The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

Episodes

Episode 393: Beyond the Boom: Long-Term Strategy vs. Short-Term Gains in Perth

What happens when a city goes from being “uninvestable” to a national hotspot almost overnight?

In this episode, Perth-based buyer’s agent Matthew Hughes joins Veronica to unpack what’s driving the WA property surge—and what investors are getting wrong. With boots-on-the-ground insight, he shares why affordability alone is a flawed strategy, how investor FOMO is distorting the market, and why timing and fundamentals still matter.

While many are chasing quick wins, Matthew and Veronica challenge the hype. They dig into the risks of borderless buying, the pitfalls of relying solely on data, and why buying cheap doesn’t always mean buying smart. For investors chasing long-term outperformance, this conversation is packed with insights on due diligence, owner-occupier demand, and how to avoid the traps of short-term sugar hits.

Whether you’re investing in Perth or watching from the East Coast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about sustainable growth. Hit play now and learn how to think long-term in a market driven by short-term noise.

 Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

00:59 - Perth Property Market Overview

01:28 - Current State of the Perth Market

03:11 - Impact of Investors and Local Buyers

05:51 - Challenges for Local Buyer's Agents

07:33 - Market Trends and Investment Strategies

08:49 - Common Mistakes by Investors

15:25 - Impact of Market Cycles on Investors

38:11 - Role of Lending Advice in Investment Strategies

42:35 - Due Diligence and Risk Management

49:05 - Property Market Trends and Future Outlook

About our Guest:

Matthew Hughes is the Managing Director and Senior Buyer's Agent at Capital Property Advisory (CPA), Perth’s highest-rated buyer’s agency and development consultancy. With over 20 years of experience in property investment and development, Matthew has a deep passion for wealth creation through strategic property acquisition. He began investing at 19 and has since dedicated over a decade exclusively to working with buyers, guiding clients with unbiased, research-backed advice tailored to their individual goals. Matthew is a Qualified Property Investment Adviser (QPIA®), a licensed real estate and business agent, and a respected leader in the industry, recently winning the 2025 National Property Investment Adviser of the Year award from the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA). He also serves on the PIPA Board of Directors, advocating for ethical standards and investor education across Australia\

Connect with Matthew:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhughesqpia/

Resources:

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Chris Bates