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I Bought the Wrong Property; What Should I Do Now?

Note: This episode is a re-run of one of our older episodes. It originally aired on 2nd July 2020 😊  

In this week’s episode, Bryce and Ben answer 10 listeners’ questions! 

With practical advice on property selection and analysis, this episode is your guide to navigating the intricacies of property investment in Australia. 

If you have a question, leave us a message here!  

If we answer it on the podcast, you’ll get FREE access to our Start & Build Workshop (usually retails for $497!!). This online course is a deep dive on the foundations, framework and everything else you need to know on how to build your very own property portfolio. 

  

Free Stuff Mentioned

 

Previous Episodes/Guests Mentioned

  • Peter Koulizos 
    • Ep 241: 12 Steps to a Profitable Property Development  
  • Jane Slack-Smith 
    • Ep 61: Property Education and Renovating for Profit 
    • Ep 213: How to Adjust Your Renovation Strategy 
  • Naomi Findlay 
    • Ep 188: What’s Renovating Got to Do with Dating? 
  • Household names from The Block 
    • Ep 110 (Part 1) & Ep 110 (Part 2): Meet Frank Valentic from The Block! 
    • Ep 132: Josh & Jenna – This Bickering Couple and their Tiny House Movement in Australia 
    • Ep 284: Kyal & Kara – How to Renovate, Raise Kids, Run a Business & Not Lose Your Mind in the Process 

 

Timestamps

  • 0:00 – I Bought the Wrong Property; What Should I Do Now? 
  • 5:56 – Proposal submission for review of WA tenancy laws [Editor’s Note: The review has since concluded; June 2023 update here]. 
  • 9:43 – Mindset Minute: Be coachable!
  • 15:20Q1: I want to buy in a location I love and am familiar with, but it is poorly diversified. How do I mitigate the risks? 
  • 22:10Q2: How important are historical growth rates?
  • 29:15 Q3: I want to invest interstate. Should I look for a local Buyer’s Agent or one who operates nationwide? 
  • 30:39 – Our sister company wins an award! 
  • 41:29Q4: Is it better to prioritise high yield or high growth?
  • 46:45Q5: Should I move into my rental property? 
  • 52:52Q6: Is it worth getting an average property in a good suburb if I’m planning to hold for the long term? 
  • 57:18Q7: Thoughts on buying Defence Housing Australia projects? 
  • 1:03:18Q8: What do you think about active investing – buying to subdivide, fixer uppers, etc.? 
  • 1:07:02Q9: I bought a ‘House and Land Package’ before I was educated. What can I do now to ensure growth? 
  • 1:10:18Q10: Is putting a granny flat out the back a good idea when retiring out the debt? 
  • 1:11:55 Sort out the basics of money management before you invest! 

 

341 | How To Pivot Your Investment Strategy When Affordability Changes

Folks, it’s no secret that property prices have seen a significant uptick – so what does this mean for your investment strategy if you can no longer afford to buy investment grade locations that are close to the city?

See, if you’ve read our book The Armchair Guide To Property Investing, or heard any of our earlier episodes, you might have heard us quote particular price points that now seem, well, a bit ridiculous.

You might’ve thought, “A $650,000 property in inner city Melbourne… what? They’re now over a mill, guys…?”

Or, “Where on earth can I buy a property for $450,000 in this market!?!”

 Or, “You said to aim for inner city properties with owner-occupier appeal, but now you’re talking about regional markets… what’s the deal?”

We hear you. And we get it.

That’s why today we’re doing a deep dive on how to pivot your investment strategy when affordability changes!

Make no mistake – the fundamentals DON’T change… but you need to be both smart AND realistic about the locations that are available to you, whatever your price point may be.

This is a Q&A episode you don’t want to miss – we tick off A LOT of key property investment questions that we’re confident will allow you to find success no matter what your price point is! Plus, we’ve got some new frameworks on how to navigate land tax, learn when it’s time to SELL (yep) and best practices to manage your money without dedicating your life to managing a spreadsheet….

