Confidence Returns, Melbourne Rising & Breaking Debt Cycles | Axon Morning Brief

Video Transcript

Robbie: Robbie is my name, and I’m joined by Ryan Lewis.

Ryan: Hello. How are you?

Robbie: Good, mate. Welcome, everyone, to another edition of the Axon Morning Brief.

We’re recording this in early to mid-October.

Ryan: You’ve got to keep them guessing. We can’t let them know exactly what date it is.

Robbie: The Veteran Games are happening this weekend, although by the time you watch this, they will already have taken place.

This is a bit of a Back to the Future situation.

Yesterday, Ryan and I sat down with a blank sheet of paper and asked, “What have we actually done over the past 30 days?”

Initially, we couldn’t think of anything. Now we have plenty to cover.

We’re going to update you on the property market, changes in finance and what our recent Melbourne site visits have shown us.

Strap yourselves in. We have a lot of information coming your way.

Ryan: I’m excited.

My favourite part of these sessions is always the client stories, and we have a few excellent ones today.

These are real conversations and lived experiences from people who may have watched one of these videos a year ago and thought, “These guys seem reasonably entertaining, straightforward and passionate. Maybe I should reach out.”

Then, hey presto, we’re having a conversation with them.

Robbie: I’ve just realised that a man in his 40s and a man in his 50s have both used the word “bangers”.

We’re probably too old for that.

Record Levels of Enquiry

Robbie: One thing that has kept us extremely busy over the past three or four weeks is a record level of enquiry.

Ryan: It has been massive.

Robbie: There is something in the water at the moment.

We have our Seven Ingredients to a Healthy Property Market, which examine the fundamentals that may support capital growth.

I think there may also be an eighth ingredient, although I’m not formally adding it to the framework.

That ingredient is market and consumer confidence.

Interest rates have been coming down, and new initiatives have been introduced for first home buyers.

Our calendars, including James’s, have been completely full.

Apart from James taking time off immediately after getting the coaching job.

Ryan: First he gets the job, then he goes on holiday.

Robbie: He had that approved before I approved the role.

What is your read on the current level of enquiry?

Ryan: One trend I’ve mentioned several times is the growing number of younger people reaching out to us.

Younger generations appear to be recognising that property can be a strong asset class and that entering early can be valuable.

That tide is shifting.

We’re speaking with younger people who say, “I believe Australian property performs strongly. I view it as relatively low risk, and I want to enter as early as possible.”

Some of them already have $100,000 in savings and have done extremely well financially.

Robbie: I want to acknowledge those ADF members.

If you are younger than 25 and have more than $50,000 or $60,000 in the bank, you are doing exceptionally well compared with most people I have encountered.

There are several other people in this room, and none of us had that level of savings at your age.

We were doing other things and, frankly, often living from pay cheque to pay cheque.

Many of the younger adults coming through now have parents around my age who have deliberately taught them good money habits and a strong financial mindset from the beginning.

Breaking the Wealth Cycle

Ryan: I describe that as breaking the cycle.

A lot of people our age say, “My parents aren’t leaving me anything.”

My parents don’t have significant wealth to pass on either.

That makes me want to create something for my own children and break that cycle.

Robbie: There is an interesting contrast between the cost-of-living crisis discussed in the media and the circumstances of many Defence members.

ADF members can sometimes be in a stronger position than the general population because of their stable income and subsidised accommodation through Rent Allowance or DHA.

No matter where you are in your military career or stage of life, use those benefits as effectively as you can.

Ryan: Absolutely.

Make the most of having guaranteed income arriving every fortnight because civilian life can be very different.

I had civilian employment before joining Defence, then served, returned to that industry and eventually joined Axon.

The civilian world is very real.

You are expected to perform, your time is managed closely, and the cost of living is substantial.

Repeat Clients and Referrals

Robbie: We’ve also had a record number of repeat clients and direct referrals.

That number continues to grow.

I want to acknowledge the Axon team and the broader tactical partners we work with, including mortgage brokers, solicitors, accountants and financial planners.

Everyone is doing an exceptional job.

Our clients are purchasing assets worth $600,000, $700,000 or $800,000 and moving through a construction process that affects their financial futures.

The fact that they want to work with us again or recommend their friends nearly 80 per cent of the time tells us that the wider team is doing something right.

We complete around 100 builds each year.

I deeply admire the care the team demonstrates in every client conversation.

That reputation is now reaching people who haven’t personally used our services.

We’ll ask someone, “How did you hear about us?”

They’ll say, “Johnny from work told me about you.”

We’ll ask whether Johnny built a property with us.

They’ll say, “No, he just knows what you do and told me that if I was considering property, I should speak with Axon.”

That is incredibly rewarding.

Seeing Melbourne Firsthand

Robbie: Justin and I recently travelled to Melbourne.

Justin had never been there before, despite working with us for most of the year.

He has owned three properties, sold one and restructured his position. He still owns two strong investment properties, both purchased in South East Queensland.

He understood Melbourne on paper but hadn’t seen the development occurring there firsthand.

Once we arrived, he was walking through the growth corridors saying, “Look at this. Have you seen that?”

The scale of the master-planned communities, infrastructure and development surprised him.

I created a bit of a monster.

Before we had even boarded the return flight, he had spoken with clients and helped three people submit expressions of interest on three properties from the Virgin Lounge.

That came from his excitement and increased confidence.

Once you see a market with your own eyes, walk the ground, visit the sales offices and meet the builders, it becomes natural to share that belief with clients.

Ryan: Justin already understood that Melbourne was a potentially strong market.

Actually visiting it took his excitement to another level.

The clients speaking with him would have felt that confidence.

Melbourne Market Update

Robbie: You, James and I spend a lot of time researching the markets because we are often the first people explaining the wider strategy to clients.

When a client’s budget points towards Melbourne, we need to provide the context and early belief before the property specialist works through the Seven Ingredients in greater detail.

You recently found some useful data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.

Can you share it?

Ryan: The Real Estate Institute of Victoria released its September 2025 quarterly results.

The data showed that median house prices in metropolitan Melbourne increased by 2.7 per cent during the quarter.

Regional Victoria increased by 2.5 per cent.

It was the third consecutive quarter of house price growth across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

For several years, Melbourne had largely tracked sideways.

Post-COVID sentiment towards Melbourne was relatively negative, but that now appears to be changing.

The data is beginning to confirm the shift.

Robbie: What does that indicate for people purchasing within Melbourne’s growth corridors?

Ryan: It is an encouraging sign of returning confidence.

Population statistics also showed strong growth across Melbourne during 2024.

Among Australia’s major urban areas, Melbourne recorded substantial population growth, with many outer suburbs and growth corridors experiencing particularly strong increases.

When population growth and property price growth begin aligning, it supports confidence in the broader market.

