In this episode of Inside Residential Property, host Liam Garman and Rethink Residential’s James Thompson unpack the real story of 26-year-old engineer Charlie, who turned a $25,000 deposit and a spreadsheet into a property portfolio now worth over $2 million.

Charlie shares how he bought his first investment property in Wagga Wagga at just 21, before rapidly expanding into the Central Coast and Hunter Valley. Working multiple jobs through university, Charlie saved aggressively, researched regional markets, and identified cash-flow-positive opportunities that set the foundation for long-term wealth.

James dissects Charlie’s three-property playbook, highlighting the balance between capital growth and yield, the role of strategic refinancing, and how investors can replicate this success even in today’s tighter lending climate. Together, they discuss when to hold and when to sell, as well as the pitfalls of being equity-rich but cash-poor.

Listeners will gain insights into:

Choosing the right regional markets and avoiding one-industry towns

Financing and structuring portfolios for sustainable growth

Balancing capital growth and cash flow in early investments

Navigating lending caps and how to keep building when the banks say no

Why goal setting matters, and how to move from accumulation to freedom

This episode offers an unfiltered look into the challenges and triumphs of starting young in the residential property game.

In the very first episode of Inside Residential Property, host Liam Garman and Rethink Group CEO Scott O’Neill dive into the strategies that separate long-term investors from short-term speculators. To kick things off, they unpack the remarkable journey of Vincent, a 29-year-old who has built an eight-property portfolio worth over $5 million in under four years.

Using Vincent’s story as a case study, the conversation explores how everyday Australians can scale their portfolios, the financing and cash flow challenges that come with rapid growth, and why chasing hotspots or quick wins often backfires. With more than $6 billion in acquisitions facilitated across Australia and New Zealand, Rethink Group brings the trusted expertise to cut through market noise and focus on strategies that work.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• How Vincent grew to eight properties in just four years

• The real costs of hotspot chasing and “pump and dump” strategies

• Why balancing cash flow and growth is crucial for sustainability

• The role of diversification in reducing portfolio risk

• When it makes sense to pivot from residential to commercial

This debut episode sets the tone for a series dedicated to real stories, expert insights, and smarter decisions in residential property.

Subscribe now for monthly episodes designed to help you grow your portfolio with confidence.

Learn more: www.rethinkgroup.com.au

Book a consultation: https://www.rethinkresidential.com.au/contact