2021 22 housing market PT
The 2021 property market rises are likely to continue through 2022. Photo – Stock.
  • Property investment fundamentals must stack up
  • Investors need to consider metrics such as future supply
  • Local economy performance is paramount

For successive months this year, property data has been showing price rises in most locations.

However, while most major markets seem to be singing the same tune, there are differences in performance depending on dwelling type and geographic location – plus the figures don’t necessarily reflect the investment fundamentals.

Example: Darwin vs Melbourne

Take the differing results of Darwin and Melbourne over the past year as an example.

According to CoreLogic, the median house price in Melbourne has increased only 2.2 per cent over the year ending April, but in Darwin it’s soared by 18.2 per cent over the same period.

Do these stats mean that everyone should start investing in Darwin and give Melbourne, our second-largest city, a wide property berth for the foreseeable future?

Well, no.

Delving deeper into the data shows that Melbourne’s performance over the year may seem a bit underwhelming, but over the past three months its median house price has risen by an impressive 6.5 per cent.

The reason for the recent robustness? The end of those extended lockdowns in Melbourne, which scared the market into a temporary pause for a longer period than elsewhere around the nation.

Darwin, on the other hand, has been experiencing inferior market conditions for many years now, mainly due to its lacklustre investment fundamentals, which is a situation that is likely to return once this interest rate-driven market frenzy starts to fade.

At present, multiple stimulus packages, as well as cheap money, is appearing to ignite every market around the nation – a rising tide lifts all ships, after all.

However, it is the locations with the long-term investment fundamentals that will remain afloat long after this market mayhem has passed, while others sink back to the less than stellar results that they normally produce.

This means that once the wind has been knocked out of the current property sails, it is the investors who have purchased in the locations with the soundest fundamentals that will be looking forward to the horizon.

So, here are five investment fundamentals that are non-negotiable in all market conditions, including booming ones.

1. Supply

Only invest in locations where there is a low supply risk.

This means that there is unlikely to be any significant new supply of dwellings constructed in the area anytime soon to negatively impact future capital growth performance.

2. Infrastructure

Invest in capital cities and major regions at different times.

One of the reasons why we invest in particular locations is the infrastructure they already have, plus the major projects that are underway that are set to enhance the area for residents.

3. Economy

The relative strength, or weakness, of a local economy is the key determinant on its property market performance.

When a local economy is strong, then property markets tend to also be robust because residents feel wealthier.

We only invest in locations with solid economies that are also diverse to maximise the opportunity for superior growth performance over the medium- to long-term.

4. Jobs

Locations that have an abundance of jobs provide a clear indicator of a healthy local economy.

On top of that, lower unemployment means a more confident population, and jobs growth encourages new residents to migrate to a location as well, which adds to the collective community wealth.

5. Data

As I outlined at the start, the devil is in the detail when it comes to property data.

Recent property statistics certainly have a role to play in determining the investment fundamentals of a location.

We regularly analyse metrics such as days on market, vendor discounting as well as the online search popularity of a particular location, which can be a precursor to potential property price growth.

~~

Before making any decisions, please do your own independent research, taking into account your own situation. This article does not purport to provide financial, taxation, or investment advice. See our Terms of Use.




You May Also Like

New laws attract overseas investors for build-to-rent housing

Laws lowered to incentivise foreign build-to-rent deals, growing Australia’s rental stock.

Japanese capital dominates Australian property investment

Japanese investment surged to over $2 billion as top Australia offshore buyers in 2023.

Australian property investing: Know when to hold them, know when to fold them

There are a wide range of factors to consider.

ATO to crack down on property investors through data-matching

Nine in ten rental property owners are getting their tax returns wrong

Experts Corner by The Property Tribune

Ko & NPA partner to launch several co-owned luxury properties at Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast

Ko's partnership with NPA Projects provides more opportunities to co-own off-the-plan holiday residences, including exclusive Gold Coast properties

Continue reading

Top Articles

Perth property market: The definitive guide to buying a modular home

Modular homes, misunderstood as inferior, offer efficient, durable alternatives to traditional construction methods.

The 50 square metre solution getting people into their first homes and delivering an answer to ...

Small, modular homes could be a key part of the broader solution to Western Australia's current housing challenges.

The hardest time ever to buy a house in Australia: How Australian home buying got ...

We're currently in a buyer's market, but that doesn't mean Australian house prices are crashing.