Five great reads for property investors

Investing in your first property can feel like stepping into a minefield: you can see the potential for profits in the distance but fear that one false step will lead to disaster. The safest way to negotiate the terrain is to learn from those who have successfully crossed it before you and have their finger on the pulse of the market. When you’re not perusing the Domain blog, these are our top five reads for property investors, written by experts in the field.

The Ultimate Guide to Real Estate, by John McGrath

John McGrath is one of Australia’s most successful real estate agents. His 2005 Ultimate Guide to Real Estate covers everything you need to know about buying and selling real estate. This is a great book for anyone buying their first residential property. The closing chapters look at property investing.

Mastering the Australian Housing Market, by John Lindeman

Published in 2011, Mastering the Australian Housing Market is great inspiration for the wary property investor. Author John Lindeman starts out by explaining why the Australian market is still one of the world’s best performers and then goes on to the nuts and bolts of property investing. By the time you’ve finished this 192-page book, you’ll have a lot more confidence in your ability to wisely invest in property.

Your Property Success with Renovation, by Jane Slack-Smith

Renovating can either be a recipe for disaster or the best way to get into property investing. Jane Slack-Smith is one of the success stories. Now a successful mortgage broker, she shares her tips in her 293-page step-by-step guide to investing in property. The great thing about this book is that the author focuses first on the principles of wise investment. After she lays the groundwork for you, she goes on to discuss the practical aspects of property investment, with the focus on renovating for profit.

Smart Investor

Smart Investor is a magazine devoted to all types of investments. Each month, a section of the magazine focuses on property investment. Both print and online versions of the magazine are available. A subscription to Smart Investor is a great way to keep in touch with the ever-changing Australian property market.

Australian Property Monitors

After you’ve done your reading and are ready to start looking for an investment property, you’ll need up-to-the-minute advice about property in your area. Australian Property Monitors (APM) property reports give you everything you need to know about property, wherever you live in Australia. Some of the reports include:

• Property Pro, an essential tool used by real estate agents throughout Australia
• Property Report, which enables you to get instant and up-to-date price estimates, a 12-month forecast and information about comparable properties
• 24 Month Postcode Report, which provides a 24-month sales history for every postcode, price trends, auction and private treaty sales reports, and more.

Start by reading any or all of the books above to give you the background information you need to get your feet on firm investing ground. Then it’s time to start taking your first steps towards investing in a property. Smart Investor and APM will be invaluable aids throughout your property investment career, keeping you abreast of the market in real time.