Try before you buy, expert advises Australian property investors

Brits considering relocating to Australia have been advised to spend time living in the country and renting a property before making a money transfer and purchasing a home.

Editor at A Place in the Sun magazine Liz Rowlinson described how Australia is more often than not an emigration destination rather than somewhere which people buy a second abode.

"At the high-end there is some investment going on [...] but it is essentially people going to relocate there for good and that is often driven by the incentive for work," she stated.

Perth and New South Wales were highlighted as particularly popular areas for those keen to establish a new life in the country.

However, before purchasing a property and establishing roots in Australia, Ms Rowlinson urged Brits to "try before you buy".

It was noted that in some areas the house prices are similar to those in the UK, so snapping up a bargain may not be easy.

"Property prices have suffered a bit, but there is a huge spectrum," the expert remarked, adding that "affordable" abodes may not be easy to come by in popular locations such as Sydney.

For cheaper housing, Ms Rowlinson recommended Perth and Victoria, with both areas noted as having seen an increasing number of Brits relocating there.

Spokesman for the Australian Visa Bureau Tom Blackett recently shared similar sentiments when he commented on the fact property prices can vary significantly across the country.

While escalating property prices may be one reason individuals have been deterred from moving to Australia in recent years, it was suggested that costly airfares have also influenced decisions.

"The cost of fuel and air taxes has put people off from the more long-haul places," Ms Rowlinson stated, adding that this has been a big factor emigration ideas in the last two years.

Posted by Chris Barber

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