3 truths I wish I knew before starting in property on my 21st birthday

1️⃣ Financial Literacy: The Real Game-Changer

Remember playing board games as a kid?

We’d collect $200 every time we passed GO and dreamed of owning Mayfair.

But in real life, property investing isn’t that simple.

It’s not about flashy assets or just looking successful—it’s about income-generating properties that actually fund your lifestyle.

Here’s the reality check: That holiday home might look stunning on Instagram, but if it’s not bringing in income, it’s draining your resources.

True financial literacy means:

👉🏼 Understanding that cash flow trumps cash reserves
👉🏼 Making your money work harder than you do
👉🏼 Creating systems where your assets cover your monthly commitments

2️⃣ Sales & Negotiation: Your Daily Bread

Ever noticed how your little one negotiates for a later bedtime?

That’s pure sales genius right there!

In property, every interaction is a chance to refine these skills.

Whether you’re:

👉🏼 Speaking with estate agents
👉🏼 Discussing terms with sellers
👉🏼 Working with tradies
👉🏼 Managing tenants

The breakthrough came when I realized sales isn’t about pushing – it’s about solving problems.

When I started focusing on understanding sellers’ needs rather than just property features, my success rate soared.

Pro tip: Listen twice as much as you speak.

The best deals I’ve closed came from understanding the seller’s situation deeply.

3️⃣ Personal Growth: The Business Mirror

This was my biggest eye-opener.

When my deals weren’t closing, I blamed the market.

When tenants were difficult, I blamed bad luck.

But then it hit me – my property portfolio was simply reflecting my personal standards.

Think about it:

👉🏼 If you’re always running late, your projects will too
👉🏼 If you avoid difficult conversations, your management will suffer
👉🏼 If you cut corners, your properties will show it

The solution?

Raise your standards.

When I started treating my property portfolio like an ASX 50 operation (even when it wasn’t), everything elevated.

Here’s what made the difference:

👉🏼 Creating morning routines for peak performance
👉🏼 Setting non-negotiable standards for property conditions
👉🏼 Building systems for everything, not just when things get busy

These lessons cost me $150,000 and countless hours to learn.

But they’ve returned that investment many times over.

Your success in property isn’t just about location or timing – it’s about who you become in the process.