Ep 232 - How to Attract the Right JV Partners in 2026

Finding the right people to fund your projects is one of the biggest hurdles for aspiring developers. Whether you are looking for a "boots on the ground" partner or a silent investor, choosing the wrong person can sink a deal faster than a bad build.

In this episode of the Property Mastermind Podcast, Hilary and Bob look ahead to 2026, unpacking the strategies you need now to attract high-quality Joint Venture (JV) partners. They break down the critical difference between an Equity Partner (who shares the risk and profit) and a Loan Partner (who acts as the bank), and why knowing the difference is vital for your legal structure and profit margins.

Bob shares his "horror story" of a design-by-committee disaster where investors fought over bathroom tiles for four weeks, while Hilary reveals how a casual chat at the hairdresser turned into a potential business deal. From mastering the "two ears, one mouth" rule of networking to spotting the red flags of indecisive investors, this episode is your guide to building a capital-raising database that actually converts.

Links

• Attend the 3 Day Workshop on the Gold Coast: https://bit.ly/3UmDhjo 
• Chat to Hilary about the current investment opportunity we have: https://link.propertymastermind.com.au/book-a-call
• Join the Ultra-Urban Database for upcoming investment opportunities: https://bit.ly/45sqO2F
• Head on over to our website to find out more about our workshop and education options: Our Website
• Connect with handovers.com: https://handovers.com/

Episode Highlights

01:36 – Bob’s Tip of the Week: Why choosing a JV partner is like getting married—you need to choose wisely and communicate often (because most business "marriages" don't even last two years).
02:50 – The Definition: Unpacking the difference between an Equity Partner (on title, in the deal) and a Loan Partner (lends money for a return, not on title).
06:07 – The Golden Rule: Bob shares advice from an old Italian developer: "You never go broke making a profit." Don't be greedy; sometimes it's better to pay interest than share 50% of the upside.
17:31 – Finding Partners: How to build a database of investors before you even find a site so you aren't scrambling for cash later.
22:42 – The Networking Ratio: Why you have "two ears and one mouth"—the secret to attracting partners is listening twice as much as you speak.
29:13 – The Hairdresser Strategy: Hilary shares a real-life example of how a casual conversation in a salon chair turned into a lead by finding common ground.
34:41 – The "Hobby" Mindset: Why you need to talk about property development with the same casual enthusiasm as golf or fishing to normalise it and peak interest.
49:44 – The Money Question: The one question you must ask early to weed out time-wasters (and why avoiding it is a red flag).
52:42 – Bob’s Horror Story: The 5-storey apartment project where 6 investors had design input, leading to a $20,000, four-week argument over bathroom tiles.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.