In this episode, Adrian sits down with Alex Littlejohn — a data-driven investor who built his property portfolio across Rockhampton and Launceston using a disciplined buy-settle-wait strategy.

Alex shares why he chose property over stocks and commodities (hint: leverage), how he uses data instead of backyard barbecue tips to pick suburbs, and why outsourcing to a buyer's agent was the smartest move he made.

Key topics:
- Why leverage makes property the ultimate wealth-builder
- Using data to select investment suburbs
- The buy-settle-wait strategy explained
- How to invest without it consuming your life
- Why outsourcing beats DIY property research
- Alex's advice to new investors: just start

Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZLG6JIr0eg

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🏡The Property Investor Next Door: 100 Property Stories🏡

This series features 100 real Australians sharing the unpolished truth about building a property portfolio - what worked, what didn't, and how it actually felt.

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➡️About Ripehouse Advisory⬅️

Ripehouse Advisory is an Australian buyer's agency and consultancy that's helped over 11,000 investors take a patient, considered approach to building long-term wealth through property.

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📞 See How Ripehouse Advisory Could Help You📞

Book an obligation-free call here: https://www.ripehouseadvisory.com.au

If you're earning well, paying the bills, and doing "everything right" - but you still have no real plan for your financial future… you're not alone.

This is the real story of Imran Zulfiqar, who reached 40 and realised there was nothing there for his future.

He had no investments, no passive income, and no strategy to get ahead. Instead, he was stuck in the familiar loop of work, earn, repeat.

With property prices still climbing in 2026, endless noise on social media, and constant headlines about interest rates - it's easy to feel stuck between waiting for the "right time" and just getting started.

This conversation reveals how Imran broke that cycle - going from zero investment properties to seven across five Australian states, without quitting his day job or becoming a full-time investor.

This episode shows you what's actually possible when you stop researching and start moving.

Tune in to discover:

👉What triggered the real financial wake-up call for Imran in his 40s (his journey may sound familiar)
👉Why having a good income still isn’t enough without a plan
👉The biggest mistake people make when waiting for the “right time” to invest
👉What actually changes after buying the first investment property
👉How one decision can lead to multiple properties across Australia
👉What financial freedom could actually look like for you and your family

Key moments:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:00 Imran's journey to Australia
00:03:28 The 40th birthday wake-up call
00:04:20 Cutting through the noise of property advice
00:05:21 Finding the right team to guide the process
00:06:40 First property in regional Queensland
00:08:32 Early results and motivation to keep going
00:09:26 How accidental rentvesting changed everything
00:11:00 Seven properties across five states
00:13:23 Mindset shift on market timing
00:15:04 What financial comfort feels like now
00:18:55 Advice for anyone still on the fence

This episode is for anyone sitting on the sidelines… waiting for the right time, drowning in YouTube advice, or wondering if property investing is even possible on a regular income.

Imran's story proves it is.

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🏡The Property Investor Next Door: 100 Property Stories🏡

This series features 100 real Australians sharing the unpolished truth about building a property portfolio - what worked, what didn't, and how it actually felt.

-

➡️About Ripehouse Advisory⬅️

Ripehouse Advisory is an Australian buyer's agency and consultancy that's helped over 11,000 investors take a patient, considered approach to building long-term wealth through property.

-

📞 See How Ripehouse Advisory Could Help You📞

Book an obligation-free call here: https://www.ripehouseadvisory.com.au

If you’re still trying to figure out how to start property investing, this episode shares a strategy you could use.

In this episode of The Property Investor Next Door, we’re joined by Lewis Johns (investor and mortgage broker).

Lewis shares practical insights on borrowing capacity, using equity, investment property strategy, debt reduction, and how to avoid the common mistakes - all from someone who’s actually investing in real estate themselves.

Tune in to hear about:

👉The main differences between standard mortgage advice and strategic investment lending
👉How you should think about your first property (if you want to be an investor)
👉How Lewis got started in both mortgage broking and property investing
👉How to use equity to buy an investment property
👉The real reason rentvesting can help first-home buyers enter the market
👉Thoughts on structuring your lending for long-term wealth creation
👉Why having the right team matters… and who should be on your team
👉The surprising situation where holding a property too long can actually hurt your portfolio growth

Key moments:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:00 How Lewis Became an Investment Lender
00:04:00 Buying During COVID
00:06:00 The Brisbane Boom
00:07:13 Emotion vs Investment Mindset
00:11:00 Common Client Scenarios
00:13:43 Why Most Australians Are Behind
00:15:31 UK vs Australia Property Culture
00:18:00 Investing on a Modest Income
00:20:18 Rentvesting Explained
00:22:22 What Separates Successful Investors
00:24:40 Is Buy and Hold Outdated?
00:26:49 The Aggressive Paydown Trap
00:29:00 Working With Ripehouse
00:32:33 Advice for Those Feeling Stuck

Whether you're a first-home buyer, a homeowner with equity, or someone exploring rentvesting, this conversation will help you think more strategically about property investing in Australia.

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👉Get In Touch With ALIC

https://www.ripehouseadvisory.com.au/lp/24/8/investment-lending-sign-up

-

🏡The Property Investor Next Door: 100 Property Stories🏡

This series features 100 real Australians sharing the unpolished truth about building a property portfolio - what worked, what didn't, and how it actually felt.

-

➡️About Ripehouse Advisory⬅️

Ripehouse Advisory is an Australian buyer's agency and consultancy that's helped over 11,000 investors take a patient, considered approach to building long-term wealth through property.

-

📞 See How Ripehouse Advisory Could Help You📞

Book an obligation-free call here: https://www.ripehouseadvisory.com.au