Empower Wealth experiences?

We are considering using Empower Wealth for their property plan - in summary to give us a 40 year plan (taking into account kids etc) to get us to an early retirement, telling us what sort of properties to buy and when. http://empowerwealth.com.au/property-portfolio-plan/

Does anyone have any experience with EW in general, or more specifically for this plan, with advice to share?

Very short background on us (if it matters) - young couple with some equity, decent cash flow and plenty of years ahead

 

There are some positive comments on them if you do a search over on Somersoft

 

I've not had a plan made however I have used there mortgage broker Simon Gillespie - who was able to get me a better deal with my bank even though my private banker refused to give me a better deal

Their CEO Ben Kingsly is the current chair of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia ( PIPA ) - which is a pretty reputable organisation

 

Not that I have heard of before. But as long as their name is not on the spruikers list or in Fair Trading, then it should be fine .

let us know how you go and how much they're charging.

 

Ben King sly posts on this forum.
You could search for his posts or maybe PM him.

 

I also like there podcast - " The Property Couch " - alot of useful info

 

Happy to be PM'd. For the record our business has advised on the current and future purchase of over $700m worth of property. I'd like to think our reputation, record, results and client feedback are what we are judged on.

 

From what i have seen I think they are pretty good at what they do.

 

Hi, we used Empower Wealth for our property plan and we are very happy with that decision.Their plan is very detailed and takes into consideration all your future big plans and have a conservative approach to the property market, meaning they take into consideration increase in interest rates, high vacancy periods etc. I think if you have a road map the trip is just easier.
If you want to PM me and happy to answer more questions.

 

Hi, I like these guys as well. I have decided to book into the 1 hour complimentary discussion to see if they can add value to what I am trying to achieve. I have a financial background so don't need help budgeting or running spreadsheets but I'm no tax expert so when it comes down to whether I am better of making extra contributions to super and buying through a SMSF rather than personally or through a trust I think it pays to get expert advice. I will let everyone know how it goes.

 

Has anyone purchased through them and had time to realise the results i.e. gains/losses? Service and communication may be fantastic but the end result is in the numbers.

PS I do like their no BS approach in terms of property selection criteria.

 

Just googled Ben kingsley,
it seems he helped India get their freedom, you can't go wrong with that

 

It keeps getting better for kingsley
It seems in Canberra they offer "Better value - Awesome chips"

 

Vasa,

How did your discussion/session with these guys go?

 

I have used their services and brokerage services for my last few purchases and can say they have been great. I have also used their buyers service. I cant say how the capital growth has been cause the purchase was just a few months ago so only time will tell but so far so good. Hope this helps

 

Blackenator,

Thanks for the info. Did they do a plan for you? If so what was it like/did it specify?

Also what type of properties have they assisted you with.

Kind regards

Pipeclay

 

Pipeclay,

I received a PM on the same subject so please find below my reply

"I ended up having a call with one of their property portfolio planning guys when I originally thought I was going to be speaking to Ben Kingsley. Ben was unavailable because of a ill child and the guy that rang me couldn't really help with what I was after. After the call I decided to just bite the bullet and setup my SMSF with my current accountant but still considering using EW as a buyers agent in Victoria. As I have financial skills being a trained company accountant I can do all the budgeting and forward projection spreadsheets myself so don't want to pay for it. i would however if I didn't have those skills as it's important to understand what you can afford and to have a plan in place. Good luck."

Cheers

 

Thanks Vasa

 

I didn't get the financial plan I just used their BA service. The BA service was good and straight forward I had a budget and they looked for a property within my budget. I am pretty sure they have only specific areas that they target.

 

Good to know that they are also REBAA members.