PROPERTY EXPERT SAYS INVEST QUICKLY TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE

# APRA'S CHANGES TO LENDING, HUGE MIGRATION NUMBERS & FIRST HOME BUYER SCHEME SET TO SHAKE UP THE PROPERTY MARKET

# WITH CLIMBING INFLATION, COMES LOWERED INTEREST RATES, SAYS BIRCH

With the RBA holing rates as it met for the last time in 2025, investing and growing a property portfolio is going to require a different strategic approach in 2026 says Nathan birch of B Invested, who has amassed over 350 properties in his own portfolio.

He attributes the first home buyer scheme, huge migration numbers, and APRA lending regulation changes for this, but still has some tips to get ahead - including starting straight away.

 "While the Reserve Bank is holding firm against inflationary pressures, banks are still offering cheap loans that present a great opportunity for investors to get into the market and start to build a portfolio as debt essentially becomes irrelevant with inflation," Birch explains.

"Inflation, government spending and imminently, contracted lending policy will all contribute to a difficult situation for those looking to get into the market unless you have a strategic approach and the right team around you. 

"We saw them introduce something similar in 2017 - 2019, and the property market still climbed, and investors still made gains and purchased properties. It was about understanding the field we had to play in and working to those conditions." 

He explains why now is the time to buy up cheap stock that still exists right across Australia, 'The issue with the new home buyer scheme and an influx of migrants continuing into Australia, is that after two years they will have the option to take part, so an already constricted market of affordable sub $500,000 homes will be much harder to find in coming years.'

'Buy in affordable suburbs has always been my message, I'm still buying $110,000 to $400,000 properties right across Australia. It may not be where you want to live right now, but the ultimate destination is preceded by the journey.'

'If you're an investor, buying in bulk will absolutely help you build a portfolio, I've recently purchased for $146,000 a block of seven units that rent for $400 per week each."

He adds, 'Investors looking at higher priced markets will find it harder now to build a portfolio because of the scheme attracting first homeowners who only need to pay a 5% deposit and zero stamp duty. The sooner you can start buying investment properties, the better, as coming years will be competitive.'

'Moreover, due to changing bank regulations, buying under a Trust as an investor will become much harder as you will now need to declare your own debt level in order to qualify.' 

According to Birch, buying under a Trust was never a sound investment strategy as borrowers were using lending policy as the driving force for purchasing in Trusts and not looking at downstream consequences, such as a lending policy change.

Investor Lisa D'Angola started her portfolio through B Invested after the last 2017 APRA changes to lending, and now has a portfolio of 19 properties, soon to be 21 by February 2026. She credits using a buyer's agent - B Invested - as having the right team behind her meant she could secure loans with second tier lenders.

Birch points to this case study as a great example that no matter the lending landscape, and the fact that inflation is not going anywhere but up, there are always opportunities if you have the right team and are equipped with the right knowledge.

TO INTERVIEW B INVESTED FOUNDER AND CEO NATHAN BIRCH OR CASE STUDY LISA D'ANGOLA , email Marta@marksonsparks.com or call Marta Wiacek on 0409 291 785 or email Max@marksonsparks.com or call Max Markson 0412 501 601