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Billie Chrisofi has 20 properties in her portfolio.

A Melbourne-mum-of-four has revealed her savings and investment secrets which led her to owning 20 houses by the age of 37.

Billie Christofi, director of property investment service Reventon, started saving and investing from the age of 16 to be able to buy her first home at just 22.

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Ms Christofi bought her first property on a part-time wage and took advantage of the first homeowners’ grant.

“It was a big moment, and one I’d worked towards for a long time,’ Ms Christofi told Femail.

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Fresh air 💙 #reflectiontime #peace #newpaths

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She sold the house just 18 months later – and it had increased in value by $150,000.

“I used this capital to then buy two properties and kept compounding after that using the growth of my investments to leverage and buy more properties,” Ms Christofi told Femail.

From a young age, she also put her money into shares and entered the commercial property market, she said.

The Melbourne mum now has an portfolio of 20 different properties. Picture: iStock

Twenty properties later, Ms Christofi has four homes in her personal name and 16 together with her husband – and she’s looking to buy her 21st property through her superannuation.

The mum recommends looking at your cashflow and savings to see where you can buy in the market as a good starting point, then gaining equity so you can invest further. She said it pays to take risks, but only if you’re not going to end up with debt.

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When your first drink out of fasting is worth every drop… #lastweek #brokethefast 🍷🍷🍷

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Ms Christofi said it’s important to be disciplined with savings and spending, cutting back where you can and being mindful of how you’re spending – especially avoiding impulse purchases. She advised to wait 24 hours before making a purchase decision on anything that is considered a “want item”.

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“The impulse tends to wear off if you give it some time,’ she said. “It’s so easy for spending to get out of hand. I advise people to sit down and tabulate their finances the old-fashioned way with a budget table and dissect where their finances are going.”

She’s now looking to buy her 21st property through superannuation.

It’s important for women to not leave all the financial decisions to men, she added, reiterating it’s vital to educate yourself and “take charge” of your own money.

“Play an active role in understanding money and getting the support you need to make sound investment decisions,” Ms Christofi said. “You should learn to do your own research and understand what is right for you and your affordability.”

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As the director of her own property investment service, she has helped 3000 clients gain financial progression and build their wealth. She also recommends seeking the help of a financial adviser.

The post Melbourne mum reveals her simple strategy to building a 20-house portfolio appeared first on realestate.com.au.

MERMAID Waters is undergoing rapid gentrification as young families and professionals flock to the Gold Coast suburb.

A younger brother to elite housing hotspot Mermaid Beach, the once lesser-known suburb of Mermaid Waters has become a standout with big-ticket housing renovations and new builds lifting the appeal.

More young families and professionals are now calling Mermaid Waters home.

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Development is also changing the local landscape, with Sunland Group’s 42ha master planned community The Lakes taking shape on the corner of Hooker and Lakeview boulevards.

Real estate agents are reporting a spike in interest, with huge numbers through open homes in the suburb where the median house price hit $980,000 in the 12 months to July – a 35 per cent increase over five years with agents predicting the suburb to join the elite million dollar median club soon.

17 Sundowner Court, Mermaid Waters recently sold for $1.33 million.

Andrew Henderson, Professionals John Henderson Real Estate Mermaid Beach principal, said the “typical homeowner” at Mermaid Waters had dramatically changed over the decades.

“When I first moved into the suburb 20 years ago there were a lot of retirees but now it’s a whole different dynamic to what is was,” Mr Henderson said.

“The average age through there was quite high, but over the years has come down as younger families move in.”

Mr Henderson said houses built in the 1980s and in original condition were popular with buyers wanting to renovate.

His agency was taking a house at 18 Salacia Ave to auction on Saturday and was expecting plenty of interest.

18 Salacia Avenue, Mermaid Waters is going under the hammer this weekend.

“It’s a non-waterfront block and an older house but it’s in immaculate condition,” Mr Henderson said. “I would imagine someone would do a big renovation on it.”

Ray White Broadbeach Waters principal Mitch Palmer said there was a mixture of buyers including strong demand from families.

“We sell in both Broadbeach Waters and Mermaid Waters but we are finding Mermaid Waters to be stronger at the moment,” Mr Palmer said.

“It’s from a value perspective. The properties you are getting in Mermaid Waters offer similar lifestyle benefits to Broadbeach Waters but at a lower price point.

“For those people who want to live near good schools, parks and have good access to the beach, Mermaid Waters definitely provides that.”

