Thinking About Selling? Why Unlocking Equity Might Be a Smarter Move

With interest rates sitting higher than they have in years and property values still holding strong, some investors may be considering selling to cash in on their gains or ease financial pressure. But before you make that decision, have you considered unlocking your equity instead of selling?

What’s Equity?

With a home you purchase, the mortgage is the bit that the bank owns (for now) and the difference between that amount and the value of the home is equity. An Equity Unlock is the process of accessing the increased value of your property, either through refinancing or a line of credit, to fund further investments without selling.  Essentially, you could have your cake and eat it too—holding onto an appreciating property while using its value to expand your investments.

For many investors, their property has built up significant equity—equity that could be leveraged to purchase another property, rather than cashing out and exiting the market. If your long-term goal is wealth creation and financial security, selling might not be the best move. Instead, a well-structured equity unlock could allow you to grow your portfolio without sacrificing valuable assets.

At Investor Property, we see property investment as a journey—one with distinct stages, just like our Explorer, Voyager, and Pioneer guides outline. Whether you’re just starting out, actively growing your portfolio, or optimising for long-term returns, unlocking equity can be a key tool that helps investors move forward on this path.

Remember Cashman? 

(No? We did a fun video a little while back to give a visual of bringing equity to life … big snaps to Matt for wearing the cash suit in the Summer heat! See image above.)

Just like Cashman, who took control of his equity and used it to buy again and again, turning one property into many, the same strategy may work for you*. By reinvesting rather than selling, you could build momentum, create a snowball effect, and ultimately grow your wealth faster*. The key is to keep your capital working for you instead of letting it sit idle.

Why Consider an Equity Unlock Instead of Selling?

✅ Preserve Your Asset – Property continues to be one of the best-performing long-term investments. Selling means you lose that appreciating asset and the potential rental income that comes with it.

✅ Leverage Growth – Unlocking equity allows you to use your existing capital to purchase another high-performing property while keeping your current one. This accelerates your investment strategy without taking money out of the market.

✅ Maximise Tax Benefits – There may be tax advantages to holding and leveraging equity versus selling and triggering capital gains tax. This is something worth discussing with your accountant.

✅ Stay Ahead of Rising Prices – As interest rates look set to ease over the next 12 months, competition in the property market will increase, pushing prices even higher. Holding onto your property and reinvesting now could put you ahead of the next wave of growth.

Time to Check in on Your Strategy

At Investor Property, we know that sticking to a clear strategy is the key to long-term success. If you haven’t reviewed your investment position recently, now is the perfect time to check in with your Property Coach to explore your options. Are you making the most of your property’s potential? Could an equity unlock help you move forward instead of stepping out of the market?

Unlocking equity requires strategic planning and the right financial structure. That’s where we come in. We help investors take control of their equity, structure their lending effectively, and ensure they’re maximising opportunities instead of letting that money sit idle.

Our Property Coaches are here to help you assess your position and ensure your investment strategy is working for you—not against you. Let’s see what’s possible for your next move.

*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We recommend booking a strategy session with our team to explore a personalised investment plan tailored to your goals and circumstances.