. Victoria hasn't exactly been the investor darling in recent years. With rising land taxes, tighter regulations, and stronger performance elsewhere, many wrote it off entirely. But beneath the surface, something very different has been unfolding.

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Jordan De Jong, founder of Gameplans and one of the sharpest minds at the intersection of property investing, data, and AI. With access to transactions from over 550+ buyer's agents, roughly 67% of the market, Jordan brings a rare, behind-the-scenes view of how Australians are actually investing right now. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Brooke Juracic, Managing Director of Gold Coast Wealth and a lending specialist with over 12 years of experience across residential, SMSF, commercial, and development finance. With SMSF property investing gaining traction and lending becoming increasingly complex, Brooke unpacks what's really happening behind the scenes and why many investors are getting it wrong. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Matthew Hughes, Managing Director of Capital Property Advisory and board member of PIPA. Matthew brings a sharp, data-driven perspective to today's property market, cutting through the noise of short-term gains and hype-driven investing. With Perth continuing its strong run and other markets showing signs of transition, the conversation dives into what actually drives long-term outperformance. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Riley Jan, Financial Adviser for property investors and busy professionals, and Partner at Cruz Financial Planning.  With a background in law and deep experience in financial planning, he brings a structured, holistic approach to property investing that goes far beyond simply "buying the next deal."

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Scott Aggett, Australia's leading property negotiator, founder of Green Shoots Property, and one of the country's most experienced and trusted property experts. Scott brings decades of experience from both sides of the transaction. over 4,000 property deals as a real estate agent and now as a buyer's agent focused on negotiation and strategy. In this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on how property markets really work, and why the biggest opportunities often exist before they become obvious to the public. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Evan Lucas, economic futurist, keynote speaker, media commentator, and bestselling author of Mind Over Money. Evan returns to the podcast to unpack what has already been a volatile and eventful start to 2026. From global geopolitical tensions and oil supply disruptions to stubbornly high inflation and the possibility of further interest rate hikes, the economic landscape is shifting rapidly. But what does it all mean for property investors?

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Jen Richardson, Founder of 123 Financial Group and a specialist in helping business owners and individuals build wealth through financial literacy and strategic tax planning. With a client base split evenly between small businesses and individuals, Jen brings a unique perspective to property investing, one grounded in accuracy, strategy, and long-term thinking rather than chasing the biggest tax refund. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Brett Warren, Director at Metropole Property Strategists, a leading buyer's agent who helps property investors and home buyers cut through the noise and build real, long-term wealth. Brett brings a refreshingly honest take on what's really driving property growth right now, from Brisbane's massive run, to Melbourne's long period of underperformance, and why chasing "hotspots" can be a dangerous game for everyday investors. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Cate Bakos, Buyer's Agent, Qualified Property Investment Adviser (QPIA) and 2025 Chair of Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA). Cate shares what she's seeing on the ground as volume buyer's agents flood regional markets, how investor-driven demand can distort pricing in lower price brackets, and why some of the most popular "hotspot" suburbs may actually carry higher risk than buyers realise.

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Kent Lardner, a housing market analyst with over 25 years' experience studying Australia's property cycles, risks, affordability pressures, and structural imbalances. Kent has spent decades pulling apart what really drives property performance and now he's at the coalface of how AI and data are being used to transform how buyers' agents find, assess, and price properties.

