Should You Buy New or Established?
When building a property portfolio, one of the most common questions we get is:
👉 Should I buy a brand new property or an established one?
While both can be effective, the right answer depends on your investment strategy, timeline, and goals. That said, for many Australians focused on portfolio growth, new often comes out on top — and here’s why…
Buying New: The Pros
✅ Maximised Depreciation New properties allow you to claim full depreciation benefits on both building structure and fittings — potentially saving you thousands in tax each year.
✅ Builder Warranties & Lower Maintenance New homes come with builder guarantees and typically require fewer repairs, keeping your outgoings low in the early years.
✅ Stronger Tenant Appeal Tenants love modern designs, energy-efficient appliances, and low-maintenance living — which often means higher rent and lower vacancy.
✅ Incentives & Grants First home buyers or investors may benefit from government incentives (e.g. stamp duty concessions, First Home Owner Grant for eligible buyers).
✅ Instant Portfolio Leverage When structured well, new properties can be geared for growth and duplicated efficiently — accelerating your path to financial freedom.
Buying Established: The Pros
✅ Potential to Add Value Renovating or subdividing may allow for equity uplift — great for hands-on investors with time and experience.
✅ More Negotiation Power Sellers may be flexible on price, especially in a slow market — giving you room to negotiate.
✅ Inner-City or Heritage Locations Some established homes sit on larger blocks or in sought-after areas not available for new builds.
But Here’s the Catch…
Many established properties come with unseen costs — outdated wiring, poor insulation, pest issues, or non-compliant extensions. Renovations can blow out budgets and timelines. Depreciation benefits are also limited or non-existent on older homes.
And when you're building a portfolio, every dollar matters.
So, Which Strategy is Better for Growth?
If your goal is to build a scalable portfolio with low risk and strong cash flow, buying new offers more advantages:
Easier to finance and duplicate
Lower holding costs
Stronger tax offsets
Attractive to tenants
Better suited to hands-off investors
At Focus Property Group, we specialise in sourcing new, investment-grade homes in high-growth corridors across Australia — helping clients build sustainable wealth with less stress.
Let’s Map Your Portfolio Strategy
Whether you’re a first-time investor or growing your portfolio, we can help you structure a plan that works now and in the long term.
📞 Book your free 15-minute strategy call today We’ll assess your goals, equity position, and timeline — and show you where new property could give you the edge.
1 300 702 885
info@focuspropertygroup.com.au
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All information is provided in good faith, however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information in this article.
Focus Property does not provide financial advice. You should not act upon the content of this article without seeking advice from a qualified professional. The content of this article is not a substitute for professional advice tailored to your circumstances. Focus Property will not be liable for any actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this article.