Perth’s fast-moving property market: what it means for aspiring investors

If you’ve owned a home for a few years, you’ve probably had the thought at least once: “Should I be doing more with this?”

At the same time, you’ve probably also heard plenty of reasons why investing in property feels out of reach. Friends say it’s too late. Family say you need a massive deposit. Headlines make it sound like only seasoned investors or high-income earners can participate. In a fast-moving market like Perth’s, those mixed signals can be enough to stop people exploring the idea altogether.

This blog isn’t about pushing anyone toward investing. It’s about explaining how people actually get started, why many assume they can’t, and why simply understanding your position can be valuable, even if the answer is “not yet”.

Who this is really for.

When people hear “property investor”, they often picture someone very different from themselves. In reality, most aspiring investors I speak to fall into one of these camps:

• homeowners who have seen their property value grow but aren’t sure what that means

• couples who feel like they missed the boat and assume it’s now impossible

• people whose family or friends are convinced investing is only for the wealthy

• cautious planners who want clarity before making any big moves

If that sounds familiar, you’re exactly who this article is for.

Start using your equity to get ahead sooner, rather than waiting to build savings.

The biggest misconception: you need a big cash deposit

One of the most common beliefs holding people back is the idea that you need to save another full deposit from scratch to buy an investment property. For many investors, that’s not how it works, often the starting point isn’t savings, it’s equity. Equity is the difference between what your home is worth and what you owe on it. In a rising market like Perth, many homeowners now have more equity than they realise, even if their income hasn’t changed much.

That equity can sometimes be used as security for an investment purchase, reducing or even removing the need for a traditional cash deposit, this doesn’t mean everyone can or should invest right now. It simply means the barrier to entry is often misunderstood.

Why people assume they’ll never be able to invest

A surprising number of people rule themselves out before they ever look at the numbers.

Often it’s because:

• someone they trust told them it wouldn’t be possible

• they’re comparing themselves to experienced investors

• they assume lending rules are tighter than they actually are

• they don’t want to get their hopes up

None of that is unreasonable, but it does mean decisions are being made on assumption rather than information, and this is where a low-pressure conversation can be valuable. Not to push an outcome, but to replace “I’ll never be able to” with “now I understand where I stand”. Sometimes that outcome is a green light. Sometimes it’s a clear plan for later. Both are useful.

If you’re curious but unsure, now can be a good time to speak to your home loan guy about how this could work for you, without any expectation that you must move forward.

Why not see what's possible?

Why now is a sensible time to explore options

Exploring your position doesn’t mean acting immediately, in fact in many cases the smartest move is understanding:

• how much equity you actually have

• how lenders would assess your position today

• what would need to improve for an investment to be viable later

With prices moving quickly, clarity matters. Some people discover they’re closer than expected. Others realise that a restructure, refinance, or simply time will strengthen their position. Either way, knowledge reduces hesitation and second-guessing.

It’s not just about the loan

A common mistake aspiring investors make is treating the finance decision in isolation. The strongest outcomes usually come when the right professionals are aligned early. That might include:

• your mortgage broker

• your accountant

• sometimes a buyer’s agent or financial adviser

When those conversations happen early, structure, tax considerations, and borrowing capacity can be considered together, rather than patched up later. This is especially important if you’re self-employed or have multiple income streams, where planning ahead can make a meaningful difference.

What to focus on next

If investing has been on your mind but you’ve never properly explored it, here’s a sensible next step:

• understand your current equity position

• clarify what lenders would look at today, not two years from now

• identify what would strengthen your position if you’re not ready yet

• keep decisions calm and measured, not rushed

You don’t need to decide anything immediately, you just need accurate information, and if you want to talk it through, now’s a good time to have a chat with your home loan guy about what investing could look like for you, even if the answer is simply “not yet”.

Arrange a home loan review today