13 Habits of Successful Property Investors

Successful investors don't come across fantastic opportunities overnight. Long-term success in the property market involves dedication and persistence. This is often achieved with an in-depth approach to current trends, creating a plan, and changing habits to achieve your property goals.

Whether you’re aiming to make a profit through rental income, property appreciation or business operations on the property, you first need to understand the different property types and how to create an investment strategy that works for you.

So, what are the habits of those who excel in property management and how can you achieve financial freedom through property investment? Thankfully, there are many routes to take to build and maintain a strong financial position.

Habits Of Successful Property Investors

Building wealth outside your existing assets is possible, especially if you mirror the habits of a well-prepared investor. So, what do you need to do to achieve your vision as a property investor? It takes much more than luck. Achieving long-term prosperity is built on a sound strategy, discipline, and reaching out for professional advice. 

1. Create a business plan

A business plan can help plan for a short-term or long-term investment. It's an excellent roadmap to stay focused on the goals at hand instead of being distracted by minor setbacks. This approach allows you to organise strategies and ways to mitigate risk.

2. Research market and location

The key to successful property investing often lies in researching the market and location. d Here, you should take the time to consult with someone who has an in-depth understanding of the local property market. Again, this mitigates risk and makes sure that your final decision is grounded in technical expertise and backed by the data. 

Understanding property trends, local amenities, everyday spending habits, infrastructure development, unemployment rates, and mortgage rates can all help you plan a potential future opportunity. 

If you are unsure where to start or simply need the guidance of an expert, there is always value in reaching out to an independent financial advisor in Melbourne.

3. Understand property cycles

Without the right guidance and advice, diving headfirst into property investment comes with its fair share of challenges. Property cycles offer insight into the time to sell or buy. These cycles cover interest rates, economic conditions, government policies, population growth, employment rates, and consumer confidence. This information should be known to or accessible by an independent financial adviser. 

4. Develop a niche

If you are seriously pursuing property investment, you want to identify your strengths right from the start. For example, is there a specific location or property type that you want to focus on? This can offer you a competitive advantage as an expert in your chosen niche. Again, it never hurts to consult with industry professionals.

5. Maintain high standards

Acting according to high ethical standards is vital if you want to excel and prosper with a high-net-worth property. After all, fair business is key to a solid reputation. Always respect the rights of stakeholders and tenants.

6. Build a professional network

Building a network of property professionals and strong relationships is essential to having valuable experience on hand. Business relationships with property managers, accountants, and other investors can offer insights and opportunities such as partnerships.

7. Encourage referrals 

Successful real estate deals often come from a bank of referrals, and this can include happy tenants. Co-workers, customers, or associates offer great potential to draw in partners by harbouring business relationships. Always make use of your social networks and how this can lead to opportunity.

8. Manage cash flow

Do you want to increase your cash flow? Positive cash flow is an investment where the yearly expenses are a lot less than the yearly profit. Ultimately, you want to increase your current expenses or the income that your investment property provides you. This covers your expenses and can be invested into new properties.

Unfortunately, managing your cash flows and assets isn’t always a walk in the park, which is where connecting with an experienced financial advisor may be beneficial.  

9. Stay educated

Australia's property market is constantly changing and evolving. Even in the past few years, the Melbourne market has experienced countless ups and downs.  Therefore, it's essential that you stay up to date with trends,  laws, regulations, trends, and terminology in the world of property investment. Some ways to stay educated include attending seminars, reading reports, connecting with other high-net-worth investors, or speaking directly to financial advisors. 

10. Manage debt responsibly

Effectively managing passive and normal income is key to handling debt. For example, passive income is useful in terms of renting to buy. Renting out a home and renting out individual rooms can triple your income and achieve long-term growth.

11. Hire an accountant

An accountant can do more than guide your financial decisions. You can request help with tax laws, reporting, and business book handling such as balance sheets. This will ensure your books are always accurate.

12. Calculate ROI

Compared to the average investor, successful people focus on the return on investment. An ROI is how much profit is made on an investment, as well as a percentage of how much this investment costs.

13. Understand risk

Real estate investment takes time and can pose a risk if you don't understand the process. Having a property strategy and knowing the risks can prevent issues such as inflation, interest, loss of assets, market liquidity, environmental risk, location risk, legal risks, and tenancy risks.

Reasons to Pursue Property Investment

A property investor is classified as any individual or business that buys, rents or sells different property types with the intention of making a profit. This can be a long-term or short-term investment and can involve more than one property. For many, this approach is a lucrative and reliable investment for the long term.

If you're an investor wanting to expand your property portfolio, you need to consider whether your aim is capital gains, consistent cash flow, buying and holding, or buying and selling. What you choose will alter your property investment strategies. So, what are the benefits of buying up real estate?

Income

With an upfront investment, you can rent a property to a tenant or group of tenants, gaining passive income. This is possible by investing in commercial and residential properties of various sizes and styles. 

Tax deductions

Most property expenses can be offset as tax. Often, this can include any interest gained with a loan used to purchase the property. Other property tax deductions are land tax, strata fees, council rates, rental advertising costs, repairs, maintenance, or building depreciation.

Capital growth

If your property increases in value, you can benefit from this increase if you choose to sell. Looking at the past performance of a suburb can help determine the possibility of capital growth. Of course, this would be another important time to reach out for professional financial advice.

