Between us, we’ve spent nearly 80 years in property development. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright questionable when it comes to courses and mentors in this space.
Here’s the thing: there’s a lot of noise out there. Everyone’s promising quick wins and overnight success. But if you’re serious about property development, you need someone who’s actually done the hard yards—not just talked about them.
The right mentor can change everything. The wrong one? Well, let’s just say we’ve seen too many people learn that lesson the expensive way.
So before you hand over your money, ask these questions. They’re the same ones we’d want our own kids to ask.
– Bob & Hilary
Does This Person Know What They're Doing?
Experience matters. A lot. You want someone who’s been through multiple market cycles, not just someone who got lucky in a rising market. These are probably the most important questions you can ask.
- How many years have you been actively developing property?
- How many market cycles have you navigated successfully?
- What’s the total value of projects you’ve personally completed?
- Which states or territories have you developed in?
- Are you still developing while you teach, or is this just an education business now?
- What projects are you working on right now?
- Have you held senior roles at major property or development companies?
- Can you walk me through a deal from start to finish—acquisition, development, and profit?
Are They Recognised in the Industry?
Real experts get noticed by the right people for the right reasons.
In this age of AI, it’s all too easy to grab someone else’s ideas and throw a book together. (Yes, that’s a real thing now.) So, while books are cool (when written by real people), reputation speaks volumes.
- Have you written any books or guides on property development?
- Have you been featured in other people’s books?
- Have credible media outlets or industry publications featured you and your work?
Can They Actually Teach?
Being good at something and being good at teaching something are completely different skills.
- How long have you been teaching property development?
- How many students have completed your programs?
- Can you share real success stories from past students?
- Can I talk to some of your former students?
What Support Will You Really Get?
You’re not just buying information—you’re buying guidance and support when things get tricky. And they do get tricky.
- Will I get direct access to you, or just your staff?
- Do you help with real deals—feasibility studies, deal assessment?
- What happens when the course ends? Is there ongoing support?
- Do you connect students with trusted professionals like planners and builders?
- How quickly do you respond to questions outside of scheduled sessions?
How Does the Program Work?
Make sure the structure matches how you learn and what you need.
- What’s your teaching style—do you push students or take a gentler approach?
- How do you keep your content current with market changes?
- What specific skills will I learn?
- How much hands-on experience is included? (Is it practical or just theoretical?)
- What’s the time commitment, and how long does it run?
Our Final Words
You’re deciding who to trust with your financial future. It’s a big deal.
Take your time with this decision. Ask the hard questions. Don’t get swept up by flashy marketing or promises that sound too good to be true.
What you need is simple:
- real experience
- honest guidance, and
- genuine support.
That’s what we believe in, and it’s what you should expect from whoever you choose.
The right mentor won’t just teach you about property development—they’ll help you avoid the expensive mistakes that trip up so many beginners.
Choose wisely.
Oh, if you’d like to read our answers to these questions, click here.