How I Met My Broker

Borrowing power is no longer decided at the bank; it's being quietly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI), spending habits, and financial behaviour long before investors ever apply for a loan. On How I Met My Broker, hosts Liam Garman and Hung Chuy sit down with Andrew Morello, winner of The Apprentice Australia, to discuss how AI is reshaping the way investors build, protect, and lose borrowing capacity in today's market. Morello reveals that what used to take weeks of planning and analysis can now be done in hours, with AI accelerating everything from strategy development to financial modelling – giving some investors a serious speed advantage. The discussion also highlights a growing shift in lending, where AI and open banking tools are enabling lenders to delve deeper into real spending behaviour, meaning small financial habits can now directly influence borrowing outcomes. Chuy and Morello warn that investors who ignore this shift risk falling behind, as borrowing power becomes less about income alone and more about how intelligently finances are structured and managed. Ultimately, the trio shows a new reality for property investors: AI isn’t just a tool for efficiency – it’s becoming a gatekeeper to finance and growth.

In this episode of the How I Met My Broker podcast, hosts Hung Chuy and Liam Garman are joined by HtAG’s Matija Djolic and Pinnacle Buyers Agents’ Michael Lezaja to unpack how investors can identify growth areas in today’s uncertain market. The discussion centres on rising interest rates and economic pressure, with a strong focus on why strategy and data matter more than ever. Djolic explains how data-driven insights can help predict market movements, while Lezaja highlights the importance of aligning investments with individual goals and experience. The pair stresses that factors such as affordability, supply constraints, and socioeconomic conditions are critical for identifying areas with both short- and long-term growth potential. The group also tackles the often-misunderstood role of housing commission properties, noting that while they can influence an area, they don’t automatically rule out strong investment opportunities. In some cases, buying near these areas at a discount can actually deliver solid long-term gains. The conversation also explores the importance of relationships in securing deals, particularly the role of working closely with agents to access off-market opportunities and buy at below-market prices. Looking across Australia, the experts point to Melbourne as a standout long-term prospect, supported by population growth and limited housing supply, despite recent momentum in markets like Perth and Brisbane. Overall, the episode reinforces that successful investing comes down to combining data, local knowledge and strategic execution to uncover opportunities, even in a challenging market.

In this episode of How I Met My Broker, hosts Liam Garman and Strategic Brokers director Hung Chuy are joined by REB Buyer’s Agent of the Year Dawn Fouhy from Future Proof Property Advisory to unpack strategies for investing in 2026. The trio discuss the fast start to the year and the importance of timing, asset selection, and working with advisers who are active investors themselves. Fouhy outlines her philosophy of buying for the future owner-occupier, while Chuy emphasises the value of brokers who understand investing firsthand. They debate rentvesting versus owning a principal place of residence, agreeing that the right choice depends on life stage and market conditions. The conversation also explores buying through trusts, borrowing capacity, and the need for coordinated advice from brokers and accountants. Melbourne is flagged as a market with strong upside, particularly in growth corridors offering relative affordability. Fouhy and Chuy argue that investors should focus on fundamentals and timing rather than prestige, warning about the opportunity cost of overpriced blue-chip assets. They conclude that adaptability, research, and the right team are critical to navigating changing market conditions and building long-term wealth.

In this episode of the How I Met My Broker podcast, co-hosts Liam Garman and Hung Chuy share essential strategies for investors, first home buyers, and developers navigating the property market. Chuy highlights the challenges of entering the market, including understanding initiatives such as the 5 per cent deposit scheme and shared equity programs, while cautioning against rushing purchases without proper planning. They explore investment strategies such as rentvesting, emphasising the importance of evaluating market conditions and performing financial analysis. Commercial real estate is also discussed, with advice on due diligence, tenant quality, and working with experienced buyer’s agents. For owners who want to sell, the co-hosts stress treating properties as business assets and selling underperforming properties strategically. The conversation also touches on property development, including navigating red tape, managing construction costs, dealing with unexpected delays, and ensuring a sufficient financial buffer.

