Diversification is at the heart of every smart investment strategy. After all, the wise ones warned against having all your eggs in one basket.

There are many options out there that you, as a property investor, may look into. This guide is especially geared to look into property vs shares in Australia. Which of these offers better diversification? Read this guide for in-depth answers.

Why Property Feels Like Good Diversification

Here are a few reasons why investment property is good for your portfolio:

• It’s a tangible asset: People will always need homes. This makes property a solid bet over time.
• Rental income: You can earn money while waiting for the property to grow in value.
• Inflation hedge: When prices rise, so does the value of your property, at least in most cases.

But property isn’t as easy to diversify as you might think. Here’s why:

High Entry Cost

To buy even one property, you need a lot of money upfront. Most people end up owning just one or two properties. This means you’re concentrated in one area or type of property. For example, if you own a beachfront condo in Queensland, what happens if tourism tanks? Your property could pay the price.

Illiquid

Selling in the property market takes months. You can’t just hit “sell” like you would with shares. And when you do sell, there are fees. Say you’re selling an AUD$600,000 house. It might take three months and cost AUD$30,000+ in agent fees, while selling AUD$600 worth of shares takes seconds with a AUD$10 brokerage fee.

Maintenance

Properties come with upkeep costs. Roofs leak, pipes burst, and tenants complain. These aren’t issues with shares. So while the property market offers some diversification, it’s limited compared to other options.

Why Shares Are a Good Diversification Approach

Shares give you tiny pieces of companies. You can own part of Apple, BHP, or any company listed on the stock market. Here’s how shares help with diversification:

Easy To Buy and Sell

With online trading platforms, you can buy and sell shares in a few short minutes. You won’t need to wait around for buyers or deal with real estate agents.

Low Cost

You don’t need millions to start. Some brokers let you buy fractions of shares for as little as AUD$50.

Wide Exposure

Whether it’s tech companies, mining giants, or international markets, everything is on the table. Shares let you spread your money across industries, countries, and sectors.

How Do Diversified Share Portfolios Look?

Say you invest AUD$ 10,000 in Australian shares. You could split it like this:

• AUD$4,000 in banks (CBA, NAB, ANZ)
• AUD$3,000 in mining stocks (BHP, Rio Tinto)
• AUD$2,000 in tech companies (Afterpay, WiseTech)
• AUD$1,000 in healthcare (CSL)

See how diverse that is? You’re covering different parts of the economy. If one sector falters, others might pick up the slack. This can protect you from exposure.

If you’re still not sure what approach would work best for you, consider looking into property vs shares Australia guides or any other in-depth resources that can help inform your next step. These can help you make the best decisions that reflect the risk levels you’re comfortable taking, hence making the most of your investment.

REITs

In love with the idea of property but also want the flexibility of shares? Consider REITs (real estate investment trusts). They’re like mutual funds for property.

With REITs, you can own small portions of commercial buildings, shopping centers, or industrial parks. For example, the ASX-listed Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF (VAP) lets you invest in a basket of Australian property stocks.

Yes, REITs can be a great idea, but there are some things you should be aware of. They come with management fees and may be more volatile than direct property due to stock market fluctuations and economic conditions.

Also, REITs don’t give you the same control or tangible ownership as owning a physical property outright. Their future performance also depends on the skill of the fund managers.

Building a Balanced Investment Portfolio

The best approach often involves both property and shares. Here’s how you might structure a diversified portfolio:

Example 1: A Young Investor Focused on Growth

If you’re in your 20s or 30s and have a long-term horizon, you might do well to focus on growth over stability. Here’s how you could structure your portfolio:

Australian Shares (35%): Invest in VAS (Vanguard Australian Shares ETF) or STW (SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Fund). These give you exposure to the largest companies in Australia.

International Shares (35%): ETFs like VGS (international developed markets) or IVV (top 500 US companies) are great options for global diversification. This balances your portfolio beyond Australia.

Property (15%): Consider REITs like ARL (Australian Real Estate Investment Trust ETF) or VAP (Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF). If you’ve already invested in property, this portion is already covered.

Bonds/Cash (15%): Stick with safer assets like VGB (Vanguard Australian Government Bond ETF) or keep cash in a high-interest savings account.

This is a smart approach. You get to focus on growth while still maintaining some stability with bonds and property. Leave the rest to compounding. It will work its magic.

Example 2: A Mid-Career Investor Balancing Growth and Stability

If you’re in your 40s or 50s and want a mix of growth and stability, here’s a more balanced approach:

Australian Shares (25%): Stick with VAS or STW. These provide steady income through dividends and franking credits.

International Shares (25%): Use IOZ or IWLD (BetaShares Global Aggressive ETF) for global exposure. Diversifying internationally reduces risk.

Property (25%): If you own a home, this portion is covered. Otherwise, invest in REITs like ARL or VAP for exposure to commercial and industrial properties.

Bonds/Cash (25%): Allocate more to bonds with VGB or QAU (BetaShares Gold Bullion ETF) for inflation protection. Cash reserves can also come in handy for emergencies.

Here, you’re not too exposed to one asset class as retirement approaches.

Example 3: A Pre-Retiree Focused on Income and Stability

If you’re nearing retirement and want a reliable income with low risk, here’s a conservative portfolio:

Australian Shares (20%): Focus on dividend-paying stocks like CBA, CSL, or ETFs like VHY (Vanguard High Yield Share ETF).

International Shares (20%): Use IDIV (iShares International Equity High Dividend ETF) for global dividend exposure.

Property (20%): Own a home or invest in REITs like ARL or VAP. Rental income or REIT distributions can supplement retirement income.

Bonds/Cash (40%): Prioritize safety with VGB, IAF (BetaShares Australian Fixed Interest ETF), or cash reserves. This can be a promise of steady income during market downturns.

With the sunset days looming, you’re better off preserving capital than chasing high returns. That’s why a bond/cash-heavy approach may be best at this stage.

So, What Gives?

Both property and shares come with diversification, but the latter wins hands down if you’re in the hunt for ease and flexibility. Property has its place, too, especially once you’ve built wealth. But starting out, shares might be the smarter choice. In the end, it’s up to you to decide what best works for you. Consult a financial adviser if you need one to make an informed decision.

Read Also:

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