Investors:
What to buy, what not to buy
When you’re investing in property, what you choose to buy makes all the difference to your long-term return. Some properties will consistently grow in value and attract good tenants. Others might look good on paper but underperform in reality.
Here’s a guide to help you spot the smart buys and dodge the bad ones.
What to look for
1. Stick to areas you know
You don’t have to buy in your own suburb, but look for a ‘drive-by’ location – somewhere you can easily visit for inspections or property management. On-the-ground familiarity will give you peace of mind and often better insights than you’ll get from internet research alone.
2. Choose areas with new or incoming infrastructure
Suburbs with projects under construction – new transport links, hospitals, shopping centres – typically outperform over time. Capital growth tends to follow investment.
3. Houses generally outperform apartments
Land is scarce and that’s what drives house price growth. If you can’t afford a house, an apartment is still a great choice with its own set of advantages. Apartments are more affordable, easier to maintain, and offer higher rental yields and depreciation benefits.
4. Match the property to your desired level of involvement
If you’re hands-on, a house offers more opportunity to add value through renovations and extensions. If you prefer to sit back, a low maintenance apartment might be the better fit.
5. Focus on quality
Buy the highest quality property possible within your budget. Prioritise a good floor plan, plentiful natural light and walking proximity to cafes, shops and transport. Choose the best street of a suburb you can afford over the worst street in a more expensive suburb.
6. Aim to buy above the median
Properties that cost 10% or 20% above a suburb’s median price come with better layouts, space, views and proximity to amenities. This translates to better resale value and more tenant appeal.
What to avoid
1. Second tier ‘bargain’ apartment blocks
If a keenly priced brand new apartment in a flashy ad looks too good to be true, it probably is. Cheap new developments are usually in inferior locations and have low quality fixtures and fittings. They won’t appeal to owner occupiers, which limits future capital growth.
2. Rental guarantees
Offers like ‘7% guaranteed return for 5 years’ can be misleading. These schemes often mask inflated sale prices. When the guarantee ends, rents can drop, and your returns will go down with it. A solid investment should easily command market value rent.
3. Serviced apartments
These function like hotel rooms, and their success relies on travel and business demand. Resale is limited to investors only, which limits capital growth.
4. Refurbished commercial buildings
Residential conversions from office blocks or warehouses can look stylish but often come with awkward floor plans and hidden structural defects. They’re riskier than purpose-built homes.
5. Company title apartments
These older-style buildings can restrict your ability to lease the property freely. Some require tenants to be approved by a committee. With so many strata title options available, there may be other options. ***
Some people say you should keep emotion out of it when making investment decisions. That may work for some asset classes, but not property. Sure, be rational when you negotiate the deal, but when you’re picking the property itself, it’s good to use a little instinct.
Ask yourself: Would I want to live here? Would I be proud to call this property my home?
That gut feeling – combined with solid research and a focus on quality – is what will steer you toward an investment that will consistently rise in value over the long term.
John McGrath CEO & FOUNDER
This Saturday’s auctions
This Saturday’s open homes
Northern Beaches
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
Price Guide $12,000,000
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Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
Price Guide On Request
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Agent Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
James Baker 0421 272 692
Price Guide On Request
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Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
Price Guide On Request View By Appointment
Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
James Baker 0421 272 692
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492 26A
AUCTION Wednesday 13 August 5.30pm
Price Guide $2,750,000
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
Price Guide $1,850,000
View Saturday 2.00pm - 2.30pm
Agent Sam Thompson 0497 618 492
Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
Northern Beaches
15 Karalta Crescent, Belrose
4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 2 August 1.30pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.30pm - 1.00pm
Agent Jill Rafferty 0416 140 012
Izzy Fallowfield 0489 311 877
2/1 Bilambee Avenue, Bilgola Plateau
2 beds 1 bath
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
Rowena Hunt 0412 601 647
13/17 Pine Avenue, Brookvale
2 beds 1 bath 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.30pm - 1.00pm
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Oliver Cullen 0421 713 023
1B/1 Hews Parade, Belrose
3 beds 1 bath 1 car
AUCTION Saturday 9 August 3.00pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.15am - 10.45am
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
40 Plateau Road, Bilgola Plateau
5 beds 3 baths 5 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide $5,000,000
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Adrian Venturi 0425 205 181
15 Parkes Road, Collaroy
4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 16 August 9.00am
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Oliver Cullen 0421 713 023
68 The Serpentine, Bilgola Beach
