High school sweethearts Sera and Quentin come from humble beginnings. At 16, they rented a flat with no fridge or washing machine. They had five jobs between them, just to make ends meet and finish high school.

The couple never dreamed they would be property owners, let alone property investors. Here’s how Sera and Quentin rose from poverty to property investors.

Getting Started

The couple paid off their mortgage in five years. “That’s how nuts we are,” Sera says. The goal was to be debt-free, and they did it.

Property investment was never one of their goals, because it seemed too far removed. Even when they paid off their property, they never considered buying a second one. But then Sera started listening to the Property Academy Podcast. She set up a meeting with Kathy Faulkner and went from there.

“In our culture, it’s always about connection,” she says. “We love having a good yarn to people. When you find those people like Kathy, and you align yourself to those types of people, we use it as an opportunity to benefit our knowledge growth.”

Property Influence

Growing up, the attitude to money was, “There was never enough, and we didn’t know where it was going to come from. Our parents’ money habits didn’t sit well with us.”

They were focused on getting out of that poverty and Sera said she couldn’t thrive. The pair dedicated themselves to working their way through, and out of that poverty cycle. “It’s developed us into looking at life, not as a challenge, but willing to work our way through.”

Their background has shaped their attitude. It gave them the opportunity to seek out a different life, but also the ability to be content with what they had. From the position of the working poor, the couple understand that getting from one point to another is hard work and sacrifice.

Sera is now a high school teacher and is a dedicated “lifelong learner”. Quentin never finished fifth form, but he earns more money than Sera. The couple joke about it, because she’s the one with all the student debt.

Investment Option

Together, the couple decided what was missing in their upbringing was stability. Sera reckons she had about 20 different homes growing up, and none of them would have touched the sides of a Healthy Homes inspection.

But these parents wanted change for their son ... and that’s what they’ve done. Now, they own warm, safe, dry homes they can provide for their family and others.

Sera and Quentin often choose their tenants, specifically after hearing their personal stories, and who the tenants are as people. “We’re going to, you know, take someone who’s got a good story, needs a bit of a leg up,” Sera says.

The pride that brings them is immeasurable.

The Future

The way they choose to invest with Opes is about connection, story and drive. It’s that investment in time and hard work that has created a generation shift.

“For our son, we are breaking the cycle and changing the outlook and perspective of life,” Sera says. “So we’re putting that investment into time so we can spend some time with our moko when they’re about.”

So, investing isn’t about the here and now ... it’s about the long haul.

Next Steps

Sera and Quentin’s experience might resonate with a lot of investors. Maybe you come from humble beginnings and would like to change the future for your children or yourself. There are always options.

If you want the same service Sera and Quentin received, your next step is to book a Portfolio Planning Session with Opes Partners.

Disclaimer: Just remember this is a column in a magazine, going out to thousands of people. It’s not personal financial advice. But, it is an example of what can be achieved with personalised financial advice. If you are wanting to book a consultation, email us through the website at https://www.opespartners.co.nz