How They Saved $60,000 Buying Property (While in Europe!)

Neal and Philippa didn’t rush into property.
In fact, Philippa admits she “dragged her feet for an entire year.”
She had strong savings. She was financially capable. But pulling the trigger? That felt different.
Until it didn’t.

This is the story of how clarity, values-based planning and the right team helped them buy a hybrid property (while travelling Europe!) and save ~$60,000 in the process.

“I Just Needed to Understand It Properly.”

When Neal and Philippa first started talking about investing, Philippa had already done her homework.

She’d researched.
She’d explored other companies.
She’d listened to podcasts.

But she had questions. Lots of them.

“I’m definitely a questions person. I like to understand things very thoroughly.”

When they met Rachel, one of Empower Wealth’s Qualified Property Investment Advisors, something shifted.
Instead of starting with properties or returns, Rachel started with values.
“There’s no such thing as wasting money on things that matter to you.”
That framing changed everything.
The process wasn’t about chasing returns. It was about aligning money with what mattered most to them.

And that’s when Philippa stopped hesitating.

A Plan Built on Data, Not Pressure

What stood out most wasn’t hype, it was structure.

Rachel walked them through projections, modelling and different scenarios, all backed by the numbers they provided.

“The decision we came to felt really well researched and data-backed, not pressured.”

They weren’t chased, they weren’t rushed, they were guided.

And the outcome? A recommendation for a hybrid property strategy:

• Buy now as an investment
• Continue renting where they are
• Move into the property in a few years

It was flexible. Strategic. Lifestyle-aligned.

Buying While Travelling Europe

Shortly after beginning the Buyer’s Agent process with Shane, Neal and Philippa left for a six-week trip to Europe.

Most people would pause, but thanks to Empower Wealth they didn’t have to.
Shane worked around time zones, conducted video inspections, and kept momentum going while they were overseas.
“He was doing video calls at times that suited us… it wasn’t convenient for him at all, but he made it work.”
They ended up purchasing while still in England.

From start to finish, the timeline was around two months.

Why They Say Shane Saved Them Around $60,000

At the end of the process, Neal reflected on the numbers.

“I think the cost might deter some people… but we saved way more money by having Shane on our side than not. He probably saved us a lot of money… like $60,000 or something like this.”

For them, it wasn’t just a case of negotiation.

It was:

• Avoiding overpaying
• Buying before further price increases
• Having expert advocacy
• Making confident decisions backed by analysis

“From a peace of mind perspective, but also a financial perspective, it just makes sense.”

What’s Next?

Their hybrid strategy gives them options.

They’ll continue renting where they are for now. Close to friends, lifestyle and community, while their new property works for them as an investment.
Down the track, they may move in. Or they may expand further. But this time, they’re moving forward with confidence.

“The Advice Is Worth Its Weight in Gold.”

Neal and Philippa have already referred multiple friends.

“The reassurance about what we can afford, when we can afford it, the peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.”

Sometimes the biggest shift isn’t financial. It’s psychological.
And that’s what planning done properly gives you.

Ready to see what’s possible for your future? Book your free, no-obligation consultation today. https://empowerwealth.com.au/request-free-consultation/