Investors undeterred by property price projections

According to the Property Investment Professionals of Australia’s (PIPA) 2020 Investor Sentiment report – which involved a survey of approximately 1,100 property investors in August – investors remain relatively optimistic despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

While down from 82 per cent in 2019, approximately 57 per cent of respondents said now is a good time to invest in residential property.

Approximately 77 per cent of respondents said projected falls in dwelling values of up to 15 per cent would not thwart their investment plans, with 44 per cent expecting to purchase a property in the next six to 12 months.

“While there is no doubt that 2020 has been one of the toughest in living memory for everyone around the globe, property investors have remained resilient in the face of the unprecedented uncertainty that we are all experiencing,” PIPA chairman Peter Koulizos observed.

Moreover, 71 per cent of investors said they’re less likely to sell an investment property due to uncertainty caused by the pandemic, which Mr Koulizos claimed would “help to underpin property prices”.

Investors exploring alternative locations

The survey also found that over 40 per cent of investors intend to buy property interstate.  

“Investors are recognising the value of working with property investment professionals to help them secure the best opportunities across the nation,” Mr Koulizos added.

Additionally, 17 per cent of investors also said the COVID-10 pandemic had caused them to consider permanent relocation, with improved lifestyle the main reason cited (78 per cent), followed by opportunities to work from home in the future (46 per cent) and housing affordability (40 per cent).

The most popular locations for migration were regional NSW (21 per cent), regional Queensland (18 per cent), Brisbane (16 per cent) and regional Victoria (14 per cent).

According to 36 per cent of respondents, Queensland offers the best investment prospects over the next year, followed by Victoria (27 per cent) and NSW (21 per cent).

Of the major capitals, Brisbane was cited as having the best investment prospects (36 per cent of respondents), followed by Melbourne (27 per cent), Sydney (18 per cent), Adelaide (8 per cent), Perth (6 per cent), Canberra (2 per cent) and Hobart (2 per cent).

[Related: Melbourne CBD faces $110bn hit over next 5 years]