Patience When Entering Early

Robbie: Melbourne was regularly considered one of the world’s most liveable cities before COVID.

The market then went through a quieter period.

People entering an emerging market early need two things.

First, they need patience while the infrastructure, development and future vision actually materialise.

Second, they need belief in the reasons they selected the location.

The reward is that early buyers often have the most to gain.

South Ripley near RAAF Base Amberley is a useful example.

We started helping clients purchase there around 2017 and 2018, when Axon was only beginning.

There wasn’t much established infrastructure at the time.

Four-bedroom homes were selling for approximately $400,000 to $430,000.

For several years, values largely meandered around the level of inflation.

Then the growth arrived.

Some of those homes may now be worth more than $800,000.

Those clients are understandably very happy with the result, but it didn’t happen immediately.

People entering a market early need to maintain patience and confidence in the long-term fundamentals.

Other clients purchased in Ripley more recently for around $675,000 and may already have more than $100,000 in equity.

That is an excellent outcome, but it isn’t the same as the growth achieved by someone who entered at approximately $400,000.

Ryan: Melbourne’s growth corridors may not experience exactly the same sharp increase that Ripley did.

However, Melbourne has historically been a relatively stable market that has continued increasing over longer periods.

That consistency is ultimately what many investors should be seeking.

Axon’s Melbourne Support

Robbie: For several years, most of our clients purchased in South East Queensland.

If an issue arose, we could get in the car, visit the site and inspect it ourselves.

We wanted to establish a similar level of visibility in Melbourne.

One of my close friends from Army football recently finished a demanding corporate career in Melbourne and is now Axon’s person on the ground.

He has an Axon shirt and is ready to respond when we need something checked.

If we ask him to visit a property, he can often be there quickly.

He also completes routine inspections to complement the formal updates we receive from builders.

Dave’s property specialist team, along with Caitlyn and Karina in Build Support, receives additional photographs, videos and situational awareness from Chris.

That information is then passed to our clients.

People should not be concerned that Axon is physically based on the Gold Coast while their property is in Melbourne.

We are regularly on the ground.

I was there a couple of weeks ago and will return again shortly.

Ryan, James and other team members will also continue travelling there.

Alternative Lending Options

Robbie: Let’s change gears.

Many existing clients have achieved significant equity growth in their properties.

Eventually, however, some reach a T-junction with borrowing power and serviceability.

We have been working with Deb, our independent mortgage broker, on a new project during the past few months.

Can you explain it?

Ryan: This situation is particularly common for single-income investors.

Someone may purchase their first investment property and then reach a natural borrowing limit under mainstream lending policies.

Deb has access to approximately 30 or 40 lenders.

Those lenders can broadly be considered across different tiers.

Tier-one lenders include the major banks and other widely recognised financial institutions.

Tier-two and tier-three lenders are less visible. People may not regularly see them advertising on television.

Major and alternative lenders can operate under different policies.

Mainstream lenders generally apply serviceability buffers on top of the actual interest rate.

That buffer might be around two or three percentage points.

Some alternative lenders assess borrowing differently and may not apply the same artificial buffer.

As a result, the assessed borrowing capacity may be higher.

Robbie: That could allow an investor with available equity to borrow more.

However, we still aren’t going to take somebody to the maximum simply because a lender will allow it.

Any strategy needs to remain safe and controlled.

For the right person, though, it may make the difference between being unable to purchase and securing another investment property.

Some clients have several hundred thousand dollars in equity and another $100,000 in savings, yet the major banks may limit them to borrowing around $400,000 or $450,000.

That isn’t enough to purchase a suitable property in most markets today.

Alternative lenders may increase that borrowing capacity by a couple of hundred thousand dollars.

That could allow them to acquire another asset that makes a significant difference to their long-term position.

Who Alternative Lenders Are For

Robbie: I want to be very clear.

This is not designed for somebody saying, “I have $100,000 saved, but my borrowing capacity is limited. Can I simply use a second or third-tier lender for my first property?”

No.

This option is being considered for people in strong financial positions who already hold substantial equity.

There are other requirements Deb needs to assess before determining whether the lending is suitable.

People shouldn’t force themselves into their first property.

There may be greater flexibility when an experienced investor already has a stable asset base and is growing an established portfolio.

I have contacted several long-term clients who wanted to purchase again but previously couldn’t make the numbers work.

The numbers may now work.

That is exciting.

First Home Guarantee Changes

Robbie: There has also been an update to a government initiative involving lower deposits and lenders mortgage insurance.

Ryan: The First Home Guarantee has received significant media attention.

Eligible buyers may be able to enter the market with a deposit as low as five per cent.

The number of available places has effectively become unlimited, and the applicable property value caps have increased.

An eligible buyer may also avoid lenders mortgage insurance, which could otherwise cost approximately $15,000 or more.

I recently saw an estimate suggesting that these changes may open the market to another 20 to 40 per cent of potential buyers who previously couldn’t enter.

Robbie: What might that do to the market?

Ryan: It can have flow-on effects.

If more buyers enter while the supply of suitable properties remains unchanged, demand increases.

Historically, that can place upward pressure on property values.

Robbie: In the right locations.

Ryan: Exactly, in the right locations.

Robbie: That is the strange thing about government grants and guarantees.

They don’t necessarily make property more affordable.

They allow more people to enter, creating additional demand and potentially placing more pressure on prices.

The initiatives are intended to help, but they don’t automatically reduce prices.

When an opportunity to enter the market becomes suitable and sustainable for your circumstances, it may be worth acting because values are unlikely to fall simply because more assistance becomes available.

Not Every Melbourne Suburb Is Equal

Robbie: I want to share a related Melbourne story.

One of our clients owns his home in South East Queensland and purchased an investment property with us in the same region.

That investment gained approximately $150,000 in value.

He is currently completing pilot training in Sale, Victoria.

He is a very intelligent person.

After hearing us discuss Melbourne’s growth corridors, he decided to drive around and inspect some suburbs himself.

During our next coaching session, I asked what he found.

He said, “Not much, actually. I don’t understand what you’re talking about when you describe all this development in Melbourne.”

I asked which suburbs he visited.

He listed them.

I said, “None of those suburbs are on our list. You went to the locations where very little is happening.”

Just because we identify a broad growth corridor doesn’t mean every suburb within it is suitable.

The individual suburbs aren’t all created equal.

I shared my screen and showed him the areas we were actually considering.

I pointed out the shopping centres, railway stations, schools, medical facilities and wider infrastructure.

He immediately understood.

I wasn’t criticising his initiative in driving around.

He had simply missed the brief.

Ryan: Missed the runway, for a pilot.

James Becomes Fully Operational as a Coach

Robbie: Another development I’m proud of is that James is now fully operational as a property coach.

