From DPB to dream home

Hamilton-based investor Rachel Ward went from DPB to successful investor in less than four years

Back in 2011, Hamilton-based Ward, who is profiled in the July issue of NZ Property Investor magazine, was dead broke and unemployed.

She had just embarked on a career as a property trader, but the property that was meant to launch her property investing career had turned out to be a dud.

Worse still, she had scrimped and saved hard not only for the deposit on the property, but for the hefty fee charged by the property investor education course which had set her up with the sale.

Further, the solo mum to three young sons had quit her job as a secondary school teacher to commit herself fully to property investing, as instructed by the course.

She was forced to apply for the Domestic Purposes Benefit (DPB), which she received for three months while she pulled herself together and formulated a new strategy.

Fast forward less than four years and Ward (46) has a portfolio of 16 properties – including her recently purchased dream home - with 20 income streams.

Her end goal is now early retirement in four years’ time, or the choice to retire if she chooses, along with the acquisition of a few properties on her ultimate wish list.

In her NZ Property Investor profile, Ward tells our journalist how she achieved her dream of ensuring a financially secure future through property investment.

She would like her story to give others hope if they are struggling with a challenging situation and, to this end, she shares her “buying rules” in the magazine.

To read Rachel Ward’s story and to find out her “buying rules”, click here to get the digital issue of NZ Property Investor magazine.

Subscribe to NZ Property Investor magazine here to get great stories like this delivered to your mailbox every month.