116 – Zac Constantinou – From the Site Shed to the Loan Desk

Property development has always been a balancing act — but right now the scales feel especially heavy. Rising construction costs, messy feasibilities, shifting lender appetite, and a market still absorbing the post-COVID shock are making it harder than ever to get a project funded and delivered. If you’ve been feeling the squeeze, this episode will help you understand what’s really going on behind the scenes.

In this episode of the Property Developer Podcast, we speak with Zac Constantinou, who started his career delivering medium and high-density projects in Sydney before moving into the finance world where he now works on construction funding and private capital at Shore Financial. Having worked both on site and on the lending side, Zac offers a rare perspective on what makes a project viable — and what sinks it.

We cover a wide range of practical insights, including:

Why “buying well” is still the most important part of development

How private capital has stepped in as bank appetite has tightened

The differences between traditional funding and private lenders

What lenders now look for before backing a project

Common red flags with builders and consultants

The impact of cost blowouts and how to manage them

Why some Sydney markets are heating up again after recent planning reforms

The importance of clean feasibilities, strong documentation, and telling a clear lender story

How developers can position themselves for success in a tougher environment