Landlord Insurance vs Building Insurance: What Does an Investment Property Need?
Buying an investment property involves more than securing a tenant and collecting rent. Investors also need to protect the property against damage, unexpected expenses, and interruptions to rental income. Insurance plays an important role, but choosing the right policy can be confusing. Building insurance protects the physical structure against specified events, while landlord insurance can […]
Special Levies in Strata Properties: The Costs Investors Often Overlook
An apartment may look like a strong investment on paper. The purchase price fits your budget, the rent looks attractive, and the regular strata levies seem manageable. But what happens when the building needs major repairs, and the owners corporation does not have enough money to cover them? This is where special levies in strata […]
Strata Records Explained: What to Check Before Buying an Apartment
An apartment can look like a great investment during an inspection. The location may be attractive, the interiors may look modern, and the asking price may fit your budget. However, the apartment itself only tells part of the story. When you buy a strata property, you also become part of a shared ownership arrangement. You […]
What Happens Between Signing a Property Contract and Settlement?
Finding the right property is a major step, but the purchase does not end when you sign the contract. Several important tasks still stand between signing and settlement. You need to organize finance, prepare funds, complete legal checks, and get ready to take ownership. This period can feel confusing, especially for first-time buyers and investors […]
Buying at Auction vs Private Sale in Australia: What Property Buyers Need to Know
Buying property in Australia involves more than choosing the right location and agreeing on a price. The way a property is sold can affect how you negotiate, the conditions you can include in your offer, the time available to complete your checks and the risks you take before signing a contract. Two common methods are […]
When Should You Walk Away From an Investment Property?
Finding an investment property is not simply about finding a property you can afford to buy. The more important question is whether the property makes sense as an investment after considering its income, expenses, risks, market fundamentals and long-term potential. There will be situations where an investor has already spent considerable time researching a property, […]
How to Compare Investment Properties Using Data Instead of Emotion
When comparing investment properties, it is easy to become attached to the property that looks the best, has the nicest renovation, or feels like the best opportunity. But an investment property is not being purchased simply as a home. It is an asset that needs to perform against a set of financial and market objectives. […]
How to Identify the Risks of an Investment Property Before Buying
Buying an investment property involves more than finding a property in a suburb that appears to be performing well. A property can have an attractive purchase price, strong advertised rental yield or impressive recent growth while still carrying risks that could affect your cash flow, rental income, future value or ability to sell. Understanding these […]
The Complete Investment Property Due Diligence Checklist
Buying an investment property involves much more than finding a property in a suburb you like and making an offer. Before committing to a purchase, investors need to establish whether the property makes sense financially, physically and strategically. Due diligence is the process of investigating the property and its surrounding market before you commit to […]
How to Assess an Investment Property Before You Buy
Buying an investment property is a major financial decision, and the property that looks attractive during an inspection is not necessarily the property that makes the strongest investment. A renovated kitchen, modern bathroom or attractive street frontage can make a property feel like a good opportunity. But investors need to look beyond presentation and ask […]