You’ve been working beside him and mentoring him through the transition.

What have you observed?

Ryan: I recently spoke with clients James previously supported as a property specialist.

They are now preparing for their second property.

I explained that they would need a new property specialist because James had moved into coaching.

They were delighted for him.

Both said he had been excellent in his previous role and would make a strong coach.

He brings five years of property specialist experience into coaching.

That gives him a detailed understanding of what happens after the plan is created.

Robbie: We recently held his five-year anniversary dinner.

Sorry you weren’t invited.

Ryan: He finally received a dinner. He had been waiting for one.

Robbie: When a coach creates a property strategy, the property specialist then implements that plan.

James spent five years implementing plans.

Bringing that knowledge upstream into coaching makes complete sense.

You spent about five days as a property specialist before moving into coaching.

Ryan: It may have been slightly longer.

Robbie: We moved the deck chairs around and told you to close one laptop and open another.

You were a coach from that point onwards.

Recognising Client Loyalty

Robbie: We’ve also had several clients visit for one of our WOW dinners.

These are people who have shown significant loyalty, completed multiple properties and referred five or six friends.

The example they set for their families and colleagues is incredible.

Those referrals create opportunities for us to help more people.

Ryan: It is also a testament to you and Tammy for recognising that loyalty.

Those recommendations mean something.

A client choosing to tell their friends about Axon is not insignificant.

Robbie: We don’t operate a pyramid or multi-level marketing referral system.

People recommend us because they had a positive experience.

When that loyalty reaches a certain level, we want to recognise it and treat those clients well.

We deeply appreciate that almost 80 per cent of current enquiries come from repeat clients and referrals.

Tammy’s Great Place to Work Keynote

Robbie: Speaking of Tammy, she recently did something impressive.

Ryan: She was invited to speak at a Great Place to Work event.

Robbie: That followed the awards night we attended a few months ago.

Tammy was invited to deliver a keynote at a Great Place to Work seminar.

I’m extremely proud of her.

She is the general manager of Axon, my boss at home and, realistically, my boss here as well.

She is exceptionally articulate and passionate when speaking in front of an audience.

She doesn’t swear as much as I do.

The only time she swears is usually at me.

She was speaking alongside some significant names and has another event coming up with Jared as a co-host.

She is beginning to establish herself within the Great Place to Work, veteran employment and DVA symposium space.

Ryan: Her recent session focused on how a small or micro-sized business can create a strong workplace culture.

That is something Axon does exceptionally well.

Adelaide Client Catch-Up

Robbie: I also travelled to Adelaide.

I went back to see my family and visited my hometown for the first time in around 10 years.

I had seen my parents during that period, but I hadn’t travelled all the way back to the town itself.

There had been a reasonable amount of rain, so the countryside wasn’t only dirt, weeds and harvest fields.

It was lovely to return and smell the country air.

While I was in Adelaide, I held a small dinner with four clients.

Axon doesn’t have a large Adelaide client base, so it was an intimate gathering.

One attendee had purchased two properties with us, and we had known each other for around six years.

Another had completed one property.

The remaining couple were progressing towards their second property.

They were all discussing mutual connections and people they knew through Axon.

It was a wholesome evening.

Apologies to anyone in Adelaide who wasn’t invited.

It wasn’t a formal client meetup. It was simply a small gathering with people I had known for several years.

Axon Is Hiring

Robbie: Due to the record level of enquiry, we are also inviting expressions of interest for two new positions.

Ryan: The growth has created a genuine need.

Maintaining Axon as a great place to work means being sensitive to workloads and ensuring the team remains balanced.

When the workload increases, we need to bring in more people rather than simply overloading the existing team.

We are hiring a property specialist administrator and another Build Support team member.

Robbie: We already have a large number of homes under construction, and that number is expected to grow.

Both roles will be based at Axon HQ on the Gold Coast.

Someone recently asked whether they could perform the role remotely after being posted to Melbourne.

Unfortunately, we don’t operate that way.

Our team works together from the office.

The likely commencement period is January 2026, unless an exceptional person appears and we decide they need to join immediately.

People can find the expressions of interest through the Axon website.

Client Story One: Reducing $90,000 of Consumer Debt

Robbie: Let’s move into the client stories.

You can begin because I’ve already done too much talking.

Ryan: This story immediately came to mind when we reviewed our recent coaching conversations.

A couple reached out to me approximately 12 months ago.

We’ll call them S and S.

They wanted to continue accumulating property.

They already owned an investment property in the western growth corridor of South East Queensland, purchased through another company.

They came to Axon because they had experienced poor service from that company.

Once the property was completed, they were left to manage everything alone.

Issues arose after construction, and they received very little support.

Robbie: How did that make them feel?

Ryan: It left a bad taste in their mouths.

When I explained how Axon operates, one of their first reactions was, “So we receive ongoing support for the property?”

Yes.

We don’t simply disappear once the build is complete.

As we developed their new plan and learned more about their circumstances, it became clear that they also held significant consumer debt.

They had two large car loans.

They had also paid for expenses relating to their first investment property using credit cards because they didn’t have sufficient funds available at the time.

Altogether, they had accumulated approximately $90,000 in undesirable debt.

That immediately limited their borrowing capacity.

Our plan was to spend approximately two years eliminating that debt before attempting another property.

Around nine months later, S and S contacted me again.

We had exchanged occasional updates, but this time we jumped onto Zoom.

They were both beaming.

They had initially been geographically separated because one was training at RAAF Base East Sale while the other remained in Brisbane.

They were now back together, which was already a reason to be happy.

They were even more excited to tell me about their progress.

In nine months, they had reduced the debt from approximately $90,000 to around $20,000.

Robbie: They paid off approximately $70,000?

Ryan: Yes.

Robbie: Are they a dual-income couple without children?

Ryan: No. They have two children.

Robbie: That makes the result even more impressive, particularly with childcare and other family expenses.

Ryan: Their commitment was extraordinary.

A $20,000 debt is manageable.

A $90,000 debt was preventing them from moving forward.

I showed them the original version of their plan and compared it with their updated numbers.

They understood that the debt had been falling, but when they saw the difference clearly displayed, they looked at each other and said, “Holy shit.”

Their result is a testament to their discipline.

I told them the process might take two years.

They decided that two years was too long and attacked it much faster.

They believe the remaining $20,000 will be gone by the end of the year.

We will reconnect later in the year and begin developing a plan for their second investment property.

Robbie: That shows what is possible when people have focus.

Coaching can feel like holding up a mirror.

We ask clients questions about circumstances they may not have clearly examined themselves.

Once everything is visible, the choice becomes clear.

Either they make the necessary changes or they don’t.

When debt repayments are placed into a timeline, people can see exactly how long the process will take.

