Retreat or forge ahead? Why this finance couple is seizing the property market downturn

WHILE many buyers are sitting on the sidelines following the federal budget, finance professionals Zac and Leigh Peteh are doing the opposite.

The husband-and-wife investors say the current hesitation in the market is creating one of the best negotiation windows they have seen in years.

Over the weekend, the couple purchased a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on the Gold Coast after what Leigh describes as “one of the quietest inspection weekends we’ve seen in a long time”.

The apartment, listed for $1.25 million, had been passed in at auction the weekend before with no bids.

Despite offering 108sqm of living space, ocean views, a car space, furniture included and an estimated weekly rental return of $1,100 per week, buyer interest was surprisingly low.

After speaking with the real estate agent, the couple discovered the vendor had already committed to buying in Melbourne and was keen for a fast sale.

“That changed the whole conversation,” Leigh said. “Once we understood the vendor’s motivation, we knew there was room to move.

“Asking the right questions of the agent can make a huge difference. It helps you understand whether the price is firm, whether the vendor needs certainty or whether speed is more important than squeezing out every last dollar.”

The couple submitted what they call a “cheeky but informed” offer of $1.15 million, including all furniture. It was accepted.

“The current owner had purchased the property for $1.1 million in 2022, so we knew we were not buying at a silly price,” Leigh said. “But the real opportunity was the lack of competition and the vendor’s need for a clean, fast sale.”

 

Leigh, who is chief marketing officer at UFinancial, said the couple deliberately targeted an established property rather than a brand-new apartment.

“There is still a lot of noise and competition around new property because of the negative gearing conversation following the federal budget,” she said.

“For us, the better opportunity was in a high-quality established apartment where the vendor was motivated, the rental return was strong and the long-term fundamentals still made sense.”

Zac, a mortgage broker and co-founder of Mint Equity, said the budget had clearly shaken confidence among some investors, but that did not change the bigger picture.

“When buyers lose confidence, they often stop looking. That creates opportunity for people who understand the market and can move quickly,” Zac said.

“The reality is Australia still has a housing undersupply problem. South East Queensland still has strong population growth, tight rental conditions and the Olympics will continue to drive infrastructure and attention into Brisbane and the Gold Coast.”

The couple said their investment strategy has always been long-term and the Gold Coast purchase is part of a broader approach to building wealth through quality investment property.

“We are not buying because we think the next three months will be perfect,” Leigh said. “We are buying because over 10, 15 or 20 years, quality property in strong lifestyle and employment markets has historically been very resilient.”

For the Petehs, the current market is less about fear and more about discipline.

“We are not saying everyone should rush out and buy,” Zac said. “But if you have your finance sorted, understand your borrowing capacity and know what a good asset looks like, this is the kind of market where you can negotiate properly.”

Leigh said the Gold Coast purchase was a reminder that downturns often feel uncomfortable in the moment, but can create opportunity for buyers who are prepared.

“When everyone is confident, you pay a premium,” she said. “When people are nervous, and when a vendor needs certainty, you can ask for the furniture, take $100,000 off the asking price and actually get the deal you want.”

She believes the same thinking is relevant for many Surf Coast homeowners.

“UFinancial works with a lot of clients across the Surf Coast who have built up strong levels of equity in their homes,” Leigh said. “For those clients, looking outside Victoria for investment opportunities can be a really smart option.

“You do not always need to buy in your own backyard. Sometimes the better opportunity is in a market with stronger rental returns, better affordability or more long-term growth drivers.”

Her message to other investors is simple.

“Don’t get distracted by headlines alone,” Leigh said. “The budget has changed sentiment, but it has not changed the fact that Australia needs more housing.

“Savvy investors are seeing the gap between short-term fear and long-term demand — and they are acting on it.”

For Surf Coast locals considering their next move, the first step is understanding what is possible.

Speak to your local UFinancial brokers in Torquay to find out your borrowing capacity, explore your equity position and understand whether an investment property purchase could form part of your long-term financial strategy.

WITH THE UFINANCIAL TEAM

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