2026-04-01
– Episode
42

#42: The Real SMSF Advantage Isn’t Just Tax – Liam Carmody

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Episode Description

Steve Palise sits down with Liam Carmody  to break down the pros and cons of buying property through a self-managed super fund. They cover how SMSFs actually work from setup through to purchase, what finance looks like inside super, the differences between buying residential vs commercial, and why so many investors are shifting toward commercial property in their SMSFs right now. Liam also shares his own SMSF investment story, including what he bought, where, what it's worth now, and his plan to turn a $260K super balance into a serious portfolio through strategic buy-sell-upgrade cycles.

What We Cover

  • How SMSFs actually work (and what they cost) 
  • Obtaining finance inside an SMSF
  • Why commercial is overtaking residential in SMSFs 
  • The tax stuff (not financial advice) 
  • The contract and bare trust setup 
  • Don't sacrifice property quality for a tax saving 

Key Takeaways

  • Your super fund is another bucket of money that's not yours right now anyway. The question is whether you're maximising it while you've got the time.
  • Most people overestimate what they can do in the short term but vastly underestimate what they can do in the long term. 
  • You don't need to find a unicorn. The stuff that was yielding 6% at the time hasn't performed the way his "boring" 5% net yield asset has.
  • If you're buying residential in super, have a clear exit plan. At some point it's never going to give you cash flow, so you'll have to sell it in retirement anyway.

SMSF Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or taxation advice. Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs) are complex financial structures subject to strict Australian Tax Office (ATO) regulations, compliance obligations, and eligibility requirements. Any strategies or information discussed should not be acted upon without first seeking independent advice from a licensed financial adviser, registered tax agent, accountant, and/or legal professional who can assess your individual circumstances. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The hosts and contributors of this content are not responsible for any financial decisions made based on the information presented. Always conduct your own due diligence before making any investment decisions.


HOSTED BY:
Steve Palise
Ph: 0403 878 497
Email: steve@paliseproperty.com

LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/steve-palise


CONNECT WITH LIAM 

Liam Carmody

Email: liam@paliseproperty,com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-carmody-06b10172/ 


Resources

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