They may realise that the property market could continue moving during those two years, followed by another six months of preparation.

That is the power of moving the information from your head onto paper.

S and S had clear gates and milestones, and they got to work.

The SYNC Matrix on page four of our plan is extremely useful.

It aligns what is happening in the client’s personal life with the property opportunities available underneath it.

Well done, Ryan.

You clearly developed a strong relationship with them, and they probably felt motivated not to let you down.

Client Story Two: An Earlier Client Returns

Robbie: I have another story involving a woman we’ll call Sandy.

Kelly received a call from her and said, “She says she knows you from back in the day.”

That is a very broad statement.

I wondered which stage of my life she meant and for what reason.

Eventually, I recognised the name and joined the call.

Sandy and her former partner had used the services of the company I worked for before Axon.

At that time, I acted as their coach and property specialist because the service was structured differently.

This was around 2015 or 2016, before Axon existed.

Unfortunately, Sandy and her partner have since gone through a difficult separation involving their children.

They sold several assets, including the property we had helped them purchase.

She expects to receive a reasonable financial settlement.

We completed a new coaching session and developed a fresh plan.

She is now creating a pathway to regain control of her life.

I told her that we would not cut any corners simply because we already knew each other.

Initially, she said, “This process is far more comprehensive than what you used to do.”

I explained that the service had evolved and that the current process reflected everything we had learned over the years.

She had the rare ability to compare our earlier approach directly with the way Axon operates today.

When we reached the part of the plan covering obstacles, non-negotiables and what she would value most from working with Axon, she paused.

Eventually, she said, “I knew I wasn’t going to undertake this without having you in my life.”

That was powerful.

She said she didn’t have any other obstacles as long as I remained involved in the plan.

I still get tingles thinking about it.

After everything she had experienced, she demonstrated incredible fortitude and determination.

She simply decided to reach out.

The rest of the team is now involved.

She is reviewing the research and preparing to identify a suitable property.

She is a veteran moving forward on her own journey, and it is enormously satisfying that someone from so many years ago trusted me enough to return.

Client Story Three: Questionable Owner-Occupier Numbers

Robbie: The final story came to us indirectly.

One of our team members was speaking with a friend who noticed his Axon stubby cooler.

The friend is currently using another company to purchase an owner-occupied home in Darwin.

It is a lifestyle purchase, although he may also have been told that the property will increase significantly in value.

The company provided him with a financial snapshot outlining the proposed purchase.

Our team member showed us the numbers.

The document included rental income, taxation benefits, negative gearing and depreciation.

I immediately asked, “Isn’t this an owner-occupied property?”

He confirmed that it was.

I said, “Then why have they included rental income and tax deductions?”

An owner-occupier won’t receive rent from the property.

The mortgage, rates, insurance and maintenance will be paid from the household’s own income.

Most of those ownership expenses also won’t be deductible in the same way they could be for an investment property.

No wonder the projected figures at the bottom looked attractive.

They had included benefits that would not apply to the intended use of the property.

I asked our team member to tell his friend that I could already see significant holes in the calculations.

Thankfully, the buyer now has a third-party perspective and a friend checking the numbers.

Without that intervention, he might have continued believing the financial position was far stronger than it really was.

When someone repeatedly says, “This is an amazing opportunity,” that should not replace accurate calculations.

It was concerning to see another organisation providing questionable information to a serving Defence member.

Please complete your due diligence.

When necessary, seek a second opinion.

Once this person understands the genuine numbers, he can make an informed decision about whether the purchase is sustainable or whether it could place him under serious financial pressure.

This example came to us only around 24 hours ago.

Take from it what you will.

The Veteran Games

Robbie: Let’s look forward.

We mentioned the Veteran Games at the beginning.

Are you heading out there?

Ryan: I am.

Robbie: You wore a cowboy hat last year.

Ryan: I might take it again, or perhaps the Bunnings hat.

Robbie: For anyone unfamiliar with the event, Heston Russell and I attended Duntroon around the same period.

I was there during the final six months of his time, although I didn’t know him particularly well then.

We later worked together at 2nd Commando Regiment for several years.

He is now a close friend, and I’m proud of what he is doing.

This is the third Veteran Games.

Axon was one of the founding sponsors and is sponsoring it again.

That support will continue.

The event has grown substantially.

There were approximately five teams during the first year and around 10 or 11 in the second.

There will be even more this year.

Ryan: The increase from the first to the second year was significant.

They also held qualifying events in Darwin this time, so the third year should be even bigger.

Robbie: I’ll be there on Saturday morning for the opening ceremony and to film content.

Anyone attending is welcome to approach the people wearing Axon shirts and say hello.

Axon Retreat and Upcoming Events

Robbie: Our annual Axon retreat is also coming up.

This year, we’re travelling to Noosa.

A couple of years ago, I was speaking with your wife, Amanda, while we were sharing a margarita.

I told her that I wanted to speak with you about joining Axon.

That conversation eventually helped bring you here.

Who knows what this year’s retreat might lead to?

Ryan: Last year, we went to Byron.

I used the sauna, rode my bike and treated it as a wellness retreat, while still enjoying a few drinks at night.

It is nice to get up early and train when the children aren’t waking you up.

Robbie: There may be other children poking you during the retreat, but I’ll leave that with you.

The Melbourne Cup is also coming up.

Anyone having a punt should enjoy the day, dress up and stay safe.

Dave Simpson, our longest-serving team member, is also heading to New Zealand for his 50th birthday.

He recently reached his seventh anniversary at Axon, and now Big Dave is turning 50.

The grey hairs in his beard will probably become even more noticeable.

Ryan: I can’t grow a beard.

Robbie: I don’t grow one because mine would probably be greyer than people expect.

Closing Message

Robbie: Hopefully, you found this episode informative.

Please pay particular attention to the property and finance lessons we covered earlier.

Be careful and learn as much about the market as possible.

You can choose to manage the process independently, and we genuinely wish you the best.

However, you are likely to achieve a better outcome when you work with someone who has your best interests at heart and can coach, guide and mentor you in the right direction.

Thanks for joining us, mate.

Ryan: See you next time.

Robbie: Take it easy. Bye.

Ryan: Ryan Lewis, call now.

Both: Laughing.

Axon’s Growing Focus on Melbourne

Robbie: We mentioned Melbourne earlier.

As many people will already know, HMAS Axon has made a major pivot towards Melbourne.

There is no such thing as HMAS Axon. I’ve just decided to call it that, so work with me and have a laugh.

We have recently completed several homes in Melbourne, with another 50 or 60 currently under construction.

We’ve been travelling down regularly.

I’m heading back again next week, and Ryan will come with me in November.

It gives us the opportunity to inspect the builds, meet with the builders, check the quality and film updates for our clients.

