How A Couple Built a 9 Property Portfolio on a $120k Income

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Meet Thomas O’Regan: From chef to 9 properties and a 6-figure passive income goal

How do you go from working 16-hour shifts as a chef to owning nine properties, building a $3.5 million portfolio, and chasing down $300K in passive income? You get clear on your vision and refuse to settle.

In this episode, I sit down with Thomas O’Regan, an everyday Aussie who proves that property success has less to do with income and everything to do with mindset. Starting on a combined income of $120K and a $45K deposit, Thomas shares how he and his wife built a cashflow-positive portfolio while staying aligned as a couple through it all.

We unpack the power of leverage, the importance of speed, and why the right community can change everything. Thomas isn’t a trust fund kid or a high-flying exec, he’s living proof that smart, strategic investing is possible for anyone.

If you’ve ever thought, “I could never do that”, this one’s for you.

Key Moments:
00:40 Thomas’s early investing mistakes and mindset shift
04:01 Buying with a 45K deposit and 120K income
06:10 What Thomas looks for in growth markets
11:03 Navigating trust structures and investment trends
15:40 Transitioning from chef to investor
21:00 The cost of bad advice
26:04 Why now is the time to get in
30:28 Selling for growth: when ego gets in the way
34:02 Being around people who celebrate success
38:10 Using debt wisely and sleeping well at night
44:00 Why he believes property changed his life

About Aaron:

Aaron-Christie David founded Atelier Wealth, a Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) approved Mortgage Broker. Aaron’s focus is clear – supporting property investors to make confident decisions to build their property portfolio. He has been recognised in the MPA Top 100 Broker rankings for the last three years.

With over 10 years of financial services experience, with a career spanning Wizard Home Loans and Commonwealth Bank, Aaron's decision to become a broker was to help more Australians fearlessly buy investment properties to achieve intergenerational wealth.

Connect with Aaron:

Visit the website: https://atelierwealth.com.au/

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