03/12/2018
With the benefit of hindsight, being a successful property investor is simple.
For instance, it’s easy to see that we would have been far better off holding on to that first home that we bought 15 years ago for $150,000, which is now worth $400,000. Or that we should have rented out that innercity property instead of selling it to invest in another property – only for the CBD home to triple in value.
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Unfortunately, we can’t turn back time and make different decisions. But we can try to strategise so that our property plans make the most sense in the context of our current lifestyle and purpose for investing.
When you’re younger, for instance, it’s the ideal time to invest, as you have several decades of growth ahead of you. However, there is a downside to youth.
“Typically, in this age bracket, the biggest thing you haven’t got is money, or a well-paying job,” says Philippe Brach from Multifocus Properties and Finance. “It’s definitely the best time to start investing in property, or investing in anything really, because of the power of compounding. But with a lack of deposit or lack of income, you’ll struggle.”
“Your time and your money are extremely powerful and you can use them to increase the flow of income towards you, or … away from you”
The next best time to invest would be in your 30s or 40s, when you have built up some savings and a decent ongoing income. That’s if family plans, career changes and relationship breakdowns don’t get in the way.
By the time you’ve reached your 50s, you’ll have a keen eye on your retirement fund – but if you haven’t bought property by then, have you missed the boat?
In this special feature we canvas a range of experts for their tips, advice and strategies for investing in property according to your age. No matter how old you are, however, there is one rule that stands for each decade, according to Paul Wilson, founder of We Find Houses.
“If you want to grow your wealth, you need to have significant control of your income and your expenses,” he says.
“Your time and your money are extremely powerful and you can use them to increase the flow of income towards you, or you can use them to increase the flow of income away from you. It will all come down to the decisions you make along the way. Sadly, common sense is not common practice, and those decisions and actions will ultimately determine your results – so they need to be strategic.
“While it is impossible to mitigate every level of risk, you can certainly minimise it through strong financial literacy and discipline combined with a well-thoughtout plan that takes into account your goals, timeline, budget and risk profile – all of which will help you safely navigate the investment landscape throughout your life.”
Pick your age group and read on...
Investing in your teens or 20s
Investing in your 50s and beyond
