It looks like 2023 is going to be a watershed year for property.
Sure there are still many economic headwinds that we'll encounter and this has led to many mixed messages in the media and this together with uncertainty about our economy and jobs is causing a feeling of confusion for many investors.
But what is certain in these times of uncertainty is that some property investors will grow their wealth by taking advantage of the opportunity the market is presenting them.
Note: While many Australians will sit on the sidelines waiting for someone to ring the bell heralding the property market has bottomed, savvy investors will be out looking for and buying investment opportunities created by the current market.
So let’s look at 11 time-tested rules these successful investors use to make their fortunes.
1. They take a long-term perspective.
It is well-documented that delayed gratification leads to a better financial position and a better lifestyle in general.
Warren Buffet put it well when he said "Wealth is the transfer of money from the impatient to the patient."
Property investing has always been a long-term game, and the longer your time frame and the better the quality of the asset you own the less important timing of the market becomes.
2. They invest, not speculate
Even though they think they are investing, many property investors are actually speculating.
The problem is they don’t recognise this.
You see…all investment comes with an element of risk, but in my mind, it’s important to minimise your risks as an investor.
Yet the average investor buys their property emotionally, often near where they live, where they holiday, or where they want to retire.
Then they hope that the market will appreciate it.
Others look for the next hot spot, trying to time the market.
Both these types of investors are dependent on outside market conditions to produce a profit.
Smart investors do it differently.
They make educated investment decisions based on research, evidence, and fundamentals.
They buy a property below its intrinsic value, in an area that has above-average long-term capital growth because of the more affluent demographic living there, and then add value through renovations thereby “manufacturing” extra capital growth.
3. It’s about the property
Wise investors never forget the age-old fundamental of buying the best property they can afford in proven locations.
They don’t allow themselves to get sidetracked by glamorous finance or tax strategies.
On the other hand, those investors who are lured by rental guarantees, tax incentives, or speculative off-the-plan one-off profits are likely to miss out over the next few years
4. Property is a high growth low yield investment
While the argument about capital growth or cash flow investing will rage forever, sophisticated investors know the only way to eventually become financially free through property is to build a substantial asset base.
Sure cash flow is necessary - it helps pay the mortgage and keeps you in the game, but capital growth (having a substantial asset base) is the only way out of the rate race.
Savvy investors recognise there are 3 stages to their investment journey
- The asset growth stage - that's why they need to own properties that grow at wealth-producing rates of return.
- The transition stage - when they slowly lower their loan-to-value ratio
- The stage where they live off their cash machine - the asset base of sound investment-grade properties they've built over the years
5. Land appreciates
Smart investors buy properties with a high land-to-asset ratio. 
That doesn’t necessarily mean a large block of land, but one where the land component makes up a significant part of the asset value.
And while it’s true that land appreciates in value, it’s not really as simple as that.
Not all land is made equal and not all land appreciates at the same rate.
There are lots of lands (ample supply) in the outer suburbs of our cities but much of the demand there comes from a small segment of the market - first-home buyers (restricted demand).
This keeps a lid on capital growth and makes these areas have poor investment prospects.
Even worse…the land component, the bit that appreciates, usually makes up less than half of the total value of the property (in other words a low land-to-asset ratio.)
However, in the inner suburbs, the proportion of the land value to the total property price is usually considerably higher. 
Remember it’s the scarcity of land that causes property values in these locations to keep rising and currently there is strong demand from a wide range of owner-occupiers for properties in our inner suburbs.
This trend is likely to continue as more of us choose trade space for place and chose to live close to our workplaces in locations that offer better access to infrastructures like public transport, shopping, and entertainment facilities.
As demand looks set to outstrip supply in the middle ring suburbs of our capital for many years to come, these areas are where successful investors will buy for long-term capital growth.
6. Buy properties that will be in continuous strong demand
Of course, not every property in a given suburb will make a good investment or have similar capital growth.
Savvy investors understand that investment-grade properties are the type that will appeal to a wide range of owner-occupiers since they make up the vast majority of buyers.
