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THE PROPERTY NERDS: $120k to $500k equity

26 MAY 2026 By Robyn Tongol 1 min read Investor Strategy

Most people delay investing because they can’t afford their dream home, but one investor used renting to build a $1.5 million property portfolio and generate $500,000 in equity in under a decade. Here is how he did it.

On The Property Nerds podcast, host Arjun Paliwal sits down with British expat James Deem to break down how rentvesting, strategic buying, and leveraging equity helped transform a temporary move to Australia into a fast-growing property portfolio.

The episode explores how investing outside expensive capital cities unlocked opportunities that many buyers ignore, with one regional purchase generating hundreds of thousands in equity growth.

It also highlights how diversification across multiple markets helped reduce risk and accelerate portfolio expansion without relying purely on savings.

A major focus is the power of professional guidance, with Deem crediting data-driven advice and strong networks for helping navigate unfamiliar markets and make confident decisions.

If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

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RELATED TERMS

Equity
Equity is the difference between the market value of a property and the amount owed to a lender that holds the mortgage or the loanable amount.
Property
Property refers to either a tangible or intangible item that an individual or business has legal rights or ownership of, such as houses, cars, stocks or bond certificates.