Recommended Books and Podcasts for Each Stage of the Property Journey

As a quick Google search shows, there is no shortage of content targeted at property investors. Whether you are after commentary on market movements, advice on strategy, or information on the investment process, you can find it. You even have your pick of formats, with a range of books, magazines, websites, blogs, and podcasts all widely available.

While having access to so much information is great, it can make it challenging to find what you actually need. The opinions and advice offered can also differ greatly, making it difficult to know what to believe and who to trust. Moreover, the type of information and support you require changes over time, as you progress along your investment journey.

We understand this and want to make it a little easier to find content that is both useful and credible. Here we share a few of our favourite property books and podcasts, by some of the leading market experts. We also highlight the type of information you will likely find most useful, based on your level of investment experience.

You have never invested and are not sure about property investing

If you are completely new to property investing, you will first need to get across the basics. This means learning about the different steps involved in the process, and your responsibilities and obligations as an investor. It also means understanding the benefits of investing in property, as well as the unique challenges investors face.

With that in mind, when you are first starting your property investment journey, we recommend:

• The Property Couch: Bryce Holdaway and Ben Kingsley are two of the country’s best known names in property investment and wealth creation. Their weekly podcast features advice on everything from what to look for in a property to tips on bidding strategies. Pitched as a complete guide to property investing, this podcast is designed to help investors make smart decisions.
• Property Fit: Luke Harris is an entrepreneur and passionate investor with over 20 years of experience building high performing property portfolios. This has taught him that, just like with physical fitness, peak investment performance is all about preparation. In his book, he sets out all the steps he believes first-time investors need to take to get “Property Fit”.

You are looking to invest

If you have decided to start investing, you will need information on how to go about buying your first property. This includes a detailed overview of the things you need to do to prepare yourself and your finances. It also includes guidance on what to look for in a good investment opportunity and other key watchpoints.

With that in mind, if you have decided to make your first investment, we recommend:

• Hotspotting: Terry Ryder is a specialist researcher and writer with over 30 years of experience reporting on the Australian residential property market. His podcast features an in-depth look at the latest market data, identifying trends and key growth areas. It is designed to help investors focus their property search while increasing their general investment knowledge and skills.
• Smashed Avocado: Nicole Haddow is a renowned journalist and the executive property writer for the Australian Financial Review. Having gone through her own struggles breaking into the property market, she wants to make it easier for others. While her book is primarily targeted at homeowners, the advice and stories provided are suitable for any first-time property buyer.

You have one investment property

If you have bought your first property, you will need guidance on getting the best possible returns from it. This includes advice on structuring your finances and the best strategies for managing key expenses, like your mortgage. It also includes information on building your investment team and making sure you have the support you require to succeed.

With that in mind, if you have made your first investment, we recommend:

• Geared for Growth: Mike Mortlock is an expert in tax depreciation and the Managing Director of one of Australia’s largest quantity surveying companies. His weekly podcast features interviews with a range of industry experts, including mortgage brokers, accountants, and strata managers. Their discussions are a great way to get across important investment concepts while learning how to maximise your returns.
• How to Buy and Manage Rental Properties: Irene and Mike Milin were once considered world leaders in property investment education, selling out seminars across the US. Their “Milin Method” outlines a unique approach to property management that minimises issues by encouraging tenants to look after themselves. While their book was written over two decades ago for the US market, it still offers great advice for Australian property investors.

You are building your portfolio

If you are working to grow your investments, you will need advice on the best strategies to acquire further properties. At this stage, there is a lot you can learn from the experiences – and mistakes – of other investors. As such, stories of success and case studies on how to overcome specific issues can be particularly enlightening.

With that in mind, if you are looking to grow your portfolio, we recommend:

• Pete Wargent’s Property Pod: Pete Wargent is an internationally renowned property and finance expert, who regularly works with many of the world’s leading media outlets. His weekly podcast features commentary on the latest developments in the market, as well as interviews with leading investors. This focus on practical advice and real investor stories makes it perfect for those looking to level up their investing.
• A Military Guide to Property Investing: Lachlan Vidler and Tori Colls are former military Officers, avid property investors, and experienced buyers agents. Their unique backgrounds have helped them to develop a highly targeted investment approach, built on focus, commitment, and discipline. In their book, they spell out the 10-step plan they used to build successful portfolios while still in their 20s.

You are looking to replace your salary with property income 

If you are planning to become a full-time investor, you will need guidance on creating a reliable income stream. This means having a clear view of your expenses and how to structure your investments to cover them. It also means understanding how to set up your investments to consistently deliver the best possible returns. 

With that in mind, if you are looking to become a full-time property investor, we recommend:

• The Urban Property Investor: Sam Saggers is a successful property investor, investment advisor, keynote speaker, author, and futurist. His weekly podcast features detailed insight into the thinking, behaviours, and strategies of the world’s leading property investors. While he often discusses advanced concepts and complex subjects, his trademark down-to-earth style makes them accessible to any experienced investor.
• From 0 to 130 Properties in 3.5 Years: Steve McKnight is a chartered accountant, a highly accomplished investor, and a celebrated public speaker. An avid devotee of positively geared properties, he has also written widely on the many benefits of this investment approach. His best known book shares the strategies that helped him build an enormous portfolio in just a few years.

Building serious wealth through property investment

If you are a highly experienced property investor, you still need to spend time building your knowledge and skills. The market is constantly evolving, and you need to continually adjust your investment strategy to account for major movements. You also need to make sure you are aware, and taking full advantage, of any changes that could benefit you.

With that in mind, if you are serious about maximising your investment returns, we recommend:

• Your Property Your Wealth: Daniel Walsh went from being a 19 year old apprentice to owning a $3.5m property portfolio in just 6 years. His podcast features details of his strategies for quickly building wealth, as well as interviews with market experts and Q&A sessions. While he only releases a few episodes a year, each one is packed with helpful tips, ideas, and advice.
• How to Grow a Multi-Million Dollar Property Portfolio in Your Spare Time: Michael Yardney is one of Australia’s most active property commentators and has written several books on the psychology of investing. The best known of these is up to its 16^th edition, having been fully updated to reflect recent economic conditions. It sets out proven strategies used by some of the country’s most successful property investors to build significant wealth.

Want to discuss this further?

If you’d like more information on the investment process and other relevant reference material, give Search Party Property a call. We specialise in supporting investors of all experience levels to achieve financial freedom through property investing. As part of this, we can help you set your investment strategy, and find and secure the best opportunities.