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Arjun Paliwal: Redefining Innovation in Property Investment
As CEO and Head of Research at InvestorKit, Arjun Paliwal has transformed how Australians approach property investment, leading a national team built on data, discipline, and a mission to empower everyday investors with clarity and confidence. Recognised as REB’s 2025 Most Innovative Buyer’s Agency, InvestorKit is Australia’s leading strategic property advisory firm, setting new standards for research excellence and client outcomes.
How did you start down this career path?
My journey began at 22 while working full-time in banking. I purchased my first investment property and quickly saw how many Australians were making life-changing financial decisions without strategy or data to support them.
After emigrating from New Zealand at 18, I joined the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where I rose through managerial roles and completed my MBA by 25. Working in finance gave me a unique perspective on how wealth is built (and lost) through everyday decisions. Alongside my career, my wife Leigh and I built a multi-million-dollar property portfolio within three years, which has since grown to more than $20 million.
Those experiences inspired me to launch InvestorKit in 2018 with a mission to make property investment transparent, research-driven and accessible to everyday Australians. What began as a small advisory focused on data and education has grown into a national firm facilitating more than $1 billion in acquisitions and helping clients collectively realise over $500 million in equity growth.
What inspires you in your role and the industry? Why?
I’m driven by the belief that anyone, regardless of background or starting point, can build long-term wealth through property if they have the right guidance and mindset.
The property industry can be filled with noise and conflicting opinions. What motivates me is cutting through that confusion with facts, evidence and clarity. Every time a client takes control of their financial future with confidence, it reinforces why we do what we do.
That same philosophy inspired me to write my first book, Driving the Data: How You Can Dream, Buy and Thrive in the Property Market, a research-backed guide that helps Australians make smarter, more strategic investment decisions. For me, sharing that knowledge is one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey.
What’s your approach to customer service that separates you from the rest?
Our approach at InvestorKit is centred on education, clarity, and long-term partnership. We go beyond property selection to teach clients how to interpret market data, identify emerging opportunities, and think strategically about their portfolio.
Every client journey begins with research and ends with understanding. We explain not just what to buy, but why it supports their broader financial goals. That transparency builds trust and empowers clients to make decisions with confidence - turning complex data into clear, actionable strategies.
This educational approach has fostered long-term relationships with clients who view us not just as advisors, but as partners in their wealth-building journey.
How do you innovate and stay ahead of industry trends?
Innovation is part of InvestorKit’s DNA. We continuously analyse economic and property data across hundreds of markets nationwide, identifying growth regions before they become mainstream. Our research integrates macro trends, supply-demand metrics and behavioural insights to build robust, forward-looking strategies for clients.
Internally, we focus on continuous improvement, refining how insights are presented, how we communicate strategy, and how technology supports our process. This culture of curiosity and accountability ensures the business keeps evolving alongside the market.
As a result, InvestorKit has achieved 50 per cent year-on-year growth for seven consecutive years and has been twice recognised by The Australian as one of the Top 10 Places to Work, proving that innovation and culture go hand in hand.
What is the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your role? How did you overcome it?
The toughest challenge in recent years has been navigating client sentiment through rapid interest rate changes and shifting market conditions. With uncertainty dominating headlines, it was crucial to help investors cut through fear and focus on fundamentals.
We overcame this by doubling down on education: publishing insights, releasing podcasts, and providing clear, data-backed communication. By helping clients understand the “why” behind every market movement, we turned uncertainty into opportunity and strengthened long-term trust in our process.
What are some of your goals for the next five years?
Over the next five years, our goal is to scale InvestorKit’s impact nationally, expanding our research capability, growing our team, and integrating new digital tools that make property insights more accessible to Australians at every stage of their investment journey.
Personally, I want to continue championing data literacy in property investment, through our advisory, whitepapers, media, podcasts and future books, to help Australians make decisions based on logic, not hype. Our long-term vision is to empower tens of thousands more Australians to achieve financial freedom through strategic, evidence-based property investing.
About InvestorKit:
Founded in 2018, InvestorKit is Australia’s leading strategic property advisory firm, helping Australians build wealth through research-backed, data-driven property investment. With over $1 billion in acquisitions, $500 million in equity growth, and a national team of more than 80 staff, InvestorKit continues to set the benchmark for clarity, strategy, and innovation in the property industry. www.investorkit.com.au