That’s why they avoid studios, student accommodation, holiday accommodation, and serviced apartments.
- Also read:The Boom and Bust of our Property Cycles: A Journey Through the Investor’s Mind
- Also read:Latest property price forecasts for 2024 revealed. What’s ahead in our housing markets in the next year or two?
- Also read:This week’s Australian Property Market Update – Latest Data, State by State April 16th 2024
- Also read:Melbourne property market forecast for 2024
- Also read:Brisbane’s property market forecast for 2024
After all, it’s owner-occupiers, not tenant or investor demand, that push up property values in the long term.
And this will be particularly important in the next few years as the percentage of investors in the market is likely to diminish
7. Demographics hold the key
Over the long-term demographics – how many of us there are, how we live, where we want to live and what we can afford to live in – will be more important in shaping our property markets than the short-term ups and downs of interest rates, consumer confidence and government meddling.
Today there are more one and two people households.
We are getting married later, divorcing more often, and living longer.
And many migrants coming to Australia are happy to live in apartments.
This means more of us are looking for secure, medium-density apartments and townhouses which will become the preferred style of living as we swap our backyards for balconies and courtyards.
8. Surround yourself with a great team
If you are the smartest person in your team you’re in trouble.
Successful investors surround themselves with a team of top consultants and know-how to discern an advisor, someone who is independent, from a salesperson.
In fact, they are prepared to pay for advice recognising that if the advice they receive is free, they are likely to be the product.
9. Real estate investing is a game of finance with some properties thrown in the middle.
Those investors who will flourish in the next few years will have set up financial buffers (in offset accounts or lines of credit) to help them ride the property cycles.
10. Understand where the risk really lies
Most investors believe there is a direct relationship between risk and reward - the higher the reward the more the risk must be.
But that’s not really true.
While most investors think the risk lies in the property or the markets or factors outside their control, the biggest investment risk actually lies with the investor – their knowledge, their experience, and their mindset.
Note: The best defense is a good offense.
Wise investors educate themselves and develop a level of financial fluency to make their investment journey as safe as houses.
Interestingly most successful investors don’t diversify.
They specialize by becoming good at one thing, or an expert in one area or niche, thereby getting great results.
11. The property market moves in cycles
During a boom, everyone is an optimist and expects the good times to last forever, just as we lose our confidence during a downturn.
Truth is…our property market behaves cyclically, and each boom sets us up for the next downturn, just as each downturn paved the way for the next boom.
Just as it is doing right now.
Hmm…something to think about.
So while the property markets will create significant wealth for many Australians, statistics show that 50% of those who buy an investment property sell up in the first five years.
And of those who stay in the investment game, 92% never get past their first or second property.
That's because attaining wealth doesn’t just happen, it’s the result of a well-executed plan.
Planning is bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now!
Just to make things clear...buying an investment property is NOT a strategy!
It's important to start with the end game in mind and understand what you need and what you want to achieve.
And then you have to build a plan, a strategy to get there.
The property you eventually buy will be the physical manifestation of a whole lot of decisions that you will make, and they must be made in the right order
That's because property investment is a process, not an event.
If you’re a beginner looking for a time-tested property investment strategy or an established investor who’s stuck or maybe you just want an objective second opinion about your situation, I suggest you allow the team at Metropole to build you a personalised, customised Strategic Property Plan.
When you have a Strategic Property Plan you’re more likely to achieve the financial freedom you desire because we’ll help you:
- Define your financial goals;
- See whether your goals are realistic, especially for your timeline;
- Measure your progress towards your goals – whether your property portfolio is working for you, or if you’re working for it;
- Find ways to maximise your wealth creation through property;
- Identify risks you hadn’t thought of.
And the real benefit is you’ll be able to grow your wealth through your property portfolio faster and more safely than the average investor.
Your Strategic Property Plan should contain the following components:
- An asset accumulation strategy
- A manufacturing capital growth strategy
- A rental growth strategy
- An asset protection and tax minimisation strategy
- A finance strategy including long-term debt reduction and…
- A living off your property portfolio strategy
Click here now and learn more about this service and discuss your options with us.
