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

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EP 397: What Data-Driven Investors Get Wrong (And Right)

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If you’re investing in property and relying on data to guide your decisions, this episode is essential listening.

Property analytics coach Matija Djolic, co-founder of HtAG Analytics, joins The Elephant in the Room Property Podcast to break down how property analytics and property investment data are reshaping the way investors approach the Australian market. He explains how to avoid common mistakes, use data more effectively, and build confidence in your decision-making process.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The Four Key Questions Every Investor Should Ask – how budget, holding timeframe, equity extraction plans, and risk profile form the foundation of any property strategy.

  • Why Suburb-Level Data Can Mislead Investors – understanding data accuracy, volume, and confidence levels before using suburb-level insights to guide your purchases.

  • Hotspot Investing Myths – why chasing the latest property hotspots in Australia often leads to speculation rather than sustainable growth.

  • Behavioral Bias in Property Investing – how herd mentality, emotional decision-making, and overconfidence can distort even the best property analytics.

  • Balancing Long-Term Strategy with Market Data – aligning data interpretation with long-term growth objectives instead of short-term spikes.

  • Avoiding Analysis Paralysis – how to focus on the right metrics and filter out "noise" to make clear, confident decisions.

  • Integrating Socioeconomics and Affordability Metrics – why factors like income levels, gentrification trends, and housing affordability drive sustainable growth.

This episode challenges the assumption that more data automatically leads to better results. Instead, Matija shares how to turn raw property investment data into actionable insights, highlighting why context, accuracy, and clear strategy matter more than chasing every trending metric.

Whether you’re an experienced investor refining your portfolio or a beginner overwhelmed by dashboards and conflicting reports, this conversation will help you:

  • Avoid common property data mistakes

  • Navigate market volatility and risk more confidently

  • Use analytics to support smarter, long-term property investment strategies

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to avoid mistakes and make great investments using property data, analytics, and proven strategies.


Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Welcome

01:42 – The Origin of HtAG Analytics

03:35 – Key Questions for Property Investment

04:56 – Understanding Risk in Property Investment

12:35 – The Role of Data in Property Markets

15:30 – Challenges of Data Interpretation

17:57 – The Impact of Data Accessibility

24:37 – Strategies for Property Investment

34:11 – Navigating Tricky Real Estate Decisions

35:12 – Understanding Property Scarcity and Sales Volume

36:01 – The Role of Data Accuracy in Real Estate

38:04 – Tech and Human Expertise in Real Estate

40:21 – Challenges with Real Estate Transparency

41:55 – The Importance of Personal Touch in Real Estate

43:10 – Buy and Hold vs Transacting Property

44:53 – Key Metrics for Long-Term Property Investment

46:11 – Affordability and Shifting Demographics

51:42 – Compounding Good Decision Making

55:32 – Common Myths in Real Estate

About our Guest:

Matija Djolic is the co-founder of HtAG Analytics and a leading data analytics coach specializing in the property investment sector. With a PhD in Organizational Psychology, Matija brings over seven years of experience guiding thousands of investors and buyer's agents through the complex maze of market analytics.

Known for his expertise in both qualitative and quantitative pattern recognition, Matija empowers investors to make smarter, data-driven decisions that align with their long-term goals and risk profiles. His practical, no-nonsense approach challenges traditional investment assumptions, encouraging a more nuanced and informed understanding of property analytics.

Connect with Matija:

Website: https://www.htag.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-matija-djolic-386475152/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matijadjolic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matija.djolic.14/

Resources:

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Chris Bates