6 Myths That Stop People Investing & Why They’re Wrong
Property experts Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley unpack six common investing myths that keep Australians from building wealth – and explain why it’s time to rethink them.
2 min
When it comes to property investing, most people don’t fail because they picked the wrong suburb or mistimed the market. They fail before they even begin, buying into limiting beliefs that hold them back.
Here are six myths that stop people investing, and the reality behind them, according to property experts and authors Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley.
1. You Need to Be Rich to Invest
Many assume investing is only for high-income earners. In truth, wealth is built through strategy and discipline, not salary size. Even modest incomes can support investing with the right plan.
2. I Need to Learn Everything Before I Start
Education is important, but waiting for perfect knowledge often leads to inaction. Investing is a long-term game, and you’ll learn more by starting than by endlessly researching.
3. I Missed the Boat
This fear pops up every time prices rise. But property markets reward time in the market, not perfect timing. Yesterday was the best time to invest; the next best time is today.
4. Property Is Too Risky
All investing carries risk, but avoiding it altogether can cost you more. The key is research, advice and a long-term approach focused on well-chosen, quality assets.
5. You Need 10 Properties to Retire
It’s not about quantity but quality. A few well-performing properties can generate the income you need without the stress of managing a massive portfolio.
6. I’m Too Young or Too Old to Start
Age is often used as an excuse. Younger investors benefit from time and compounding, while older investors can succeed with focus and clear goals. It’s never too early or too late to begin.
The Real Barrier? Mindset.
Most people don’t get started because they focus on what could go wrong. Shifting that mindset to focus on what’s possible is often the first and most crucial step.
Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley are co-authors of the new book, How to Retire on $3000 a Week and co-hosts of The Property Couch podcast.
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Buyer demand, seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme are setting up a frantic spring, with activity likely to run through Christmas.
2 min
The spring property market is shaping up as the most active in recent memory, according to property experts Two Red Shoes.
Mortgage brokers Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton and Brett Sutton point to a potent mix of pent-up buyer demand, robust seller confidence and the First Home Guarantee Scheme as catalysts for a sustained run.
“We’re seeing an unprecedented level of activity, with high auction numbers already a clear indicator of the market’s trajectory,” said Sutton. “Last week, Sydney saw its second-highest number of auctions for the year. This kind of volume, even before the new First Home Guarantee Scheme (FHGS) changes take effect, signals a powerful market run.”
Rebecca Jarrett-Dalton added a note of caution. “While inquiries are at an all-time high, the big question is whether we will have enough stock to meet this demand. The market is incredibly hot, and this could lead to a highly competitive environment for buyers, with many homes selling for hundreds of thousands above their reserve.”
“With listings not keeping pace with buyer demand, buyers are needing to compromise faster and bid harder.”
Two Red Shoes identifies several spring trends. The First Home Guarantee Scheme is expected to unlock a wave of first-time buyers by enabling eligible purchasers to enter with deposits as low as 5 per cent. The firm notes this supports entry and reduces rent leakage, but it is a demand-side fix that risks pushing prices higher around the relevant caps.
Buyer behaviour is shifting toward flexibility. With competition intense, purchasers are prioritising what they can afford over ideal suburb or land size. Two Red Shoes expects the common first-home target price to rise to between $1 and $1.2 million over the next six months.
Affordable corridors are drawing attention. The team highlights Hawkesbury, Claremont Meadows and growth areas such as Austral, with Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains posting standout results. Preliminary Sydney auction clearance rates are holding above 70 per cent despite increased listings, underscoring the depth of demand.
The heat is not without friction. Reports of gazumping have risen, including instances where contract statements were withheld while agents continued to receive offers, reflecting the pressure on buyers in fast-moving campaigns.
Rates are steady, yet some banks are quietly trimming variable and fixed products. Many borrowers are maintaining higher repayments to accelerate principal reduction. “We’re also seeing a strong trend in rent-vesting, where owner-occupiers are investing in a property with the eventual goal of moving into it,” said Jarrett-Dalton.
“This is a smart strategy for safeguarding one’s future in this competitive market, where all signs point to an exceptionally busy and action-packed season.”
Two Red Shoes expects momentum to carry through the holiday period and into the new year, with competition remaining elevated while stock lags demand.
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