Indian-Australian Entrepreneur's Unconventional Property Strategy Stuns Many
An Indian-origin Australian entrepreneur has captured widespread attention with a revelation that defies conventional wisdom about property ownership. Ravi Sharma, aged 32, has accumulated an impressive portfolio of 23 properties across Australia, yet continues to reside in a rented home, according to reports from news.com.au.
A $25 Million Real Estate Empire
Sharma has quietly constructed a substantial real estate empire valued at approximately USD 25 million. His company, Search Property Buyer’s Agency, earned recognition as a finalist for Best Buyer’s Agency at the prestigious REB Awards in both 2023 and 2024, as documented on his LinkedIn profile.
Despite owning nearly two dozen residential properties, Sharma chooses to rent a three-bedroom penthouse in Macquarie Park, Sydney, where he lives with his wife. The weekly rent amounts to nearly USD 1,420, equivalent to approximately Rs 78,000.
Geographic Diversity of Property Holdings
In interviews with various property platforms, Sharma detailed the extensive reach of his investments. His portfolio encompasses around twenty properties strategically distributed across multiple Australian states:
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- South Australia
- Queensland
- Western Australia
"I have a portfolio of about $25 million, and I have like 20-odd properties in that. I have only got one or two in Sydney, but then the rest of them are across all of Australia," Sharma explained during an interview with Coposit, a property application platform.
The Early Beginnings of a Property Journey
Sharma's real estate journey commenced at a remarkably young age. At just 21 years old, he purchased his first property—a three-bedroom house in Dubbo—for USD 190,000. Over the subsequent decade, he methodically expanded his investments by acquiring homes in more affordable regions with high growth potential, subsequently leasing them out to tenants.
The Rationale Behind 'Rentvesting'
The question naturally arises: why doesn't Sharma occupy one of the numerous properties he owns? The answer lies in a strategic approach known as rentvesting, an increasingly popular trend among modern investors. This strategy involves renting accommodation in desirable suburbs while purchasing properties elsewhere exclusively as investment assets.
Sharma elaborated that purchasing a home in Sydney would have necessitated a substantial deposit, thereby immobilizing capital that could be more effectively deployed to expand his investment portfolio. "If I wanted to live in Macquarie Park or anywhere in Sydney, I would have needed a large deposit, which would have got tied up in an asset that I didn't think fundamentally would grow," he stated.
He further emphasized that while avoiding rent payments might appear attractive initially, committing capital to a primary residence that fails to deliver robust returns could significantly constrain future financial opportunities. Additionally, selling such a property later might result in financial losses due to substantial transaction costs, including stamp duty.
Lifestyle Enhancement Through Strategic Renting
Sharma strongly advocates for adopting a "rentvesting first" mentality rather than purchasing any available property merely to escape rental payments. "Rather than going down the path of just buying anything you can afford to avoid paying rent, the options that you have later means that you're probably going to end up in a better house in a better suburb, which is exactly what happened to me," he remarked.
By choosing to rent in an upscale Sydney suburb while investing in properties across Australia, Sharma asserts that he has successfully grown his wealth while simultaneously maintaining his preferred lifestyle standards.
Expanding Influence Beyond Real Estate
Beyond his substantial property investments, Sharma has cultivated a prominent personal brand within the finance sector. He was honored as the Australian Business News Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 in the Property and Construction category. Furthermore, he manages a YouTube channel titled Personal Finance with Ravi Sharma, which has surpassed one lakh subscribers, demonstrating his growing influence as a financial educator.
Sharma's story illuminates a significant shift among younger investors who prioritize asset growth and financial flexibility over traditional home ownership paradigms. This approach demonstrates that paying rent while owning multiple investment properties can represent a sophisticated wealth-building strategy rather than a financial compromise.
