Welcome to Property Ponderings! Today, we’re breaking down the core steps for building a successful property investment portfolio, from setting clear goals to choosing the right properties and managing your portfolio over time. I’ll share insights from 15+ years in the industry, including real client stories—like how defining your goals can make or break your long-term growth.
On today’s episode, I break down why relying on property market predictions can be a costly mistake. From the COVID downturn to sudden market recoveries, history shows how expert forecasts can miss the mark, often spectacularly. I’ll share why these predictions fall short and how focusing on long-term fundamentals—like location and quality—can help you make smarter, more resilient property decisions.
Buying off-the-plan might seem like an easy path to property investment, but it can be fraught with risks. From oversupply issues that push down prices to unexpected bank valuations and quality concerns, many buyers end up with properties worth less than they paid. Before committing, it's crucial to understand these pitfalls—sometimes, taking the 'easy' route could cost you more in the long run.
Today, we're diving into the psychology of money and how it impacts property decisions. Drawing on insights from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money, Craig explores why long-term patience and managing ego can be more powerful than chasing market timing. He explains how holding through market cycles, sticking to personal goals, and staying flexible can lead to smarter, more sustainable wealth-building decisions.
In this episode of Property Ponderings, Craig Nichol explores how auctions can actually benefit buyers. Auctions offer transparency, helping you see your competition and stick to a clear budget, avoiding overbidding. Plus, in certain market conditions, buyers might snag a bargain when sellers are under pressure to sell quickly. Tune in to learn how you can approach auctions with confidence and come out on top!
In this episode of Property Ponderings, Craig Nichol dives into the Victorian Government’s new housing policy, which aims to boost high-density development around key public transport hubs across Melbourne. He highlights the major opportunities for landowners and developers, but also warns existing apartment owners of the risks posed by oversupply, which could lead to falling property values and tougher competition in the rental market.
Melbourne’s median dwelling prices may seem lower compared to other Australian cities, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. A high proportion of more affordable apartments is skewing the overall median, while Melbourne’s house prices remain among the highest in the country. With migration rebounding, strong rental demand, and ongoing infrastructure projects, the city offers prime opportunities for buyers and investors looking ahead.
In this episode of Property Ponderings, Craig Nichol dives into five cognitive biases that can derail property decisions, including anchoring, loss aversion, and overconfidence. He explains how these mental shortcuts can lead to overpaying, missing out on opportunities, or making irrational choices in the property market. By understanding these biases and relying on data-driven decisions, you’ll be better equipped to avoid costly mistakes and achieve long-term success.
In this episode of Property Ponderings, Craig Nichol explains why chasing property hot spots is a risky, short-term strategy that often leads to disappointment. Instead, we advocate for a long-term, value-based approach to property investment, focusing on areas with strong fundamentals rather than speculative, high-risk markets.
Are you about to start negotiating on a property? Listen up to five negotiating tips that will be easy to implement and take thousands of dollars off your next property purchase.
So you have purchased a property, but what do you do to organise and complete an effective final inspection? Listen up for more information
It's been a busy couple of years, so I thought I would share what I have learnt from 5 renovations completed in the past two years, to hopefully help you on your own renovation journey.
Buying a property that has severe building issues can lose you tens of thousands of dollars. Of course when buying a property a building inspection is essential, but I'm going to tell you six common issues that you should take note of when you inspect the property, to alert you earlier to concerns, even before hiring a building inspector.
Listen to understand the two key benefits of buying a property to renovate, so that you can get you and your family ahead.
Explore the realms of borrowing and finance alongside Shane Neaves and Nick Webb, Founding Directors of Hutton Financial. In this enlightening discussion, we navigate through the nuances of the current market landscape, pivotal shifts in lending protocols, essential insights into borrowing practices, strategies for optimising borrowing potential, comparisons between property and shares, insightful predictions for the property market, and a plethora of invaluable financial wisdom.
We delve into the world of property purchasing, an exciting yet challenging endeavour for many. Join us as we explore 7 common buyer mistakes that I saw over my 10+ years as a real estate sales agent, prior to becoming a buyer's agent.
A detailed episode on my property acquisition system that allowed me to scale a strong property portfolio to perform in the long term, whilst keeping risk as low as possible.
In this episode, we explore ten essential tips for buyers to transform a property purchase from good to great.
