Buying a property can sometimes feel like falling in love…whereby after months (even years) of searching you find ‘the one’ – that special property that ticks all the boxes. Your dream property! However, we explore why when it comes to buying an investment property, head trumps heart every time!

Every time we talk to our clients they remind us just how emotional buying a property can be - happy, scared, excited, disappointed, you name it! They often reminisce about the disappointment of just missing out at auction or the overwhelming excitement of finally finding that perfect property. 

However, when adding to your investment portfolio, the key is to keep your emotions in check. Think with your head, not your heart and always keep your ego at the door. According to Smart Property Advisor director, Kevin Lee, overcoming trends is crucial when buying an investment property.

“When people allow their emotions to rule their head they tend to make poor investment decisions,” says Lee.  

Hannah Schuhmann, Principal of HS Brisbane Property agrees with Lee, and says that simply buying a property because it is in suburb that is considered up-to-the-minute could land you in hot water. 

“Fortunately for our Brisbane investors this does not really apply as city dwellings never really go out of fashion. In fact, quite the very opposite. At HSBP we find there is always a market for tenants wanting to live in the Brisbane CBD for a multitude of reasons,” says Hannah Schuhmann.

According to Hannah, it is also important to be objective and prepared when buying a new investment property.

“Do your research and think about your purchase using a strategic business-mind – consider fundamentals such as interest rates, the economy as well as market trends.”

It is also crucial to remove your own personal agenda from the equation. Remember you are not looking for your own home, so what you like is actually irrelevant. The question is, will your tenant like it? After all, like any business, you have a demographic that you are selling to and, as such, you need to find a property that best suits that target market. 

For example, let us take a look on a local scale… the Brisbane CBD is perfect for attracting a wide range of target demographics. For instance, if targeting students then a property near the Queensland University of Technology is perfect, whereas if your demographic is white-collar workers and executives then an apartment close to the Brisbane Central Business District (CBD) is sure to bring much appeal. Socialites, singles and young couples often tend to submerge themselves nearby to eateries and cosmopolitan streets which include the best restaurants, etc.

However, one of the biggest advantages that comes with buying an investment property in the Brisbane CBD is that, for your tenants, it means that nothing is too far away. Therefore, most demographics have the luxury of being able to have their cake and eat it too. I.e. a CEO can be living in the business district while still only a short distance from the city’s finest restaurants, nightclubs and shopping precincts. It is a win-win – just one of the many reasons why our investors find the Brisbane CBD such a great place to buy. 

Here at HSBP we are extremely fortunate to have the Brisbane CBD here on our doorstep as it the golden hub for any astute investor. For more information on investing here in Brisbane or to find out which of our current properties are best suited to yourtarget demographic, speak to Hannah Schuhmann and the professional team at HSBP on 0419 782 133.

Many of our clients come to us having previously held investments in shares but now having made the decision to shift their focus to property investing. The question is why are so many people turning back to real estate?

The first thing that comes to mind is stability. Take last week for example. In the early hours on Tuesday August 25th the global stock market exposed its volatility yet again as it came crashing down. Once again a harsh reminder to investors as to just how unpredictable the stock market can be.

Many of our clients who previously held investments in shares tell us how quickly their portfolios changed after witnessing major economic events such as the global financial crisis (GFC) and last week’s stock market crash, etc.

“We always hear feedback from clients telling us that they feel more at ease with investments they can physically see and walk into… that’s why they come to us”, says Hannah Schuhmann, Principal of HS Brisbane Property.

Another reason, clients share with us, is that with property they feel they have more control. With recent purchasers telling us they invested in property because it enables them to have more power over their investment - unlike other investment classes. They appreciate that property allows them to choose where they buy, how they buy and when to sell.

That is not to say that economic conditions do not play a part in driving property values. The primary difference is that economic conditions of the share market are much more magnified due to the fact that emotions and news can have a strong influence on values.

One of the other very common reasons we hear time and time again when our clients explain why they made the shift from shares to property ,is because real estate is a much easier asset to understand. In comparison to the stock market, real estate terminologies and strategies are fairly straightforward.

