Key takeaway: Adrian Trimboli, Co-Founder and Director of Fresh Start Advisory, went from three failed early purchases, including an apartment he sold eight years later for just $20,000 more, to a portfolio set to pass $7.5 million. He says it still costs $60,000 to $70,000 a year to hold, but it grew by about $1 million this year.
In this episode of Geared for Growth, Mike Mortlock is joined by Adrian Trimboli, Co-Founder & Director of Fresh Start Advisory.
Adrian’s journey into property investing didn’t start with success, it started with mistakes. From buying a poorly selected apartment at 18 to experiencing multiple early setbacks, his story is one many investors can relate to but few openly share. What followed, however, was a complete shift in strategy, mindset, and execution that led to building a multi-million dollar portfolio and helping over a thousand Australians do the same.
This conversation challenges the polished version of property investing often seen online. Adrian breaks down the reality behind holding costs, the emotional weight of a growing portfolio, and why even successful investors can still feel the pressure. At the same time, he reframes property as a long-term wealth engine, one that rewards those who think differently from the masses.
As uncertainty continues to dominate headlines, this episode explores what separates the top 1% of investors from everyone else and why waiting for the “perfect moment” is often the biggest mistake of all.
At 18, Adrian bought a one-bedroom apartment in a complex of 38 on a main road, and sold it eight years later for $20,000 more. He says his first three assets were all nightmares, and he would never again buy a run-down apartment in a big complex with high levies. What changed things was building a team: a strong accountant, a broker he still uses, and his own buyer’s agency.
Adrian admits his portfolio still feels like a burden, costing him $60,000 to $70,000 a year, but it grew by about $1 million this year and takes him about two hours a month. He compares each property to another income earner in the household, averaging $100,000 to $150,000 of growth a year. His plan is to turn it into $250,000 to $350,000 of annual cash flow by 2030.
Adrian says his best performer is a duplex he bought five or six years ago, which has almost tripled in value while its rent doubled. Multi-dwelling properties aren’t generally expected to grow as well as standalone houses, but he says they can deliver both growth and strong cash flow if the research is right. He is now heavily buying duplexes, triplexes and quadplexes, plus houses where granny flats can be added.
Adrian’s team used AI to find what their top 100 clients share. First, each has a distinct goal, which keeps them on track when bad news hits. Second, they don’t overanalyse or take weeks to decide. Third, their risk tolerance is higher than average. He also says income is the biggest factor in how far a portfolio can grow, so investors should focus on increasing it.
This is general information from the podcast, not financial advice.
Want to know the minute new podcast episodes are available? Leave your email to be kept in the loop.
No spam. Weekly episodes only. Unsubscribe anytime.
Get a free, no-obligation quote from MCG Quantity Surveyors. Tax depreciation schedules, insurance assessments, and construction estimating.