Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Who Fundamental Property helps, what we do, and how we are different.
Fundamental Property provides property advisory and acquisition services to first-home buyers and property investors, with a focus on new homes across Australia.
We take a strategy-first approach, helping clients understand their options, assess suitable properties and navigate the purchasing process from initial strategy through to securing the right property.
We also provide consultancy services to residential builders and developers, helping them better understand their target market, product, project and buyer demand.
We work with a range of clients, including first-home buyers, property investors and experienced property owners looking to make their next property purchase.
We also work with builders and developers who want practical insight into the residential property market, buyer preferences, product positioning and project opportunities.
No.
While property investment is a significant part of what we do, we also assist first-home buyers.
For first-home buyers, our role can include assisting with obtaining finance through our panel of preferred independent mortgage brokers, helping you acquire the land from one of our shortlisted master planned communities, compare locations and products, assess the overall costs and navigate the process of purchasing a new home.
Property advisory is about understanding the client's circumstances, objectives and strategy before deciding what property to buy.
The acquisition component is then about researching, assessing, comparing and negotiating suitable property opportunities and helping the client through the purchasing process.
Rather than starting with a particular property or builder, we start with the person and work backwards to determine what may be appropriate.
Our approach is centred around strategy first, property second.
We don't believe the right property is simply the one with the best marketing, the biggest incentives or the most appealing display home.
We look at the broader picture, including the client's objectives, financial position, location, land and housing fundamentals, supply, demand, infrastructure, rental considerations, builder quality and the overall suitability of the opportunity.
Buying directly from a builder can be appropriate, but the builder's sales representative is naturally focused on selling their own product.
Fundamental Property provides a different perspective. We can assess opportunities across different builders, developers, locations and property types, allowing the client to compare options before deciding.
Our role is to help determine whether a particular opportunity is right for the client — not simply whether it is right for the builder.
We work with a range of builders and developers across different markets.
The key consideration is not simply who the builder or developer is, but whether their product and the specific opportunity are suitable for the client.
We assess opportunities on their individual merits, including the location, product, pricing, inclusions, build quality, track record and overall suitability.
Our advice is focused on the client's objectives and the suitability of the property opportunity.
As Qualified Property Investment Advisors we adhere to a binding Code of Conduct that every member signs, with a robust complaints process behind it.
We work with a range of industry professionals and property businesses, which allows us to access different opportunities and provide practical market insight.
Where a commercial relationship, referral arrangement or other relevant relationship exists, we believe transparency is important and clients should understand how the parties involved are connected.
First Home Buyers
How we help people buying their first home, including understanding options, costs and the buying process.
Yes.
We work with first-home buyers who want guidance through the process of purchasing a new home.
Buying your first property can involve a lot of moving parts, from finance and government incentives through to land, building contracts, builders, inclusions, construction timelines and settlement.
Our role is to help simplify that process and provide an informed, independent perspective throughout the journey.
Your first home is a significant financial decision, and there can be a lot to consider beyond simply finding a home you like.
We help you understand the options available to you, compare different properties and locations, consider the overall costs and make a decision based on your circumstances and longer-term objectives.
For many first-home buyers, having someone who understands the property process can provide greater confidence and help avoid costly mistakes.
We’ve been working actively with first home buyers for over 16 years assisting in the transactions of thousands of clients in that time so we understand the significance of someone purchasing their first home.
Yes.
For some people, purchasing their first home is the obvious priority. For others, an investment property may form part of a longer-term strategy.
We can help you understand the different options and consider factors such as your financial position, borrowing capacity, deposit, lifestyle requirements and longer-term property objectives.
The aim is to help you make an informed decision rather than simply telling you what to buy.
Yes.
The purchase price is only one part of the overall cost of buying a new property.
Depending on the property and your circumstances, there may be costs associated with land, construction, site works, upgrades, government charges, finance, conveyancing or settlement, insurance and other professional services.
We help clients understand the broader costs involved so they can make decisions based on the full picture.
Absolutely.
We work with a range of mortgage brokers and finance professionals, but you are welcome to use your own broker if you already have someone you trust.
Our role is to work alongside your professional team and help ensure the property being considered aligns with your overall position and objectives.
Yes, where the property and project structure allows for it.
We can help you assess different builder options and understand the differences between builders, inclusions, specifications, pricing, timeframes and contract structures.
