“We Didn’t Want It To Be A Second Job”: How the Right Team Helped Michael Become a Property Investor

Stuck and Searching for a Way Forward

“We never wanted a second job from this. We wanted something working in the background while we lived our lives.”

Michael Skinner is a physiotherapist by trade, now working in health management, a husband and father of two young children. Like many busy professionals, he always knew property investing could play a role in long-term wealth, but for years, it never quite clicked.
That changed after reading a book that made him stop and ask a bigger question: was work alone really going to be the answer? What followed was a carefully considered, research-led decision to build a property strategy that would support his family’s future, without changing the way they lived day to day.

A Family Example, But a Personal Decision

Michael grew up around property investing. His parents had invested for decades, eventually becoming fully self-funded retirees in their late 50s. Property clearly worked, but it wasn’t until much later that Michael felt ready to apply it to his own life.
Between studying, building a career, and raising a young family, property sat in the background. It wasn’t fear that held him back, it was focus.

“I never really thought work was going to be the answer to the end game… that book was the kicker for me.”

That realisation reframed property as a passive strategy. Something that could complement work, not replace life.

Doing the Research… Then Wanting Structure

True to his analytical nature, Michael didn’t rush in. He read widely, listened to podcasts, and absorbed as much information as he could, including The Property Couch and the How to Retire on $2,000 a Week book.
But one challenge kept surfacing.

“You needed to get this team together… an accountant, buyers’ agents, finance, and it was hard to know who to go to.”

The issue wasn’t motivation or confidence. It was coordination.

Why Empower Wealth Felt Different

After months of listening and researching, Michael reached out to Empower Wealth and almost immediately felt alignment.
What stood out wasn’t just the range of services, but how they worked together.

“These guys have everything to make it easy… and that genuine feel from the podcast carried through when we reached out.”

From the first conversations, Michael felt supported rather than sold to—something he believes is rare in the property industry.

A Property Plan First, Then Action

Michael and his wife began with a Property Plan, spending several months clarifying direction before making any purchases.
That groundwork allowed them to move quickly and confidently when the time came.

“Once the plan was done, we jumped straight into the first property.”

Their first investment was purchased in 2023, backed by a clearly defined strategy rather than emotion or urgency.

Using the Full Team (So It Didn’t Become a Second Job)

Rather than trying to do parts of the process themselves, Michael chose to work with Empower Wealth’s full service offering, including:

• Property Planning
• Buyers’ Agents
• Mortgage Broking
• Accounting support

The reason was simple.
“I knew I was always going to be an amateur at this, I don’t do it for a living.”
More importantly, the goal was never to create more work.
“We wanted to keep living our lives, be there for our kids, and have this working in the background.”

A Strategy That Fits Real Life

Today, Michael and his family own their home plus two investment properties. Their lifestyle hasn’t changed, but their financial trajectory has.

“Our life hasn’t changed in how we live now, it’s changed for the better.”

They’re currently in a holding phase, reviewing options as the plan evolves, knowing they can return for guidance before making any major decisions.

Confidence Comes From Not Going It Alone
For Michael, the biggest value wasn’t just speed or execution, it was confidence.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do it… or at least not with this level of clarity and low stress.”

He believes the right structure helped them avoid costly mistakes and move forward deliberately.

Michael’s Advice to Other Investors

Michael is open about recommending Empower Wealth, particularly to those who are early in their journey.

“If I were going through it again, I’d go straight to Empower Wealth.”

He believes education, structure and authenticity are what set the experience apart.
“They’re in your corner backing you, not trying to sell you something.”
From the first conversations, Michael felt supported rather than sold to, something he believes is rare in the property industry.

Want to see how they got there?
Watch the full story in our latest client video above!
Ready to see what’s possible for your future? Book your free, no-obligation consultation today. https://empowerwealth.com.au/request-free-consultation/