Less volatility

In comparison to shares or other investment types, property investment is less volatile. As a physical asset, it is low risk in comparison to investing in stocks, which can change in value a lot faster. If an investment home burnt down, for example, the land itself still holds value.

Types Of Investment Properties

Property investment is a multifaceted investment strategy, and there is more than one type of property that you can invest in. 

Commercial

Investors, especially corporations, often purchase commercial properties and lease them out to other commercial operators. Examples of these can be office buildings, industrial warehouses, or retail buildings. The leases of these properties involve higher rents, as investors earn income by charging those who occupy the property.

Residential

Investing in residential homes is one of the most common ways to earn an income stream. An investor can rent out a home to multiple tenants, and this can include townhouses, apartments, single-family homes, or other types of residential buildings. Individuals or families will agree on rent. As an investor, this is an attractive opportunity as there is consistent cash flow.

Mixed-use

A mixed-use property can be used for residential, industrial, and commercial reasons. A classic example is a store or restaurant having a residential building attached. As a diverse real estate type, this investment can work well against market volatility, but it needs considerable knowledge and experience to make it work.

Vacant land

Vacant land can be used as an investment, however, this involves having an understanding of town planning, zoning, and development approvals within a chosen suburb. Once approved, an investor can use it for farming, develop it into residential or commercial properties, or hold it for some time if anticipating growth within the area. If sold at the perfect time, returns can be exponential!

Want to learn more about potential investment property types near you? An independent financial adviser servicing Melbourne and Sydney can help tailor your investment strategy.

What Investing Strategies Are Available?

Investment strategies allow for a certain level of creative freedom. Let’s explore some of your options now.

Buying, renovating, and holding

Want to boost returns without needing to wait on market growth? Buying, renovating, and holding is a strategy perfect for investors looking to gain from the market value of the property over time. With this strategy, you need to take note of the initial renovation costs and possible market downturn.

Buying, flipping, and selling

If you don't want to sit and wait for capital growth, this strategy is a quick turnaround if you are purchasing a low-value home in a higher-value location. However, the investor needs to pay for renovations and consider stamp duty, agent fees, and capital tax once the home is sold. There is also a chance of a sudden market downfall or unexpected renovation costs, so keep that in mind.

Buying, subdividing, and selling

If you understand zoning restrictions, the subdivision investment option is useful if you prefer not to rely on property value going up. With subdividing, a block of land would be bought and divided into two or more pieces of land with different titles. Selling these areas individually can help you make a profit due to a demand for more affordable land.

Buying and holding

Buying and holding poses a smaller risk compared to flipping and subdividing. As an investor, you can earn a steady cash flow of rental income quite easily. On the other hand, it’s essential to have a financial advisor to assist with possible market fluctuations and vacancies. 

If you're looking for financial guidance, consider a professional approach from a financial adviser across Brunswick, Balwyn, or Camberwell to help you achieve your desired financial position.

Finding The Right Property To Invest In

Considering an investment? A seasoned financial advisor can provide astute, client-centric advice for your lifestyle & wealth journey. Here are some of the main areas where they can provide guidance.

Finding the right location

The location of a property can determine its market value. If a home is closer to schools, shops, public transport, or has planned infrastructure that could increase jobs, value is increased. Promising growth is a positive influence on rental yield and capital appreciation.

Looking into the age of the property

Considering the age of the investment property prevents spending a fortune on additional maintenance costs. A charming older home for example may have a lot of hidden fees involved for repairs. Structures and fittings should be in good condition, and a building or pest inspection should be requested.

Assessing a property’s features

When investing, what will potential buyers be looking for in terms of practical living? Unique selling points include extra bathrooms, garage spaces, land, and the layout of the home. This can determine capital growth for an investor. A home with an office space may attract business professionals in a neighbourhood.

Exploring capital gains

What is the median price of the suburb, and is there potential for it to increase? Estimating the market growth can give you a rough idea of future capital gains. Consider past sales in the area, median rental income, and demographic information. Investing just isn’t about buying, it’s purchasing the right property for your future.

Expand Your Property Portfolio With A Financial Consultant in Melbourne

Yearning for a more prosperous life? If you're an ambitious person scaling your current investing strategy, taking on expertise from other high-net-worth individuals can prepare you for a well-earned return. 

At Dominium Capital, we understand the value of a results-focused portfolio, and the desire to live life on your terms. Our financial advisors strive to surpass client expectations, are experienced in picking out economic trends and help you build upon your assets and wealth. 

General Advice Warning: This article does not consider your personal circumstances and is general advice only – unless otherwise stated.

You should not act on any recommendation without considering your personal needs, circumstances and objectives. Dominium Capital recommends you obtain professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.

Any general financial advice is provided by Dominium Capital Financial Advisers Pty Ltd, a Corporate Authorised Representative of Dominium Capital Pty Limited ACN 142 188 510 125 AFSL 461653

More finance news and insights

Learn about the problems we solve for our clients

Solutions
Disclaimers
1. Any financial advice is provided by Dominium Capital Financial Advisers Pty Ltd, an Authorised Representatives of Dominium Capital Pty Limited (ABN 54 513 176) 674 AFSL 461653
2. Any credit & finance advice is provided by Dominium Capital Pty Ltd. Australian Credit Licence 461653
3. General Advice Warning – The information provided is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account any of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
crossmenu