From first home to portfolio: How Gizem built her wealth

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, Phil Tarrant sits down with Eva Loisance from Finni Mortgages and Gizem Ergel, a savvy investor, to discuss the importance of strategic planning and the growing role of property in achieving long-term financial independence.

Gizem, a migrant investor from Turkey, shares her journey from Istanbul to Sydney, and how she began building a property portfolio after settling in Australia in 2015, highlighting the unique perspectives migrants and women bring to real estate investment.

Her first purchase was a duplex in the Shire in 2019, made after navigating the challenges of Sydney’s competitive market. With a cautious but strategic approach, she and her husband expanded their portfolio into regional Queensland and Melbourne.

The conversation also covers financial strategies like refinancing and changes to borrowing conditions, including new assessments of HECS debts.

Gizem’s journey reflects the broader migrant experience, showcasing how strategic property investment can pave the way to financial independence and early freedom through long-term planning. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.