That's fine.
You don't necessarily need to start from scratch.
We can assess the property, builder, location and overall opportunity and provide an objective view of whether it appears suitable for your circumstances.
If we believe there are better alternatives, we'll explain why and provide options for you to consider.
Property Investors
How we help investors develop a strategy and identify, assess and secure suitable new property opportunities.
Yes.
We work with both new and experienced investors.
For a first-time investor, the process can be particularly overwhelming. We help you understand the strategy, identify suitable property options and navigate the process of securing and building the property.
Yes.
For experienced investors, the focus may be very different from someone purchasing their first investment.
We can work with you and your professional advisers to understand your existing portfolio, equity position, borrowing capacity and longer-term objectives before considering the next acquisition.
The aim is to ensure the next property complements your broader strategy rather than simply adding another property to the portfolio.
Fundamental Property specialises in new homes because we believe new-build property can provide a number of potential benefits depending on the client's circumstances.
These may include modern design, lower initial maintenance requirements, construction warranties, depreciation benefits and access to newer growth corridors and infrastructure.
However, new property is not automatically the right choice for every client. We assess the individual opportunity and the client's circumstances before recommending a property.
Our focus is primarily on new residential property, including:
- House and land packages
- Turnkey homes
- Townhouses
- Selected apartment opportunities
- Dual-key and dual-dwelling properties where appropriate
- Other specialised new residential property opportunities
The type of property considered depends on the client's strategy, financial position and objectives.
Location selection is based on more than simply looking at where property prices have increased recently.
We consider factors such as population growth, employment, infrastructure, transport, housing supply, land availability, development activity, rental demand, affordability and the broader economic fundamentals of the area.
We then assess individual estates and property opportunities within those markets.
We consider the property as part of the client's overall strategy.
Depending on the circumstances, this can include:
- Purchase price
- Land component
- Build specification
- Rental expectations
- Supply and competition
- Location fundamentals
- Infrastructure
- Population and employment trends
- Comparable sales
- Builder and developer
- Estate quality
- Construction timeframe
- Holding costs
- Potential tax considerations
- Long-term suitability
No single factor determines whether a property is suitable.
No.
No adviser can guarantee future property growth, rental returns or investment performance.
Our role is to research and assess the available information, identify the risks and opportunities and help clients make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances.
Yes.
If you already own property, we can consider your existing position when assessing your next purchase.
This may include your existing properties, available equity, borrowing capacity, debt position and longer-term objectives.
Where appropriate, we can work alongside your mortgage broker, accountant, financial planner and other professional advisers.
No.
We provide property advice and acquisition services.
Where specialist advice is required, we work alongside appropriately qualified professionals such as mortgage brokers, accountants, financial planners, conveyancers and settlement agents.
Our role is to ensure the property decision is considered as part of the broader picture while allowing each specialist to provide advice within their area of expertise.
We would rather tell a client that we don't believe an opportunity is suitable than recommend a property simply because we have one available.
If we can't identify an opportunity that meets the agreed criteria, we will continue to assess the market or recommend waiting until a more suitable opportunity becomes available.
Builders & Developers
How we work with residential builders and developers through consultancy, market insight, product development, feasibility and project positioning.
Yes.
In addition to working with first-home buyers and property investors, Fundamental Property provides consultancy services to residential builders and developers.
Our experience working directly with buyers and investors gives us practical insight into what purchasers are looking for, how they assess property opportunities and where projects can succeed or struggle in the market.
Our consultancy services can be tailored to the requirements of the business or project.
Depending on the engagement, this may include:
- Market research and analysis
- Product development
- Project feasibility
- Product and pricing review
- Buyer and investor insights
- Project positioning
- Estate and location assessment
- Competitor analysis
- Product suitability
- Sales-channel strategy
- Buyer feedback
- Project reviews
- Strategic property advice
- Development and project planning support
The scope is determined around the specific requirements of the builder, developer or project.
Because we work directly with buyers and investors, we see the questions, concerns and objections that purchasers have when considering a property.
We can provide practical feedback around factors such as:
- Price points
- Floorplans
- Inclusions
- Land sizes
- Property types
- Rental appeal
- Investor suitability
- Owner-occupier appeal
- Location
- Project positioning
- Competitor offerings
The objective is to help businesses better align their product with actual market demand.
