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

Episodes

Episode 446: Borderless Buying: Smart Strategy or Costly Mistake?

Borderless property investing has made it easier than ever for Australians to buy investment properties anywhere in the country. 

But as more investors turn to a buyer's agent or buyer advocates to help them purchase interstate, an important question emerges: are these strategies helping people build long-term wealth, or simply making property investing easier to scale?

In this episode, buyer's advocate and negotiation expert Scott Aggett joins Veronica Morgan and Chris Bates to unpack the rise of the borderless buyer's agent model and what it means for today's investors. Drawing on more than three decades of experience on both sides of the property transaction, Scott explores whether borderless buyer's agents are worth it, why local market knowledge still matters, and what investors should consider before buying an investment property interstate. As proposed changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax reshape the investment landscape, he explains why it's time to rethink the way we approach property investment strategy.

The conversation also dives into one of the most overlooked aspects of successful property investing: knowing how you'll eventually sell. Scott explains why an exit strategy for property investment should be considered before you buy, not after, and why markets driven primarily by investor demand can become difficult to exit. Along the way, he shares practical insights into due diligence for investment property, including how to avoid overpaying for investment property, why relying solely on data or AI can be risky, and the costly mistakes property investors make when they skip proper research.

Whether you're purchasing your first investment property or growing an existing portfolio, this episode offers a practical framework for making more confident decisions. If you're exploring interstate property investing or refining your long term property investment strategy, you'll come away with a clearer understanding of why successful investing depends on more than finding the next hotspot. It requires independent advice, thorough due diligence, and a disciplined strategy built for long-term success.

Episode Highlights

00:25 – Meet Scott Aggett: A Different Take on Property Advice
05:55 – Melbourne Units: Bargain Buy or Bad Investment?
08:21 – The Dangerous Side of Data-Driven Investing
14:57 – Property Horror Stories That Cost Investors Big
17:39 – Why the Budget Changed the Property Narrative
21:55 – Who's Regulating Buyer's Agents?
27:23 – Raising the Standard for Buyer's Agents
30:20 – AI Won't Replace Property Expertise—Here's Why
37:41 – The Investor's Dilemma After the Budget
41:31 – Four Strategies for Today's Property Investors
44:49 – Where Smart Investors Should Be Looking Next
49:49 – Why Portfolio Hype Can Hurt Your Wealth

About the Guest

Scott Aggett is a buyer's advocate, negotiation specialist, and property professional with extensive experience representing buyers across Australia's property market. Having worked on both the selling and buying sides of real estate, Scott brings a unique perspective on how properties are marketed, negotiated, and ultimately purchased.

Through his work with Green Shoots, Scott has built a reputation for strategic advice, rigorous due diligence, and skilled negotiation, helping clients make informed property decisions rather than simply facilitating transactions. His approach combines practical market knowledge with a strong focus on protecting buyers from costly mistakes in an increasingly complex property landscape.

In this episode, Scott shares his insights on the rise of borderless buyer's agents, the evolving role of AI in property investing, and why long-term thinking, local expertise, and professional due diligence remain essential for successful property investment.

Connect with Scott

Resources:

Visit our website: https://www.theelephantintheroom.com.au

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Chris Bates