I nearly went tits up while recording one of those videos.

Ryan: Everyone saw that.

Robbie: You’ll continue seeing more Melbourne build content from us.

You’ve probably also received feedback from new clients who ask, “Where are we buying?”

They assume the answer will be Melbourne because that is where we’re currently focusing much of our content.

Ryan: Definitely.

It is good to have that consistent rhythm of travelling down there, particularly because we are based on the Gold Coast.

When we begin coaching new clients, many are already asking which part of Melbourne we are considering.

They understand from the information and content we are sharing that Melbourne is currently an important area of focus for us.

Robbie: The reality is that if your maximum budget is below approximately $750,000, there are very few suitable options remaining in South East Queensland.

There certainly aren’t many in Newcastle.

It is valuable to return to a global city where there are still opportunities within that price range.

James Moves Into Coaching

Robbie: Another development we are proud of is James moving into the coaching team.

James worked as a property specialist for five years and recently reached his anniversary with Axon.

A few months ago, we had several detailed conversations about whether he would be suitable to work alongside you and me in coaching.

You’ve handled most of his training during that period.

What has it been like having another person in the coaching lane, and how do you think he will develop over the next few years?

Ryan: Thankfully for me, his learning curve has been relatively straightforward because he is already part of the furniture.

He has worked at Axon for five years, so the transition has felt fairly seamless.

It is still a very different role, and there are new things he needs to learn. James has taken that responsibility on board, and it has been great watching him flourish in a new environment.

I’ve enjoyed hearing his feedback.

As a property specialist, he spoke with clients about process, risk, location and suitable properties. He then helped them move through to land settlement.

Now, he is having completely different conversations.

Someone appears on the screen, and he begins by asking, “How are you? How did you discover Axon? What is happening in your life, and how can we help?”

It is a completely different environment.

Even though James is very skilled and is a former combat engineer, coaching requires a different approach.

Robbie: Your own learning curve was probably even steeper.

When you joined Axon, there were several moving pieces across the business. I think you may have spent a few weeks as a property specialist before I said, “Ryan, congratulations. You’re a coach now.”

Ryan: It was definitely steep.

There wasn’t really a property specialist period at all. I think there was supposed to be, but I essentially jumped straight into coaching.

Robbie: Happy days.

That covers most of what Axon has been doing over the past few weeks.

Let’s move into what has been happening in the property market.

Interest Rate Cuts

Robbie: One major topic is the ongoing Reserve Bank of Australia rate cuts, which have been very welcome.

There have been three cuts this year, with the possibility of more to come.

There may even be a couple more next year.

Interest rates rose significantly and then remained at that high level for around 11 or 12 months.

Thankfully, things have now cooled somewhat because inflation moved back within the target range.

The Reserve Bank has effectively looked at that and decided it can begin reducing rates.

I’m sure that isn’t exactly how they speak during their board meetings, although it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall.

The cuts have made things slightly easier for people who already have mortgages, but they are also important for people trying to enter the market.

Ryan: Absolutely.

I’ve recently updated plans for several clients.

When some of them first entered the market, their assessed or actual rates were around 7.5 per cent.

When we review their position now, their rates may be below six per cent.

That makes a massive difference.

Queensland First Home Owner Grant

Robbie: We have also been closely monitoring the Queensland First Home Owner Grant.

In the lead-up to the end of the financial year, there was discussion that the increased grant might expire.

For a period, we assumed it would fall from $30,000 back to $15,000.

Then, around 10 days before the end of the financial year, the government announced that it would remain at $30,000 for another 12 months.

That is positive news.

The challenge is still finding an eligible property beneath the relevant price cap.

The grant may be available, but you need the borrowing capacity to purchase in a market where many homes now cost $750,000 or more.

The property must also remain beneath the grant’s cap.

The cap wasn’t increased, so it can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

First Home Guarantee

Robbie: Another important program is the First Home Guarantee.

In simple terms, it may allow an eligible buyer to purchase a home with a deposit as low as five per cent without paying lenders mortgage insurance.

On a 95 per cent loan for a property worth around $750,000, lenders mortgage insurance could otherwise cost approximately $20,000.

Avoiding that cost can be significant.

The government has also changed the applicable property price caps.

Ryan: There have been a couple of major changes.

Previously, there were a limited number of places available each financial year, with around 30,000 positions nationally.

That limit has since been removed, meaning every eligible first home buyer can potentially use the five per cent guarantee.

The second change relates to the property value caps.

The previous caps had become disconnected from the market.

At one point, one program used a $750,000 cap while another used $700,000, with different limits also applying between states and regions.

It became difficult for buyers to understand which goalposts they were working with.

The caps have now increased.

They still vary between states, capital cities and regional areas because the markets differ.

For Brisbane and parts of Queensland, the cap moved from approximately $700,000 to around $1 million.

That is a substantial increase.

A five per cent deposit still means borrowing 95 per cent of the property’s value, so the buyer must have the borrowing capacity to support that loan.

However, they are no longer restricted by a value cap that bears little relationship to the actual market.

The Cost of Leaving Defence Housing

Robbie: This connects with several conversations you and I have had recently.

Some clients have already built investment properties and now want to transition into their own home.

That is completely understandable.

However, when we calculate the numbers, they may be leaving Defence housing that costs approximately $350 a week and moving into a $750,000 home with repayments closer to $1,000 a week.

Ryan: Bill shock.

Robbie: Exactly.

What is the typical reaction when the intention of owning a home meets the reality of the numbers?

Ryan: Their jaws drop.

Once they pick their jaws back up, they often say, “No, I’m not doing that.”

They may have been paying roughly $300 to $350 a week for several years. Suddenly, they could be paying two or three times that amount.

The same issue applies to using a five per cent deposit.

Even when someone has the borrowing capacity, they are still borrowing 95 per cent of the purchase price.

That creates a substantial mortgage repayment.

Robbie: It is also worth remembering that government assistance programs have eligibility requirements.

One of the requirements discussed for the guarantee is a household income cap.

People need to investigate the current criteria carefully, and we will include relevant information with the video where possible.

The broader point is that buyers need to understand both the property price cap and any income limits.

If someone needs to borrow around $700,000, they may also require a reasonably strong household income to service it.

This brings us back to the fundamentals.

Speak with someone and create a plan.

It does not need to be Axon, but you should work with somebody who can model different scenarios, give you clarity and help you move forward with purpose.

The objective should not simply be getting into the market.

It needs to be a sustainable decision.

That is particularly important when using a five per cent deposit and carrying 95 per cent lending. The strategy needs to be safe and should not place the household under excessive mortgage stress.

Victorian Land Tax

Robbie: Let’s circle back to another topic we have discussed regularly over the past year: land tax in Victoria.