Yes.
We can assist with assessing the commercial and market considerations of a proposed residential project.
Depending on the project, this may include reviewing the proposed product, target market, price point, competing projects, buyer demand and overall positioning.
The level of involvement can range from an initial review through to a more detailed consultancy engagement.
Yes.
Our investor relationships and experience give us direct exposure to the factors investors consider when assessing a new property.
This can include purchase price, rental appeal, yield, depreciation, land component, location, future supply, property design, build quality and the broader investment fundamentals.
We can use these insights to help builders and developers understand how their product may be perceived by the investor market.
Yes.
First-home buyers often have different priorities to investors.
Affordability, government incentives, deposit requirements, repayments, design, location, lifestyle, inclusions and overall value can all influence the purchasing decision.
Our direct involvement with buyers allows us to provide practical insight into these considerations.
Yes.
We can help review how a project or product is positioned within the market, including the target buyer, price point, key selling propositions, product mix and competitive environment.
The goal is to ensure the project is positioned around genuine buyer demand rather than assumptions.
Our focus is strategic property consultancy rather than traditional advertising or mass-market marketing.
Where appropriate, our consultancy can support sales and channel strategy, buyer positioning, product feedback and identifying opportunities to better connect a project with its target market.
A traditional marketing agency can provide valuable expertise in branding, advertising and communications.
Our role is different.
We bring a property-specific perspective based on working directly with buyers, investors, builders, developers, brokers and other property professionals.
This gives us practical insight into the product itself, the buyer decision-making process and the factors that can influence whether a property is considered attractive in the market.
No.
Fundamental Property works across the Australian residential property market, with the ability to assess opportunities and provide consultancy services across different locations depending on the project and engagement.
Working with both sides of the property market provides a valuable perspective.
Our buyer and investor work gives us direct insight into what purchasers are looking for, while our work with builders and developers gives us insight into how residential projects are designed, priced and brought to market.
That combination allows us to provide practical advice from both a market and buyer perspective.
How We Work
Our process, independence, property selection, professional relationships, fees and what happens if the right property isn't available.
The process generally begins with understanding your circumstances, objectives and requirements.
From there, we develop an appropriate strategy and research the market to identify potential opportunities.
We then assess and compare suitable properties before assisting with the acquisition and coordinating with the relevant professionals throughout the process.
The exact process varies depending on whether you are a first-home buyer, investor, builder or developer.
Not necessarily.
It is important to understand your borrowing capacity and financial position before committing to a property, but we can help you understand the process and work alongside your mortgage broker or finance professional.
For property acquisitions, finance should be established before entering into contracts wherever possible.
Yes.
We regularly work alongside clients' existing professional advisers.
Our role is not to replace your accountant, financial planner, mortgage broker, conveyancer or other specialist. Instead, we help coordinate the property component and work collaboratively with your professional team.
Our involvement doesn't necessarily stop once a contract is signed.
Depending on the engagement, we can continue to assist throughout the process and coordinate with the relevant parties, including the builder or developer, mortgage broker, settlement agent, property manager and other professionals.
For new-build properties, this can be particularly important as there are often multiple stages between signing a contract and settlement.
That's okay.
Sometimes the right decision is to prepare rather than purchase immediately.
Understanding your borrowing capacity, deposit or equity position, objectives and potential strategy can put you in a much stronger position when the right opportunity does become available.
Our fees depend on the service being provided and the nature of the engagement.
Where a client engagement fee applies, this will be clearly explained before you proceed.
In some circumstances, Fundamental Property may also receive fees, commissions or other remuneration from property businesses or service providers. Where relevant, these relationships are disclosed so clients can make informed decisions.
The decision to purchase always remains with the client.
Our role is to provide research, advice and recommendations. We explain the reasons behind our recommendations and the risks and considerations involved, allowing you to make the final decision.
There is never an obligation to proceed with a property simply because we have identified it.
We believe property decisions should start with the person, not the property.
Our approach is based on understanding the client's objectives, assessing the available options and then determining whether a particular property makes sense.
For builders and developers, the same philosophy applies in reverse: understand the market and buyer, then develop and position the product accordingly.
Our aim is simple — to provide practical, transparent property advice that helps people and property businesses make better-informed decisions.