Most investor’s properties could be working harder to achieve better results. It really helps to have a very clear Property Portfolio Plan, which is updated regularly.
It’s sometimes easy to forget that the end goal is Financial freedom, rather than how many properties you end up with. Managing and optimising your portfolio’s financial performance is absolutely critical. If you haven’t updated your plan, or had a full and exact financial heath check recently, then it’s time to revisit this, to make sure you are maximising the returns from each property, and ensuring you are getting towards your end goal as quickly as possible.
How often should you update your Property Portfolio Plan..?
For most ‘normal’ properties, it is usually appropriate to update at least once a year – if not twice. While we do not recommend these – if you do happen to have properties in any ‘riskier’ areas, in which rents and values can fluctuate rapidly, you may need to be reviewing your plan more frequently.
The Key Components of a sound Property Portfolio Plan
Updating your numbers and the key data in your plan is the best way to give you a clear vision of your portfolio, and to stay on the best possible trajectory.
Consider that there are two main things to consider when looking at your Portfolio and your plan – passive income and wealth position (or net worth) on retirement. Within this, you could include:
- Forecasts
- Projections
- Goals
- Financial Planning
To do this start by gathering real, statistical data.
Using actual data will help to give a clear and clean overall view of exactly what is happening with each Property in your portfolio.
Numbers to collect
Valuations
Reports from services such as Australian Property Monitors (APM) and the use of online portals such as www.realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au can help you find similar properties in the same area, with photographs, and often floor plans, to help give you a good idea of the current value of your property. Real Estate agents in the area are also worth talking with to get their insights into local values and gather useful data.
Ingoing Costs
The purchase price, loan value, loan to value ratio, and other costs associated with the purchase of each property.
Current rents
The current rent being charged on each property, and note the yield also as a percentage to the current value of the property.
Comparable Rents
Have a look at the real estate listings online, and talk to local Property Managers to get an accurate idea of rental values for similar properties in the local area.
Holding Costs
List your outgoing costs such as Interest rates, depreciation, other fees such as body corporate and strata fees, council rates, insurances, and any other costs related to each property to determine your holding costs
Current amount owing
Be very clear on the exact amount you owe on each property, so you can know exactly how much equity you own for each.
Vacancy Rate
Look up the average vacancy rate in each area, and your own vacancy rate for each property. From this, you can work out your ROI on a rental basis. Try and stay ahead of the market by making sure your property offers what the local market is looking for.
Also be sure you are working effectively with the right team. Update your conversation and relationship with the following key people:
- Property Investment Adviser
- Property Manager
- Accountant
- Real Estate Agents / Online Portals
- Finance Broker and Adviser
By considering all these elements, you’ll be able to see how each property is performing relative to the market, and relative to each other.
From this you can determine which properties are working well for you, and which properties may be dragging the chain in terms of investment value.
Also have a look at our article on How to keep your Property Portfolio Working for ideas on how to maximise the return and profitability of each property in your portfolio.
The information contained in this communication is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. Before acting on this information you should consider whether it is suitable to you having regard to your own circumstances, risk profile, your financial goals and objectives and you MUST seek professional advice from a qualified and licensed finance broker and financial planner.
