Melbourne on the move: How to buy smart in a tricky market

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Steve Ash, founder of Property Strats, to unpack where the Melbourne market is heading – and how savvy investors can capitalise.

While Melbourne’s growth has slowed compared to other capitals, Steve sees opportunity where others see stagnation. With median prices still trailing behind Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, he says now’s the time for value-focused investors to strike, before momentum returns.

But it’s not without risk. Steve and Phil dive into what makes Melbourne a challenging environment for landlords, from high land taxes to strict tenancy rules, and explain how the right structure and property type can help investors avoid costly missteps.

The episode also explores the rise of buyer’s agents, particularly those with finance backgrounds, and how strategic portfolio construction is starting to mirror the discipline of traditional fund management.

For those eyeing Melbourne, Steve points to suburbs like Frankston and Carrum Downs, calling out their land content, tenant compliance and future development upside.

Above all, it’s a call for patience, preparation and smart buying.

As Melbourne gears up to overtake Sydney as Australia’s biggest city by 2050, the long-term case is strong, but only for investors ready to play the long game.

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