In this special long episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Goose McGrath, Co-Founder and CEO of Dashdot, one of Australia's fastest-growing property portfolio growth firms. Together, Mike and Goose unpack how technology, capital flows,and financialisation have reshaped property markets, shortened market cycles, and changed what "good strategy" actually means. They explore the rise of large buyer organisations, the dangers of speed-driven investing, and why trust, clarity, and long-term thinking matter more than chasing hotspots. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Patrick Noll, mortgage broker and Founder & Director of Runestone Finance, who specialises in helping young professionals build wealth through property investing. Mike and Patrick unpack the uncomfortable reality that even top-1% incomes don't always make buying your dream home a smart financial move. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Jo Agresta, Entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Abodey, and former buyer's advocate with over a decade in the property industry. In a world obsessed with "hotspots" and headline suburbs, Jo explains why chasing hype is one of the biggest mistakes investors make and how the real opportunity lies in understanding strategy, timing, and the early "green shoots" that signal future growth before the media catches on. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Julie Crockett, founder of Australian Property Investment Solutions and one of Australia's most experienced buyer's agents working exclusively with investors. She cuts through some of the biggest myths in the buyer's agent space, from the rise of so-called "data-driven" agents to the real value of boots-on-the-ground due diligence. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Heather Jordan, Founder and Director of Money Wise Wealth Co. Heather brings a rare blend of skills to the table, a corporate accountant turned property flipper, property tax specialist, and educator helping everyday Australians build wealth through smart, structured renovation projects. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Richard Crabb, Founder and Managing Director of the ASPIRE Property Advisor Network. With decades of experience helping Australians build sustainable portfolios, Richard has become a leading voice in raising professional standards across the property advisory industry. Richard brings a refreshingly grounded view on what it means to guide investors: cutting through sales-driven models, breaking down misconceptions, and explaining why so many investors still struggle to break past their first or second property. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Terry Ryder, Founder of Hotspotting.com.au and one of Australia's longest-serving property researchers. With more than four decades analysing markets, Terry brings unmatched depth on what actually drives property growth,  far beyond the usual headlines and hype. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Oliver Jackson, Director of Living Property. Oliver brings years of hands-on experience in sourcing, renovating, and transforming undervalued properties in competitive markets and he joins Mike for a brutally honest conversation about the real economics behind flipping versus renovating and holding. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Rishi Bajaj, Director of InvestVise and a property strategist helping clients build high-return portfolios that thrive even in shifting economic conditions. Rishi brings a wealth of lived experience, from buying his first property during the GFC, to building a multi-country portfolio, to guiding everyday Australians through the overwhelm of investing. His story is full of setbacks, lessons, and wins that shape how he helps clients today. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Aidan Devine, National Real Estate Editor for News Corp, overseeing real estate content across major Australian mastheads including news.com.au, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, and syndicated content shared via realestate.com.au. Aidan explains the real process behind deciding what becomes news, the responsibility to maintain credibility, and how journalists navigate data, sources, and audience engagement. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Tom Haigh, Licensed Buyers Agent with 17 years of experience in the property space. He shares how the motivation behind property investment is evolving, moving beyond personal wealth and early retirement goals to a more profound "why": securing a future for the next generation. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Marty Sadlier, Director of MCG Quantity Surveyors, to unpack the full lifecycle of a construction project through the eyes of a quantity surveyor. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Kent Lardner, one of Australia's most respected experts in property data and analytics to unpack his latest research project, a deep dive into the four lifestyle pillars that define Australia's most resilient property markets.

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Dr. Mat Djolic, co-founder of HtAG Analytics to unpack how data can actually be used to understand property markets, not just for the short-term "hotspot" hype, but to build sustainable, long-term strategies. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Bill Childs, Director at Limitless Lending Group, to talk about the realities of trust lending, serviceability, and what really drives property portfolio growth. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Jeremy Iannuzzelli, a highly credentialed accountant and property investor with over 16 years of experience advising small to medium enterprises and property investors. With property investors constantly bombarded by conflicting advice, clickbait ads, and "magic" strategies, Jeremy unpacks the realities behind tax structures, trusts, and borrowing capacity.

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Ashish Malhotra, Founder of Auswide Buyers Agency and a trusted partner in helping Australians secure their dream homes and achieve financial freedom through strategic property investment. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Melinda Jennison, Managing Director of Streamline Property Buyers and a leading expert in Brisbane's real estate market. With the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, Brisbane is firmly on the radar for property investors and homeowners alike. But beyond the hype, what are the real fundamentals driving the city's growth? 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Jarrad Mahon, experienced property investor, selling agent, and award-winning property manager, known as the "go-to" for Perth property strategies. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Andy Reid, speaker, coach, author, and one of Melbourne's most recognisable auctioneers. With his trademark energy and candid insight, Andy shares what really goes on behind the gavel and why auctions are as much about psychology as they are about numbers. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Tim Brown, Founder of The Charleston Group, former soldier, and everyday Aussie who built a multimillion-dollar property portfolio on an average income through discipline and grit. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Bushy Martin, one of Australia's top property investment experts, author, and commentator. Known for his straight-talking approach, Bushy dives into one of the hottest topics in investing right now: the rise of special purpose vehicle (SPV) trusts and the promise of "infinite borrowing power." 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Matt Sharp, Founder & Director of Sharp Property Buyers and The Central Coast's Most Highly Rated Buyers Agent.