I spoke with some clients a couple of nights ago who asked, “Can you explain the Victorian land tax again?”

Not everyone has seen our previous videos, so it is worth revisiting.

Broadly speaking, every state has its own land tax system.

Queensland has a much higher threshold before an investor becomes liable.

Victoria lowered its threshold significantly following the state’s post-COVID debt.

Ryan: If the taxable value of an investment property’s land exceeds the Victorian threshold, the owner may become liable for land tax.

With the threshold set so low, that captures a large proportion of investment properties.

Robbie: You would struggle to buy a driveway for that amount, let alone an entire block of land.

Our philosophy is that you shouldn’t pay a dollar more in tax or expenses than is necessary.

However, if a cost applies to an otherwise suitable investment, it needs to be included in the calculations.

Several of our clients purchased in South East Queensland and experienced strong results.

When they return to purchase again, their broker may give them a budget of around $700,000.

At that point, we may recommend Melbourne because the budget no longer provides many suitable choices in South East Queensland.

They then ask about the land tax.

The positive side is that council rates in parts of Melbourne may be lower than rates on comparable properties in Queensland.

When you combine the Victorian rates and land tax, the total ongoing government charges may be reasonably similar to what someone pays through rates alone elsewhere.

The exact numbers depend on the block size, land value and local council, but a difference of a few hundred dollars shouldn’t necessarily determine whether somebody purchases a $700,000 asset.

It is generally part of the cost of doing business.

Ryan: The situation becomes more complex for an established investor who already owns several properties in Victoria.

At that point, accumulating land tax may support a decision to diversify into another state.

However, for somebody purchasing their first Victorian investment, the tax shouldn’t automatically become the deciding factor.

It may cost a couple of thousand dollars a year to access a historically strong global city with long-term population growth and substantial infrastructure investment.

It still needs to be calculated, but it should be considered within the entire strategy.

Robbie: It is one of the first subjects people raise when we discuss Melbourne.

There has also been discussion around changes affecting people operating businesses from their own homes in Victoria.

A principal place of residence would generally not attract land tax because it is not treated as an income-producing investment property.

However, the rules may differ when part of the home is used to generate business income.

That has caused concern among some Victorian homeowners.

For a traditional property investor who never lives in the property, it is less relevant because the property is already being assessed as an investment.

Ryan: Fortunately, that issue is unlikely to apply to most of our clients.

There are not many major ADF bases in metropolitan Melbourne.

There is Puckapunyal near Seymour, and some Defence members may consider Melbourne’s northern growth corridor, but we currently have very few clients purchasing an owner-occupied home in Melbourne and operating a business from it.

We’ll continue watching how those rules evolve.

Repeat Clients, Referrals and Consumer Confidence

Robbie: Speaking of how things are evolving, I recently reviewed the business statistics.

We are approaching a point where around 80 per cent of the people coming to Axon are either repeat clients or direct referrals.

That means somebody has used our services, experienced a strong result and said to a friend, “You should speak with these people.”

That is enormous.

I used to be impressed when the figure was 55 per cent. Then it moved to 60 per cent, and now it is approaching 80 per cent.

That level of trust is incredibly humbling.

We often discuss the Seven Ingredients to a Healthy Property Market.

What is the eighth ingredient?

Ryan: Consumer confidence.

Robbie: Good answer.

Interest rates, grants, land tax and the results people have achieved from previous properties all influence consumer confidence.

Your background as a town planner gives you a strong understanding of how important confidence is.

Ryan: It drives property values and encourages people to take action.

It also influences Defence members sitting in the brew room and thinking about how they can invest outside their superannuation.

They may consider property, shares or other alternatives.

Some people also consider cryptocurrency.

We have a few cryptocurrency investors around the office, although you generally don’t hear from them until prices are going up.

Robbie: How do you know there is a crypto investor in the room?

They only say something after they’ve had a win.

Ultimately, our clients’ results and their willingness to tell other people about Axon demonstrate confidence.

Ryan: It is very humbling.

During a connection call, we ask how somebody discovered us.

They often say, “Jonno mentioned you in the brew room,” or that another colleague recommended us.

That is powerful.

Confidence in Australian Property

Robbie: I have a statistic here relating to the Australian property market as a whole.

Although Australia contains hundreds of individual micro-markets, combining them provides a picture of the total asset class.

Australian residential property values reportedly reached approximately $11.6 trillion in the June 2025 quarter, rising from around $11.35 trillion in March.

The increase was linked to interest rate cuts and growing investor and owner-occupier activity.

Consumer confidence in property was clearly strengthening.

The global financial crisis did not destroy the Australian property market.

COVID also did not bring it down. In many locations, it accelerated growth as people moved away from major CBDs and reconsidered where they wanted to live.

In my opinion, there are good reasons people use the phrase “safe as houses.”

Ryan: Historical performance cannot guarantee future performance.

However, the historical data shows that Australian property has been a consistently strong asset class when the property is purchased in the right location.

That qualification is critical.

A property is not necessarily “safe as houses” when it is located somewhere without the Seven Ingredients or the broader fundamentals we assess.

For people seeking a relatively lower-risk asset class, the historical evidence supports Australian property, provided the location and strategy are sound.

Buying for What Is Coming

Robbie: Axon is now in its ninth year.

Every day, I put on this shirt and place both my personal reputation and the business’s reputation behind the guidance we provide.

I recently spoke with clients who were considering an emerging area.

They asked, “What is there now?”

I explained that there may already be some infrastructure, but what exists today isn’t the only consideration.

You are investing in what is expected to arrive in the future.

Investors need a mental and emotional horizon of around 10 years when considering how an emerging location may perform.

I think back to 2017 and 2018 when we began helping clients purchase in the western growth corridor near RAAF Base Amberley, particularly around Ripley.

Today, comparable properties may cost more than $800,000.

At the time, four-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car homes were closer to $390,000 or $400,000.

There wasn’t much there.

I remember looking at the statistics, infrastructure projections and population forecasts and hoping the strategy would work as expected.

Ryan: I remember you telling the story of you and Dave visiting the area.

There was one estate being developed and the beginnings of a town centre with a butcher, bakery and a few basic services.

Robbie: We looked at each other and wondered whether we were making the right call.

Ultimately, you have to trust the data and the proposed infrastructure.

That is also why we avoid locations that depend too heavily on a single industry.

I purchased some properties in areas reliant on mining and resources. If that sector goes tits up, there may be very little else supporting the economy.

A market containing all Seven Ingredients has greater depth and redundancy.

If one hospital or infrastructure project doesn’t proceed, there are other industries, employers and projects supporting the location.

Investors should ask what will happen in an area over the next 10 years and whether they can establish a position now to benefit from that growth.

Ryan’s Town Planning Background

Robbie: Let’s change gears.