In a recent episode of How I Met My Broker, SPI host Liam Garman and director of Strategic Brokers Hung Chuy are joined by director of Australian Property Scout (APS) Sam Gordon to discuss the challenges and opportunities in commercial property investment. Chuy highlights the busy end-of-year lending period, noting that clients are seeking guidance amidst changing market conditions. Gordon reflects on APS’s strong growth in 2025, including recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year and inclusion in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Fast 100, setting the stage for a strategic 2026. The conversation explores the complexities of commercial property, including understanding yields, tax benefits, vacancies, and asset selection, emphasising that insufficient knowledge can lead to costly mistakes. Both Chuy and Gordon stress the importance of building a solid residential portfolio before transitioning into commercial investments to establish equity and minimise risk. Differences between residential and commercial lending were explained, including typical loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) and the potential pitfalls of cross-collateralisation. The trio also highlights the income potential of commercial properties, noting that passing most outgoings to tenants can offer higher net yields than residential assets.

In a recent episode of the How I Met My Broker podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Hung Chuy sit down with Steve Maroun, director at Lanevick, to unpack the realities of stepping from investing into property development. Maroun shares how his journey began after his family lost everything but their home during the global financial crisis (GFC), which pushed him to abandon a law degree and learn property development from the ground up. By knocking on doors, taking on hands-on jobs like painting fences and renovating kitchens, and eventually buying the house next door as his first project, he effectively created his own “degree” in development. Throughout the episode, Maroun and Chuy stress that development is not for the faint-hearted, demanding resilience, adaptability, and the ability to tackle projects “one bite at a time”. They explain that successful developers need to master four key pillars – finance, construction, sales, and town planning/design – to identify a site’s highest and best use and navigate regulations. A key theme is the power of complementary partnerships, illustrated by Maroun’s design and construction expertise, combining with Chuy’s financial strategy to unlock value on a complex Western Sydney site. For aspiring developers, they emphasise education, understanding the end buyer and council objectives, building a strong expert team, embracing innovations such as prefab and 3D printing, and honestly assessing whether development suits one’s life stage and risk appetite.

In a recent episode of the How I Met My Broker podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Hung Chuy speak with property investment expert Sam Gordon about navigating Australia’s evolving property market. Gordon shares his journey from humble beginnings to managing a substantial property portfolio, highlighting how early challenges, including a negative experience with a buyer’s agent, shaped his investment approach. A key theme is the importance of strategic partnerships, with Gordon and Chuy emphasising the value of aligning with experienced advisors, including brokers and accountants, to navigate complex financial and market dynamics. The discussion also explores rentvesting, a strategy that allows investors to rent where they want to live while building income-generating property portfolios, helping them maintain lifestyle flexibility while growing wealth. Despite fluctuating market conditions, the experts stress that opportunities remain for strategic investors who research markets and adapt their strategies alongside ethical practices, strong partnerships, and continuous learning.

Welcome to the first episode of “How I Met My Broker”, a podcast that explores property investment strategies, shares investor journeys, offers tactical insights, and provides lessons to build wealth through smart leverage. In this first episode, Hung Chuy, director of Strategic Brokers, and Tuan Duong, founder of Duo Tax, share their journey from modest beginnings to building substantial property portfolios, offering lessons for investors. Their two-decade-long friendship has been key to their success, showing the value of strong personal and professional relationships. Tuan began investing with a small Sydney property using the first home buyer’s grant, demonstrating the importance of seizing opportunities despite limited resources. They emphasise learning from setbacks, conducting thorough market research, pivoting strategies when needed, and staying informed about government incentives that impact property prices. The duo urges investors to establish a trusted support network and engage in honest conversations with brokers to achieve success.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Liam Garman sits down with Hung Chuy from Strategic Brokers to explore the complexities of property investment, broking, and the stories that connect them. Hung introduces his new podcast, How I Met Your Broker, which is dedicated to sharing investor experiences, expert advice, and practical strategies for long-term success. Hung shares his inspiring journey from a refugee background to building a multimillion-dollar property portfolio, offering a powerful example of resilience and strategic thinking in the real estate market. The discussion then highlights how many investors stall after acquiring a few properties, often due to limited guidance, and how expert advice can help break through these barriers. Hung stresses the importance of working with experienced brokers, highlighting that his team are investors themselves and can deliver tailored, long-term strategies, while warning against brokers who focus only on low rates at the expense of broader growth. Drawing on his own experiences from early off-the-plan purchases to complex developments, Hung illustrates the importance of planning, adaptability, and learning in an evolving market.