By Shona Stephenson
Principal Mortgage Broker | Best Foot Forward Mortgage Solutions
Co-Founder | Australian Expat Finance

If you've noticed we've been a little quieter than usual over the past three months, there's been a very good reason.

For the past 12 weeks, I've been undergoing weekly chemotherapy treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer.

This week marks a significant milestone—12 out of 12 chemotherapy treatments completed.

Even more encouraging, I recently had my post-treatment scan, and the tumour appears to have disappeared, which is an incredibly positive result. While I still have surgery, radiation and ongoing Herceptin treatment ahead of me, it's a milestone that my family, friends and I are celebrating.

Throughout treatment, I continued supporting many of our existing clients. There were days where I simply had to slow down, but helping Australians achieve their property goals gave me purpose during a challenging chapter of my life.

Now, with chemotherapy behind me, I'm returning to my previous workload and once again welcoming new clients.

I'd like to sincerely thank everyone for your patience, encouragement and understanding over the past few months. Your support has meant more than you'll ever know.

The Property Market Hasn't Stood Still

While I was focused on my health, Australia's property market—and government policy—continued to evolve.

For investors, these changes have made property selection more important than ever before.

Gone are the days of buying "anything" and hoping it performs.

Today's investors need to think carefully about:

Capital growth
Rental demand
Cash flow
Tax outcomes
Long-term fundamentals
Borrowing capacity

And perhaps most importantly...

What type of property are you buying?

New Builds vs Established Property

With recent government policy changes designed to encourage housing supply, many investors are now weighing up whether a new build or an established property is the better long-term strategy.

The answer?

It depends entirely on your goals.

Option 1 – Investing in a New Build

New developments can provide a number of attractive benefits.

Potential advantages

✔ Brand-new property with minimal maintenance

✔ Modern design and tenant appeal

✔ Builder warranties

✔ Strong depreciation benefits

✔ Government policy continues to favour increasing housing supply

✔ Potential for strong rental demand in high-growth corridors

For many investors looking for a lower-maintenance investment, new builds can be an excellent option.

Option 2 – Investing in Established Property

Established homes continue to play an important role in many investment portfolios.

Potential advantages

✔ Existing rental income from day one

✔ Larger land component

✔ Established neighbourhoods

✔ Opportunity to renovate or add value

✔ Often easier to assess comparable sales and rental history

High-yield investment properties can also provide stronger cash flow, helping investors manage rising interest rates and holding costs.

The challenge is identifying which established properties are likely to outperform over the long term.

Why Research Matters More Than Ever

The biggest mistake investors can make is purchasing a property based purely on emotion or headline rental yields.

A property with an attractive rental return isn't necessarily a good investment.

Likewise, a brand-new apartment isn't automatically the right choice simply because it's new.

Successful investing comes back to asking questions like:

Is the location experiencing population growth?
Are jobs being created nearby?
What infrastructure is planned?
Is supply constrained?
What is the long-term capital growth outlook?
How does this property fit within my borrowing capacity and financial goals?

These are the questions that create wealth over decades—not months.

Why a Buyer's Agent Can Add Value

With so much information available online, many investors assume they can identify the right property themselves.

Sometimes that's true.

But many choose to work with a professional buyer's agent because they bring:

Independent market research
Access to off-market opportunities
Negotiation expertise
Local market knowledge
A disciplined investment approach

That's why we're pleased to work alongside CORALA Buyers Advocacy, helping Australian investors and expats combine quality property advice with tailored finance solutions.

Together, they help clients identify the right property, while we structure the lending strategy to help make it happen.

Spotlight on the Sunshine Coast – Why Investors Are Taking Notice

Many people may not realise that I'm based on the Sunshine Coast, and over the past few years I've been genuinely amazed by the transformation taking place across the region.

As someone who lives and works here, I've watched the Sunshine Coast evolve into one of Australia's fastest-growing regional economies.

Significant infrastructure investment is helping shape the future of the region, including:

The continued expansion of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital and Health Precinct.
The University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC), supporting education, research and employment growth.
Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre, providing retail, dining and everyday convenience.
Investment in new schools and community facilities.
The proposed Sunshine Coast Stadium upgrade as part of preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Major transport projects, including the planned Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, improving connectivity between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Continued investment in roads, employment hubs and lifestyle infrastructure.

While infrastructure investment doesn't guarantee future capital growth, it is one of the factors many investors consider when assessing a region's long-term appeal. Population growth, employment opportunities, lifestyle and access to essential services all contribute to the attractiveness of an area.

Development Spotlight – Largo Birtinya by Cube Developments

One development that has caught my attention is Largo Birtinya by Cube Developments.

Positioned in the heart of the Birtinya Health Precinct, Largo is surrounded by key amenities including the Sunshine Coast University Hospital,Stockland Birtinya Shopping Centre, nearby UniSC, parks, walking and cycling paths, and is just minutes from some of the Sunshine Coast's beautiful beaches.

For investors and owner-occupiers alike, it's the combination of lifestyle, employment opportunities and supporting infrastructure that makes this precinct worthy of consideration.

As always, every property purchase should be assessed against your personal goals, borrowing capacity and long-term investment strategy. We encourage buyers to undertake their own due diligence and, where appropriate, seek advice from experienced professionals, including mortgage brokers, accountants and buyer's agents.

Looking Ahead

After 12 weeks of treatment, I'm incredibly grateful to be moving into the next chapter.

There is still a journey ahead, but I'm feeling stronger every week and excited to be back doing what I love—helping Australians achieve their property goals.

Whether you're buying your first home, refinancing, investing, or you're an Australian living overseas looking to purchase back home, I'd love to help.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported me over the past few months.

I'm looking forward to helping many more clients in the months ahead.

Thinking about investing or reviewing your lending strategy?

📞 Book a complimentary discovery call with Shona Stephenson and let's discuss your borrowing capacity, finance options and investment goals.

The information contained is general information only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation and needs. Please talk to us if you need a fast-tracked home loan, and we can help you find a lender that has the processes in place to process the application quickly. We strongly recommend that you do not act on any information provided on this website without individual advice from your trusted advisor. You should also obtain a copy of and consider the Product Disclosure Statement for all financial products before making any decision.