You said this wasn’t a live Q&A, but apparently a question has arrived.

It is from Daniel on the Gold Coast.

He asks, “Was Ryan a town planner?”

Ryan: For the record, I did not bring that up.

Robbie: I did.

I value the fact that you spent approximately a decade immersed in a specialised industry.

You understand what goes into master-planned communities, the major infrastructure that needs to be delivered and how community requirements are matched with population projections.

That is my simplified understanding of town planning.

Ryan: That sounds better than the way I normally describe it.

Robbie: You’re very humble.

Ryan: People can watch Parks and Recreation for further insight.

What Axon Sees From the Trenches

Robbie: We currently have approximately 100 homes under construction at any one time.

There were 104 recently, and after several completions, the number dropped to around 94.

That gives us a real-time view of what is happening across the building industry.

We can come into the studio and share what we are seeing from the trenches.

Those 100 builds also represent around 100 clients who completed coaching, confirmed their borrowing position, saw value in the service and proceeded with a home.

We coach a larger number of people at the beginning, but naturally, the numbers reduce as clients progress through the process.

Let’s share some recent coaching stories.

We have several examples, and each demonstrates a different lesson.

Ryan: These stories are important because someone watching may recognise a similar situation.

They may hear about a mistake and decide not to repeat it.

Alternatively, they may hear a success story and think, “I want to achieve something like that.”

We aren’t sharing the stories to embarrass anyone, and we won’t use real names.

Robbie: No names, no pack drill.

If you think we’re talking about you, I apologise.

The purpose is education.

The Defence community is incredibly close-knit, so somebody listening will probably relate to each circumstance.

Client Story One: The Property Catfish

Ryan: The first story involves a young man I’ve coached for nearly two years.

We’ll call him Jay.

Jay is based in Queensland and first contacted us in 2023 to create a plan.

He had several opportunities to execute that plan, but different circumstances prevented him from moving forward at the time.

We considered both an investment property and an owner-occupied home near Amberley.

Eventually, Jay decided to explore an established home for himself.

He began within the Axon program, reviewed the process, completed risk and market research, had his numbers assessed and inspected some properties with Damo.

He then changed direction and decided to search for an established home independently.

Robbie: What is our response when someone chooses that path?

Ryan: I genuinely wished him the best.

I wanted him to find what he was looking for and succeed.

I asked him to keep me updated.

Around a month ago, we caught up again.

I asked whether he had found his dream home, or at least the right home for this stage of his life before posting away from Amberley.

The answer was no.

He had spent a significant amount of time searching and eventually reached the point of paying a deposit on a property.

He travelled around Brisbane with his parents over several weekends, attended inspections and gave his details to many real estate agents.

They are still contacting him now.

Robbie: They’re hounding him.

Ryan: Constantly.

While he was on holiday, an agent contacted him and said, “Have a look at this property. It fits your brief perfectly.”

The agent sent him the photos and listing.

Based on what he saw, Jay believed it suited his requirements.

While still on holiday, he proceeded with the property, paid a deposit and engaged a solicitor.

When he returned home, he finally inspected it in person.

Robbie: He had skin in the game by then.

Ryan: Yes, and in his own words, the experience scared him.

He quickly realised he had made a major mistake.

Robbie: It was a real estate catfish.

Ryan: Exactly.

The property looked nothing like the impression created by the photos.

The location was unsuitable, and the reality did not match what had been advertised to him.

He realised he needed to exit the contract as quickly as possible.

Thankfully, he was able to do that.

However, he admitted that the experience shook him for some time.

He took a break and eventually contacted us again.

He said, “Ryan, I’m back. I ran my own black operation, and it didn’t work. Thankfully, I escaped relatively unscathed.”

He said the experience helped him understand the value of being supported, coached and guided.

He had also used a mortgage broker and solicitor we introduced to him.

He said he would have been in serious trouble without them because he would otherwise have been managing the situation alone.

Robbie: That is powerful.

What happens next?

Ryan: He is extremely motivated now and wants to purchase immediately.

I’ve told him to slow down and move smoothly.

He has recovered from the experience, and we will pick up from where we left off and help him find the right property.

Client Story Two: “Can You Hurry Up?”

Robbie: I recently coached a warrant officer based in Canberra.

She is determined, articulate, direct and has no time for nonsense.

She is exactly my type of person, and we got along very well.

Ryan: Is this the client who told you to hurry up?

Robbie: That was supposed to be the punchline.

During our first session, she was working and multitasking.

That didn’t bother me because I knew she was still concentrating on the conversation.

At one point, I paused briefly to retrieve something I wanted to show her.

When I returned and began sharing my screen, I asked how she was finding the session.

I asked whether the planning process was helping her gain clarity.

She replied, “Can you just hurry up?”

I said, “Of course, but we still have another 45 minutes.”

She said, “Mate, I’ve got 10 minutes. Just finish the rest.”

I loved it.

My speed, rhythm, volume and pitch immediately went into overdrive.

We raced through the remaining information.

At the end, she said, “All right, send it through. Take it easy. Bye.”

I walked out of the coaching pod, and everyone asked what had happened.

I said, “That was a first.”

I have coached clients for around 12 years.

A few weeks ago marked 12 years since I handed back my Defence identification card and moved into this sector.

After all that time, being told to hurry up during a coaching session was definitely a new experience.

She later spoke with Deb, the mortgage broker, and everything progressed.

Dave was preparing to present a property to her the following week.

I called after the process briefing and asked how everything was going.

She said Dave had explained it all clearly.

I asked what it was like working with him.

She said, “I prefer your delivery style. Dave is deliberate, thorough and knows exactly what he’s talking about. I just don’t have time for all of that.”

She is a fantastic client and will go places.

While Jay became highly motivated after his mistake, she had been moving at full speed from the beginning.

Client Story Three: A Plan That Evolves

Ryan: Another example involves a client I’ve coached for a couple of years.

I initially coached her as an individual.

Before coming to Axon, she had purchased a property in Perth based largely on a plan she had written on a Post-it note.

By her own admission, the experience was incredibly stressful, and she did not want to repeat it.

Thankfully, that Perth property has since performed very well.

It will play an important role in what she does next.

We completed coaching, developed a plan and secured a block in South East Queensland.

The development has a long lead time, which has required patience.

However, the land itself has performed strongly.

Robbie: The land may have increased by approximately $160,000, with the building component possibly adding another $30,000 or $40,000.

She could be close to $200,000 ahead, despite construction not having started.

Ryan: The land hasn’t even settled yet, although she has waited approximately 12 months.

It has certainly tested her patience, but the delay hasn’t required her to carry the completed property during that period.

Life circumstances can change significantly over two years.

She now has a partner, and they want to purchase an owner-occupied home together in Canberra.

