We can learn so many valuable lessons from what Oliver did and the attitude in which he did it.
- When he didn’t have the money for a deposit, he made sacrifices, mainly his time, and he worked for it
- When he had some money he took the opportunity to “do a deal” and to increase his pot
- When it looked like he couldn’t get finance he didn’t give up – he just kept on looking until he found it
- He was prepared to compromise and to buy a low value property in a rough area in order to get started – Oliver knew that even in that particular area property prices would increase over time
- When he couldn’t afford to pay for repairs he bartered his skills for the skills of others
- He kept his eyes and ears open, he talked to people and let them know that he was in the market, and when an opportunity came along he grabbed it with both hands
- And he did it all with integrity with the attitude that he would rather help others than take advantage of them
So when people ask me “Can I really start in property with no money?” I always think of Oliver and my answer is “If Oliver can, you can too”.
I realise that this story takes place against a back-drop of a time when lending conditions were different, and were far more benign than they are today. That’s not really the point.
Even if Oliver were starting out today I have a feeling that he would still succeed in getting started.
Ultimately this story is testimony to determination, and not technique or credit worthiness. This is an example of the truth behind the old proverb “where there’s a will there’s a way”.
This story really speaks so much of that now somewhat clichéd but nevertheless true mantra given to us by ‘self development and motivation experts’ that “success is 80% attitude and only 20% aptitude”.
Lack of finance is just one of numerous excuses that have been used over the years by those who like the idea of property but who ultimately are unable to follow through into meaningful action. This isn’t intended to be judgemental, just realistic. We will always be able to find a reason not to do something if we aren’t totally confident in the idea or in our ability to carry it through to a successful completion.
In that respect success is a choice and regardless of whether you have oodles of cash at the moment you can choose to make the most of, and to succeed in, this market. So like Oliver did, let’s dream our dreams, and let’s get on our bikes (metaphorically although in his case in actuality) and just do it. If we truly believe, we’ll find that the finance is out there somewhere.