ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Ali Hallak grew up in a housing commission flat, worked three jobs and saved $35,000 for his first purchase just after his 19th birthday. Now he reports a portfolio of around $40 million. See his rules for making money now, including the 1 per cent of house and lands that are built for growth – and how you can pick them.
On this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, Liam Garman sits down with Ali Hallak of Buyers Club, who grew up in a Riverwood housing commission flat and who now has over 60 rentals – worth over $40 million.
Hallak tells the story behind the numbers, from nearly being expelled at school to working three jobs, buying his first property at 19 and, two years ago, a home for his mother, a goal he first wrote down at 16.
Then he takes on one of the market's biggest debates: whether house and land is a product to avoid. He argues it shouldn't be written off if it's tested like established property and walks through examples where land plus a build came in below comparable homes.
Hallak shares his checklist for vetting a build, including how to spot misleading comparables, why he rings local property managers to learn how a builder handles defects, and the one design detail that makes him walk away.
Finally, he explains where Buyers Club is looking now, why he thinks investors should stop waiting for the bottom of the market, and why he believes recent government changes have helped first-time investors more than first home buyers.
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