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Claire Corby, founder of Capital Buyers Agency and Australian Buyer's Agent of the Year 2021. Claire brings her sharp insights into the Canberra property market — a place often misunderstood, yet incredibly stable and nuanced. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike sits down with Nick Melrose, founder of ScaleApp, the proptech platform shaking up how Australians plan, model, and scale their property journeys. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike sits down with Brett Warren, National Director and Property Strategist at Metropole Group. With decades of experience helping clients secure A-grade homes and investment-grade properties, Brett offers a data-driven yet practical take on today's shifting market. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike sits down with Kieran Clair, seasoned property journalist, editor, and co-founder of Bricks & Mortar Media to look into the rise of click-driven content, the decline of investigative reporting, and how financial pressures are reshaping what gets published, and what gets left out. 

In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike sits down with Manoj Sahare, founder and buyer's agent at Key2Dreamz, who's built an impressive $12 million property portfolio over 25 years — beginning from a humble one-bedroom flat.  

In this episode of Geared for Growth, host Mike Mortlock sits down with well-known property market analyst John Lindeman, to explore how Australia's property landscape is shifting beneath our feet.

In this episode of Geared for Growth, host Mike Mortlock sits down with well-known property market analyst John Lindeman, to explore how Australia's property landscape is shifting beneath our feet.

In this episode of the Geared for Growth podcast, Mike Mortlock sits down with Matt Knight, property strategist and founder of Precium, to explore how the property market has transformed post-COVID—particularly along the stunning South Coast of New South Wales. 

In this episode of the Geared for Growth podcast, host Mike Mortlock sits down with property research veteran Terry Ryder — the founder of Hotspotting and a respected voice in Australian real estate since the 1980s. With decades of experience cutting through the noise, Terry brings a sharp lens to the current landscape: from the media's obsession with interest rates to the real dynamics driving growth in regional and outer capital city markets. 

In this episode of the Geared for Growth podcast, host Mike Mortlock chats with Michael Kowalczyk — a savvy investor and founder of Tailored Property — about the wins, mistakes, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey toward financial freedom. 

Host Mike Mortlock is joined by Chris Bates, Co-Founder of Alcove and one of Australia's leading mortgage advisors, to unpack the shifting landscape of lending, interest rates, and investor sentiment in 2025. Chris brings his frontline experience to the table, sharing how borrowers are reacting to recent rate cuts, why buyer confidence is still uneven, and how high serviceability buffers are reshaping what's possible for both homeowners and investors.

Host Mike Mortlock is joined by Azeem Rahman, a property investor who brings a refreshingly honest and reflective perspective to the show. Unlike many guests, Azeem isn't a buyer's agent or property professional — he's a self-directed investor who started in his early 20s with no real plan, just a deposit and ambition. Now, nearly a decade later, he shares how a lack of strategy led to costly mistakes and missed opportunities.

Host Mike Mortlock is joined by Joel Moffat, a former bank valuer turned buyer's agent, who shares how his background in property valuation gives him a unique edge in today's market. Joel lifts the curtain on how valuations work inside one of the Big Four banks — including the difference between desktop and full valuations, how risks are assessed, and why certain features (like flood zones or outdated imagery) can significantly impact lending outcomes.

In this week's episode of the Geared for Growth podcast, host Mike Mortlock sits down with Eric le Tran, a thoughtful and strategic property investor who has built an impressive portfolio of seven investment properties worth nearly $5 million — all within a relatively short timeframe. Eric's journey is a masterclass in learning from missteps, staying disciplined, and approaching property investment with data, clarity, and humility.