When most people think about building wealth through property, they assume you need a massive salary, a large inheritance, or an “in” with insider investors. But what if you could start with a regular income, say, $90,000 a year and scale it into a 10+ property portfolio? That’s exactly the journey Zaki Ameer took, and today he’s sharing how you can replicate it.
The Starting Point: $90K and a Dream
Back in the early days, Zaki was earning a typical Australian salary nothing extravagant, just enough to cover living costs and save a small portion each month. What set him apart was his mindset: instead of letting his salary limit his future, he saw it as a tool to build long-term wealth.
Key Lessons from the Beginning:
- Budget Like a Builder: Every dollar counts. Track income, expenses, and savings meticulously.
- Prioritise Investment Over Lifestyle Inflation: Avoid the trap of upgrading your lifestyle every pay rise. Each dollar saved is a brick in your property portfolio.
- Education is Everything: Zaki invested time in understanding markets, finance, and property strategy before making his first purchase. Knowledge reduces risk and boosts confidence.
Step 1: The First Property
The first property is always the hardest. For Zaki, it was about balancing affordability with potential growth. He targeted areas with strong fundamentals, low entry price, and high rental demand.
Actionable Tip: Start small but smart. Look for properties where rental yields and capital growth potential align, even if it means a longer commute or smaller size.
Step 2: Leveraging Equity to Scale
Once the first property was settled, Zaki’s portfolio began to grow through smart leverage. As properties increased in value, he used equity from existing investments to fund new purchases.
How You Can Do It:
- Monitor Property Equity: Understand how much value your property has gained since purchase.
- Refinance Strategically: Consider accessing equity to fund the next property rather than waiting to save the full deposit again.
- Repeat the Process: Each property builds momentum, allowing for faster portfolio growth.
Step 3: Diversifying Across Australia
One key strategy Zaki emphasises is not limiting yourself to one city or “hotspot.” By buying properties across Australia, you can reduce risk, access better yields, and tap into different growth markets.
Actionable Tip: Research emerging regions, demographic trends, and infrastructure projects to identify untapped opportunities.
Step 4: Systems and Team
Building a 10+ property portfolio isn’t a solo journey. Zaki relied on a team of professionals, including mortgage brokers, buyers’ agents, property managers, and accountants, to ensure each purchase was smart, sustainable, and stress-free.
Actionable Tip: Surround yourself with experts who complement your strengths and fill gaps in your knowledge.
Step 5: Mindset Matters
Perhaps the most overlooked element in property investing is mindset. Scaling from a $90K salary to a multi-property portfolio requires patience, discipline, and resilience. There will be setbacks, interest rate changes, and unexpected costs, but persistence wins.
Actionable Tip: Focus on long-term wealth, not short-term fluctuations. Celebrate milestones and stay committed to your goals.
The Result: A 10+ Property Portfolio
Through disciplined saving, strategic leveraging, smart purchases, and the right team, Zaki grew from a regular salary earner to owning over 10 properties across Australia. The key isn’t luck, it’s consistency, education, and action.
Takeaway
You don’t need a six-figure salary or insider connections to build a property empire. With the right approach, anyone can turn a modest income into a growing portfolio of assets that generate wealth and freedom for the long term.