8 Nicolson Court, Mermaid Waters recently sold for $1.075 million.

He said with interest rates so low, there had been an influx of buyers from outer suburbs including Robina and Ashmore upgrading to Mermaid Waters.

Christine Tucker, of Harcourts Coastal, had a similar view.

“The 4218 postcode in my eyes is central Gold Coast (and is) close to Pacific Fair, Robina Town Centre and small great schools for young families,” Ms Tucker said.

“The light rail extension from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads will only push the prices up.”

RECENT SALES

Source: realestate.com.au

120 Oceanic Drive, Mermaid Waters, $916,000

17 Peter Blondell Drive, Mermaid Waters, $825,000

17 Sundowner Court, Mermaid Waters, $1.33 million

168 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters, $665,000

4 Vevey St, Mermaid Waters, $1.45 million

316 Rio Vista Boulevard, Mermaid Waters, $860,000

16 Peninsula Court, $860,000

58 Arcadia Drive, Mermaid Waters, $913,000

4 Reef Court, Mermaid Waters, $1.14 million

4 Montebello Court, $1.5 million

8 Nicolson Court, Mermaid Waters, $1.075 million

The post Why everyone wants to live in Mermaid Waters appeared first on realestate.com.au.

The vendor of 50 Overlea Street, Nudgee, has offered to pay the stamp duty of whoever buys the home.

A homeowner has taken matters into her own hands, offering to pay tens of thousands in stamp duty for the person who buys her home, hoping to drive in offers faster for the property.

After just over two months on the market, Jennifer Lonton decided to add a sweetener to her home sale, offering to pay what could end up being just over $24,000 in stamp duty for the person who buys the property.

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Open plan living.

Well set up for anyone needing to work from home.

“We have decided to offer to pay the purchaser’s stamp duty in an attempt to get things moving,” she said.

The home at 50 Overlea Street, Nudgee, has been listed for sale with the owners open to offers over $860,000.

“We had the house built in 2008. The people who have inspected it all said that it looks brand new,” Mrs Lonton said. “The photos on the internet show it exactly as it is.”

Wheelchair friendly inside and out.

The master bedroom and ensuite.

The family hopes to downsize into another suburb in Brisbane’s northside after the sale.

Agent Margaret Edwards of @realty described the property as an “exceptional family home, designed with a professional couple in mind”.

She said it would “enable you to work from home in the spacious, purpose-built and fully-fitted office/study”.

The home has been set up with luxury finishes.

The home has a 324sq m internal area and an additional 54sq m external area under the roof.

It has five bedrooms, two bathrooms and a double garage on a 766sq m block.

“The extra-large garage will accommodate two 4×4 vehicles, plus workshop and hobby areas,” was how it was listed.

The property was built to be wheelchair friendly throughout including the garage. It also has solar hot water plus a solar power system, with Crimsafe security screen on all windows with glazed doors.

“This dwelling is located in a quiet street in an elevated part of Nudgee, surrounded by other quality homes. There is also a lovely park at the end of the street and direct access to the network of Brisbane bikeways.”

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The post Pandemic fallout prompts seller to offer to pay buyer’s stamp duty appeared first on realestate.com.au.

SPRING property hunters heading for open homes and auctions this weekend should be prepared to spread out and wait with COVID restrictions now in place.

From 8am last Saturday, the Queensland Government limited Gold Coast gatherings inside and outside people’s homes to 10 people in response to two new coronavirus cases at Pimpama.

The move caused some confusion among real estate agents who were uncertain whether the direction applied to businesses carrying out essential activities.

Spring property hunters heading for open homes and auctions on the Gold Coast this weekend should be prepared to spread out and wait.

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The state’s peak real estate body has confirmed the 10-person limit includes public onsite auctions as well as open home and rental property inspections.

“Our reading of the direction is that it does apply to real estate practitioners and auctioneers conducting open home inspections as well as auctions,” said REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella.

Restrictions coincided with the start of the busy spring selling season, with hundreds of house hunters expected to visit homes across the city this weekend.

An auction at 1525 Riverdale Drive, Hope Island earlier this month. Photograph: Jason O’Brien

People intending to bid at auction were advised to pre-register to ensure they were included in the head count allowed on site.

A charming renovated residence at Southport attracted 42 groups to the first open inspection last Saturday, with prospective buyers forced to line up along the street.

McGrath-Surfers Paradise agent Mark Saveall said the session was extended to make sure everyone was able to see inside while complying with restrictions and social distancing.

“People were spread out down the street due to the COVID situation,” he said.

The post How restrictions are impacting Gold Coast open homes and auctions appeared first on realestate.com.au.