Embracing new technologies and looking for credible, reliable and trustworthy information that is truly useful can help you build confidence and make smart investment decisions.

In this article I cover three tips for using the internet to stay on top of your investment game.

On the go? Here’s 30 seconds of take outs:

  • Find credible, reliable resources that you can trust.
  • Use statistical property data to your advantage.
  • Tap into the knowledge of experienced, savvy investors.

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To stay ahead of the property investing game you need to embrace new technologies as they become available. With the proliferation of information available on the internet, you can be savvy about buying and selling when market conditions are ideal. But filtering all of the information to find what’s relevant, useful and credible can be hard. Here are my top three tips for using the internet to build your insight and knowledge.

1. Find credible, reliable, trustworthy resources online

There has never been more information available to help with your investment decisions. And there’s more being published every single day.

The problem is there’s so much information it can feel overwhelming. The challenge becomes trying to filter the good from the bad. And what can be an empowering tool for would-be investors becomes a time-waster.

Anyone with a Wi-Fi connection and a laptop can publish opinions and “facts”. Reputable, credible information can be hard to find when you don’t know where to look.

Here are the 5 free investor tools I use (and trust):

  1. Residex free suburb report – pop in the postcode and your details and you’ll receive a PDF report that covers:
    1. Median house prices for units and houses
    2. Median rents
    3. Suburb demographics
    4. Historical growth
    5. Resent sales examples
  2. SMQ Research free property data – here you can find vacancy rates as well as a range of other free data including, property rental yields, asking property prices, weekly rents, total property listings and demographics.
  3. Local government websites – many local government websites include information about investment into local infrastructure and area data including population growth and forecasts.
  4. realestate.com.au – there is no better place to check the number of listings on the market than realestate.com.au. They also have suburb profiles showing the number of listing visits per month that can give an indication of market interest and demand.
  5. Forecast ID population forecasting – has everything you need for demographic information and population forecasting. It’s a favourite with local government councils for population forecasting, helping them plan infrastructure to support growing communities.

2. Use statistical property data to your advantage

Having access to the latest property data helps build a better picture of how property markets are performing.

One of the best national collection houses of property data is RP Data, any time a property is listed or sold the information is recorded but not all data houses are created equal. Here’s how the information is collected and reported.

The data is first reported through the selling agent listing or who has sold the property.

The information is collated and then handed to the valuer general. Major datahouses have agreements with the Federal Government to purchase the data at wholesale.

Data is updated weekly, but there is a delay in how long it takes to get to companies such as RP Data due to process it. This delay varies but one could allow up to a month for specific sales information to trickle through.

Once the data houses have the information they sort it using their own methodology and adjust their reports accordingly. RP Data uses Geospatial Stratified Hedonic sorting which is arguably Australia’s most accurate methodology.

The quickest way to get specific sales info is to a) call the selling agent or b) call the state REI.

Secondly, the seller has the right to “undisclose” the selling price. Which means that the price will be withheld for longer; in some cases even after settlement.

3. Leverage content and information from experienced investors

Find the short cuts, streamline your investor journey and avoid common mistakes and pitfalls by learning from experienced, savvy investors. High-quality, value add information and content can set you apart. At Capital Properties we have a range of tools, content and programs to help you feel confident and informed.

Our Switched-on Property Investors Program (SPI Program) connects you to like-minded, switched-on property investors and supports you to learn more about the possibilities ahead. The SPI Program is open to anyone who wants to take control of their investment journey and create an income to fund the lifestyle of their dreams. You don’t have to be on the ADF payroll to join.

As a member of the SPI Club you’ll be invited to events, seminars and social gatherings. These events are designed to help you build insight and understanding so you can confidently make switched-on investment choices about property. You’ll also get the opportunity to chat to people like you and learn from one another.

Our blog has strategies, methodologies, stories and insights as well as news, promotions and events to keep you ahead of the property market.

We have a whole range of free property investment tools and resources which includes market research guides, investment calculators and goal setting spreadsheets. Knowledge is the real power when it comes to making smart decisions about how to achieve financial independence. Use our free property investment tools and resources to plan your investment wisely.

And finally, we’ve curated the best online sources of property investment-related information for you to explore.