Why Off-the-Plan Might Be the Smartest Move You Make This Year

If you’ve been listening to the headlines lately, you’d think buying off-the-plan is the riskiest decision you could make.

❌ Construction delays

❌ Valuations not stacking up

❌ Developer collapses

❌ Fear, uncertainty, doubt

But here’s what the headlines don’t tell you: off-the-plan investments can also be the smartest way to create equity before you even settle if you know how to do it properly.

At Investor Property, we’ve helped hundreds of investors use off-the-plan strategically to:

✅ Lock in today’s price before growth hits

✅ Create equity without spending anything beyond the deposit

✅ Leverage low deposit options (like deposit bonds)

✅ Build a future-proof portfolio, even without cash or existing equity

Let’s break it down.

Why Off-the-Plan Can Be a Smart Investment Strategy

Buying off-the-plan means purchasing a property before it’s built, often 12 to 24 months before completion. That timeline gives smart investors an edge:

✅ You lock in today’s price, but settle in tomorrow’s market

Australia is in the grip of a housing crisis and while it’s a nationwide issue, some regions are feeling the pressure more than others. The Sunshine Coast is one such region. Demand here continues to far outstrip supply, with population growth, infrastructure investment, and limited new land releases all putting upward pressure on prices.

What does that mean for you as an investor?

It means that even while construction is underway, prices are still moving, and fast. When you buy off-the-plan, you’re securing a property at today’s price, sometimes even below the current market price, in a market that’s almost guaranteed to be worth more by the time you settle.

In markets like the Sunshine Coast, it’s not uncommon to see 5–10% growth over a 12–18 month construction period. Locking in now means you’re not chasing the market, you’re getting ahead of it.

✅ You create equity without renovations or additional investment

Unlike a fixer-upper, you’re not outlaying extra cash post-purchase. Instead, market growth combined with a smart finance structure, can result in instant equity before you even get the keys.

And in a housing market this constrained, that’s a rare and powerful position to be in.

✅ The product is new, tenant-attractive, and low-maintenance

Modern design, higher depreciation benefits, better rental appeal. That’s why OTP often fits well within a long-term portfolio strategy.

✅ Lower entry cost and creative finance solutions

Can’t front the deposit? Enter deposit bonds: a smart way to secure a property now without tying up your savings (more on that below).

What About the Risks?

Yes, there are real risks. That’s why media stories often highlight what can go wrong.

But here’s the truth: all risk comes from a lack of knowledge .

We mitigate risks with deep due diligence:

• We only work with trusted, proven builders and developers.
• We match properties to future demand (not just hype).
• We review the entire picture including valuations, finance strategy, timelines, cash flow protection, and more.
• We ensure each property aligns with your personal investment journey.
• We provide constant communication and deal with any issues (such as a change in your circumstances) early.

As we say in our Investor Guides: Don’t dismiss off-the-plan until you’ve seen the full picture.

Case Study: Beachside Townhouse

Here’s a real-world example:

• Off-the-plan price: $950,000
• Location: As close as you’ll ever get to the beach on the Sunshine Coast again
• Valuation today: $1.1M
• Completion timeline: 18 months
• Expected growth (conservatively): 7%
• Projected value at settlement: ~$1.2M
• Deposit required: Just 10%  or via deposit bond

In this case, you’re looking at creating $250,000 in equity by the time you take ownership without paying a cent beyond your initial deposit.

That’s the kind of opportunity you don’t find in today’s established market and something we can show you our clients have achieved time and time again following our strategies.

What Is a Deposit Bond?

A deposit bond is a clever tool for investors who have income and borrowing capacity, but not liquid cash or equity.

✅ It’s a guarantee (not a loan)

✅ It covers the deposit now and gets paid back at settlement

✅ It means you don’t need to liquidate assets or use savings

✅ It’s accepted by many developers and sellers

We’ve written more about it here in our article including who it’s suited for and how we help clients secure them quickly.

The Bottom Line

Buying off-the-plan isn’t just about bricks and timelines, it’s about strategy.

It’s about understanding how to use time, finance and opportunity to your advantage. It’s not for everyone, but for those who know how to use it well, it can be a powerful portfolio accelerator.

Want to see if off-the-plan could work for your situation?

We’ve got stock across townhouses, terraces, apartments, dual keys and house & land, many with valuations that show instant equity at settlement. Connect with a property coach to see if these fit your property strategy.