The simple answer is as many as you can afford.

However, calculating that amount, or total can vary significantly depending on your circumstances.

Some people have over 50 houses in their name, and some have 100’s of houses in various structures such as trusts and companies.

The trick is to change your perspective.

And then to start asking different questions.

For instance “How many investment properties can I buy?” is one question. But a potentially better question might be “Do I want many investment properties?” and if so “Why?”

These questions then lead you to why you are doing what you are doing and why you want to have multiple properties. Now, if you want to be rich and retire that’s one answer if you want to pass on a legacy to your children that’s another answer.

All of these questions and answers make you think further down the road. They make you start to think about the reasons you are purchasing and the end goal. This then brings into the question if you intend to keep the properties or sell them and the tax implications which will in turn determine your structures.

There are pros and cons to owning property in your own name, but here are also additional expenses in setting up complex structures such as companies and trusts. The answer to the question “How many investment properties can I buy?” is, it depends.
It depends on you and what you want to do.
It depends on your end goal and your exit strategy. (Do you intend to sell the properties or keep them).

Another change in perspective you need to consider, is looking at yourself from the lenders point of view.
If you are young you have youth on your side and many years ahead to pay back the loans.
If you are more mature you have experience and a proven track record, but a 20+ year mortgage may not be feasible.

Are you purchasing on your own or in a group? Do you have sufficient deposit and funds for costs? Do you have sufficient income? What are you purchasing? A single unit has only one income but a granny flat makes it two, this could impact borrowing capacity.

So to be specific in answering this question is almost impossible in this forum.

What you need to do is to speak to someone who can assist you.
Someone who can assess your personal situation, relevant to you, your capabilities, your objectives and goals.
Only then will you be able to accurately assess how many properties you can purchase.

If you are unsatisfied with the above answer though and insist on a specific answer now, then the following will suffice in general. As long as you have sufficient funds for deposit and costs. (Deposit assume 20%, costs assume 5%) Sufficient income to service the loan shortfall (Assume only 80% of rental income and assume an interest rate of 8% to be safe) As long as the lenders don’t consider you a risk, you can buy as many properties as the above will allow.

If you are stuck, confused or would like to discuss your particular scenario then please feel free to give me a call or email me on the following contact details.