If like many of our other clients you are looking to make the switch, then we would love to talk to you about some Brisbane CBD properties that astute investors will be particularly interested in. For more information or to book an appointment callHannah Schuhmann on 0419 782 133.

* We suggest speaking with your financial advisor to create the right investment strategy for your circumstances.

These days CBD apartments are become increasingly more and more popular for home owners, investors and tenants alike.  The question is, what boxes should the apartment tick to make it a good choice for you, now and in the longterm?  What should you look for? What will keep buyers and tenants attracted to the property – now and even in years to come? 

To help choose the best investment for you, here are a few tips we suggest keeping an eye out for when buying an apartment in the CBD arena:

Suitable position

For the vast majority of buyers and tenants, an apartment’s appeal will boil down to location and ease of access to local amenities. Generally the best apartments are within walking distance of quality universities, shops, cafes, recreational facilities and public transport to appeal to the widest market.

“At HSBP we always say to investors, ‘put yourself in the tenant’s shoes… what is it they are looking for in the apartment they will call home?” says Hannah Schuhmann, Principal, HS Brisbane Property.

There are normally three key things quality tenants are looking for here:

The good news is when buying an apartment in the Brisbane CBD, each of those boxes are automatically ticked – something which is simply hard-pushed to find elsewhere, especially the suburbs.  

Know your neighbours

Aim to find an apartment block with a ratio of in access of 20% owner-occupiers. Why? In our experience, blocks with a higher proportion of owner-occupiers are generally better maintained, which overall can equate to greater demand, prospects and overall growth.

Property attributes

1. Appeal - Is the property attractive to lots of different buyer groups?
2.  Light - Look for an apartment that has an abundance of natural light. Any additional opportunity to bring in natural light is a bonus – e.g. a large glass windows, a balcony or sliding door.
3. Services - Check phone coverage, internet connection and services to make sure everything you, or your future tenant, may need is available at the location.

Remember you are not just buying an apartment, but buying into the entire building

1. A holistic view - Inspect the whole building, check out all the common areas, the foyer, site office (if applicable), pools, gym, lounge areas.  Really get a feel for the whole building so you can decide if it is the right place for you to live or invest in, rather than focusing purely on the apartment itself.
2. The bigger picture - Ask for the Community Management statement and Body Corp minutes to learn more about the property and its management and regulations.

Get to know the on-site managers 

Are the on-site managers in the building going to be an asset to your investment?  Will they ensure your property is kept at a high standard and that the property management needs such as finding and retaining good quality tenants are met and carried out in a way you are comfortable with?

So there you have it… that completes our top ‘most wanted’ list for buying a CBD apartment.  Here at HSBP we pride ourselves on finding the very best apartments that the Brisbane CBD has to offer. So if you want help selling your gem or you are on the hunt for something that ticks all the boxes, contact Hannah on 0419 782 133 – we would love to have a chat!

Lately there has been a lot of hype surrounding Brisbane’s new Queens Wharf development. We thought we’d take this opportunity to talk about what the exciting new multi-billion dollar project holds for our city and what it means for Brisbane investors. 

Tipped to inject 3,000 jobs during development and another 8,000 employment opportunities upon project completion, the new Queens Wharf development is predicted to do what South Bank did 30 years ago – proving a major victory for our local economy!

What can locals expect to see from the development? Queens Wharf is said to completely reshape George Street to the river; stretching 10 blocks across the far end of the city – from Queen Street to Alice Street.  

The exciting new project it set to transform the face of Brisbane as we know it, thanks to the addition of an underground shopping mall, a sky-deck containing multiple restaurants and bars, five new hotels (three of which will be six stars), a new Lyric Theatre at South Bank and a cross-river bridge to access it.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said one of the signature efforts was the large amount of public space that families will be able to enjoy; with the development expected to offer public space equivalent to 12 football fields. 

Other highlights include a riverfront moonlight cinema, three residential towers, 50 food and drinks outlets as well as the transforming the existing Treasury casino into a new boutique department store and hotel.

 “… This is a good announcement, it is fantastic for Brisbane and I am quite sure the people of Brisbane will embrace the new Queens Wharf development." Ms Palaszczuk said.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said the project would change the face of the river city and be “transformational for Brisbane".

