If I had $700k to invest in property today I’d buy this

What would you do if you had $700,000 to invest in property today?

In this episode of Future Proof Property, Dawn breaks down exactly where she would put $700,000 of her own money in the current market, and just as importantly, where she wouldn't.

Rather than chasing markets that have already experienced significant growth, Dawn explains why she would look towards earlier-cycle opportunities in blue-chip Melbourne, particularly boutique units in suburbs like South Yarra and Armadale.

The key isn't simply finding a property you can afford. It's understanding what job the property needs to do, where the market is in its cycle, who the future buyer will be, and what will make that buyer willing to pay more in the future.

Dawn walks through a real South Yarra property she would buy herself, explains why she believes some Melbourne units are significantly undervalued compared with comparable markets around Australia, and shares the process she uses to assess growth, scarcity, demand, affordability and future liquidity.

Because you're not buying yesterday's growth.

You're buying for the future buyer.

In This Episode Why Dawn wouldn't put $700K into Perth, Brisbane or Darwin right now

Why investors need to think about the job each property needs to do

How to identify markets that are earlier in their property cycle

The importance of population growth, employment and supply constraints

Why future buyer demand matters more than today's affordability

Dawn's strategy for investing $700K in the current market

Why she would consider boutique units in blue-chip Melbourne

The case for South Yarra and other inner-Melbourne suburbs

Why some Melbourne units have barely moved in 10–15 years

What New Farm's growth can teach investors about scarcity and demand

Why a future buyer pool can determine the liquidity of an investment

When Dawn would consider selling an investment property

Why she doesn't believe every property should be held forever

How she thinks about net profit rather than paper gains

What to look for when buying a boutique unit

Why investors need to be forensic with Owners Corporation and strata issues

The importance of having a growth mindset and challenging your own assumptions

Why your strategy should come before your budget

The correct order: strategy → market → asset → budget → structure → future buyer

Why you shouldn't simply copy someone else's suburb or investment strategy

Chapters 00:00 What Would Dawn Do With $700K Today? 01:20 Start With the Job of the Property 03:39 The Fundamentals Dawn Looks For Before Buying 05:59 Why Dawn Would Buy in South Yarra 08:18 Why Future Buyers Matter More Than Today's Market 10:39 The Melbourne Unit Opportunity 12:55 The $700K Property Dawn Would Buy 15:19 Why Investors Need to Challenge Their Own Assumptions 17:42 Don't Start With Your Budget, Start With Your Strategy