Retirement isn't always top of mind when we're busy balancing the demands of family, kids and career. We get so focused on the day-to-day that we forget to plan ahead. Bob Adams, pictured left, is a Melbourne-based property investment expert who shares his wisdom with Australian families. Here he offers some great tips on using the property market to boost your retirement income.

Q: Why is financial certainty so important?

A: The reality is that very few Australians (less than 5%) retire with an annual income of more than $50,000. Most people fail to maintain or improve their lifestyle when they actually have the time to enjoy themselves. Years of hard work may be wasted and they find themselves simply surviving after they retire.

Q: How do you define financial certainty?

A: When you retire, owning your own home and having an income of $100,000 per year. This gives you the flexibility to travel, play golf, support your family and all those other fun activities.

Q: Why Invest in Property?

A: It's been a consistently strong performing asset, especially when you apply a business-like selection process. My two biggest tips for getting started are:

• Understanding the property clock: Like most things, property moves in cycles. Sometimes it's a great time to buy, other times to sell. There are many variables that come into play. Knowing where your area is in the cycle is one vital key to profitable investing.
• Don’t buy on emotion: Far too many people either buy in their local area or their favourite holiday destination. Sometimes this is a great decision, but most often emotions take over and vital information is forgotten or not taken into account.

Q: What you should I buy right now (early 2011)?

A: My major recommendations at the moment are:

• Four-bedroom house and land packages in a quality estate in areas 20-40km from the CBD in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane; or
• Boutique, architecturally designed apartments of less than 35 apartments within established transport routes

Q: What mistakes should I avoid?

A: Right now I'm advising against:

• One bedroom apartments of less than 50sqm; and
• Highrise blocks with over 60 apartments.

If you're unsure about a particular property, I can always provide a free second opinion.

Q: So, how do miners get financial certainty?

A: The majority of miners earn better than average incomes. If you are earning over $80,000 and have a reasonable amount of equity in your home, you are in a great position to purchase an investment property.

Bob Adams is an experienced property researcher with a proven history of successful property investment. For the past 12 years he’s conducted constant research to seek out investment properties that will outperform the market – he then matches suitable investment properties to clients. To receive a free copy of his report created specifically for miners, simply send your name and postal address in an email to bob@greatinvestmentproperties.com.au or call 1300 877 855.