The property market offers plenty of opportunities for those looking to build wealth, but it’s also riddled with pitfalls that can catch even the most well-intentioned investor off guard.
Here are 4 things that investors do and how to avoid them.
1. Letting emotions lead the way
It’s human nature to make decisions based on how something makes us feel — but property investing is not the time for sentimentality. A Commonwealth Bank study found that nearly half of buyers admitted to paying more for a property simply because they liked it. This emotional bias can lead to overpaying, purchasing in the wrong area, or ignoring better investment alternatives.
Smart investors focus on the numbers, including understanding the rental yield, capital growth potential, vacancy rates, and local demand trends, not whether the kitchen has marble bench tops. Instead, use a clear set of criteria based on financial performance to assess properties.
2. Buying in the wrong location
Location is everything. But too many investors buy based on familiarity or marketing rather than fundamentals. A well-located property should have consistent demand from quality tenants and long-term capital growth potential.
Before purchasing a property, ask yourself, is the area supported by strong infrastructure and job growth? Are there good schools and transport links? Is it part of a broader urban renewal strategy?
A great property in the wrong suburb will always underperform a good property in the right suburb. Prioritise areas with rising demand, upcoming development, and low vacancy rates. Tools like suburb performance reports and location risk analytics can offer data-driven insights.
3. Skipping research and due diligence
Too many investors rely on gut feel or hearsay when making big decisions. Others get caught in analysis paralysis, overwhelmed by data but lacking the framework to interpret it properly. Either approach is dangerous.
Good research means understanding what you’re buying down to the street, dwelling type, historical performance, and demographic trends. It also means stress-testing the purchase. How will it perform if rates rise? What happens if the property sits vacant for a month?
Get professional support and use technology to assess the deal from multiple angles. Speak to a mortgage broker about how the property purchase might be impacted by different interest rates or market changes.
4. Underestimating the true cost
Owning an investment property involves far more than just mortgage repayments. Ongoing costs such as strata fees, maintenance, insurance, property management, council rates and potential vacancy periods all chip away at your cash flow.
Failing to account for these expenses can result in financial pressure and force you to sell at the wrong time. It can also delay your ability to reinvest or reduce debt. Model out best-case and worst-case scenarios before buying. Always have a contingency buffer for unexpected expenses.
