The sad fact is that the majority of Australians will have to rely on a government pension as their main source of income in retirement. And given that the current pension is less than a thousand dollars a fortnight (for a couple); many will simply be unable to enjoy the standard of living that they desire.

The problem is that without sufficient superannuation or income producing assets, there is little other choice. And savings alone will not be adequate. The only viable solution is to play an active role in planning for your retirement. If you want to retire richer or earlier, supplement your income or give up your day job, you need to actively invest in the right assets. And for many good reasons, property is a popular choice.

Why choose property?

Property has been proven time and time again to be a reliable asset that delivers strong returns over the long-term and low risk in comparison to other investment vehicles. Historically, property in Australia has doubled in value every 7-10 years and has been far less volatile than the sharemarket.

So, what are some of the main benefits of investing in property?

• It’s a tangible asset (you can see and feel it) that you can control and add value to
• It provides both income (from rent) and capital appreciation (grows in value)
• It provides a hedge against inflation
• It’s very stable and has a long history of strong performance
• It offers great tax advantages that help reduce holding costs and helps reduce tax payable
• Banks love property and are happy to lend against it up to 95%
• It’s always in high demand for rental and purchasing

Why invest now?

The main factor driving property values is the relationship between supply and demand, and currently there is a huge gap between the two. Never before in Australia’s history has there been such a shortage in housing supply coupled with an enormous population explosion. That is why many experts predict that the property market will increase in value rapidly in the near future.

With housing becoming less affordable, many more people will rent and will have to rent for longer, which will further push up rents and lower vacancy rates. This is an enormous advantage for property investors.

Interest rates are also at there lowest levels for 40 years and although they are increasing, they are still substantially lower than the long term average. This makes investing very affordable.

If you want to learn more about the opportunities that are available, why not speak to an Investment Consultant with no obligation by completing the form on this page.