The Elephant in the Room
The property podcast for the thinking person.

Episodes

Episode 372: Is Long-Term Thinking Actually Sabotaging Your Property Goals?

Most people assume long-term thinking is the key to success in property—but what if it’s actually holding you back? In this episode, we break down whether having a long-term property strategy is always the smartest move—or if it could actually be working against you. We take you through how we each approach property strategy, why some plans are set up to fail from the start, and how to tell if the advice you’re getting is truly in your best interest or just a well-packaged sales pitch.

Chris shares how his strategy sessions with clients unfold, the key questions that reveal what really matters, and why understanding your next move—not just the one in front of you—is so critical. Veronica talks through the biggest mistakes she sees people make, why so many investors end up stuck with properties that don’t serve them, and how to avoid locking yourself into a plan that doesn’t adapt to real life.

We also get into the risks of relying too much on spreadsheets and formulas, why property strategy isn’t just about numbers, and how the best decisions come from asking the right questions. If you’re thinking about your next property move, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on how to approach it.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 - Introduction

01:14 - How Chris initiates and conducts property strategy discussions with clients

04:05 - Do property strategy sessions ever change a buyer’s mind?

08:59 - Does Chris charge for his strategy sessions?

12:18 - Does Chris encounter recurring or common property strategy scenarios?

16:37 - The different types of clients who seek strategy sessions and the key issues they face

22:04 - Are property strategy plans too focused on numbers instead of real-life goals?

27:04 - Explaining the power of compounding in real estate through the lily pad analogy

31:51 - What happens when couples have conflicting property goals?

37:09 - How to realistically assess the right timing for property decisions

39:44 - Taking a holistic approach to property strategy sessions

49:13 - The role of data and/or local knowledge in helping investors pick good properties

Resources:

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Chris Bates