I want to share my personal journey of how I went from owning one home to building a property portfolio of eight investment properties and an Airbnb, where I’ve reached a point where I could retire and never work again. But the path wasn’t easy — and I certainly didn’t start out with all the knowledge or experience. In fact, when I first began, I had no idea what property investing could truly do for me.
Taking the First Leap: My Early Days in Property
When I first considered buying an investment property, I had this idea that I would own it for 30 years, paying off a second mortgage along the way. To be honest, that thought was terrifying. The idea of paying off not one, but two mortgages, while also dealing with the uncertainties of tenants, felt like a huge risk. But for some reason, I took the plunge, even though I wasn’t entirely sure why. I just knew I had to start somewhere.
Interestingly, I seemed to have a habit of buying properties in pairs. My first big investment push saw me scaling the Central Coast of NSW, going from one inspection to the next. Each time, I discovered the rent was less than the mortgage repayments. This was unsettling because I wasn’t earning much at the time, and a second mortgage was still a scary prospect. So, I decided to look elsewhere, and I set my sights on Orange, in the Central West of NSW.
At that stage, I had no real strategy beyond looking at rental yields. I didn’t have much of a budget either — around $500k to spend in total. The first property I negotiated for $160k, and then, on the same day, I secured another for $270k. I over-offered on both because I had no idea I could negotiate lower! When both offers were accepted within hours, I freaked out. I thought, “What have I gotten myself into?” I called my broker, nervous about whether I could manage two properties at once. To my relief, he reassured me that I could easily service both mortgages.
I was excited but cautious. I had just started my trade business, and my then-partner was early into her hairdressing apprenticeship. Our budget was tight, but we managed to lock in those two properties. We were excited about what the future held. But then, within just six months, everything changed.
A Life-Changing Setback: Divorce and Rebuilding Myself
Soon after securing those first two properties, my life took a devastating turn. I had just started my trade business before I got married, and within six months of marriage, it all fell apart. I was blindsided by the divorce. It wasn’t just the end of a relationship — it felt like the end of everything I believed in. My values, my sense of self, and my confidence were shattered. The shame and embarrassment weighed heavily on me, and I withdrew from the world. It felt like I was stuck in a fog, lost in this overwhelming sense of failure.
To make matters worse, my trade business, which I had poured so much effort into, started to suffer. I couldn’t focus, and my emotions took over, clouding my ability to make sound decisions. I felt like I was spiraling, barely holding it together. It was as though life had hit the reset button, and I wasn’t sure how to start again.
It took me a full year to rebuild myself. At first, it was a slow and painful process. I had to confront feelings of worthlessness, questioning if I would ever bounce back or if I’d even want to. But something clicked over time. I realized that as much as this chapter of my life had unraveled, I still had the ability to shape the next one. I knew I couldn’t stay in that dark place forever.
I had to learn how to be patient with myself — to accept that growth is never a straight line. It’s messy and painful, but it’s also where the biggest transformations happen. The more I focused on myself, the more my business began to pick back up. Slowly but surely, I regained control of my trade business and my life.
The Pressure of Holding On During COVID: Keeping My First Two Properties
Just when I thought things were finally on the upswing, the world was hit by something none of us could have predicted — the COVID-19 pandemic. As a property owner, I faced an entirely new kind of fear. With so much uncertainty in the market and lockdowns disrupting everything, I seriously questioned whether I could hold onto those two properties I had worked so hard to secure. The properties would not sell what we bought them for and the decision was to walk away at a loss or take on a property or even both.
Tenants were facing financial difficulties, people were losing their jobs, and I wasn’t sure if my properties would remain tenanted or if I’d be stuck covering all the costs myself. The thought of paying two mortgages during a time when the economy was collapsing was terrifying. It felt like every day brought more bad news, and all I could do was hold my breath and hope things wouldn’t fall apart.
I remember constantly refreshing the news and waiting to see how the property market would react. My mind was racing with “what if” scenarios. What if my tenants lost their jobs and couldn’t pay rent? What if I had to sell at a loss? What if the banks stopped lending entirely, and I got stuck with properties I couldn’t afford to keep?
But somehow, I held on. By being adaptable, working closely with my property manager, and remaining flexible with the tenants who were doing it tough, I managed to navigate the storm. Even through the height of COVID’s uncertainty, I was able to hold on to both properties. Looking back, it was one of the scariest times of my life as a property investor. But that period taught me a lot about resilience, patience, and the importance of staying calm even when everything feels chaotic.
Building Momentum: Scaling My Portfolio
After making it through the uncertainty of COVID and seeing my first two properties stay profitable, I gained an entirely new level of confidence in the power of real estate. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, my properties not only survived but thrived, continuing to bring in rental income. This solidified for me that real estate was a stable investment vehicle, even in the most uncertain times. I was inspired to keep building.
With that newfound confidence, I decided to grow my portfolio further. Not long after, I purchased two more properties. At this point, I had started to refine my approach and was actively seeking properties that could provide strong rental yields with potential for capital growth. I also began to consider the differences between long-term rentals and short-term rental strategies, and it got me thinking is it time to shift from long-term investment properties to short-term rentals?
