Invest
Rule of thumb for first-time property investors
Australians looking to break into the property market are being advised to do their research, speak to professionals and use debt in the right way to accumulate assets.
Rule of thumb for first-time property investors
Australians looking to break into the property market are being advised to do their research, speak to professionals and use debt in the right way to accumulate assets.
In a conversation with nestegg, Minnik Chartered Accountants director and wealth educator Leah Oliver pointed out her tips for new investors.
“In this area, there’s often confusion between a viable investment and an extension of one’s lifestyle. We see emotion creep into the equation quite often,” she said.
Ms Oliver tells novice investors that the value in property is the land and not the building on top of it.
With that in mind, the wealth educator said, “Avoid units and structures where you share with others and don’t own the land.”
She also told investors to do their research in an area before committing to buying.
“Forget investments where there is low demand and oversupply, this destabilises their value and makes them high risk,” Ms Oliver said.
Ms Oliver also told first-time property investors to avoid purchasing a property purely for negative gearing purposes.
“Capital growth is your highest priority. Rental return is secondary. Tax savings are last. Never make investment decisions primarily for tax savings (with a few circumstantial exceptions),” she said.
She also reminded investors that Australian real estate tends to be a strong performing asset class, although investors should only purchase what they can afford.
“Investment properties that tend to perform well are where the purchase price is right, the buyer doesn’t overextend, the property is freestanding and in a location that offers adequate employment, industry and infrastructure,” Ms Oliver said.
“Aged cottages on nice sizable flat blocks, low maintenance in a location that has everything to offer, are a favourite. A cosmetic lift can go a long way with these kinds of additions.”
The wealth educator also advised those who can pay a little more and get out of debt sooner to do so.
“Never sit on a mortgage paying down minimum only to remain geared for tax savings. Be dedicated to paying down debt always,” she said.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Property
The 2026 Suburb Thesis: A case study in turning trend lists into investable strategy
A new crop of ‘suburbs to watch’ is hitting headlines, but translating shortlist hype into bottom-line results requires more than a map and a mood. This case study shows how a disciplined, data-led ...Read more
Property
From signals to settlements: A case study in turning property insight into investable action
Investor confidence is rebuilding, first-home buyers are edging back, and governments are pushing supply — yet most property players still struggle to convert signals into decisive movesRead more
Property
Australia’s rental choke point: why record-low vacancies are now a boardroom issue
A tightening rental market is no longer just a housing story—it’s a macro risk, a labour challenge and a strategic opening for capital. With vacancies near historic lows and rents still rising, ...Read more
Property
Rents are rewriting the inflation playbook: what record‑low vacancies mean for Australian business
Australia’s rental market is so tight that housing costs are now a primary transmission channel for inflation and interest rates. This isn’t just a property story; it’s a business risk story—affecting ...Read more
Property
Off-market real estate is going mainstream — and changing the rules of dealmaking
With public listings tight and sales still climbing, Australia’s investors are shifting to off-market channels that reward speed, networks and data advantage. The playbook is closer to private equity ...Read more
Property
Australia’s rental squeeze is now a business problem: inflation, capacity and the new growth calculus
Record-low rental vacancies are no longer just a social headline – they’re reshaping cost structures, wage dynamics and capital allocation across corporate Australia. With economists warning of a ...Read more
Property
Rents Are Repricing Australia Inc: What record‑low vacancies mean for inflation, talent and strategy
Australia’s rental market has slipped into a vacancy desert, and it’s not just tenants feeling the heat. Persistently tight supply is pushing up rents, embedding services inflation and complicating ...Read more
Property
Young buyers poised for a comeback as 5% First Home Guarantee takes effect
In a move set to reshape the Australian property landscape, the government’s revamped First Home Guarantee is poised to open the doors of homeownership to a new generation of young AustraliansRead more
Property
The 2026 Suburb Thesis: A case study in turning trend lists into investable strategy
A new crop of ‘suburbs to watch’ is hitting headlines, but translating shortlist hype into bottom-line results requires more than a map and a mood. This case study shows how a disciplined, data-led ...Read more
Property
From signals to settlements: A case study in turning property insight into investable action
Investor confidence is rebuilding, first-home buyers are edging back, and governments are pushing supply — yet most property players still struggle to convert signals into decisive movesRead more
Property
Australia’s rental choke point: why record-low vacancies are now a boardroom issue
A tightening rental market is no longer just a housing story—it’s a macro risk, a labour challenge and a strategic opening for capital. With vacancies near historic lows and rents still rising, ...Read more
Property
Rents are rewriting the inflation playbook: what record‑low vacancies mean for Australian business
Australia’s rental market is so tight that housing costs are now a primary transmission channel for inflation and interest rates. This isn’t just a property story; it’s a business risk story—affecting ...Read more
Property
Off-market real estate is going mainstream — and changing the rules of dealmaking
With public listings tight and sales still climbing, Australia’s investors are shifting to off-market channels that reward speed, networks and data advantage. The playbook is closer to private equity ...Read more
Property
Australia’s rental squeeze is now a business problem: inflation, capacity and the new growth calculus
Record-low rental vacancies are no longer just a social headline – they’re reshaping cost structures, wage dynamics and capital allocation across corporate Australia. With economists warning of a ...Read more
Property
Rents Are Repricing Australia Inc: What record‑low vacancies mean for inflation, talent and strategy
Australia’s rental market has slipped into a vacancy desert, and it’s not just tenants feeling the heat. Persistently tight supply is pushing up rents, embedding services inflation and complicating ...Read more
Property
Young buyers poised for a comeback as 5% First Home Guarantee takes effect
In a move set to reshape the Australian property landscape, the government’s revamped First Home Guarantee is poised to open the doors of homeownership to a new generation of young AustraliansRead more