Tune in now – and let us know what you think!

 

P.S. Yes, Ben is actually in his CAR when we’re recording this episode… find out why in the first five minutes 🤣

 

Free Stuff Mentioned

 

The Questions

Question From Valarie on Tips For Money Management

I bought a course and really love I’m also through the Make Money Simple Again book. I have one question: How do you apply the Money SMARTS system to a couple? At the moment we have separate accounts, something like 12 accounts between the 2 of us. How do you change that to fit into the system? Do you go with one family account and 2 debit cards account and 2 credit cards account or is there another configuration that you recommend? Many thanks in advance for your feedback Tips and Have a Great weekend. Thank you!

 

Question from Kiran on Land Tax and Different Entities

Good day Bryce, Ben, Stiggy and the team. My name is Kiran, I’m from Melbourne. I was listening to your podcast a week or two ago and you spoke about an active, investor Bruce in this episode who had land tax issues because he was investing in the same state. All investments are in the same state. I understand the active investor issues but from what I understand, all these investments were possibly in his personal name. What if Bruce was able to invest in different entities for examples companies or trusts? Each entity would then be completely separate and hence reset the amount of land tax he had to pay. Can you unpack the issues as to whether this is a worthwhile strategy and other differences with finance? I understand that commercial finance is required for companies which results in less favourable LVRs. Are there any further issues that someone looking to invest using companies or trusts to reduce their land tax bill may encounter?

 

Question From Mathew Monty on How To Buy Assets Closer In On Combined $100k Income

Hi Guys, I love the Podcasts. I just got a couple of questions regarding investment grade/investment stock – more for people like me that don’t earn that much money. Can you buy with an income of $100,000? So I’ve got a property that’s got good equity and we went out and we bought another property for investment, probably just investment stock in Truganina. So 20-something kilometres from the city, I know it’s not investment grade like you just talked about. However, I wonder how people on say $100,000 a year in combined income could afford to get into those inner-city areas? I don’t know if that’s possible. Given our situation that we’ve bought a new investment stock property, where do we go from here?

 

Question from Dimitra on The 6-Part Framework That Reveals It’s Time To SELL!

Hi guys, Love your podcast. I listen regularly on the drive to and from work, and recently purchased your audio book which has been super informative. You always share a lot of knowledge when it comes to finding and purchasing an investment, but would love more information on what to do if you’ve bought a lemon! Most of the things you tell us to avoid applies to my investment property. The apartment was purchased off the plan in an area where supply exceeds demand and the property price hasn’t increased since it was purchased back in 2017. And to make matters worse, since Covid and the bad publicity new apartments have been getting, the property has gone down in value. There are tenants in the property currently and I have to contribute an extra $50 per week towards the mortgage (principle and interest)

The positive is that the property is in Sydney, 12km from the CBD and a 10 minute walk to public transport. This purchase obviously happened before I discovered your podcast, but what should I do?

Should I hold the property in the hope that it will eventually increase in value, or is there no other option but to sell and cop a loss?

Any advice you can give would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

 

 

 

 

330 | Top 10 FOMO Mistakes Investors Make!

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is certainly here in this hot property market, folks! 

Let’s be real… the “Great Australian BBQ Topic” is officially on steroids right now  a combination of low interest rates, rising property prices and lack of supply in the market is seeing all sorts of people jump in on the property party they perceive everyone else is enjoying. 

So, we want to be direct with you… there are NO excuses to purchase property because of FOMO! The reality is you should NEVER make huge financial decisions on a whim or forget to “Look Before You Leap”. 

A hot market — like the one we’re currently experiencing  is the perfect storm for property buyers to make mistakes and land themselves in hot water by stretching themselves too far, act without thinkingfall into the “herd” mentality or disregard that FOMO is paradise for Spruikers!! 

As a follow on to our 3-part mini-series on how to win in a HOT property market, today we’re tackling the Top 10 FOMO mistakes property investors make… because we DON’T want to see you getting burnt out there or Realising Too Late that you fell into the trap of Irrational Exuberance!! 

