First investment property in Adelaide — what to check first

A smaller purchase price means a smaller deposit, smaller duty and a smaller loan. For a household buying their first investment property, that usually translates to a weekly shortfall you can actually live with — which is the single biggest factor in whether you still own the property in ten years.

Sketch the weekly picture with the holding costs estimator before you shortlist anything.

Less volatility tends to mean fewer dramatic run-ups too. If your plan depends on rapid capital growth over a short window, be honest about whether that expectation fits the market you're buying in. Slow and holdable is a legitimate strategy — it just needs to be the strategy you chose deliberately.

• Stamp duty for investment purchases — check RevenueSA for current rates.
• SA land tax, including how holdings are aggregated and grouped.
• South Australian residential tenancy requirements.
• Older housing stock: wiring, plumbing, restumping and heritage overlays.
• Council rates and emergency services levy in your holding budget.

Adelaide gets its share of interstate investment marketing when the numbers look attractive. The usual test applies: ask how the person recommending the property is paid, and get independent numbers before a deadline is put in front of you.

Usable equity, borrowing capacity, buffer. In that order. Use the usable equity calculator and the borrowing power guide.

We generate interest and pass your enquiry to one independent property specialist, matched Australia-wide. They'll look at your equity, income and super and tell you honestly what your position supports. Free, no obligation.