The Secret to Picking Suburbs That Actually Grow
How to Avoid the Dud Suburb Trap and Invest with Confidence
Let’s be honest, there’s nothing worse than buying your first investment property, only to watch it sit there… doing nothing. No capital growth, no real income, just silent stress eating away at your plans for financial freedom.
Unfortunately, this happens all the time to first-time investors who pick the wrong suburb.
We’ve seen it too often: people buy in the wrong area based on gut feel, hype, or a "cheap" deal, or what Uncle Tony said and a decade later, they’ve got nothing to show for it. The worst part? It could’ve been avoided with the right strategy and a bit of data.
So, how do you avoid this mistake and pick suburbs that actually perform?
Let’s break it down...
Why Most Investors Get It Wrong
Most beginner investors fall into one of two traps:
They chase cheap suburbs without looking at growth potential
They buy in areas they think will do well, but the data says otherwise
Buying a cheap property in a suburb with low demand and poor fundamentals is like buying a car with no engine it might look good, but it won’t take you anywhere.
The Power of Property Data
At Baker Advocates, we don’t rely on guesswork we use data to guide every investment decision.
Here’s what we’re looking for when assessing a suburb:
Strong long-term price growth
Low rental vacancy rates (ideally under 3%)
Tight inventory levels (a sign of demand outweighing supply)
Demographic trends (e.g., growing population and income levels)
Infrastructure projects and future growth drivers
When all of these boxes are ticked, we know we're onto something special.
Why Rental Demand Matters Just as Much
A growth suburb is great—but it also needs to rent well. After all, you want consistent rental income, not a property that sits empty for months on end.
We always check:
Vacancy rates (the lower, the better)
Inventory levels (less supply = more tenant competition)
Tenant demographics (are renters moving in and staying long-term?)
A suburb with high demand and tight supply means less vacancy risk and better-quality tenants which makes your investment work for you, not against you.
How We Do It at Baker Advocates
We use a proven 8-step system called the Foundation8 Blueprint, where we research and cross-check suburbs based on:
✅ Capital growth trends
✅ Rental performance
✅ Economic indicators
✅ Walkability and lifestyle factors
✅ School zones and amenity access
We’re borderless, meaning we look nationwide for the best-performing pockets—so you’re not limited to what’s “close to home.” It’s about finding the right suburb, not just a familiar one.
Your Suburb Selection Checklist ✅
When you're choosing where to invest, run through this quick list:
📈 Long-term price growth (above national average)
🏠 Low rental vacancy rate (2–3%)
🛍️ Access to schools, shops, transport
🚧 Infrastructure or major projects nearby
💼 Economic drivers and local jobs
👥 Positive demographic trends
Knowledge is Power (and Profit)
If you're serious about building wealth through real estate, picking the right suburb is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.
If you want to avoid the costly mistakes and emotional decisions that hold most investors back, jump on a call and get started with us. We guide you to growth markets with confidence, clarity, and support every step of the way.
Want to find your growth suburb?
Click the link below to book your free Discovery Call and let’s map out a plan to help you invest smarter.