Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa February 2016 | Page 66

LESSONS

Property Investments
What is Preventing you from Investing in Property?

BY PIERRE VAN DEN BERG

I

t’s mid December and I find myself sitting at
the “Montagu padstal” on the famous Route 62
in the Western Cape. As I write this paragraph,
holidaymakers are pulling off the road for a break.
Many look tired and stressed. I can’t help but wonder
how many of these people will one day be able to retire
in any comfort after putting so much effort into their
careers. I am waiting for Kirstenbosch personnel to
collect me en-route to the Upington area where we
will undertake plant surveys for the next few days. I am
semi-retired and involving myself in this project purely
because I want to, and “for the love” of contributing
in a mentoring role. The renumeration will be a “nice
to have” bonus only. Once on the road I will again
hear from 36-year-old Tony: “I should also invest in
property! I also want to live the life you have!”
So much has been said and written about the
empowering capacity of property whereby financial
freedom can be achieved through passive income,
capital growth, etc. So what stops YOU? Too little
money? Too daunting a venture? As nothing more
than the average “guy in the street”, I bought my first
property at 29 years of age. I then managed to build
up a small property portfolio on a government salary
that ranged from poor to little working in nature
conservation. At the end of 2006 I was able to quit my
job, leaving the “rat race” behind at age 43. Since then
I have not only lived off my rental incomes, but also
been able to continue investing in property. Although
I see myself currently only on the bottom rungs of the

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“financial independence ladder”, I am fortunate to be
living in a small, scenic country village where I can
pursue my passions in life.
Property investment is really not all that complicated
and it doesn’t require any special skills or qualifications.
With all the resources available today, one can quite
easily run a property portfolio as a sideline whilst
continuing with your everyday occupation. You can
learn it all “on the way”, and it is possible to limit costly
mistakes by copying and taking advice from seasoned
investors. The chances are pretty good that you may do
better than I do.
Utilise and respect property as the long-term
investment it is. This is no “get rich quick scheme” so
rid your mind of any such thoughts. We all say: “I wish
I had started earlier”. Although it is never too late to
start, the sooner you start to improve your financial
intelligence, the more opportunity you have of creating
promising options for yourself at a young age. And
just imagine what you can then accomplish through
committed budgeting, saving and investing towards
your goal. At first do not let the “how” and your current
financial position discourage you. As long as you have
an open and eager mind to educate yourself, be taught
and willing to be patient and start small, there are
strategies available for even the “low budget” investor
to enter the property market.

RESOURCES
www.ThanksToProperty.com
Pierre van den Berg
www.reimag.co.za