Understanding how to invest in property can be complex, and each investor will have their own unique journey to follow and goals to achieve. This is designed to be an article aimed at first time investors who want some practical tips that can help them get started, along with some free tools, data and resources to assist along the way. As always, please use the comments at the bottom to give us your feedback.

The purpose of this article is to outline the process of due diligence, and the importance of this process in property investment. Comprehensive due diligence in property investment is a risk management strategy that should be undertaken by all serious real estate investors. It is not only the most prudent property investors who engage in thorough due diligence before making an offer on a property, but business-minded and serious real estate investors who can appreciate the risk that a bad investment could have on their entire portfolio.

A growing number of Australia's biggest banks and top economists have changed their tune from talk of rate hikes to predictions of rate cuts next year, so what does that mean for borrowers? Is now the time to lock in a low fixed rate, or are variable rates the way to go? Banks big and small have spent much of the year trying to lure in new customers with temptingly-low fixed mortgage rates, and borrowers have been lapping it up, amid expectations that rates would start rising in 2015.

Here's a handy guide to get you started on financing your property investment purchase.

Acquiring property off-the-plan involves committing to a purchase agreement before or during the construction phase, allowing you to review the design and architectural plans, though you will not be able to inspect the completed property until the construction is finalised. Many individuals opt for off-the-plan purchases with the expectation that the property's value will increase upon completion. It stands to reason that entering into a contract to buy a property at current market prices should result in a higher value once construction is finished, typically within one to three years.

To keep a grounded view of the market and ensure you don’t lose quality tenants, consider following these simple steps.

This case study is from Real Estate Investar subscriber John Le Brun, and how he used Real Estate Investar to apply the discount property investing strategy. I have subscribed twice to the Real Estate Investar tools, the first time lead me to the best deal I have ever found.