EP 160 Retail catalysts and the power of location

In this episode of Property Investing Insights with Right Property Group, Victor and Reshmi Kumar join Phil Tarrant to unpack how a new shopping centre planned across the road from a local development is igniting real estate buzz and reshaping investor expectations in an evolving Australian market. The discussion explores how the strategically located, five-acre site on a main road – with Landcom interest and experienced management oversight – is positioned to boost convenience, demand, and long-term property values. They walk through the project’s risk-managed framework, including an unsecured second mortgage and caveat, noting that even if projections were off by 50 per cent, the numbers suggest the development still stacks up as a profitable play with a construction certificate of around $1.8 million. The conversation then widens to the importance of strategic planning and risk management in property investment, highlighting how thorough due diligence can uncover minimal downside in well-chosen projects. The team also draws on insights from nine years of podcasting, observing that while there’s more information than ever, many investors still make poor financial decisions without reliable guidance and a clear strategy. They examine key market headwinds, including the increasing scrutiny from the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) of high debt-to-income loans, the surge in investor lending, and the unintended consequences of the 5 per cent deposit scheme on affordability and household debt. The rising influence of buyer’s agents and investor-focused services is also dissected, with a warning that misplaced trust or herd behaviour could cause financial damage over the next five to ten years. As the outlook for 2026 remains uncertain, the trio underscores that successful investors will be those who balance growth and cash flow, respect regulatory shifts, and treat location, timing, and risk management as non-negotiables in their portfolio strategy.