Buying an investment property is not like buying a house to live in. The numbers work differently. The risks sit in different spots too.
That’s where a real conversation matters. A proper property investment advisor perth session should cover your whole financial picture, not just push one property. This guide lists the exact questions worth asking before you take anyone’s advice. Ask them early, and watch how the advisor answers. The answer tells you more than any pitch deck ever will. Good advice feels calm. Bad advice feels rushed.
Start With Your Real Budget, Not a Dream Number
Before you talk suburbs, talk numbers. Banks don’t test your loan against today’s rate. Rules from APRA make lenders add a buffer, usually around 3 percentage points, on top of the real rate. That checks whether you can still pay if rates climb further.
A good advisor walks through this with you honestly. If someone skips straight to showing you glossy photos of a development before asking about your income, your debts, and your deposit, that’s a warning sign worth noticing.
Ask About Growth Areas Versus Steady Areas
Every suburb trades off two things. How fast it grows, and how much rent it brings in right now. A high growth suburb might rent for less compared to its price. A steady, older suburb might pay more in rent each week but grow slower over time.
A good advisor shows you both sides with real numbers, not just their favorite pick. If they only ever show you one type of property, ask why.
Ask How They Get Paid
This question matters more than almost any other. In 2023, ASIC banned a former mortgage broker and property spruiker named Christine Betty Childs from giving financial services for eight years. She had steered clients into bad deals.
REBAA, the group that represents buyers agents across Australia, has also warned that once a conversation moves past the property itself and into trust, company, or SMSF structures, that’s a clear sign you need a properly licensed adviser, not a salesperson chasing a commission.
Ask these questions before you pay a single dollar:
- Are you paid a commission by the seller or the developer?
- Do you hold an Australian Financial Services Licence?
- Will you recommend a trust, company, or SMSF structure?
- Can I see independent reviews, not just your own testimonials?
Know the Fee Model Before You Sign Anything
| Fee Model | How It Works | What to Watch For |
| Commission from developer | Paid by the seller once you buy | May push certain projects over others |
| Flat fee for service | You pay a set amount upfront | Should come with clearly independent advice |
| Percentage of purchase price | Usually 1 to 3 percent of what you pay | Ask if GST sits on top of that number |
None of these models are automatically bad. But you should know exactly which one you’re dealing with before the first meeting ends.
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