They are considering a substantial parcel of land.

Robbie: Not an 800-square-metre block.

Ryan: No. They are looking at something closer to a hobby farm, potentially around 40 acres.

That suits their circumstances and the type of work her partner does, including plans for a home-based business.

Her overall plan has evolved.

She still has the Perth investment and the South East Queensland property progressing towards settlement.

We are now helping the couple create a plan for their own home and determine how the existing properties, her partner’s circumstances and the proposed purchase all fit together.

Robbie: The main effort is the main effort.

From a Defence planning perspective, every action needs to support the main effort.

All cards must be placed on the table.

Broadly, she may restructure part of her portfolio to move towards the Canberra property.

Ryan: That is essentially what came out of the courses of action we developed.

The Perth property performed strongly, giving her an opportunity to restructure and enter the Canberra market.

The part I enjoy most is that Axon will not be finding the established farmhouse for them. That isn’t what our acquisition service is configured to do.

However, they still want us to build the plan, assess the courses of action and help ensure the lending structure is appropriate.

Her partner is a civilian, but he is fully involved and supportive.

It has been a great journey.

Robbie: It reinforces the value of having a baseline plan and structure that can be expanded, adjusted and modified over time.

I remember you leaving the coaching pod recently and saying how impressive she was.

Ryan: She is a young RAAF officer who is on track to hold two investment properties, although one is still awaiting settlement.

Through restructuring, she may retain an investment property and purchase a substantial family property in Canberra.

That is an exciting position.

Client Story Four: “Be My Operations Officer”

Robbie: I recently coached another Defence couple.

They are both serving, both from combat arms backgrounds and both extremely focused.

They previously held three properties, sold one and were left with a combination of cash and equity.

They came to us asking, “What should the plan be from here?”

I asked how they wanted Axon to assist.

The first line on his profile said, “Be my operations officer.”

I told him that was something I was qualified to do.

Our coaching series has been excellent.

The initial coaching session is designed to set the scene over approximately two hours.

We spent nearly the first hour simply connecting across our shared Defence experiences.

James was completing some on-the-job training with us at the time.

Afterwards, he said, “I haven’t seen you go into that mode before.”

I asked what he meant.

He said, “You went into full Army officer mode.”

I explained that I was speaking with two highly motivated combat arms officers, so it felt natural to return to that style of conversation.

One of our more robust discussions concerned their long-term end state.

They knew where they wanted to be in 15 or 20 years, but they wanted complete clarity around every step required to get there.

They asked what their lives would look like in 10 years.

I said, “I’m 52, and you’re 27. I’ve got a few more indoor cricket seasons under my belt, so let me give you some Uncle Robbie guidance.”

They agreed.

I explained that the way they think about life at 27 will be different at 37 and different again at 47.

Part of their plan is to start a family in approximately four years.

At the moment, they are a dual-income couple with no children, no consumer debt and an extremely strong financial position.

They have already done well with property.

This is a period where they can make hay while the sun shines.

He still wanted to know exactly what their position would look like in 10 years.

They had spoken with another company that provided detailed projection modelling.

He is also exceptionally capable with spreadsheets and sent us a very impressive financial model before coaching had even begun.

I told him that his goals may remain similar, but his circumstances and priorities will change.

He currently wants a home on the canals with a swimming pool.

She wants five acres and horses.

Those end states aren’t completely aligned anyway, but they can resolve that later.

The broader goal is still an excellent home for their future family.

He continued pressing me to explain exactly what result they would receive if they purchased properties with Axon.

I told him that nobody has a crystal ball.

He asked whether property planning involves creating a long-term forecast or purchasing one property, reassessing and then making the next decision.

I explained that the second approach is generally more realistic.

We can’t guarantee exactly what will happen.

Past performance doesn’t guarantee future outcomes, although trend analysis helps us understand what has occurred and make informed future decisions.

I gave them the example of my brother-in-law, Matt, who works behind the camera.

He and his partner were a dual-income couple with no children. Life was moving along comfortably.

Then they had their son, Jack, who is now around nine or 10 months old.

Having a child changed their lives significantly.

Ryan has two young children and understands that as well.

I then asked the couple, “What if you have twins?”

She immediately said, “We’re not having twins.”

I replied, “You might. You don’t control that.”

Their circumstances could change substantially when they begin a family.

We parked the conversation at the end of that session and revisited it later.

I asked how they had reflected on our discussion.

They said it made sense.

They are highly driven and wanted as much clarity as possible.

I explained that clarity is valuable, but we cannot forecast too far into the future.

The one constant in life is that nothing remains constant.

Circumstances change, and flexibility is a principle of war for a reason.

She later told me that she had spoken with colleagues in the officers’ mess and mentioned that they could theoretically have twins.

Her colleagues laughed, but at least she passed on my guidance.

The couple is now progressing quickly and assessing where to purchase their next property.

They may have the capacity to complete two purchases, but their previous properties were established homes.

They want to complete one build first, understand the process and then consider the next step.

There is deliberate sequencing within their plan.

It has been great fun to be part of.

People sometimes ask whether I miss the military.

I don’t, because this role still allows me to connect with Defence people and return to parts of who I was during my service.

I joined as a soldier and left as a major.

That allows me to relate to people across many different ranks and stages of their careers.

We don’t see many colonels or brigadiers coming through the door, but I can relate to most of the Defence members we coach.

Ryan: It is also humbling to see intelligent, experienced and established property investors asking for support.

We don’t only help people trying to enter the market for the first time.

Some clients already have successful portfolios but have reached a junction.

They say, “This is what we own. We want to keep making the right decisions, but we need help choosing the next direction.”

Final Thoughts

Robbie: I love sharing these stories.

They provide a genuine look at the conversations happening inside our coaching sessions.

Hopefully, people find them useful.

If you enjoyed the video, let us know, subscribe and share it with anyone who may benefit.

We are veterans giving back to the Defence community.

We care deeply about the circumstances of the people we work with and want Defence members to be armed with the right information.

Whatever step you take in property, we want you to understand what you are doing and why.

Even if you never work with Axon, I care that you have enough information to move forward responsibly.

We won’t continue the same long-form live Q&A format, but I enjoyed recording this.

Ryan: Likewise.

This was completed in one take.

It was live in the studio, just not live to the rest of the internet and all four or five of our followers.

Robbie: I will still jump online for a short live Q&A every couple of weeks.

Those sessions may run for around 15 minutes and give people an opportunity to ask what is on their minds in the moment.

We may also jump in the car, attach a GoPro and record some informal updates while driving around.

We now have some extra horsepower in the marketing department, so we can experiment with different formats.

Thanks very much for listening.

Ryan: Thanks, mate.

Robbie: As always, we’ll see you next time.

Ryan: Thank you. Bye.