So, strap yourselves in folks… ‘cos we’re about to give you some TOUGH LOVE! 

 

Free Stuff Mentioned… 

 

 

What’s Covered In The Episode….

  • 02:12 – How can you WIN our Start & Build online course?
  • 07:57 – How Bryce’s heckle to Ben ended in a property investment lesson… (LOL)
  • 09:57 – Mistake #1: You buy__ because you __ __ __ !
  • 10:30 – The Perfect Storm for FOMO…
  • 11:23 – A question to ask yourself to rein in FOMO…
  • 11:54 – “I went to buy a loaf of bread and came back with a property!” (yep… real life story!)
  • 14:02 – Why market movement doesn’t mean you should buy property…
  • 15:10 – “CBAD”!
  • 16:07 – Key FOMO difference for investors and owner-occupiers
  • 16:28 – Ben’s Two Controversial Tips for Owner-Occupiers!
  • 20:00 – Mistake # 2: You buy because you want to get __ __ !
  • 20:26 – Why is FOMO a paradise for Property Spruikers?
  • 22:10 – Beware of The Stock List!
  • 23:26 – Why we DON’T like the word “Rich”!
  • 24:15 – The Fundamental Principle to work out if YOU are the product!
  • 25:13 – Understanding the enemy…
  • 26:34 – How to identify “The Millionaire Next Door”
  • 27:17 – Mistake #3: You __ __ __
  • 31:16 – The 30,000-foot view…
  • 31:57 – The two most-common situations we model…
  • 33:51 – Mistake #4: You __ the wrong __!
  • 34:13 – Why you need to be cautious of “flipping” in a hot market…
  • 35:24 – Understanding investment-grade locations…
  • 36:00 – Why a character property could actually be the WRONG property for you…!
  • 37:09 – Mistake #5: You __ __ want to __ on __ !
  • 40:52 – Mistake #6: You __ without a __ __ __ __
  • 41:27 – Why can you borrow more as a rentvestor?
  • 42:20 – Considerations if you’re chasing higher-yielding properties
  • 44:02 – Mistake #7: You underestimate what it takes to __  __  a __ __
  • 44:47 – Mistake #8: You’re too __ or too __
  • 46:17 – Classic examples that lead to a poor-performing property
  • 48:27 – Mistake #9: Your __  is disconnected from __ __
  • 50:20 – Are you paying too much?
  • 53:50 – Mistake #10: You Buy __ Because You Think __ __ __ Changed!!

258 | WARNING: The Unconscious Mental Triggers Property Spruikers Use To Trick You

Property investors who get seduced into Off the Plan and house and land packages are often seduced through a marketing process that targets universal, emotionally-driven mental triggers.

And after heaps of folks wrote in about last week’s episode where we spoke of the perils of investing in these types of properties, we’ve decided that today we’re going to lift the lid on what exactly these mental triggers are. So people can spot the spruiker from miles away! Because there’s a VERY big difference between marketing for marketing’s sake… and simply being sold into buying dodgy advice & dud properties.

Full disclosure: you will notice that some of these we actually do ourselves… and, yes, we’re being very explicit in this. The reason why we use them is simple… these tactics get people to take action. But getting people to take action on something that will ultimately help them… versus taking advantage of human psychology so people buy an asset or invest in bad advice that only the Spruiker will profit from…... well…… it’s about time we even the playing field here, don’t you think?

And folks… Property Spruikers do NOT want you to know this stuff. Full stop.

… ‘cos once you learn this stuff… you won’t be tricked quite so easily!

