The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

Episodes

Episode 356: Is Property Investment Within an SMSF a Good Idea?

Is putting property into your SMSF a good idea, or could it be too risky? SMSF advisor Liam Shorte from Sonas Wealth joins us today to explore this hot topic, giving practical insights on the benefits of more control, tax advantages, and the hidden costs and risks that SMSF investors often miss.

We explore the appeal of property investment within an SMSF for those aiming to diversify their retirement strategies, with Liam highlighting both the potential benefits and risks involved. While property can offer control and growth, Liam has seen many investors fall prey to unqualified advice and costly mistakes. The key, he says, is understanding the rules and avoiding schemes marketed as “one-stop-shops”—these setups often come with high risks and may not align with an investor’s long-term goals.

We also emphasise the importance of maintaining balance within an SMSF portfolio, ensuring that there’s adequate liquidity to support flexibility as life stages and retirement plans evolve. Compliance is another major factor, as SMSFs face strict ATO oversight. From penalties to complex reporting, there’s no margin for error, and Liam illustrates this with examples from clients who have successfully coursed through these requirements by investing thoughtfully, like buying commercial property to lease back to a family business.

Throughout the episode, Liam shares insights on managing SMSF property investment with smart, tailored strategies. His practical advice provides a framework for building an SMSF that fits your financial goals without overloading on risks or overlooking critical tax and compliance obligations.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

01:02 - Who is Liam Shorte?

01:49 - What is a fellow SMSF specialist advisor?

02:43 - What is an SMSF?

04:52 - Biggest risks in handling SMSF funds for different retirement stages

06:14 - How to manage trustee disagreements in SMSF strategy setting

08:33 - Has competition shifted SMSF drivers from fee savings to investment options?

12:24 - Key compliance and cost factors to think about when starting an SMSF

16:11 - Are people finally realising the full potential of super contributions?

19:31 - The implications of investing in property through super for younger investors

24:04 - Is an SMSF right for you? Who should consider it?

27:24 - Are women better investors than men?

33:21 - The dangers of focusing solely on residential property in an SMSF

35:36 - Mitigating the risks of having an unbalanced SMSF portfolio heavily focused on property

42:11 - Common mistakes investors make with residential property in their super

51:36 - Liam Shorte’s property dumbo

About Our Guest:

Liam Shorte, a Fellow SMSF Specialist Advisor™ and Financial Planner with Sonas Wealth, brings 30 years of experience across Australia, Ireland, the UK, and the Middle East. Liam specialises in superannuation, retirement, estate planning, investment, and tax strategies, with a strong focus on Self-Managed Super Funds and Family Trusts. His blog, The SMSF Coach, demystifies industry jargon for SMSF trustees. He advises clients across NSW, QLD, and Victoria, and has earned accolades, including SMSF Adviser of the Year (2021) and a place in Barron’s Top 50 Financial Advisers in Australia. Liam holds a Bachelor of Business, Advanced Diploma in Financial Services, and multiple industry certifications, and in 2024, was appointed to ASIC’s Financial Advisers Consultative Panel.

Connect with Liam Shorte:

Resources:

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Chris Bates