Smart Property Investment Podcast Network

Interest rates, borrowing power, and lender scrutiny are shifting fast – but while many focus on rates, it's borrowing power that's quietly killing more deals and becoming the real battleground in property. On The Smart Property Investment Show, Phil Tarrant sits down with Finni Mortgages broker Rebecca Carlson to discuss why finance – not property – is now the biggest hurdle for investors. Carlson reveals that tighter lending, shrinking borrowing capacity, and tougher scrutiny are catching investors off guard, especially those trying to scale or use structures like SMSFs and trusts. She explains that while SMSF lending is still very much alive, it now comes with heavier compliance, deeper checks, and far less room for error – meaning only well-prepared investors are getting deals across the line. The episode also exposes how smart investors are stress-testing their portfolios, building buffers, and planning for further rate hikes before lenders force their hand. As local and global economies shift, the exper