House price outstrips inflation rate by 8 to 1

In 2016, the combined capital city home price growth rate was 10.9 per cent, according to CoreLogic data. 

That’s compared to an annual inflation rate for the eight Australian capital cities of 1.3 per cent.

Sydney property owners fared the best, with property prices rising by a ratio of nearly twelve to one over the past year. Melbourne property owners also achieved a strong outcome, with property prices rising by a ratio of around ten to one compared to the annual inflation rate.

Even in capital cities, such as Brisbane, that achieved more modest rates of capital growth, the ratio of capital growth to the annual inflation rate was nearly three to one.

These figures are important for property investors because one of the key reasons many people decide to invest in real estate is to protect themselves against the impact of inflation so they can build personal wealth over the long term.

It is also important to keep in mind that these figures do not take into account rental growth. In Sydney, for example, average weekly house rents jumped by nearly 7 per cent in 2016.

The fact that property values are now rising at a much faster rate than inflation in most capital cities is encouraging more mum and dad investors to purchase several investment properties.

Astute property investors can build a successful property portfolio at a much faster rate if they fully claim all their allowable tax benefits and, in particular, those related to depreciation that can be substantial.

These tax depreciation deductions can add up to several thousands of dollars each year in tax benefits for an average property investor.

To qualify for these tax deductions, an investor must have a fully compliant tax depreciation company undertake an onsite inspection of the property and compile a depreciation report based on this inspection.