How One Phone Call Saved a Melbourne Couple $17,000 a Year in Hidden Property Costs

They had finance approved, a buyers agent lined up, and a shortlist of properties near Brisbane. Then the 2026 federal budget changed everything - and a single conversation changed their outcome.

Earlier this week, a couple from Melbourne came within days of making a property investment decision that would have cost them more than $17,000 of their net income every single year. They had done their research. They understood South East Queensland was one of Australia's strongest growth corridors. They had finance pre-approved and had been actively looking at units and houses in the Brisbane North and Moreton Bay area around the $1 million mark.

They were close. But after missing out on a few properties at auction, they engaged a buyers agent to help them secure something quickly. Then this week's federal budget landed - and the rules around negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount shifted dramatically in favour of new builds over existing properties.

They called us. One conversation, and the professional cashflow modelling session we provided at no cost - changed their outcome entirely. More on that shortly.

What it revealed was sobering.

What the numbers actually showed

Professional cashflow modelling run for the Melbourne couple. Existing property: −$17,000/year net. Comparable new build in the same region: near breakeven after full tax benefits. Not financial advice - individual results vary.

After the initial phone call, our team set up a Zoom consultation and ran the couple's numbers through our professional property investment software. This is the same software used by investment consultants across the country - it calculates tax deductions, cashflow, depreciation, and produces an accurate financial projection specific to the buyer's income and equity position.

What it showed was sobering. Under the new budget rules, purchasing any of the existing properties they had been targeting was going to cost them over $17,000 of their own income per year - on top of the buyers agent fees they had already committed to paying.

The same modelling then showed them what a comparable new-build investment property in the same region would look like, with full negative gearing and depreciation intact. The difference was stark. By the end of that Zoom call, they placed a deposit on a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom, double garage package in the Moreton Bay region. Contracts are now underway.

Why good guidance matters as much as the right property

This couple's experience is exactly why the advisory work we do matters. They were not making careless decisions - they had done their research, secured finance, and engaged a buyers agent. What they lacked was modelling that reflected the post-budget policy environment. One conversation corrected that before any money changed hands.

"The right guidance matters just as much as the right property. And ours - built on four decades of working with thousands of investors - comes at no cost."

Most property advisory firms charge between $5,000 and $10,000 or more for the kind of analysis we provide as standard - and many collect that fee upfront, before you know whether the numbers even work for your situation. If they don't, you rarely see a refund.

We are able to include this work at no cost because we are builders, not brokers. Dwyer Quality Homes, our family building business, has been constructing new homes across South East Queensland for over 41 years. We make our income through building - one satisfied client at a time, across thousands of homes and lasting relationships. The advisory work exists because we want every investor to understand exactly how the numbers work for their situation before committing a dollar with us.

What we provide - at no cost to you

All four services are included at no cost - before you commit to any investment decision. Most advisory firms charge $5,000-$10,000+ for equivalent work.

What our clients say

"There was never any pressure. We'd met with three other companies before Dwyer, and the difference was obvious. Gerard was open, honest and completely transparent about what we would receive... It was an eye-opening experience."

Toufic - Sydney-based SMSF investor

"I'm extremely happy with how easy the process was and the final product is just perfect... cannot be happier with price, quality and customer service."

Kelli Donnelly - Dwyer Property Investments client

"In the first 12 months we had just achieved outstanding results. I've never seen property grow in the way it had with our first Dwyer Property Investments property."

Peter Lord - repeat client; his daughter has since purchased through Dwyer too

Properties available now across South East Queensland

The 2026 federal budget has confirmed what we have always believed: new builds in high-growth areas are the most tax-efficient and financially sound form of residential property investment in Australia. With negative gearing and the CGT discount now applying in full only to new builds, the gap between new and existing is no longer subtle - it is structural.

We currently have a limited number of ready-to-start-construction investment properties available across the Moreton Bay region and broader South East Queensland, from $825,750. If you have existing equity you'd like to put to work in one of Australia's strongest growth corridors, we can show you exactly what the numbers look like for your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Book your free Property Growth Game Plan call

Speak directly with Gerard Condon, our Property Investment Specialist, for a no-obligation cashflow modelling and tax benefit analysis session. We'll run the numbers specific to your income and equity - before you commit to anything.

The figures and comparisons in this article are indicative only and do not constitute financial, taxation, legal, or investment advice. Depreciation, GST, and capital gains tax outcomes vary based on individual circumstances and legislative changes. Independent advice should be obtained from a qualified accountant, financial adviser, or solicitor before making any investment decision.