#40 - The GFC Property Strategy That Changed a Doctor's Retirement Timeline - with Alwin Chuan

In this episode of Commercial Property Investing Explained, Steve Palise sits down with anaesthetist, academic, and investor Alwin Chuan to unpack how he went from being almost entirely invested in shares to building a diversified residential and commercial property portfolio that is now positively geared and largely self-sustaining.

The conversation traces Alwin’s journey from humble beginnings as a first-generation migrant in Sydney’s west, through decades in medicine, to making some of his biggest investment decisions during periods of uncertainty like the GFC and post-COVID markets. 

Alwin shares why residential property alone was not enough to meet his long term goals, what attracted him to commercial property, and how yield, lease structure, and tenant quality became critical as retirement moved from a distant idea to a real planning horizon.

This episode covers:

• Alwin’s early exposure to investing through shares and how that shaped his risk mindset
• Why he bought property during downturns and how those decisions paid off long term
• The key differences between residential and commercial property, including yield, risk, and tenant relationships
• How Alwin transitioned from almost 100% shares to a multi-asset portfolio
• Why positive cash flow changed how he thinks about investing, stress, and retirement
• The commercial properties he owns today, including medical and industrial assets, with zero day vacancy
• Why the property manager is, in his view, the most important person in a property portfolio
• How Alwin thinks about retirement optionality, semi-retirement, and intergenerational wealth

Whether you are a medical professional, a residential investor considering commercial property, or someone thinking seriously about building income streams that support long-term flexibility, this episode offers grounded insights from someone who has lived through multiple market cycles and made deliberate, patient decisions along the way.

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

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alwin-chuan-phd-fanzca-094880288/