4 beds 3 baths 2 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lyndall Barry 0411 436 407
1/6-7 Funda Place, Brookvale 2 beds 2 baths 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 1.30pm - 2.00pm
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Christian Cullen 0426 671 733
16-20 Homestead Avenue, Collaroy
3 beds 2 baths 2 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Jill Rafferty 0416 140 012
Northern Beaches
1/52-58 Howard Avenue, Dee Why 2 beds 2 baths 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am
Agent Susie O’Brien 0411 762 227
29/97-99 Oaks Avenue, Dee Why 2 beds 1 bath 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.00am - 10.30am
Agent Giovanni Dimauro 0447 321 954
Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
6 Bellbird Crescent, Forestville
5 beds 2 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 30 August 3.00pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
12A/1-5 The Crescent, Dee Why 2 beds 1 bath 1 car
AUCTION Monday 11 August 4.00pm
Price Guide $900,000
View Saturday 1.00pm - 1.30pm
Agent Nathan Ford 0404 696 133
Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
506B/5 Mooramba Road, Dee Why 1 bed 1 bath 1 car
FOR SALE
Price Guide $650,000
View Saturday 3.30pm - 4.00pm
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Mitchell Skinner 0426 650 077
21 Jimada Avenue, Frenchs Forest
5 beds 2 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 26 July 9.45am
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
24/27-29 Sturdee Parade, Dee Why 3 beds 2 baths 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 16 August 11.15am
Price Guide $2,275,000
View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am
Agent Jill Rafferty 0416 140 012
George Bachtis 0419 293 780
11/135 Sydney Road, Fairlight 2 beds 1 bath
AUCTION Saturday 9 August 1.30pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 11.00am - 11.30am
Agent Morgan Fahey 0418 408 408
Elliott Fahey 0408 408 408
57 Prince Charles Road, Frenchs Forest 4 beds 2 baths 2 cars
FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
Northern Beaches
7A Ozone Street, Freshwater 5 beds 6 baths 4 cars FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.30am - 11.00am
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
SALE
Price Guide
$3,500,000
View Saturday 12.30pm - 1.00pm
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Bernadette Cullen 0424 006 825 29 Donegal Road, Killarney Heights
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
62/143 Kurraba Road, Kurraba Point
1 bed 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.30am - 11.00am
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962 1 Balgowlah Road, Manly Land FOR SALE
Price Guide $1,900,000
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
42/10 Darley Road, Manly
1 bed 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 2.00pm - 2.30pm
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Mitchell Skinner 0426 650 077
9-11 Denison Street, Manly
4 beds 2 baths
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Athlone Crescent, Killarney Heights
beds 1 bath 2 cars
AUCTION Saturday 30 August 9.00am
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Karen Terry 0419 421 584
Stephen Bock 0417 344 445
11/26 The Crescent, Manly 3 beds 2 baths FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
9-15 Central Avenue, Manly
1 bed 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Northern Beaches
311/102 Darley Street West,
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
Nathan Ford 0404 696 133
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
Giovanni Dimauro 0447 321 954
3/5
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Nathan Ford 0404 696 133
Kelly Mulvihill 0435 177 153
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Will Robinson 0402 215 962
8/99
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 12.00pm - 12.30pm
Agent Giovanni Dimauro 0447 321 954
Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
76b Irrubel Road, Newport
beds 3 baths 4 cars
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
AUCTION Saturday 26 July 3.45pm
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 3.00pm - 3.45pm
Agent Mario Esposito 0417 654 068
Giovanni Dimauro 0447 321 954
190
beds 5 baths 13 cars
Price Guide $14,000,000 - $15,000,000
View By Appointment
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Lauren Garner 0403 944 427
2/95 Crown Road, Queenscliff
beds 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Will Robinson 0402 215 962
Vicki Lamb 0452 431 344
Mona Vale
Narrabeen
31A Sherwood Crescent, Narraweena
beds 2 baths 2 cars
67 Consul Road North, Narraweena
Alfred Street, Narraweena
Barrenjoey Road, Newport
Northern Beaches
6/105 Queenscliff Road, Queenscliff
beds 1 bath 1 car FOR SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Christian Cullen 0426 671 733
SALE
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Laura Mears 0424 918 829
Luke Nolan-Harris 0411 369 132
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Tim Cullen 0424 006 855
Price Guide On Request
View By Appointment
Agent Laura Mears 0424 918 829
Luke Nolan-Harris 0411 369 132
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 10.45am - 11.15am
Agent James Baker 0421 272 692
Laura Mears 0424 918 829
Price Guide On Request
View Saturday 11.30am - 12.00pm
Agent Laura Mears 0424 918 829
Luke Nolan-Harris 0411 369 132
7B Battle Boulevard, Seaforth
128 - 130 Whale Beach Road, Whale Beach
beds
baths
205 Whale Beach Road, Whale Beach
242 Whale Beach Road, Whale Beach
25 Rayner Road, Whale Beach
baths
NORTHERN BEACHES PARRAMATTA REGION
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Open Homes Guide
Open Homes Guide
Open Homes Guide
Collaroy | Dee Why 02 9982 0600
Forestville 02 9451 8466
Manly 02 9977 9500
Mona Vale 02 8044 0388
Pittwater 02 9918 6700
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