Entrepreneur and property investor Andrew Sabatino has built a diversified portfolio across business, shares and property and he credits a long-term mindset and professional guidance as the key to his success.
Sabatino has invested in four properties through national property investment company Custodian, in addition to six others purchased independently earlier in his journey. He’s now preparing to buy again – once more through Custodian.
His first purchase with Custodian was in Sunbury, Victoria, in 2013, followed a year later by a property in Queensland and later additions in Adelaide and Western Australia. His next, he says, will likely be back in Melbourne.
“My philosophy has been to focus long term, looking at 10 to 15 years ahead,” Andrew says.
That long-term view has been shaped by his upbringing. Born into an Italian immigrant family, he grew up in a household where every dollar was carefully managed.
“My parents immigrated from Italy and we grew up with nothing. We lived on a strict budget all the time,” Andrew says.
Now, with three daughters of his own, he’s focused on creating lasting financial security.
“You won’t get wealthy working for someone else. You might be comfortable, but you won’t be wealthy,” he says.
“I worked for someone else for years and while I was comfortable, I wasn’t creating wealth for generations to come. Now, I have.”
While Sabatino’s investments span multiple asset classes, it’s property that has delivered the strongest returns.
“Looking at growth in my property portfolio versus my shares – my stock exchange portfolio grew by around 30%, whereas my property grew by 600% over the same timeframe,” he says.
He believes many people overestimate the barriers to entering the property market.
“You don’t actually need that much money upfront,” he says. “You might be able to get a guarantor for your first property like I did, or start saving early – even in your teenage years. It’s easier than people think. Equally, borrowing from tier 2 and 3 banks can get you started quicker.”
Andrew credits his success to a clear financial framework and professional support, offering three key tips for aspiring investors:
- It’s easier than you think
- Get help from professionals
- Underpin it with a financial model
“You need to treat your personal budget like a business budget. Budgeting is key,” he says.
“If you earn $100,000 a year but don’t know where it’s going, you’ll never grow enough cash flow to be able to invest. With the right structure, accessing tax depreciation benefits and rental income, investing in property is more achievable than most realise.”
From modest beginnings to building a multimillion-dollar portfolio, Andrew’s story underscores a simple truth – with the right strategy, mindset and guidance, long-term wealth through property is within reach for everyday Australians.