However, scaling my portfolio wasn’t as easy as I first imagined. After I purchased my fourth investment property (my fifth property overall), I hit a major roadblock: the banks began treating me as a “professional investor.” It might sound like a positive label, but in the eyes of lenders, this classification makes financing much harder. They became stricter with their calculations, factoring in more expenses and treating my existing properties as bigger liabilities.
It felt like I was being penalized for being too successful.
Despite having strong rental income from my properties, the banks began to see me as a higher-risk borrower. Their lending criteria tightened, and I was told I had reached my borrowing limit — I was maxed out. Even though I knew my properties were profitable, the banks didn’t factor in my actual cash flow. Instead, they applied their own conservative models, which made it nearly impossible for me to get approval for more loans.
This was a frustrating moment. I had the capital, the knowledge, and the experience, but I found myself locked out of further opportunities because of strict lending regulations. It was a bitter pill to swallow because I knew I could manage more properties successfully, but I was being held back by external factors outside of my control.
That was a pivotal point in my journey. I realized I needed to find alternative strategies if I wanted to continue scaling my portfolio. I began to explore different financing options, from joint ventures to more creative structures like Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). These strategies helped me bypass the roadblocks traditional lenders had put up and allowed me to access the capital I needed to keep growing.
Learning the Hard Way: Courses, Promises, and the Value of Mentorship
As I progressed in my journey, I sought out various courses to enhance my knowledge and skills in property investing. I was eager to learn more about the intricacies of the market, negotiation techniques, and effective investment strategies. However, what I encountered was far from what I expected. Many of these courses promised the world but delivered very little. They focused heavily on theoretical knowledge without offering any real-world application or guidance.
I found myself overwhelmed by information that lacked practical relevance. For instance, while the courses emphasized the importance of data-driven research, they didn’t teach key things like how to handle Airbnb guest issues when things go wrong — something I later found critical. Eventually, I came across insights like handling guest issues like a pro and began to understand how execution plays a bigger role than just the numbers.
Despite the investment I made in these courses, I felt like I was going in circles. I learned about potential opportunities and strategies but lacked the confidence to implement them effectively. It was a frustrating experience, and it became clear that I needed more than just theoretical knowledge; I needed practical guidance tailored to my unique situation.
That’s when I found a mentor who would change everything. He was an experienced investor with a portfolio of nearly 20 properties, and his real-world experience was invaluable. He understood the challenges I faced and guided me through the complexities of lending and risk mitigation. His mentorship was pivotal; he not only helped me navigate the world of financing but also provided insights into identifying profitable properties and crafting effective negotiation strategies.
Through his guidance, I learned about leveraging Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and other creative financing strategies that opened new doors for me. With his support, I could finally break through the barriers the banks had set up. I realized that having someone in my corner who had been through the trenches made all the difference in my investment journey.
Looking back, I can confidently say that finding a mentor was the turning point in my path to success. While the courses had their merits, they lacked the personalized approach and hands-on experience that my mentor provided. His insights and support not only helped me secure my next five properties but also instilled in me the confidence to make informed decisions in a complex and often intimidating market.
Overcoming Financial Roadblocks: Finding New Strategies
Facing that wall was frustrating, but it pushed me to think outside the box. I realized I needed new strategies to keep growing my portfolio, so I sought out a mentor who had successfully built a large property portfolio himself. He introduced me to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) and other creative financing strategies that allowed me to navigate around the banks’ lending limits.
Armed with this new knowledge, I was able to break through the financial roadblocks and, in the same year, took the leap to buy five more properties all at once. This was a significant risk, but I had learned how to structure the deals in a way that allowed me to continue growing. It was a huge milestone for me and a testament to how far I had come from those early days filled with fear and hesitation.
Reflecting on the Journey
From start to finish, this entire journey—from my first two properties to scaling up to eight—unfolded within a mere three years. The path was not without challenges, but with each new purchase, I became increasingly knowledgeable and confident in my abilities.
Looking back, I now recognize that I overpaid for my first five properties. I was inexperienced and didn’t know how to negotiate better deals at the time, which led to a number of mistakes. However, by the time I was ready to acquire five properties simultaneously, I had developed a robust system, learned from my previous errors, and honed my negotiation skills. This evolution marked a turning point in my investment journey.
This newfound financial freedom empowered me to step back from my trade business and redirect my focus toward something I am genuinely passionate about: helping others navigate the world of property investing.
That passion led me to become a buyer’s agent. I’ve experienced the highs and lows, faced uncertainty, and learned invaluable lessons from my mistakes along the way. But more importantly, I’ve witnessed firsthand how property can be a powerful tool for transformation. It has the potential to change lives, create wealth, and provide security for families.
Now, I am dedicated to helping others experience that same transformation. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your portfolio, I’m here to guide you through the complexities of property investing. Together, we can explore opportunities, overcome obstacles, and build a path to financial freedom.
If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that success in real estate doesn’t come from luck or a one-size-fits-all approach; it comes from knowledge, strategy, and the willingness to learn from every experience. I invite you to join me on this journey, where together we can unlock the potential of property investing and pave the way for a brighter financial future.
