Far too many people assume that investing in property is a straightforward, sure-fire way to go from zero to $$$ real quick.
And while yes, property investment is a great way to build long-term wealth, the reality is that it’s never quite as simple as that.
There’s a lot to consider when starting your property investment journey, and the key thing to remember is that what works for one investor may not necessarily work for another. The world of investing is FAR from a one-size-fits-all situation, and everybody’s individual financial situation, goals and risk tolerance all play a huge role in this being the case.
So, what’s the key to success then? If it isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey then how do you know you’re getting it right? And how can you avoid big mistakes that may cost you? Let’s talk about it:
The PROBLEM with the Property Investment sector:
We live in an increasingly digital world – there’s no denying that, and while social media plays such a great role in connecting us to so many people, it does have its pitfalls.
Unlike other financial services, property investment is largely unregulated, meaning that ANYONE can give advice – whether they’re qualified or not.
And we’re seeing more and more of this: self-proclaimed ‘experts’ and ‘gurus’ jumping on the internet to give advice or insider knowledge – spreading a ton of misinformation, biased recommendations and one-size-fits-all strategies that just don’t work for everybody.
And what happens when you listen to this advice and try to apply it, even if it’s not quite right? You make poor investment choices that can have BIG costs.
We’ve seen people overpay for properties because they were pushed towards an investment that wasn’t aligned with their goals or personal situation (usually because the advisor was getting a commission), we’ve seen people choosing the wrong loan structure for their financial situation leading to repayments that they’re not equipped to handle, and we’ve seen people investing in the wrong market by following trends and ending up struggling to see any returns on their investment.
Whatever the outcome, we’ve seen time and time again just how costly it can be for people to listen to the WRONG advice – all because they just didn’t know where to look or listen.
So how can you make sure you’re making SMART, INFORMED decisions?
- Educate yourself:
The best way to protect yourself and make sure you’re set up for success in your property investment journey is by learning as much as possible, and equipping yourself with as much knowledge as you can about the market, investment strategies and financial structures.
Some reliable resources we recommend are: property investment blogs by trusted companies, books, courses and reputable advisors. Try to stay away from the Tiktok gurus where you can, unless you KNOW their advice can be trusted. Quality referrals, testimonials and case studies also help povide some extra certainty that you’re looking in the right direction.
- Work with the RIGHT experts:
When choosing to work with professionals, you want to make sure they have your best interests at heart. Here are some helpful people to have by your side:
Buyer’s Agents: Help you find the right property and negotiate the best price.
Mortgage Brokers: Can advise you on loan structures to minimize risk and optimize your cash flow.
Property Investment Advisors: Guide and support you with a strategy that aligns to your goals.
Tax Accountants: Help you to leverage all possible tax benefits and make sure your investments are structured in the smartest way.
- Avoid those one-size-fits-all strategies:
The biggest red flag when looking for support in your property investment journey, is advisors or professionals who don’t take a customer-focused approach. The right people who truly have your back, are the ones who understand your unique position, yielding their knowledge and expertise to advise on what’s best for YOU.
At the end of the day, we know that property investing can be a tough nut to crack – especially when you’re trying to do it all on your own. People out there will have you believing it’s easy. That if you do X, Y and Z you’re guaranteed to succeed. But in reality, that’s just not the case.
Property investment sees the most success when you go at it with a tailored strategy – one that fits your unique situation like a glove, not just a copy and paste formula.
And the wrong advice can cost you a lot, so make sure you’re getting the right advice, from the right people and keeping yourself educated. With all of this in mind you’ll be well on your way to building the wealth you’ve always dreamed of.
Here at Propell, we pride ourselves on our customer-focused approach, treating every client’s case as unique. We’re here to help you along your property investment journey, and you can feel completely confident putting your trust in us, knowing that we’re here to help YOU reach your investment goals.
Contact us to find out more about how we can help, and give you the support you need throughout this journey.