What most investors get wrong – and how to avoid common traps

“Early on, I thought having all the property data would give me a full picture. But data only tells one side of the story, people tell the other,” Voegt said.

He said that to be successful, investors should take the time to forge strong relationships with local agents, property managers, and building inspectors as they have hands-on insights no amount of data and research could replicate.

“Now, I pick up the phone just as much as I look at spreadsheets.”

Voegt also warned investors against letting emotion and urgency, especially the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), drive purchasing choices.

In one case, he waived a building and pest clause just to secure a deal, only to inherit major issues with the property.

“In hindsight, I had the upper hand in the negotiation, but let urgency cloud my judgement.”

“There’s always another deal – even if one looks perfect on paper,” he said.

Another pitfall, Voegt urged investors to be wary of trusting blindly in “hotspots” and chasing “booming” suburbs without understanding the market fundamentals.

“Focus on markets with real fundamentals: tight supply, job and population growth, and strong infrastructure investment.

“It’s about value not volume. You don’t need 10 properties to succeed. You need the right properties that align with your strategy and the discipline to stick to it.”

Voegt said that before committing to a purchase, investors should also assess the key red flags of the area they intend to buy in, including liveability, sale space, insurance costs, rental oversupply, crime risk, and restrictive planning overlays.

“I always ask: if I wouldn’t live there with my family, why would someone else?” he said.

Voegt said that building a structured framework that includes calculators, due diligence processes, and clearly defined buying criteria has allowed investors to move fast and secure the best deal possible while avoiding costly mistakes.

“Due diligence is non-negotiable,” he said.

“Structure removes emotion, and that’s what helps you act fast – but not recklessly.”

Voegt said that building a high-performing portfolio comes down to staying grounded.

“I remain focused on the bigger picture. My goal is a comfortable nest egg and strong passive income when I choose to retire.”

“The strategy stays the same: buy existing properties in established areas with yields I can manage. I stay flexible, but I don’t let headlines or new ideas throw me off course,” he concluded.

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