Previously described as one of Melbourne's hidden gems, Oakleigh has since grown and can now be described as anything but hidden.

Buying your own home remains the great Australian dream – and purchasing a second property may help you take your wealth further. Whether you’re building your property investment portfolio, buying a holiday house or supporting a family member, there are plenty of things to think about before you take that next step.

Property and shares have long been two of the most reliable sources of income and capital returns for decades. But which investment is best? And which should you start saving towards in 2017? Read on as we weigh up some of the benefits of both investment strategies.

Auctions are competitive and stressful for most bidders. Here are six smart strategies that could improve your chances of winning.

A once quiet suburb in an otherwise bustling city is rapidly coming of age. Highett is springing to life and will only continue to grow over the course of 2017. Featuring easy access to the Melbourne CBD, brand new shopping centres and a fantastic sense of community - Highett is fast becoming one of the best places to raise a family.

Many of you may have noticed in the media recently stories relating to how size is important when it comes to purchasing apartments. This is a timely warning to all property purchasers. A pre-approval does not mean you can purchase any property; any pre-approval is still subject to multiple bank terms and conditions, including valuation and the nature of the property – such as the location or the size.

12 months ago there were multiple media reports of an impending property crash to occur 2016. Some of those stories are now being re-run. The affordability crisis, too many apartments, economic concerns – has an inevitable crash been delayed or is it a media beat up? Here I list some of the primary issues, along with predictions.

Featuring absolute beachfront, historic bathing boxes, the Chelsea Golf Club, wetlands and a railway station, Edithvale is a quiet suburb of natural beauty in the city of Kingston.

With 2017 almost upon us you may be thinking that now’s the time to give your home a refresh. Upgrading old and tired areas can do wonders for your home’s resale value. However, with many old homes there are some renovation traps you can fall into – and a significant one is the a-word. Asbestos. 

It’s true that every generation has its financial struggles and set of circumstances can make home ownership seem out of reach. However, while with record low interest rates, paying off your home for established home owners has never been easier, first home buyers are having trouble getting their foot in the door.

Location, location, location has been the catch cry of real estate decades. If the property itself isn’t quite right, you can always renovate, but moving the house to a better location is (generally) not an option. When selecting an investment property, understanding the benefits, drawbacks and future prospects of your property’s location is essential. Here are some of the most important things to look for.

Bentleigh is in the City of Glen Eira, about 13km south east of Melbourne’s CBD.  

Bentleigh is family friendly, with a number of schools, parks, shopping and access to Melbourne’s bayside beaches. A shopping strip along Centre Road boasts over 250 businesses and the suburb also has two train stations, making it easy to access the rest of the city.  

Talk of housing affordability continues to dominate Australian media and politics. Last week we watched as a furore erupted over whether it’s better to save for a house or spend your hard earned money on breakfasting on smashed avocado. 

Using dual income purchasing power to borrow more money is standard practice, and is part of the reason for the dramatic increase in house prices over the past 30 years. Most young couples purchase a home together, with joint incomes taken into account to be able to afford ongoing home loan repayments.

Cheltenham is located in the city of Kingston, 19km south east of the Melbourne CBD. 

This family friendly area is home to parks, sports fields such as the Victoria Golf Club and Westfield Southland. It’s close to Melbourne beaches and has easy access to the Mornington Peninsula via the Nepean Highway.