The 6 property buying personalities – what sort of an investor are you?

The answer to this question will change over time. It often reflects your stage of life, skill and knowledge set and what is also happening in your day-to-day.

What sort of investor are you, today?

Which one of our 6 personality types are you. You might be a blend of two but whatever you are doing…starting and continuing is the simple formula to your long-term success.

As Woody Allen said ‘80% of success is just showing up’.

Starting out and cash-strapped

We all started somewhere. No one buys the waterfront, A-grade property in a blue ribbon pocket on the first round in the property market. The key to starting, is simply that, starting.

Don’t get caught up in the concept that you must buy locally or that you even need to sleep the night in the property. It is an investment, look at numbers, growth and who your tenant will be. Remove emotion from the picture as best as possible. Start small and build up your portfolio.

Time-poor and juggling everything

Working hard, parenting, looking after aging parents, studying part-time. At some point in our lives we find ourselves multi-tasking and eating toast for dinner at 9pm. It is just the way life goes. If you are currently in this pattern there are strategies you can implement to continue (or start) your journey. Explore the idea of a joint-venture partner who has the time and you can be a financial contributor, you could look at using a Buyers’ Agent in the area you want to buy in. People outsource their dogs to be walked, it makes sense to outsource big financial decisions to property professionals if time is your rarest commodity.

Graduate of Renovation School

Love to renovate, absorbed all the information you can about doing it smart and maximising bang for buck? Renovating is a true act of love, it is time consuming, filthy, exhausting and oh-so rewarding. Do your numbers, be smart, don’t do shabby work but also renovate to the market you are in and not your own penchant for marble and chandeliers. Be sure when buying that you seek out a property that allows you to add value to it and then some. We see a lot of ‘renovator delights’ sell for way more than they should because of the growing interest c/o shows like the Block. Be smart, prepared and outsource to a tradie what you can’t do well.

Portfolio well underway

You have 7 properties ticking away and reached a phase of being comfortable with that. Consider your long-term prospects, diversification of your portfolio and new ideas that could inject further life into your returns. Frequently revisit what is going on. Are you getting fair market rental? What interest rates are you paying, could you refinance, are you sitting on a sub-dividable block, is a granny flat possible or could you now explore a more risker property investment potential as you have the foundation behind you to support the outcome?

Risk-averse

You need to invest carefully so you can sleep at night. You don’t like the idea of maintenance, difficult tenants, get nervous by media hype but still desperately want to set yourself up for positive returns. Recognising your personality type is half the battle won. Don’t be talked into taking on debt or a property that makes you feel uneasy. Overtime you will grow in confidence and be less risk-averse but start out to reflect your style. This personality type is suited to easy set and forget properties. Explore newer builds in established areas with great employment prospects and local amenities.

Ready for a challenge and willing to take on risk

You fall into this category because you have done a few things with property and done well. You have followed your instinct and the market and now buoyed by that confidence. Fabulous!

The next step for you would be looking at small developments – 3 townhouses, a duplex, sub-divisions etc. You have time, experience, plus the funds behind you for any shortfalls and you know you have the tenacity and passion to succeed. This personality type is primed for success. Choose your teams wisely. Ensure you research builders, get to really know your town planner and a great local agent. Remember to have an exit strategy. If you can find a mentor in this space that will help with your first project – go get ‘em.

So which personality are you? What can you do today to take that next step toward your property portfolio tomorrow?

Share us with your experiences – we love to hear them and other women are inspired by them. Email us at [email protected]