Why smart property investors are playing the long game

Want to hear the full conversation? Listen to the podcast episode here.

In this episode of the Inside Riva Podcast, Sophie sits down with Nicholas De Rosa, Associate Director at Housemark, to discuss property investment, market trends and the factors shaping the future of South East Queensland.

Drawing on nearly a decade of experience working with investors and property owners, Nick shares his perspective on long-term wealth creation, the importance of relationships, and why patience continues to be one of the most valuable assets in property.

Nicholas De Rosa | Associate Director at Housemark

Property Is Still a Long-Term Game

With so much attention placed on interest rates, affordability and short-term market movements, it can be easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.

Throughout the conversation, Nick returns to one theme consistently: the investors who achieve the best outcomes are rarely focused on what happens over the next six or twelve months.

Instead, they approach property as a long-term strategy.

“The most successful investors look at what their property will look like in 10, 15 or 20 years’ time.”

Rather than chasing quick wins, they focus on building sustainable wealth, maintaining quality assets and making decisions that continue to deliver value over time.

For Nick, successful investors also tend to treat their properties as more than just assets. They view them as part of a long-term plan and understand that consistent investment often delivers stronger results than short-term cost saving.

“A few hundred dollars spent today could save you thousands in the future.”

Whether it's preventative maintenance, property presentation or creating a better experience for tenants, the strongest performing properties are often the ones that are consistently cared for.

Why South East Queensland Continues to Attract Attention

The conversation also explored the future of the Gold Coast and the broader South East Queensland region.

With significant infrastructure investment, ongoing population growth and the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, Nick believes the region remains well positioned for long-term growth.

“We're coming into a really exciting period over the next eight to nine years.”

From major transport projects and new precincts to continued investment across the region, South East Queensland continues to attract attention from both businesses and investors looking beyond the immediate market cycle.

While headlines often focus on short-term challenges, the underlying fundamentals continue to support confidence across the region.

Looking Beyond the Headlines

Like many industries, property continues to be influenced by policy changes, cost of living pressures and broader economic conditions.

During the conversation, Nick touched on the recent Federal Budget and the uncertainty many investors are currently navigating. While some property owners may feel additional pressure in the short term, he believes it's important to look beyond individual headlines and focus on the broader fundamentals shaping the market.

“There is still a massive number of people coming to the Gold Coast.”

Population growth remains one of the strongest drivers of demand across South East Queensland. As more people relocate to the region, the need for housing continues to increase, regardless of whether those individuals are buying or renting.

“If they're not going to buy, they're needing to rent.”

For Nick, this ongoing demand is one of the key reasons many investors remain confident in the region's long-term outlook. While market conditions will inevitably fluctuate, the underlying need for housing continues to support both the rental market and future growth opportunities.

Relationships Still Matter

Although much of the conversation focused on property, some of the strongest insights were actually about people. When reflecting on his own career, Nick spoke about the importance of building genuine relationships and earning trust over time.

“You’re in the people game.”

It's a simple idea, but one that applies well beyond the property industry.

Whether you're working with investors, clients, customers or colleagues, long-term success is often built through consistency, communication and doing what you say you're going to do.

For Nick, trust isn't something that happens overnight. It's built through hundreds of conversations, small actions and consistently showing up for people over time.

Looking Ahead

While no one can predict exactly what the next decade will bring, the conversation highlighted a consistent theme: long-term thinking continues to outperform short-term reactions.

For investors, business owners and professionals alike, the fundamentals remain surprisingly similar. Focus on relationships. Be patient. Invest in quality. Think beyond today's headlines.

And perhaps most importantly, keep your attention on where opportunities are being created, not just where challenges exist.

You can learn more about Nick De Rosa and the work Housemark does here.

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