From gloom to boom in 2021

When Money magazine first started its annual list of top 50 property hotspots, no one could have anticipated that a pandemic in 2020 would give the term “hotspot” a double meaning – and not a good one.

But our cover story (page 34) is definitely focused on the suburbs and regions that are most likely to enjoy great returns (not places in temporary lockdowns) and you’ll find opportunities galore spread across all the states.

In fact, it’s heartening to see property expert Terry Ryder, from Hotspotting, predict a property boom in 2021. He says that not since 2001-04 have we seen big price rises across all markets. Check our table of the top 50 suburbs on page 39 to see if you’re sitting on a goldmine (relatively speaking) or where to look if you’re adding to your portfolio.

In the same vein, sharemarket expert Jessica Amir, from Bell Direct, gives us the top 50 stocks (page 45), singling out five companies that could stand out in 2021 (page 41). We’re glad to say that if you invested $2000 in each of the five stocks she wrote about last year, you would have enjoyed a 36.2% windfall as at January 2021.

I can’t say the new year won’t hold any further shocks, but what we know so far about managing the virus holds the Australian economy in good stead, which underpins our experts’ sharemarket picks. For example, household name Telstra is on Intelligent Investor’s buy list (page 84).

Finally, there’s a lot to say about being alert, but not alarmed. We hope you enjoy our articles in this issue, ranging from how to deal with the financial repercussions of a break-up to Covid-19 concessions for small businesses and more. Here’s hoping – and planning – for a prosperous new year. Michelle Baltazar, Editor-in-chief