Is Perth still worth it? Strategies for investing amid a housing crunch

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, managing editor Liam Garman sits down with Ashby Farrell, director and licensee at WHITEARCH, to unpack the realities of Perth's ultra-tight property market and what it means for investors.

Farrell describes conditions as "catastrophic" for buyers, with available listings dropping below 2,000, well under the roughly 2,500 properties typically needed for market balance, pushing days on market into single digits.

Despite the frenzy, he argues the issue is not affordability but a severe supply shortage, noting strong local incomes and deep buyer pools competing for limited stock.

Farrell reveals why many property owners are refusing to sell, choosing instead to hold positively geared assets while prices continue to climb – and how this mindset is locking stock out of the market.

For investors, the environment demands discipline, with Farrell stressing the importance of targeting assets that deliver immediate rental yield rather than banking on future increases.

He also points to city-fringe suburbs that have not yet fully gentrified as potential hotspots for long-term capital growth.

The conversation also lifts the lid on the realities faced by agents and property managers. Farrell warns of declining transaction volumes, explains why fee discounting is a race to the bottom, and shares practical advice on how agents can protect margins, listings, and long-term relevance in a low-stock environment. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.