Your Investment Property magazine has just published their “Investor of the Year” awards, and I’m excited to announce that Results Mentoring Program member Sam Gordon has been crowned “2020 Strategic Investor of the Year”!
Sam joined the Results Mentoring Program in November 2018. It has been my pleasure to personally mentor Sam over the past 15 months as he has massively accelerated his property investing and taken his portfolio to new heights.
Although he now has 15 properties in his portfolio, valued in excess of $5 million, Sam came from modest beginnings and is a great example of what you can achieve in a relatively short time-frame with a willingness to take action combined with the right education and support.
From modest beginnings…
Sam began his property investing journey as a low-income earner, and had to save hard to get the original capital for his initial property purchases.
His first property (bought in November 2009) was a negatively-geared unit in Wollongong NSW, which Sam renovated to increase both its value and rental income.
However the negative cashflow from the Wollongong property meant Sam struggled to save towards his next investment. It took a while (and working multiple jobs) to get the deposit together for investment property number two, but he finally purchased his second property in 2012 for $350K.
That property has since more than doubled in value.
Over the next 5 years, Sam diversified geographically, making two interstate purchases in SA, and another two in Queensland.
“Learning experiences”
Sam’s investing journey wasn’t without several “speed bumps” however.
One expensive lesson came from trusting an unscrupulous buyers agent in 2016, where Sam burned $10,000 on their fees for no real outcome – at a time when he “certainly didn’t have the money to lose”.
To Sam’s credit, rather than being put off property or bemoaning the lost $10K, he used that experience as inspiration to work harder towards his next acquisition… returning to NSW in 2017 to build his first duplex.
His first foray into small property development was a success, with the site purchased $100K below market value and the development resulting in a $270K uplift in his equity. Not to mention the creation of a $12K p.a. positive cashflow from the units, which Sam continues to hold.
Adding 8 more properties in just 1 year…
Having had many “learning experiences” along the way, and realising the importance of independent unbiased education, Sam enrolled in the Results Mentoring Program in November 2018 – where he could get direct access to personal 1-on-1 support from myself and our team of highly experienced and active property investing mentors, along with Australia’s most comprehensive property education.
Actions speak louder than words, and over the past year while I’ve been personally mentoring Sam, he has added 8 more properties to his portfolio through a combination of individual house purchases, up-scaling to unit blocks, and acquiring another development site.
Sam’s portfolio is now valued at an estimated $5.19M, with over $1.5M in equity – making Sam a genuine property millionaire!
A property millionaire with $70K+ positive cashflow…
In addition, the clever balance of growth and cashflow strategies implemented by Sam means that not only has he created substantial capital growth, but his portfolio also generates around $5,900 positive cashflow per month.
That’s a passive income of over $70K per year!
This achievement is a testament to Sam’s dedication to his investing goals, and demonstrates what is possible with the right attitude, focus and determination when combined with good research and effective investing strategies.
It also highlights how the right education and personal support can massively accelerate your investing and your ability to create significant wealth.
Sam is very deserving of the 2020 Your Investment Property “Strategic Investor of the Year” Award, and I’m sure you’ll join me and the Results Mentoring team in expressing our heartfelt congratulations!
Want 1-on-1 mentoring from an expert property investor? Register your interest here
Sam’s top 5 property success tips:
I caught up with Sam this week and asked if he would share some of his personal tips for property investing success. Here are his ‘top 5’…
Success tip #1:
“Research values and use effective negotiating tactics to always buy below market price.”
Success tip #2:
“Only invest in markets with a tight vacancy rate, to minimise risk and maximise rent potential.”
Success tip #3:
“Combine growth, adding value and cashflow strategies for a sustainable investing approach. I focus on:
– buying below market value in high growth locations with strong cashflow;
– high cashflow properties such as unit blocks to provide multiple streams of income (with reno or strata-subdivision potential for an equity boost);
– small developments to rapidly grow capital.”
Success tip #4:
“Try to keep your LVRs at or below 80% to help make ongoing access to finance easier.”
Success tip #5:
“Invest in yourself first. Good education and support from expert investors who are currently active in the market is absolutely priceless — especially if you have an experienced mentor who is doing the kinds of property deals you want to do.
I’ve taken my portfolio to new heights this year with Simon’s help by being a member of the Results Mentoring Program.”
– Sam Gordon, “Strategic Investor of the Year, 2020”
What’s next for Sam?
While Sam could sit on his laurels and take it easy, having now achieved (and exceeded) his original goal of creating a $50K passive income, instead he has set his sights higher and aims to build up to a substantial $250K income.
Sam recently re-enrolled in our Results Graduate Program and plans to take on a small subdivision in the next 12 months, then move up to larger developments, and potentially also make his first commercial investment.
I’m looking forward to working with Sam 1-on-1 over the coming months as he continues on his exciting property investment journey!
Warm regards,
– Simon Buckingham