Avoid These Investment Property Mistakes
Avoid these investment property mistakes to ensure your success with investment property.
Many new property investors feel overwhelmed when it comes to finding a suitable property, with all the advice thrown around. Many fear making a mistake and unfortunately some of these can be costly!
Here’s our list of five big mistakes you can avoid when it comes to analysing rental properties and assessing their suitability.
You haven’t properly researched the area/suburb
Before you jump at the chance to snap up what seems like a bargain investment property, do some research.
Start with finding a location that will outperform the averages because it has multiple growth drivers such as a strong local economy, jobs growth and the right demographics.
Then ask yourself, what type of property will be attractive to the type of people – owner occupiers and investors – who want to live in this area?
Who is your target market and would this property suit their needs?
What infrastructure or amenities nearby will affect the people that will want to live here?
Most investors find a property and then look for reasons to justify buying it.
That’s the wrong way around – location first, then property.
Failing to factor in additional costs
Have you calculated the cost of insurance, council rates, land tax and strata fees?
These things don’t seem to matter so much when you’re buying a home to live in, as you’re cultivating a lifestyle and can justify just about any expense.
But when you’re a landlord, additional costs such as maintenance and repairs can burn through your profit margin.
While cheap cosmetic fixes might help lure tenants, but they won’t solve underlying structural issues that could cost you a bomb down the track.
While I like the concept of “manufacturing” capital growth through renovations, look for a property with solid “bones” and save yourself any long-term hassles.
Don’t forget that wear-and-tear is a big issue in rental properties, so if you’re planning on sprucing up the place, don’t skimp.
Opt for hard-wearing carpets and spend a little extra on a wash-and-wear paint that will withstand the extra pressure.
You’re thinking short-term over long-term
When you buy a rental property, there are two key things to keep in mind – will it deliver good capital growth and will it yield a good rental return?
While cash flow keeps you in the property game, it’s important to recognise that it’s really capital growth that gets you out of the rat race.
Investing in a property with good growth potential will also help you to build your portfolio quicker, as your equity will increase more rapidly and you can use this to secure finance for your next property.
Underestimating the rental potential
The opposite of the above is also true – many investors are so focused on growth potential, they completely forget about how likely they are to attract tenants, or the kind of cash flow they can hope to get from the property.
Online research is your friend here, and it’s important to know the vital stats of the area, such as median rents and how many residents are renting versus owner-occupiers.
You also need to know where the suburb is in its life cycle; is it slowly gentrifying?
Obviously a suburb going through renewal and regrowth will work in your favour.
All of this information will help you choose a suburb that will give you a solid rental return and minimise vacancies.
Buying with your heart instead of your head
Buying a home to live in is undeniably fuelled by emotion.
After all, it’s the place you plan to raise your family, your own little oasis in which to escape the world.
It makes sense that you’d listen to your heart.
However, buying a rental property is a business decision, and it should be approached as such.
In fact, a rundown property with potential to renovate could make a great investment.
You don’t need to show pictures of your property to friends at the Sunday barbecue.
You shouldn’t fall in love with the property.
Rather, you need to choose a property that will be attractive to tenants who want to live in that location, easy to maintain, and grow in value over time.
That’s what this property business is all about, after all – growing your wealth.
Looking for property management with passion? You’ve come to the right place! Contact us today to see how we can help.
Brendan Leahy
I am the licensee of We Love Rentals and provide support to the team whenever needed. I began my real estate career over two decades years ago. While I loved seeing people achieve their dream of a new home for their family, I kept thinking that there had to be a better way of doing real estate – one with respect for the long term benefit of the client and one that focuses on customer satisfaction.
