Deep dive into the regions, with Matt Ward – Ep. 63

For the latest episode of this bonus series of the property investing journey, Mike is joined by Matt Ward, Regional Property Specialist, Buyer’s Agent and Director at Orange based WPG Advisory, to talk about property investing in regional areas and the impact the last couple of years has had on property outside of the CBDs.

In this conversation, Matt discusses the initial drivers that caused CBD based residents to look further afield and consider a lifestyle change during the early days on the pandemic, as the lure of larger properties and greater affordability in regional areas enticed those whose jobs could be managed remotely.

As Matt and Mike consider whether this change is long term, Matt explains the differentiating factors of towns which attract higher interest from owner-occupiers and investors, and the impact infrastructure spend can have on investment activity.

Whilst the housing crisis is being keenly felt across capital cities and large regional centres, Matt details the opportunity that is available in smaller areas, and also points out the criteria to be aware of when looking at regional investing.

If you’ve ever considered an idyllic sea of tree change, or are keen to understand the opportunities that exist outside the larger cities, this is a podcast you won’t want to miss.

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Mike is joined by Matt Ward, Regional Property Specialist, Buyer’s Agent and Director at Orange based WPG Advisory, to talk about property investing in regional areas and the impact the last couple of years has had on property outside of the CBDs. In this conversation, Matt discusses the initial drivers that caused CBD based residents to look further afield and consider a lifestyle change during the early days on the pandemic, as the lure of larger properties and greater affordability in regional areas enticed those whose jobs could be managed remotely.

• The impact of the pandemic on regional towns
• Drivers for the sea change and tree change
• What does post pandemic mean for regional towns?
• The affordability and housing crises
• The importance of diversification as a drawcard for towns
•  Market drivers vs market followers
• Matt’s top tips for regional investment

“As a market trend certainly more people have moved for a reason, they knew why they were moving and they’re embracing what they’ve moved to” Matt 4:59

“if you come in with $1,000,000 which is the starting point in Sydney for a lot of property, you are still buying very good quality property, proper homes on good blocks, good parts of town, so that’s still affordable” Matt 8:25

“Now that house is worth more money and I don’t think wages have significantly grown in the last 30 years in comparison to the property values, so what has changed is that is the funding rules” Matt 13:08

“A lot of regional towns at the moment are certainly tight on vacancy, we need to understand why that is happening” Matt 21:05

“A lot of the regional cities have been caught short with lack of appropriately zoned land just to keep up with the normal demand let alone creating an oversupply, so for the next three to five years anyway there’s gonna be these housing issues” Matt 24:35

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