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

Meet Thomas O’Regan: From chef to 9 properties and a 6-figure passive income goalHow 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 shift04:01 Buying with a 45K deposit and 120K income06:10 What Thomas looks for in growth markets11:03 Navigating trust structures and investment trends15:40 Transitioning from chef to investor21:00 The cost of bad advice26:04 Why now is the time to get in30:28 Selling for growth: when ego gets in the way34:02 Being around people who celebrate success38:10 Using debt wisely and sleeping well at night44:00 Why he believes property changed his life👉 Whether you're a first home buyer or expanding your portfolio, Atelier Wealth can help. Book a discovery session with a mortgage broker here: https://calendly.com/atelier-wealth-discovery-team👉 For everything you need to know about getting a loan approved and buying a property, read the Happy Home Loan Handbook by Aaron Christie-David. Get a FREE chapter here: https://atelierwealth.com.au/the-happy-home-loan-handbook/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/   Follow the Australian Investment Property Podcast’s Official Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/aupropertyinvestmentpodcast/Follow Aaron on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aaronchristiedavidFollow Aaron on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronchristiedavid/Subscribe to Atelier Wealth’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@atelierwealth_au