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The post-budget guide to commercial property investing

THE PROPERTY NERDS: Zero deposit hack

14 JUL 2026 • By Robyn Tongol • 1 min read • Investor Strategy

Two Sydney units left him stuck. One $297,000 Brisbane purchase changed everything and completely transformed the way he invested in property.

On The Property Nerds podcast, Arjun Paliwal sits down with electrician and business owner Brenton Russo to discuss how following conventional property advice initially held him back before a strategic shift unlocked a multi-state portfolio.

Russo explains how buying two Sydney units early in his investing journey left him unable to keep growing, before a $297,000 Brisbane purchase at the height of COVID-19 went on to triple in value and gave him the confidence and equity to continue investing.

Beyond the financial gains, Russo reveals how property created opportunities far beyond wealth, from helping his father recover after a financial setback to giving him the freedom to pursue new business ventures.

Finally, Paliwal and Russo argue that waiting for certainty is often the biggest investing mistake, explaining why taking action with the right advice can be the difference between staying stuck and building long-term wealth.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

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RELATED TERMS

Deposit
A deposit is a portion of funds used as security for a lease or the purchase of goods and services or funds transfer to another account.
Property
Property refers to either a tangible or intangible item that an individual or business has legal rights or ownership of, such as houses, cars, stocks or bond certificates.