“Retire Filthy Rich”: Why Ravi Sharma Believes Property Is Still the Best Game in Town
What does it really take to achieve financial freedom through property? Is it an inheritance? A high income? Or something far less glamorous — like relentless consistency, uncomfortable conversations, and the courage to start before you’re ready?
In Episode 204 of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, Aaron Christie-David sits down with returning guest Ravi Sharma — founder of Search Property and author of Retire Filthy Rich — to unpack the mindset, strategy, and sacrifices behind building a high-performing property portfolio. And spoiler: it’s not about luck.
If you’ve ever wondered whether the dream of retiring comfortably (or “filthy rich,” as Ravi cheekily calls it) is still within reach for young Australians, this conversation proves the answer is yes — but only for those willing to play the long game. Watch the full episode here.
🧠 Success Starts With Mindset — But That’s Not Enough
Ravi’s book title, Retire Filthy Rich, triggered mixed reactions from publishers. In a market where housing affordability is under fire, the phrase sounded tone-deaf.
But for Ravi, being “filthy rich” isn’t just about money.
“Filthy rich to me is being absurdly rich in life — in relationships, in contentment, in purpose.”
It’s a mindset shift. And it’s that shift — not a silver spoon or secret strategy — that’s propelled Ravi to a 15+ property portfolio by his early 30s.
That said, mindset without action is just wishful thinking. Ravi credits his success not to being extraordinary, but to making above-average decisions — consistently. It’s about staying in the game, even when it gets hard.
🏡 Property as a Long-Term Wealth Vehicle
Ravi’s journey didn’t begin with a million-dollar inheritance or a six-figure salary. It started with a decision: to stop being average.
His property journey is the condensed essence of his book — real stories, real numbers, and the lessons he’s picked up from years of investing and speaking to thousands of Aussies trying to do the same.
Here’s a staggering stat he shares:
Less than 0.01% of Australians own more than six investment properties.
It’s not that most people don’t want financial freedom — it’s that very few are prepared to make the sacrifices required to get there. From dealing with trust structures and legal paperwork to pushing through lending roadblocks and renovation setbacks, the process is rarely glamorous.
But Ravi insists: “Property rewards those who can be resilient and think long-term.”
💥 The Real Reason You're Not Scaling Your Portfolio
One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode? Most investors don’t stop scaling because of money. They stop because of mindset — or misalignment with their partner.
Aaron and Ravi both highlight how crucial it is for couples to be on the same page.
“What starts out as a journey toward financial freedom often becomes financial friction,” Aaron observes.
In fact, Ravi points to mismatched financial compatibility between couples as one of the biggest handbrakes on building wealth. “One partner wants to go for it, the other wants to play it safe. That gap kills momentum,” he says.
This is why Aaron and the Atelier Wealth team encourage pre-investment conversations — the property version of pre-marital counselling — to align visions and get buy-in before jumping into major financial decisions.
🔁 Echo Chambers, Comparison Traps & The 1%
Social media, property forums, and YouTube can make you feel like everyone is buying their fifth investment or flipping properties on the weekend. Ravi warns against this echo chamber.
Just because someone you follow online is 10 steps ahead doesn’t mean you’re behind — they’ve just been playing the game longer.
Instead of comparing, Ravi suggests zooming out and recognising how rare your current position is:
“Even owning one investment property puts you ahead of the vast majority of Australians.”
The AFA estimates that only around 635,000 Australians fall into the “rich” category, defined as $2.5–$10 million in assets excluding the family home. Most are over 60, own a business or SMSF, and have multiple sources of wealth — with property playing a starring role.
🚀 Don't Be Average: The Case for Playing a Bigger Game
One of Ravi’s most powerful lines from the episode?
“You’re making average decisions but expecting extraordinary results. It doesn’t work that way.”
Too many people say they want financial freedom — but they outsource the desire. They wait for the market to cool, for their partner to get on board, for their broker to “just make it happen.”
What they really need is clarity, courage, and accountability. Aaron calls it out:
“If you’re not in the driver’s seat, don’t be surprised if you end up somewhere you don’t want to be.”
That’s exactly why he built the Accelerator community — to give ambitious investors a space where they’re supported, challenged, and celebrated. Because the truth is, most investors don’t have people in their circle who get it.
🎯 The Takeaway: You Can’t Be What You Can’t See
Whether it’s Ravi flying to LA for a podcast creator program with Spotify, or Aaron signing his 20th trust deed for a new property acquisition — this conversation is about seeing what’s possible when you stay in the game.
Ravi’s advice for those starting out?
“Don’t get caught up in comparison. Just start. Take the first step. Learn. Commit. And don’t stop.”
For those further along the journey?
“Level up your circle. Stop listening to average advice if you want above-average results.”
✅ Ready to Grow Your Portfolio Strategically?
Whether you’re trying to buy your first investment or scale from 3 to 10, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
💬 Get in touch with Atelier Wealth — our team of strategic mortgage brokers can help you map out your next move, boost your borrowing capacity, and structure your loans like a pro.
📣 Want to join a community of like-minded investors?
DM us “Accelerator” and we’ll share how to get involved.
