Santa Monica (CA) – Buying Australian Property From the US: A Free Seminar in Los Angeles

Owning property back home while living in the US raises the same three questions every time. Where should I buy? Can I even get a loan from here? And what does the tax look like now?

On Wednesday, November 4, we’re answering all three in one room in Santa Monica. America Josh is teaming up with ODIN Mortgage & Tax and CORALA for a free evening built for Australians in Los Angeles, and I’ll be there on the night.

What the property seminar covers

The night runs across property, lending and tax, with each speaker taking their own area. Here’s what’s on the agenda:

• Your tax residency. Why moving overseas may not settle your tax residency or your Australian property tax obligations.
• Capital gains when you sell. How your tax residency history and the 2026 Federal Budget changes may affect what you walk away with.
• Getting a mortgage from overseas. How lenders assess overseas income, deposits, equity and rates, including the options left since HSBC stopped taking new applications.
• The property you already own. What to weigh up before you hold, refinance, sell or use your equity to buy again.
• Where to buy. Why location comes first, and how to compare suburbs using supply, demand, infrastructure investment and population growth.
• New build or established. The trade-offs of each, and what to check before you buy from overseas.
• Whether the market is turning. Rising rates, more stock and slower sales, and what the latest data means for anyone who’s been waiting to buy.

The 2026 Federal Budget changes are on the agenda. For a head start, my [summary of the 2026 Federal Budget for expats](LINK — federal budget article) covers what Pau Lam from ODIN Tax walked us through in June.

Meet the speakers

Paulo Velho, Head of Growth, CORALA. Paulo helps Australian expats in the US buy property back home. Before CORALA, he spent four and a half years in Real Estate Advisory at KPMG across Australia and the US, advising on property and infrastructure transactions worth more than A$3 billion.

Steven Lee, Director, Mortgage Services, ODIN Mortgage & Tax. Steven has more than a decade in Australian banking and mortgages. He now works with Australian expats and overseas investors on lending strategies from abroad.

Pau Lam, Director, Tax Services, ODIN Mortgage & Tax. Pau leads ODIN’s tax team and has more than 10 years of experience with Australian expat tax, from tax residency and property to CGT and tax returns. Regular readers will know him from our Expert Q&A sessions.

Josh Pugh, founder of America Josh. That’s me. I’ll be there to welcome everyone and to meet as many Australians in LA as I can.

Bring your questions

The presentations are only half of it. After the talks, there’s a live Q&A with all four of us, and then time for one-on-one conversations with the speakers. If your situation is complicated, that’s the part to stay for.

The night starts with welcome drinks, so come a little early and meet a few other Aussies in LA while you’re at it.

Entry is free, but you’ll need to register.

Reserve your free spot

In partnership with ODIN Mortgage & Tax and CORALA. This event provides general information and isn’t financial, tax or legal advice.