Turning Dreams into Reality: Regie’s Inspiring Journey to Homeownership

Starting fresh in a new country can be daunting, especially when it comes to achieving big dreams like owning a home. For Regie, the journey to homeownership in Australia was filled with challenges. But with the right guidance and support from Empower Wealth, Regie turned what once felt impossible into reality.

Starting from Scratch

Regie moved to Australia in 2015, leaving behind a career as an architect. Starting fresh in a new country was no easy task, especially without being able to convert her licence to practise architecture in Australia.

“I had to really work from scratch like many immigrants do,” she recalls. “I didn’t have much savings or a strong financial background, and being on a single income, it felt discouraging.”

Regie initially gave up on the dream of buying her own house—until her sister’s experience reignited her motivation.

“After Covid, the value of my sister’s home went up, and I thought, ‘Maybe I could try to buy my own.’ But every time I asked the bank what I could afford, the options were disappointing.”

In 2022, Regie’s sister gave her some important advice: “Talk to someone who knows what they’re doing.” Following that advice, Regie reached out to Empower Wealth, where she was introduced to advisor Ben Thompson from our Property Wealth Planning team.

“Ben told me, ‘You can afford it.’ He showed me that with some simple adjustments, it was possible,” Regie explains. “I’m a spreadsheet person, so I was sceptical at first, but Ben gave me the confidence I needed to believe it could happen.”

Regie had always thought success was about working hard, saving, and buying a property eventually—but Empower Wealth’s detailed property portfolio plan gave her a new perspective.

“Ben looked at my numbers and told me I was already on the right path. He gave me clear steps to follow, and it became easier to trust the process,” she says.

“Knowing what I could achieve if I stayed on track gave me peace of mind.”

One key decision was to explore South Australia’s Shared Equity Scheme, which allowed Regie to pay 75% of the property’s value, with the remaining 25% funded by the government. This gave her access to the type of home she wanted without overstretching her budget.

Managing Risks & Securing the Future

Through Empower Wealth’s guidance, Regie not only bought her first house but also learned about risk management. Conversations with Victor, our senior advisor from the Financial Planning team, helped her understand the importance of insurance.

“I remember hearing on the podcast that ‘Your best asset is yourself.’ That stuck with me. If I can’t work, I can’t pay my mortgage. That’s when I realised how important insurance is,” she explains.

Empower Wealth also helped streamline her investments, ensuring her portfolio was well-balanced and aligned with her goals.

Looking back, Regie is grateful for the personalised advice and approachable support she received from the team.

“I felt a bit embarrassed at times asking questions I thought I should already know. But they were so easy to talk to and always took the time to explain everything,” she says. “Ben, Victor, and the entire team always had my back.”

With Empower Wealth’s help, Regie’s dream became a reality—and she now confidently recommends their services to others.

“The best thing you can do for yourself is ask someone who knows what they’re doing. From my experience, the team at Empower Wealth are the best people to ask.”

Ready to Take the First Step?

Regie’s story is a testament to the power of personalised financial advice and the confidence that comes with having a clear plan. If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to act, remember this: Knowledge is empowering, but only if you act on it.

Take the first step today. Book your free consultation with one of our expert advisors and discover how we can help you build a secure financial future.

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