It’s common knowledge that the value of property grows overtime.

It doesn’t grow consistently or uniformly, but overall, property prices generally increase.

But how are investors to act in the current market if they wish to grow their wealth in the safest possible way?

So let’s look back at property prices to help you look forward.

It’s common knowledge that the value of well located property increases over time.

It’s also fair to say that the sooner you start investing in property, the better you’ll end up financially.

“That’s not fair,” I can hear new investors say. “Despite the fact that the value of some properties have fallen, prices are still so high, I’ll never get my foot on the ladder — let alone be able to build a property portfolio that allows me to retire.”

I can understand your frustration.

And in fact, to compound it somewhat, I’ll share with you this titbit of information one of my mentors shared with me many years ago…

The best time to get into real estate was 20 years ago.

I would add — the second best time is today.

But that’s not particularly useful information, is it?

Who wouldn’t like to buy their parent’s house for the price they paid for it years ago?

Until we master the scientific breakthrough of time travel, it’s not possible to go back in time and buy property while it’s still “cheap”.

And let’s not sugar coat it — if that were possible, we could snag some absolute bargains.

If we take a look back at what real estate prices were like a few decades ago, the facts and figures are eye-wateringly appealing.

I started investing in the early 1970’s.

In 1973, the median house price in Sydney was just $27,400.

Renting would cost you an average $26 per week, and according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the average weekly wage was $111.80.

Buying a house at this time in in Brisbane cost $17,500 and in Melbourne it would set you back $19,800.

The first property I bought in Melbourne cost me $18,000. I went halves with my parents and we got $12 a week in rent and we were excited!

And if you were to purchase the average house in Canberra back then, it would cost you around $26,850, whereas a house in Hobart would’ve seamed a steal at the low median  of $15,200.

As for Perth and Adelaide, the housing market was affordable with a median of $26,850 and $16,250, respectively.

Compare that with the pricing of houses these days, and it’s a vastly different story.

According to the latest data from CoreLogic, median house values at the end of June 2019 were:

Sydney — $866,524
Melbourne — $709,092
Canberra — $656,943
Brisbane — $533,133
Perth — $458,137
Adelaide — $465,266
Hobart — $484,716
Darwin — $461,033

The first thing we can deduce?

In the space of 46 years, all capital cities have recorded massive price growth.

Some have performed better than others, clearly.

But the fact remains that anyone who bought property in 1973 and still owns it now, has profited very handsomely from their investment. 

The second thing we can deduce?

Time in the market, not timing the market, is a surefire strategy for success when you’re building wealth for your future.

There are a number of factors that influence property prices, but in particular our population growth and the increasing wealth of our nations have driven up values.

When all is said and done, however, the irrefutable truth of the matter is this: if you follow a proven investment strategy, do the right research, choose an investment grade property, in the long-term outlook will be favourable.

This is true regardless of how  volatile value movement is over the short-term and no matter how high property prices are in the current market, and

So, rather than fretting about “where property prices are heading’”over the next year or two, focus on the bigger picture.

If you buy well, buy smart, and have a strategy in place, your prospects for wealth creation are strong.

After all, if Sydney property prices increased from around $27,000 in 1973 to $878,000 in 2018 — can you imagine where they will be a few decades from now?

Now could be the best countercyclical opportunity in decades to get into the property market.

We’re at the tail end of this property slump.

Sure the value of some properties may slip a bit more, but the downside is minimal and the longterm upside for well located capital city properties is solid.

Factors that led to the change in the market momentum include:-

Increased confidence now that the Coalition has won the Federal Election
APRA easing bank’s assessment criteria for new loans – this should commence in the next month
Two interest rate cuts and the prospect of more to come
Banks passing on the home loans with some cutting rates even before the most recent RBA “official” cut in rates
Tax cuts are on the way – meaning more money in our pockets
The best housing affordability nationally since 1999
Positive messages in the media stoking consumer confidence.
First home buyers returning to the market encouraged by government incentives.

And this will only get better in the next few months as APRA’s changes haven’t really worked their way through the banking system yet, and many home owners and investors have not yet benefited from the lower mortgage rates and the tax cuts are yet to hit our hip pockets.

Now don’t expect a property boom any time soon, but think about it?

How often in your lifetime will you get a chance to buy Sydney property 15% or so cheaper than you could a few years earlier?

How often in your lifetime will you get a chance to buy Melbourne property 10% or so cheaper than you could a few years earlier?

A few times in your lifetime!

Some final words of advice (or warning) for investors

It should come as no surprise that getting a good team around you will be an important investment and not an expense and should allow you to build a property portfolio that will go a long way to replacing their income in the future.

At the same time, you must learn that property investing is not a get rich quick scheme and to achieve your future financial goals you will have to slowly build a substantial asset base and not chase short-term cash flow like many beginning investors do.

Here are a few other final tips so you’ll know exactly how to invest:

Formulate a plan: understand your end goals – what you want to achieve – and then make investment decisions accordingly.

Be cautious: You’ll find everyone is happy to give you advice. Rather than listening to well-meaning friends, it’s important to only listen to people who have achieved the financial independence you’re looking for and who’ve maintained it through a number of property cycles.
Understand the difference: between a sales person and an advisor. Many sales people are cloaked as advisors and while they suggest they’re representing you, in fact, they are representing the seller or a property developer. Only take advice from someone who is independent and unbiased rather than someone who is trying to sell you something.
Be prepared to pay for advice: I’ve found that good advice is never expensive. In fact, it’s much cheaper than learning from your property investment mistakes.
Not everything that glitters is gold: often when you start out it can be tempting to see opportunities everywhere. The problem is you don’t yet have the perspective to decide what is a good investment and what is not.

Property doesn’t discriminate; it doesn’t care who owns it.

The residential property market is worth well over six trillion dollars today and over the next decade, it will increase in value by billions and billions of dollars.

If you get it right, you can have your share.

Take advantage of independent, unbiased investment advice

If you’re looking for independent advice, no one can help you quite like the independent property investment strategists at Metropole.

Remember the multi award winning team of property investment strategists at Metropole have no properties to sell, so their advice is unbiased.

Once again, the team at Metropole have been voted Australia’s leading property advisors at the Investors Choice Awards.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned property investor, we would love to help you formulate an investment strategy or do a review of your existing portfolio, and help you take your property investment to the next level.

Please click here to organise a time for a chat. Or call us on 1300 20 30 30.

Our experts have their finger on the pulse of the property market, and are specialists in their fields.

Contact us for a complimentary, obligation-free session with one of our property strategist’s today.

Read more: propertyupdate.com.au