Keep looking , do your research, don't be in a hurry and avoid unnecessary debt at this stage and for goodness sake if you invest in the sharemarket avoid margin lending like the plague. Don't even consider exposing money you don't have. If you leverage use real estate down the track.
Do your own research but be patient - wait until the interest rates come down and banks are throwing money at you.
If you want an entry into the sharemarket , when things have stabilised and you have grown equity , take out a line of credit if you have to - cheaper and not subject to margin calls. Always look at the long term. I too was a financial planner, finance broker and nothing beats independent research.
Know your risk tolerance, read , read, and read from sources that favour real estate if that is your asset of choice and invest in such a way that you chose location - not everything will go up like in the past - you need to know your area well and have cash in reserve - called sleep money.Many strategies open to you - sometimes a very good home in a desirable location will yield, over time a better return, tax free, than three grotty houses in poorly selected areas. Figure out the strategy that suits you best.
Find a mentor - as has wisely been suggested on this site - located where you are , who is successful in this game in Brisbane - and there is no hurry - you have quite a bit of time. Easy to buy - not so easy to buy well - and even more difficult to sell well. Best wishes.
