Woman In Focus – Judith Billington

Meet Judith a woman determined to carve out her own success through property investment after finding herself widowed and raising her young son on her own.

The Awakening

After the loss of her husband 4 years ago and the need to take care of her 8 year old son, Judith lived to work! Her life revolved around housework, child-raising and working. She was focused on paying the bills and just doing the jobs necessary to get through the week.   She felt like there was no way she could get ahead and move forward.

Then, about 3 years ago, she learned that a colleague was doing very well after acquiring several investment properties.  This was the beginning of her awakening.

The concept of property investment caught her interest and with the advice of her colleague, she drafted a business plan that incorporated the why, what and how of her property investing plans.

Judith then started getting educated in all aspects of property investing and that lead her to a book by a wealth coach exploring the concept  “If you didn’t have to work, what would you do?”

When the student is ready

This concept hit Judith like a bolt of lightening as she suddenly realized that she had never imagined a life without work!

The idea of planning a future without having to work appealed and this made Judith even more determined to take action and step towards financial freedom through property investment.

Education the first step

Determined to learn as much as she could Judith began attending seminars, night classes, networking with like minded people and began to take action.

Judith believes that experience is also a good teacher, for example when Judith bought her first investment property, she managed the property herself  to learn the ins and outs of being a landlord including how to build a good landlord/tenant relationship which is extremely important if you want to attract and keep good tenants.

Towards the good life

Judith is making great progress since she started venturing into property investment. She has just completed her second deal on a two income stream property and is planning on making some cosmetic changes on this property to increase the rent.

The property is located in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, a high rental area. The purchase price was $280,000 for 2 x well kept adjoining 3 bedroom townhouses.  The combined rent is currently $440 per week. With the planned cosmetic renovation, costing around $7,500, the rent will increase to $495-$500 per week. Judith is happy to have a cash flow positive property which she is confident will be particularly attractive to tenants.

When asked how property investment changed her life, Judith said “I have become more determined to steer my own boat and carve out my own success rather than live in the Live to Work mentality. I have the opportunity to reprogram my own beliefs about work, money and living the dream and thankful that I can share this concept with my son in his formative teen years. So that he may learn earlier than I did about living life to the full. I firmly believe that life is not a dress rehearsal and what we do everyday must count – and love it too. Life does not stand still and neither should we, there is always something else to learn, someone to help, personal growth to achieve.”

Judith’s tips

• Maximize market rental value and property valuation by doing slight cosmetic touch up to your property.
• Make sure that your property manager and property team are investors themselves so that they understand your needs and requirements.
• Ask questions until you are happy with and understand the answer.
• Build your team by making as many contacts as you can.
• Talk about what you want and opportunity will come from where you least expect it.
• Have the courage to walk away from a deal if the numbers don’t stack up. Another deal will come along.
• Make sure that you have a strategy and rules for achieving your financial targets and then build the team around you that can support you.

What Judith Thinks of Property Women

“I found them to be incredibly ‘up’ and found their passion infectious. They had a lot of knowledge which is also transferrable to New Zealand situation.”

If you are interested in finding out more about investing in New Zealand join Property Women’s Diamond Membership to get access to a 2 hour audio and information session of terminology and differences in investing in the Australian and New Zealand markets