How to invest in Australian property with confidence – even in uncertain times

Investing in property makes people money. 

Of course it does, and it has for a long time – otherwise we’d be out of a job! Despite having some degree of risk to it (as all investments do), time has shown that smart, strategic investors who are prepared to stick it out for the long run usually see this risk pay off – and that’s where the good stuff happens.

But we know it can seem scary at times, and often the media play into this uncertainty with headlines celebrating record-high prices one minute, and predicting a market crash the next. It’s no wonder that people are questioning whether investing in property is ACTUALLY something that works, or if it’s just more trouble than it’s worth.

But the truth of the matter is, smart, long-term investors focus on STRATEGY, not the noise. And that’s what makes them successful. 

If you’re still not convinced, let’s break down why we think property investment is still a safe way forward, so you can feel confident sticking it out for the long-term.

Why property investment WORKS in the long run

We see this again and again – prices fluctuate within the market within the short term and everybody freaks out. And the media makes this worse too – inflating the ‘shock-horror’ stories and creating more panic and questioning than necessary. 

But the thing to remember is – solid investment properties grow OVER TIME. That’s why we call them long-term investments. The point is to wait it out. 

So while short-term, investments may seem pretty unstable, there are many factors that contribute to changing market conditions, which over time are likely to stabilise and support the growth of your investment.

Let’s break them down:

Population Growth: Australia’s population is only growing, surpassing 27 million people in 2024 – a 2.3% increase from the year before, and overseas migration accounting for 83% of this growth according to The Guardian. 

The thing is, limitations such as labour shortages, rising construction costs, limited available land and government policies all mean that Australia just can’t keep up with the demand for housing as its population is growing. And the one thing we know about the market is that when supply and demand are out of balance, property prices increase and this is a KEY factor in driving long-term value growth. 

Population growth also impacts infrastructure development and urbanisation of previously underdeveloped areas, which makes investing really interesting, because there are a ton of new up-and-coming locations that are perfect for a long term investment to thrive.

Inflation: Inflation means the rising costs of goods and services over time, usually caused by an increase in the supply of money, higher demand for these goods and services, or rising production costs – and it’s something that we’re currently experiencing in Australia. 

Inflation can actually benefit the value of your investment because it makes building new homes more expensive. And so we’re faced with the same supply and demand situation. Demand for housing yes, but a lack of supply to service it, meaning properties become more valuable. 

Inflation also often pushes up rent prices meaning investors can make more money from their properties. 

Interest Rates: Sure,as we’ve all well and truly seen over the past couple of years, interest rates rise and fall over time, but the one thing we have seen time and time again is that when rates DO drop, affordability for housing is significantly improved and buyer confidence skyrockets. 

With more people able to jump into the housing market, the competition increases and so too do property prices – increasing the value of your investment. 

Historical Performance: We’ve seen over time that property has outperformed any other asset classes over extended periods. ABS data shows that from 1980 to 2020, Australian residential property outperformed the stock market, with the average annual growth in property returns at around 10%, compared to the average annual return of around 7% on the ASX200. 

Knowing this, it’s much easier to feel confident that over time your investment WILL pay off. 

So with all of this, how can you invest with the confidence needed to THRIVE?

1. Think long term: Sure, property cycles exist – the property market has natural ups and downs, often impacted by things like lower demand or economic factors, but the long game is where true wealth is built.
   Trust that your investment portfolio has been built on a solid, smart strategy that is there to help you achieve your goals over time. And if you need help with building this strategy, Propell is always here to help.
   
   

2. Choose quality locations: What are you looking for here? High-demand areas with strong infrastructure and economic activity. Locations with good transport links, nearby amenities, regions with good job opportunities close by or with a growing population are always a good start.
   These areas tend to outperform over time, and just KNOWING that you’ve chosen a quality location should instil you with the confidence that your investment is working for you.
   
   

3. Ignore the media hype: Stop listening to the noise. Stop buying into the media’s fear tactics. Headlines don’t dictate long-term success – sticking to the fundamentals and sticking to them WELL do.
   
   

4. Work with experts: Navigating the market alone can be overwhelming. Working with professionals who know the market in and out, understand your unique situation and are there purely to help YOU succeed makes all the difference. Which is exactly what we do here at Propell.
   
   

If there’s anything you’re going to take away from this blog post, it’s that patience is key.

You’re likely going to feel like you’re hitting bumps along the road, and as market conditions chop and change it’s completely natural to feel uneasy. But sticking it out and putting things in place to ensure you feel as confident as you can in your investments is going to be key to building long-term wealth.

And if you’re really serious about building this confidence and creating a long-term strategy that’s going to work for you, we’re always here to help. 

There’s no better time than the present so reach out for a quick chat to see how we can help, or call us on 1300 776 735 and let’s get you feeling the best you can in this uncertain market.