Economic uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has many Australians wondering if now is the time to
invest in property. Let’s take a look at the state of play.

As lockdowns ease in most parts of Australia, our attention is turning to the economic influence of the COVID-19
pandemic—particularly the property market and if it is the right time to invest.

Following such rapid and unexpected change, what’s the state of play?

A bird’s eye view

An overarching look at the Australian real estate scene reveals that things are a bit unpredictable.

For example, in June 2020, Sydney prices dropped by 0.83%, while Hobart prices rose by 0.34%, according to CoreLogic.

For prospective property buyers in New South Wales, this could look like an opportunity, particularly
given that home loans are more affordable, with the Reserve Bank has kept the interest rate at 0.25% for
sometime now.

At the same time, there are other factors to keep in mind. The Australian Government seems set on stimulating
the construction industry, through various initiatives, including grants for new builds and
renovations.

And the 2020-21 Federal budget, originally scheduled for announcement in May, won’t be revealed until early
October, having been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Property buyers and the state of play

There’s plenty for property buyers to feel excited about, as long as they are informed about the state of play and
take a calculated approach to investment—from thinking carefully about where to buy to planning for unexpected
events.

You should always look at your personal situation and if your cashflow allows for any potential property investment strategies.

One important aspect of this is putting protections in place, including insurance policies. It’s helpful to know that,
even if you suffer an illness or injury that prevents you from working, you’ll be able to make repayments on your
mortgage.

For example, income protection insurance can pay you a monthly benefit if you’re unable to work due to a
sickness or injury, while total and permanent disability cover pays a lump sum if you’re unlikely to be able to ever
return to work again.

You may also wish to consider life insurance, which pays a lump sum if you pass away. Among many other
things, this payment can be used to help pay down a mortgage.

Keeping an eye on the big picture

For many prospective property buyers, a financial adviser can help with the big financial picture, by looking at
how a mortgage might fit in with existing commitments—from day-to-day budgeting to retirement plans. If you
want to look at your financial plans and review existing commitments, get in touch.

Portfolio Manager Chris Rands of Nikko Asset Management has put together a great article on the current property market with some excellent technical analysis that you can view at:

https://www.livewiremarkets.com/wires/why-australian-property-prices-could-fall-up-to-20?utm_source=bell_direct&utm_campaign=Trending%20on%20Livewire

If you want to view current incentives for first home buyers, please check out our recent article:

NSW First Home owner incentives and grants