As investors, it can be hard to
separate the good property advice from the bad – and let’s be honest, there’s
plenty of advice out there to sort through!
These are just some of the tidbits
of bad advice I’ve heard over the years, which I strongly urge investors to
ignore:
1. Buy locally, so you can visit the
property
I understand the appeal of being
able to drive by your investment to physically check on it from time to time.
But as a basis for an investing
strategy?
This is just fraught with danger.
There are thousands of property
markets within a country, and they all have different drivers and growth
cycles.
Invest based on the best investment
location, not on your location.
2. Search for high yield
opportunities
Gaining a strong cash flow is great
as an investor.
But is it going to make you rich?
Not a chance.
Cash flow from a high-yield property
investment may help you manage your investments, but you ultimately need growth
to be able to build your net worth.
3. Invest in the United States –
it’s so cheap!
It’s also risky, unproven, difficult
to manage from afar and driven by completely different cycles and market fundamentals
than other countries property. Steer clear!
4. Only invest in properties you
would live in yourself
As an investor the goal is to take
emotions out of the equation, by looking for properties that suit the market –
not that you would like to live in yourself.
I have owned many well-performing
properties that are consistently tenanted, but that I wouldn’t want to live in
myself.
5. Invest to take advantage of tax
deductions
You should never invest in a
particular property simply due the tax benefits (such as depreciation).
You leave yourself exposed to the
risk that the tax rules could change – and if the main thing your property has
going for it is a tax advantage, you’ll be left with nothing but a poorly
performing asset.
6. Buy a holiday home that you can
personally benefit from
If you want to derive a personal
benefit from your property, then invest wisely so you can grow your wealth and
will eventually be able to holiday wherever you like!
Holiday home investments typically
have low growth drivers and while they may give you a great spot to take a
vacation every year, they won’t add to your wealth.
7. Buy off-the plan to access
tomorrow’s property at today’s price
Look, I’m not a fan of buying off
the plan in general.
It’s hard enough to forecast future
values for three years down the track, but it’s downright risky to peg your
finances (and tie up your investing capital) based on a “hope” for future
growth.
Sticking with existing properties with
known features and growth drivers is a smarter way to go.
This list is by no means exhaustive;
I could almost fill a book with the amount of nonsense property tips I’ve heard
over the year.
Ultimately it pays to remember: if
it looks or sounds too good to be true, it probably is, so invest with your
eyes wide open and a clear investing plan to guide your decisions.
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