PHOTO: Arjun Paliwal. NEWS.COM.AU
Arjun Paliwal purchased his first home at 22, built a $17 million fortune across 17 properties, and then received life-changing news.
The Sydney-based investor, now 32, had an eventful year. He bought a $4.8 million dream home for his three-generation extended family, only to discover that he needed open-heart surgery. The diagnosis came after a life insurance test revealed a heart condition he was unaware of. “I was born with a defect that I only found out about six months ago,” Paliwal said. “I discovered this through life insurance testing. It’s a reminder that more people should consider getting life insurance to uncover hidden health issues. Protect yourself, protect your loved ones.”
Determined to face the challenge head-on, Paliwal lost weight and made significant lifestyle and diet changes to prepare for the surgery. Now, 12 weeks post-operation, he’s back at work as a buyers’ agent, more motivated than ever to help families build real estate wealth to secure their futures.
Earlier this year, Paliwal signed off on a $4.8 million, 2.06-hectare estate in northwest Sydney along the Hawkesbury River, designed to accommodate his multigenerational family. It was his way of repaying his parents and in-laws for their support during his early career when he was working at a bank and dreaming of real estate success.
“It started with the goal of generating a passive income to leave my job, then it evolved into creating a larger passive income to improve our lifestyle. Now, it’s about inspiring others to do the same,” Paliwal shared.
The estate features two houses, divided into wings to accommodate 11 family members, including his parents, in-laws, younger brother, and his partner and son, along with two dogs. “We’re so blessed,” he said. “It’s not just the home; it’s the setup that works perfectly for us. We’re all under one roof, living together in harmony.”
Paliwal’s journey to building his property portfolio began with disciplined savings, setting aside 40% of his net income while living with family. “We had a system where we saved the day after payday, putting money into a joint account that required two signatures to access. It changed our mentality and made us more disciplined.”
After acquiring his first three investment properties, Paliwal shifted his focus from savings to equity, aiming to diversify his portfolio across cities and regions with strong economic indicators. “The main thing for me was the strength and diversity of the local economy, not the size of the property market.”
Today, Paliwal is focused on high-income assets like unit blocks and commercial properties, which require larger deposits but offer greater returns. “It gets easier as time goes on once you’ve got your foot in the door,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Paliwal emphasized the importance of diversification, with his 17-property portfolio spread across six Australian states. “My portfolio’s diversity has protected me from downturns in specific markets because other markets are performing well.”
He advises Millennials and anyone looking to build wealth through property to assemble a strong investment team, including a buyer’s agent, accountant, and mortgage broker. “Success in property investment isn’t just about the price of the asset; it’s about the fundamentals of the economy, supply and demand, and the actions you take.”
Paliwal highlighted the power of compounding in building wealth. “Whether you’re aiming for a $50k, $100k, $200k, or $500k passive income, it’s likely a 15 to 20-year journey. Focus on making the best short-term decisions and hold for the long term.”
He encourages investors to make acquisitions within the first five to seven years of their investment journey to maximize their potential over a 20-year period.
SOURCE: NEWS.COM.AU