Ep. 288: Setting The Right Strategy For Your Property Journey And Why It Matters With Azeem Rahman

In this week's episode of the Geared for Growth podcast, host Mike Mortlock is joined by Azeem Rahman, a property investor who brings a refreshingly honest and reflective perspective to the show. Unlike many guests, Azeem isn’t a buyer’s agent or property professional — he’s a self-directed investor who started in his early 20s with no real plan, just a deposit and ambition. Now, nearly a decade later, he shares how a lack of strategy led to costly mistakes and missed opportunities.

Azeem walks us through his early investing years — from buying in his own backyard with no clear goal, to realising after his third property that he was building a portfolio without direction. This sparked a turning point: the decision to rethink everything through the lens of strategy.

He explains what a true property investment strategy looks like — not a location, not a yield target, but a comprehensive plan based on personal goals, risk tolerance, financial position, and time horizon. Using a powerful mountain analogy, Azeem contrasts strategy (the chosen path) with tactics (the steps you take along the way), emphasising the importance of doing the right kind of thinking before taking action.

We also hear about the red flags investors should watch for when so-called experts claim to offer “strategy sessions,” and why some approaches — especially free or generic ones — can be misleading. Azeem shares his own current approach (buy-and-hold with a long-term view) and how regularly reviewing your plan every 18 months can ensure you stay aligned as life changes.

If you're wondering whether your property journey has a clear destination — or just a string of purchases — this episode will give you the clarity and inspiration to pause, reflect, and plan smarter.

What we cover in this episode:
● Azeem’s story of investing success and lessons learned from setbacks
● What property strategy really means
● Two fundamental questions you should be asking yourself
● The common misconceptions around strategy
● The difference between tactics and strategy
● Why property investors need a mindset of continuous improvement
● Walking through the steps in formulating a good strategy and how often you should reset

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4mATBtE
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4kjErra
Website: https://gearedforgrowth.com.au/

Don't miss out on this enriching discussion that could revolutionise your investment journey! 🚀 If you're enjoying the show, subscribe and leave a review to share your feedback and insights. Let's grow together!

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