If you bought your home 20 years ago and didn't check its value until today, you might be stunned.
In all likelihood, you'd find it had doubled in value, then doubled in value again.
It’s a classic case of the power of long-term focus—where the ups and downs of the housing markets, the peaks and troughs in interest rates and the economic challenges we all face, fade into insignificance compared to the end result.
Let me share the story of Joseph, a client who lives in Singapore, and trusted Metropole to buy him his property investment back in 2008.
We purchased a 2 bedroom apartment for him in the Sydney suburb of Marrickville for $280,000.
Fast forward to today, Joseph hasn’t visited Australia in years, having lived and worked in London for over a decade.
Now, that same apartment is worth close to $1 million. Joseph’s investment success wasn’t a product of constant monitoring or reacting to every market shift—it was the result of a patient, long-term strategy.
Overcoming the noise
This reminds me of a common scenario I hear from new investors who get caught up in the property market's day-to-day chatter.
They stress about interest rates, economic cycles, and the latest headlines predicting the next property crash or boom.
In reality, if you look back over a 20-year span, much of that noise disappears.
Yet not long after Joseph bought his investment in 2008, we experienced the Global Financial Crisis that sent shivers down the spines of many investors.
It’s now easy to forget that between then and now, there were moments of panic, concerns over regulatory changes, interest rate hikes, multiple property upturns and downturns, economic challenges, and “smart” people arguing that property was overvalued, a recession was near, hyperinflation was around the corner, the country was bankrupt, property was a Ponzi scheme, and on and on.
Yet, over the long run, the market rewarded those who stayed the course.
The illusion of hindsight
One of the challenges of investing is that hindsight often paints a misleading picture.
It’s easy to look back and assume that those who invested did so with confidence, knowing that the market would eventually recover.
But the reality is different.
Just as investors in 2009 had no idea they were at the bottom of a property cycle, Joseph didn't know back in 2008 that Marrickville would become a sought-after suburb.
At that stage, it was only starting to go through gentrification.
People tend to remember the good times and forget the struggles—the uncertainty, the anxiety, and the economic noise that was just as real back then as it is today.
But if we judge investments solely by their outcomes, we miss the most crucial lesson of all: uncertainty is a constant, and those who can manage it are often the most successful.
Staying the course
Property investing, like any form of investing, requires a degree of emotional resilience.
It’s about acknowledging that there will be times when the value of your asset stagnates or even drops, when economic conditions seem unfavourable, or when headlines are screaming "crash."
Joseph’s success wasn’t about timing the market perfectly—it was about sticking to a proven strategy and holding the course.
Over the years, I’ve met countless investors who got nervous during market downturns and sold their properties out of fear, only to regret it later when the market recovered.
Then there are those like Joseph, who simply trusted in the fundamentals of property investing: buy well-located properties in growth suburbs, add value when you can, and hold for the long term.
A better perspective on property
Reflecting on Joseph’s story, I’m reminded of a quote by American President Thomas Jefferson, “How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.”
The property market, much like life, has its cycles.
Yet, the perceived threats often don’t materialise to the extent we fear.
The key lesson for property investors is this: don’t let short-term challenges dictate long-term strategies.
Don’t make 20-year investment decisions based on the last 20 minutes of news.
In Joseph’s case, his Marrickville property weathered the Global Financial Crisis, Sydney’s property boom and bust cycles, and regulatory changes.
Today, it stands as a testament to the rewards of a long-term perspective.
The same can be said for the countless Australians who’ve seen their properties double or even triple in value over decades.
Lessons for today’s investors
- Don’t Obsess Over Monthly Movements: The value of your property today is not what’s important; it’s where it will be in 10, 15, or 20 years. Avoid getting caught up in the short-term fluctuations that generate stress and uncertainty.
- Focus on Quality Assets: Investing in well-located, high-demand suburbs—places with good amenities, transport links, and future growth potential through gentrification—gives you the best chance to benefit from long-term capital growth.
- Have a Time Tested, Proven, Strategy and Stick to It: Real estate isn’t about timing the market but time in the market. Get professional independent advice – why not use the team at Metropole to build you a personalised property and wealth strategy, unless the fundamentals change dramatically, stick with it even during challenging periods.
- Ignore the Noise: The property market will always have its critics and doomsayers. Remember that headlines are designed to get attention, not to provide sound investment advice. Focus on data, not drama.
- Know That Uncertainty is Part of the Game: Accept that the market will go through cycles, and those cycles include downturns. However, downturns often bring opportunities for those who are prepared and have the courage to act when others are fearful.
The future is bright for patient investors
If there’s one takeaway from Joseph’s story, it’s that property investing isn’t about predicting the next boom or avoiding the next bust.
It’s about building a robust portfolio that can weather economic storms and thrive over time.
The past wasn’t as good as we remember, the present isn’t as bad as we fear, and the future for Australian property investors, particularly those who stay the course, looks brighter than ever.
In fact, I see the current market offering a window of opportunity for property investors with a long-term focus.
We have what someone would call a perfect storm of factors that will lead to strong property markets over the next couple of years:
- Continuing strong population growth
- A shortage of skilled labour
- A massive shortage of housing
- Inflation is coming under control, and will soon be within the Reserve Bank's target range
- Interest rates are set to fall
And when we do start to fall and buyer and seller confidence returns... the property cycle will move to the next stage.
Moving forward, demand will continue to outstrip supply for some time as we experience record levels of immigration at a time when we’re not building anywhere near the number of properties we require.
We are also going to be experiencing a prolonged period of strong rental growth - the rental crisis will only worsen further, with no end in sight.
So whether 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 with clarity.
- Assess whether your goals are realistic within your timeline.
- Track your progress and ensure your property portfolio is working for you, not the other way around.
- Maximise your wealth creation through smart property investments.
- Identify and mitigate risks you may not have considered.
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.
Click here now and learn more about this service and discuss your options with us.
