Are you trying to decide between making an investment in a unit or a house? Well take a step back, because there are a few key factors that you should consider first.
In some markets, a house may be a better option, in others a unit may reap better gains. So to make the most of your hard-earned money, you really need to do your research before you invest in either type of property.
Simon Pressley, Managing Director at Propertyology, says comparing units and houses as a property investor is like comparing banking stocks and medical stocks as a share investor. It is all dependent of the state of the market, whether that be the property market or the stock market.
But when it comes to property, somehow people get sidetracked by the fact that property is a tangible asset, one that we can see and touch.
“What’s important is for the investor to not focus on the property itself but instead to focus on the market,” Pressley says.
“What actually grows is the economy. A property itself is a static commodity; it’s the market around it that grows.”
Here are Pressley’s top three considerations to check off before you begin to weigh up which property type to go for:
If you refer to these key factors when considering a property investment, you’ll then be in a position to weigh up which property type to choose.
Once you’ve reached that stage, there are certain risks and advantages you need to know.
Archers the Strata Professionals Partner Andrew Staehr says apartments offer an affordable entry point into the market, in locations that may be beyond an investor’s budget if they were looking at houses.
“Highly sought-after (inner-city) locations are more attractive to tenants; offering higher rental yields and investment security,” Staehr says.
The potentially lower price point may also allow an investor to build up a diversified portfolio quickly.
Another advantage of investing in an apartment in a strata scheme is that insurance, maintenance and upkeep are provided by the body corporate.
“If you own a house, all maintenance issues are your responsibility, whereas the maintenance and care of an apartment building and its surrounds are the responsibility of the body corporate,” Staehr says.
Pressley says to avoid big complexes with features that tenants are drawn to, like lifts and swimming pools, because they will force the body corporate fees up considerably.
“They are the features that when need replacing cost a fortune,” he says.
The specific size of the building is important, but it changes depending on the location. In a capital city like Melbourne, a complex with 50 units is not considered big, but in a regional town like Ballarat, that would be considered a monstrosity. In a regional town, 12 lots would be more appropriate.
Pressley says to not get too caught up on whether or not the property has a balcony or a courtyard – that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad investment. If there is no demand in the market for those features, then it’s not important.
When it comes to houses, you have to pay 100% of the insurance and 100% of the maintenance and upkeep fees. Every single thing that happens to the house is your responsibility.
“Within my own personal portfolio, I’ve had instances where I’ve had to fork out $15,000 for a roof. When those things are needed for an apartment, you get the benefit of economy of scale,” Pressley says.
“(With an apartment) you’re paying body corporate fees in lieu of the general maintenance and insurance outside you’re apartment. That’s probably a comparable cost.”
One advantage to keep in mind when considering a house, is the value of land.
Land appreciates over time, so even if all you can afford is a regional or outer suburb house – it could be a wise choice, provided you have assessed the supply and demand, affordability and economic factors outlined earlier.
So you’ve looked at the pros and cons of investing in houses and units, and you might be ready to dive in, but is there a right time to buy a particular style of property?
“The answer to this question is always the same,” Pressley says. “There’s not so much a good time, as a good market.”
“It’s important for the investor to refer to economic drivers and affordability… this will lead to a particular market. Then look at the supply and demand for apartments and houses in that market.”
It is true, however, that as a nation Australia is building (and buying) more apartments than ever before, particularly in capital cities.
But some of the regional cities are actually building at the normal rates, and some have lower unemployment rates.
“There’s a misconception that regional means risk,” Pressley says. “That’s just an assumption formed by naiveté from people who haven’t lived in a regional area.”
Article Courtesy of realestate.com.au
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