"It will do what South Bank did for Brisbane 30 years ago”, the Minister said. 

Incidentally, when it comes to real estate, it is anticipated that the introduction of Queens Wharf is set to make our city increasingly more desirable to buyers and investors alike, thus creating a newfound confidence in our city’s local market; the outcome expected to be twofold.

This new surge of excitement is expected to have unprecedented effects on our local economy, and more importantly the Brisbane CBD real estate market – with a heightened influx of interest from buyers (new and existing) in the Brisbane CBD area.

Consequently driving more and more property buyers and investors towards Brisbane’s real estate market, which will altogether foster a rise in real estate prices, which is great news for our investors.  We are also likely to see a large jump in tenants moving into the area as the exciting new development unfolds which again bring will a smile to those who have invested in the CBD.

With so many opportunities on the rise, now is the perfect time to get on the front foot and beat the Queens Wharf property increases. To discuss your options and the current investment opportunities available contact Hannah and the HSBP team today on 0419 782 133.

For those in the know, property investment can be extremely rewarding. However, it takes much more than a few seminars and a solid deposit to come out on top. From unyielding research, comprehensive knowledge, an abundant understanding of the industry and innate instincts to pursue opportunities as they arise – all play a role when it comes to becoming a successful real estate investor. 

Too frequently these days we witness newcomer investors buying property under the premise of – it is now or never! These investors are throwing everything at the gauntlet while they can; worried that if they do not buy now, they will miss out altogether. This kind of impetuous attitude is a big mistakes for any investor – investing in property should not be an impulsive buy. Instead, new investors need to take time, do the groundwork and have a rock-solid plan of attack.

To help, we have compiled the following tools and advice for those starting out in the investment world.

1. Understand industry jargon

Like anything in life, knowledge is power. To get ahead in the investment game it pays to do the homework. This involves devoting much-needed time researching the industry and its market… including getting up to speed with current trends and latest reports, becoming familiar with technical terms and jargon and sourcing articles and information from reliable resources (books, magazines, websites, etc.) about property investing and the market as a whole.

2. Have an end goal in sight

Set goals surrounding personal investment achievements and be very explicit about reaching them. For example, investment wise – where do you want to be in 10 years, how many properties do you want to acquire, financially where do you need to be to make this happen.

3. Evaluate your financial situation

Calculating all assets (income, bank interest), expenses (bills, loan repayments) and financial resources (such as other investments, if any) is extremely valuable prior to commencing any investment. Doing so provides great insight and understanding towards the financial situation at hand. It also indicates the available borrowing power by measuring the ability to take on extra debt and avoid overextending financial expenditure.

4. Recognise the risk

The secret to adopting the right property investment strategy comes down to knowing the risks involved and how much any personal or financial situation can tolerate. To help, there are numerous means that can be taken to self-assess a risk profile, including the following:

1. a.     Age – How many years until retirement? The closer to retirement the less risk is taken because there is not time to rectify any potential mistakes and squander the nest egg.

1. b.     Financial buffer – Are there any back-up savings to help in a worst-case scenario?

1. c.      Income – Amongst jobs, property portfolios and other investments is there an access income? If so, how reliable is this income? E.g. If the investor is younger and earning a modest to good income, taking on more risk to achieve long-term goals now could be considered as a way to better your future prospects.

3. Source expert help

Investing in property is about much more than earning rent; it is about preserving a solid cash flow. This in mind, mortgage brokers and accountants are an invaluable resource for any investor – but not just anyone. It pays to find professionals who specialise in property investing; the right mortgage broker can calculate the borrowing power based on each financial situation, as well as advise what loan would suit and how to structure it so the investor can continue borrowing money down the line. Whilst a sound accountant can help structure investment properties to maximise tax deductions and cash flow, structuring investments to minimise tax bills and protect the property investment, and the investor.

Other expert help can be sourced from a trusted real estate agent with years of experience in the investment market.  For sound advice on property, including possible opportunities to break into the local Brisbane market, contact Hannah and the team on 0419 782 133 and setup an appointment.