 

Free Stuff mentioned…

 

The Unconscious Mental Triggers

  • 13:36 – Mental trigger #1
  • 16:25 – Mental trigger #2
  • 20:46 – Mental trigger #3
  • 22:45 – Mental trigger #4
  • 25:50 – Mental trigger #5
  • 27:05 – Mental trigger #6
  • 32:11 – Mental trigger #7
  • 39:51 – Mental trigger #8

 

 

 

257 | The Exception To The Rule When It Comes To Off The Plan Properties & House And Land Packages

Recently, ABC’s podcast The Money ran a very poignant episode on the financial risks of unregulated property investment advice (which we highly recommend you check out – details below folks)… which revealed the pitfalls of buying Off The Plan properties and getting snagged on the end of “one-stop-shop” spruiker seminars.

As well as interviewing two unlucky folks who learnt about investing in Off The Plan in the worst way possible, the episode also features a property ”sales person” … and the look from the other side… is… well… let’s just say we’ve got something to say about it!

‘Cos as you know folks, we hold a VERY strong view on these types of investments — and we’ve been very vocal about this since we first started croaking out this podcast — so why then … would we have an “an exception to the rule”???

Well… that’s where today’s episode comes in! ‘cos if you’re going to go there….. (and many of you STILL write to us about investing in Off the Plan properties AND House and Land packages.… then we want to make sure you stay FULLY informed.

AND we’re also going through a Q&A on this tackle this exact topic, so you might get the answer you happen to be pondering right now!

 

CLICK HERE to Listen to ABC’s The Money podcast episode — The financial risks of unregulated property investment advice

 

 

Other Free Resources Mentioned In This Episode

 

The Questions…

Question from Brittany

Hey guys! Absolutely love your podcast. Wanted to share something I found. The offer is – buy an off the plan apartment, and get a free Mazda 2. Reeks of a buyer beware scam! Is this even legal? I have never seen anything quite like it and had to share it with you guys.

 

Question from Alana

I have been listening to your podcast, I have invested in a house and land package in Tarniet, I will be owner occupier . I will be investing with a friend, therefore half the debt will be mine we will be investing around 450,000 total. There are proposed schools next door and a shopping mall and train station going in. Everything in your podcast leads to don’t buy a house and land package… have I stuffed this up already?

 

Question from Juan — Is It ALWAYS A No To Buy Off The Plan?

Hi guys, First of all – thanks for your great material! It’s great, ‘specially for someone like me who is new to Australia, understanding the way everything works here is gold. I have heard most of your podcasts and also done some research online and I wanted to ask a question around Off-the-plan investments that I still can’t understand. Everywhere people say it’s a big NO-NO. I understand the risks involved (delays, not seeing the finished product beforehand etc) but my wife and I have found an OTP property in a suburb we like (Bentleigh, within the Mckinnon School zone) and we think it’s a good place to live. The developer has done at least 3 different developments in the area all of which we like the finishes and have built it in perfect timing. I wanted to ask why would this be considered a really poor investment? Are OTP properties definitely a NO? I understand the case of Docklands and closer to the city suburbs where you had thousands of developments which made the price go down but in Bentleigh I don’t think this is the case. I have subscribed to locationscore.com.au and the score is relatively well considering that I will live in this property and it’s within my budget. I just wanted to get a sense of your thoughts around this as I am a true follower of your words of wisdom. Hopefully you have some words for me. Thanks in advance and keep up the excellent work of empowering people like me with information. Juan

 

Question from Phoebe

Hi Property Couch,

I have a question for you. My partner and I recently signed a contract for a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment in Camp Hill, Brisbane. It is a brand new apartment building (small block – only 7 apartments). We plan on living in the apartment (for now but would like to rent it in the future – roughly 3-5 years time). The developer originally wanted $569k, dropped it down to $539k and we signed a contract for $529K. When applying for a home loan, the property was valued at the property $29,000 less than the purchase price. Their report considered market direction, volatility and segment conditions to be of medium to high risk. This is very concerning for us as first home buyers. We don’t know whether the banks are just being overly cautious. What are your thoughts on this? I know you mentioned in your very first podcast, if you are buying new, you are most likely paying too much. We think the apartment is really good quality and ticks a lot of our boxes. Help! Thanks for your time.

 

 

 

 

 

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