How to invest in property for less than $1 million

It is becoming increasingly difficult to buy an investment-grade house for under $1 million in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. This begs the question; if your investment property budget is less than $1 million, where and how do you invest it?
Brisbane is becoming more difficultIn early August 2021, I presented an investment case for buying an investment-grade home in Brisbane. My wife and I subsequently followed this advice (I put my money where my mouth is) and we purchased an investment-grade house in the Brisbane suburb of Indooroopilly, which settled last month.
Whilst I am still very bullish about the Brisbane market, it is becoming more challenging to buy an investment-grade house for less than $1 million. Whilst it is still possible, it may not remain that way for long.
House budgets must be substantially more than $1 million in Melbourne and SydneyIt will not come as a surprise that you need a budget of substantially more than $1 million to buy an investment-grade house in Melbourne and Sydney.
In Melbourne, you need more than $1.3 million and approaching $2 million and above in Sydney.
Of course, it is possible to find houses in these capital cities for less than $1 million, but these tend to be in non-investment-grade locations and/or have unacceptable compromises. That is, they are not deemed investment-grade assets.
Remember, there’s never a good reason to invest in a sub-standard quality asset. Your long-term investment returns will be directly related to the quality of your investment assets. You cannot expect good investment returns from an average (or below) quality asset.
A villa unit could be good optionVilla units are typically small houses that share the same block of land e.g. there might be 3 to 4 on the same block. They are often single-level homes that were constructed in the 1960’s or later. Typically, owners share some amenities, such as driveways, but mostly the owner has a direct interest in, and control of, their parcel of land.
Villa units are often prevalent in impaired locations such as busy main roads or secondary suburbs. However, it is possible to find some investment-grade villa units in blue-chip suburbs, but you must select judiciously. Villa units are scarce assets, particularly

ASK ME A QUESTION ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACnxmEP8vv8

My YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@investopolypodcast

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps me reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of this journey! :-)

Click here to subscribe to Stuart's weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.