All Forum Posts by: Liz B

"Can anyone remember when times were not hard and money was scarce?"
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1882)

*The above quote is over 100 years old but still as relevant today with the current global econonic crisis!

Great recovery Ingrid!

Thanks for the welcome Joshua.

I've already read some of he many postings and there's seems to be plenty of passion here at Bigger Pockets!

Nearly 1 out of 2 marriages end in divorce. Its emotionally and financially painful - especially when splitting property assets as well.

Unfortunately I am one of the statistics!

The lessons I learnt:

Lesson #1. Settle quickly and move on.
I tried to negotiate with my ex-partner about a property settlement for about 6 months - it cost me another $500,000 (about $70,000 per month)!

Lesson #2. Focus on what you’ve got and want, not on what you’ve “lostâ€.
In life-changing experiences its easy to focus on what you’ve “lost†– but you need to be grateful for what you have got today and re-focus on what you want in the future. Don’t sweat the “lost†stuff.

Lesson #3 – Rebuild your assets one property at a time.
After the divorce and property settlement, I had fewer properties and more debt. But I still had the knowledge in my head of how I built the property portfolio the first time – so I knew I could re-build it all over again. And I am...

What advice would you give on how to rebuild a property portfolio after divorce...?

G’day, I’m Liz.

I’m passionate about property, real estate and investing.

I bought my first property – vacant land – at 18. It was all I could afford, but I wanted to make a start. I had a choice of two lots – one lot near farmland and the other lot near a small undeveloped beach. I chose the cheapest lot – near farmland. About 18 months later the beach lot had tripled in price!

Lesson #1 – Location, location, location.

I have bought many properties over the past 20 years – land, houses, apartments, a commercial office (once owned by a real estate firm) … and even a transportable for $10! I am a believer in ‘buy and hold’.

Lesson #2 – Don’t wait to buy real estate, buy real estate and wait.

I am a world traveller and enjoy seeing different property styles and architectures from all around the globe. I was fortunate to work in USA for 14 months and the UK and France for 6 months. No matter where I go, I’m always keen to understand the property market in that area.

I’m an avid reader of real estate books and journals, and am inspired and motivated by many people doing great things in property.

I’m joining Bigger Pockets to learn, have fun, ask questions, and network… I figure it’s a good deal to join 30,000+ passionate property people!

"Powerful Strategies to make huge profits and achieve Supremacy Negotiating Real Estate deals" by Phil Jones and David Bradley of www.richmastery.com

I think one of the best sayings about Negotiation comes from J. Paul Getty (1976)
"My father said you must never try to make all the money that's in a deal. Let the other fellow make some money too, because if you have a reputation for always making all the money, you won't have many deals".

Thought I'd share a couple of lighter (?) moments about being a Landlord... and would love to hear stories/experiences from other self-managing Landlords

Murphy's Law #1
Your best tenant will get a job transfer during the worst rental market of the decade.

Murphy's Law #2
When a tenant attempts to fix the leaky tap himself, expect to not only replace the tap but the entire plumbing system too.

Murphy's Law #3
A tenant's uncanny ability to see dirt and damage will be much greater when they move in than when they move out.

Murphy's Law #4
When a tenant calls and says "Hi, how's it going?" you know that something is drastically wrong.

Murphy's Law #5
Proper disposal of bacon grease for a tenant is always down the kitchen sink.

Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.
Andrew Carnegie (1919)


Its tangible, its solid, its beautiful.
Its artistic, from my standpoint, and I just love real estate
Donald J Trump


I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man I keep his house
Zsa Zsa Gabor


Can anyone remember when times were not hard and money was scarce?
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1882)