Sarah Megginson, Head of Editorial at Finder, one of Australia’s most recognised personal finance experts and author of How to Raise Rich Kids, joins us to break down the biggest property myths that are holding investors back.
Property investing is full of “common knowledge” that quietly costs people money.
Sarah Megginson, Head of Editorial at Finder, one of Australia’s most recognised personal finance experts and author of How to Raise Rich Kids, joins us to break down the biggest property myths that are holding investors back.
With over 20 years in property and finance journalism, Sarah has seen firsthand how misinformation spreads : from media headlines to social media to everyday “barbecue conversations” : and how these beliefs lead to poor decisions, delayed action, and missed opportunities. 
We unpack why “you can’t go wrong with property” is dangerously misleading, why waiting for interest rates to drop can cost you more than acting now, and how negative gearing has been misunderstood as a strategy rather than a tool.
We also dive into mindset : fear of debt, analysis paralysis, and why most investors focus on the wrong time horizon. Sarah explains why the biggest cost in property isn’t a bad deal : it’s a bad belief held for too long. If you’re buying, investing, or sitting on the sidelines, this episode will help you replace outdated assumptions with frameworks that actually build wealth.
IN THIS EPISODE
· Where property myths actually come from (and why they stick) · How media, social and "barbecue talk" distort investing decisions · Why "you can't go wrong with property" is false · The real cost of waiting for interest rates to drop · Why timing the market is less important than fundamentals · Negative gearing: what investors get wrong · The myth of the family home as your best investment · Rentvesting and thinking differently about ownership · Fear of debt vs. understanding "good debt" · How misinformation leads to analysis paralysis · Why long-term thinking beats short-term noise · The one mindset shift that changes everything · How to think about investing 20 years ahead · What investors should actually believe instead
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Most Expensive Mistake in Property Investing
00:35 Introducing Sarah Megginson
02:10 Sarah's Money Story & First Property at 21
05:00 From Journalism to Finance & Finder
08:30 The Myth Factory: Where Misinformation Comes From
12:15 Barbecue Talk, Social Media & Confirmation Bias
16:40 "You Can't Go Wrong With Property": Truth vs Reality
20:50 Losing Money & Learning as an Investor
24:10 Waiting for Rates to Drop: The Hidden Cost
28:30 Why Timing the Market Keeps You Stuck
32:00 Negative Gearing Misconceptions
36:10 Thinking in 20-Year Outcomes (Not Today's Noise)
40:20 The Family Home vs Investment Strategy
44:00 Rentvesting & Alternative Paths into the Market
47:30 Fear of Debt vs "Good Debt"
51:20 Worst-Case Thinking & Risk Management
55:10 Who Should You Trust? Navigating Advice
59:30 Cash Flow vs Capital Growth Trade-Offs
01:03:20 What Investors Should Actually Believe
01:07:00 The One Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
01:10:30 How to Raise Financially Smart Kids
01:13:30 Final Principle: Bad Beliefs vs Bad Deals
01:15:00 Disclaimer
ABOUT SARAH MEGGINSON
Sarah Megginson is Head of Editorial at Finder and one of Australia's leading personal finance experts. With over 20 years in property and finance journalism, she's a regular media commentator across TV, radio, and print, helping Australians make smarter money decisions. She is also the author of How to Raise Rich Kids, a practical guide to building financial literacy and long-term wealth for the next generation.
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Invest Smarter Grow Faster provides general information and commentary about property, finance, and investing. It does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice tailored to your personal circumstances. Before making any financial decisions, you should seek professional advice from a qualified adviser. While we aim for accuracy and quality, we cannot guarantee all information is complete, up-to-date, or free from errors. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.