Frequently Asked Questions

Clarity before you Invest

Informed decisions lead to stronger outcomes. These frequently asked questions address the fundamentals of property investing, helping you understand what’s achievable, how the process works, and what to expect at every stage.

Getting started with property investing

Property investing can feel complex at the beginning. These questions help you understand what’s achievable, what you can afford, and how to start with clarity and confidence.

Can you do this yourself?

How do you know what you can afford to spend?

How do you know if you can afford the property?

How much cash up front will you need?

Where should you get funding from?

Your partner isn’t keen on an investment property – what should you do?

Investment strategy & decision making

Smart investing is about informed, long-term decisions. This section helps you understand investment strategy, risk, and how to make choices that align with your financial goals.

They say don’t buy with your heart but your head, what does that mean?

Are you really investing in the land or is the house important in the long run?

Why not buy an older house and renovate?

Is housing overpriced relative to other physical assets?

What does it mean, using other people’s money (OPM)?

When and how soon can you purchase your next property to add to your portfolio?

Finance, equity & gearing

Finance is often the most confusing part of investing. These questions explain equity, leverage, and gearing, helping you understand the risks and use finance wisely.

Leverage: what is it?

With leverage, what is the downside?

What is gearing?

You now hear people saying don’t negative gear — how should you decide?

What if interest rates go up?

What if you need money suddenly?

Are you risking your family’s financial security using equity in your current home?

Can you use equity in your new investment home to leverage into another one, or are those days over now the banks are pulling back?

Rental Income & cash flow

Reliable cash flow is key to holding an investment long term. This section explains rental income, guarantees, and how to manage common tenant and income concerns.

What happens after the guaranteed rental period?

Is the guaranteed rental for a particular amount? Is it matched to market rentals?

How is it calculated?

What if your tenants don’t pay on time?

Market conditions & timing

Property markets move in cycles. These questions help you understand how market conditions affect investments and how to focus on long-term outcomes rather than short-term noise.

What does COVID-19 mean for property prices on the Coast?

Is the property cycle peaking and what does that mean for investment properties?

What happens if the property market slows?

You heard investment properties in QLD have had rentals fall — is this true?

Location & property selection

Where and what you buy matters. This section helps you assess locations, suburbs, and build quality to support long-term investment performance.

How do you pick the right suburb area to invest in?

How can you tell what quality level a new investment property will be built to?

Newer houses seem less solid than old double brick, is this true?

Tax, Super & ownership structures

How you structure an investment can impact tax, borrowing, and returns. These questions outline key considerations to help you invest in a way that suits your situation.

Can you claim travel to the area on my tax return? What about my partner and kids?

Can you use my super to buy property?

What is an SMSF?

Can you syndicate with others in your family?

Build quality, depreciation & maintenance

Understanding build quality and ongoing costs is essential. This section covers construction standards, depreciation, and maintenance so there are no surprises over time.

What sort of maintenance costs will you need to budget for?

Do new investment homes depreciate like new cars?