The power of financial independence was a key theme at our recent Property & Prosecco event, where three female Custodian clients, each at a different stages of their investment journey, shared their stories.
It was an evening of candid conversation about property, money, risk and, ultimately, the power of having choices when it comes to your financial future.
From financial uncertainty to financial confidence
Panellist Deb, who owns 23 properties, spoke openly about not growing up with much financial discussion around the dinner table.
It was only after becoming a single mother of five that she became increasingly focused on financial independence. She chose to take a different approach with her own children, making money and investing an open topic of conversation.
Two of her daughters have since invested in Custodian properties themselves.
For Deb, sharing the numbers was part of the education. Prior to them purchasing she sat down with her daughters and showed them how her properties had performed across various years, from purchase price and current value through to rental income.
Her message was simple: property isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. Growth can be slow and individual properties won’t all perform in the same way. The focus is on understanding how assets can build wealth over time.
For younger panellist Dakota, who owns two Custodian properties at just 22, the benefits of making good financial decisions are already becoming clear.
She recalled being upset following a relationship break-up, only to receive her annual property review a few days later and discover her first Custodian property had increased in value by $150,000 in a year.
She had just made more money through the growth of her property than she could have saved herself – and, perhaps just as importantly, realised she was going to be absolutely fine on her own.
Using equity to help the next generation
The conversation also turned to intergenerational wealth and how families can help the next generation enter the property market.
For young Australians struggling to save a deposit, existing family equity can potentially help bridge the gap, with parents and adult children combining available equity and borrowing capacity.
Dakota has taken this idea in the other direction. She introduced her grandmother to Custodian, who went on to purchase a property herself, making her grandparents, aged 90 and 94, the oldest Custodians.
It was a powerful reminder that property investment isn’t necessarily about age – it’s about having a long-term financial plan that suits your circumstances.
Why stop at one property?
For Deb, one property became two, two became five and eventually ten.
Her philosophy was simple: “It works, so why stop?”
She encouraged investors not to leave too much time between their first, second and third properties, explaining that fear had held her back at times. In hindsight, she realised she had less to fear than she thought.
Our MC for the evening, Fiona, shared a different motivation for investing: retirement.
After making some sound financial decisions earlier in life and then having children, she realised she needed a clear plan for the retirement lifestyle she wanted.
Working through the numbers with Custodian helped her establish an initial goal of five properties to help close the gap between her existing assets and her desired retirement position.
Following the evening’s conversation, she is now considering whether she should “buy as many as the bank will allow,” based on Deb’s advice.
Making property investment easier
For busy professionals, investing isn’t just about choosing the right property. It’s also about finding the time to manage everything that comes with it.
The panellists discussed the value of having an experienced team manage the process, from researching locations and securing land through to overseeing the build and resolving issues along the way.
For Dakota, who is still at the beginning of her investment journey, having that support has been particularly valuable.
The real takeaway
Perhaps the most powerful message from the evening was that financial independence is ultimately about choice.
For some, that means owning their home outright. For others, it means building a property portfolio, creating more options for retirement or helping their children get started.
But the women on the panel shared a common approach:
- Learn the numbers.
- Understand your options.
- Don’t let fear make every decision for you.
- And think long term.
Property may be the vehicle, but financial confidence is what puts you in the driver’s seat.
At Custodian, we believe the first step is understanding where you are now, where you want to go and what it could take to get there.
If you haven’t reviewed your numbers recently, speak with your Wealth Strategist today to see whether you’re still on track for your retirement goals. They’re always happy to help.
And keep an eye out for our next Property and Prosecco event near you, with Brisbane coming up next.
