International Women’s Day looks to ‘inspire change’ with property

'Financial freedom' is a term investors regularly come across, but getting there seems to be altogether a more difficult task than expected. 

The theme for 2014 International Women’s Day is “inspiring change”, and the co-founder of the Women’s Property Panel, Bridget Headland, said that property can help make this change towards financial freedom for people of all genders. 

“With the right advice and guidance, financial freedom through a property portfolio is achievable for many people,” said Headland.

She pointed to the following five key tips for any start up investor:

1.    Do your research – the best decisions are educated decisions

2.    Buy a new property over an old one – it offers better tax benefits

3.    Don’t purchase in the same areas as all the other investors – you want your property surrounded by owner occupiers

4.    Avoid cross securitising your loans – use multiple lends for your property portfolio

5.    Remember, property growth as well as rental yield will create true wealth

An investor herself, she said that people of all ages should understand and consider property.

Having begun her portfolio with her first property in 2008, and now about to purchase her fifth in 2014, she said that it’s worth looking beyond just financial wealth but also towards the freedom it awards investors.

“Yes, it’s nice to have the financial benefits that come from a sustainable property portfolio but for us it’s what that offers that’s worth so much more,” Herbert said.

“The freedom to choose our working hours, being able to help family and friends, and also spending quality time with family is what I consider ‘wealthy’ to be,” she said.