“Pay people to do the stuff you suck at.”
With that, Maree Tassell went right for the jugular. Because let’s face it, trying to do everything yourself is one of the most common and costly mistakes investors make. Whether it’s to save money, stay in control, or just out of habit, too many investors wear every hat and then wonder why they’re burnt out, stuck, or constantly putting out fires.
This was no throwaway line. It came from someone who’s learned the hard way that stretching yourself thin in the name of hustle doesn’t build a portfolio, it breaks you.
Maree’s keynote Foresight is 20-20: My Mistakes, Your Advantage was all about the real cost of going it alone and the freedom that comes from investing like a professional, not a martyr.
Her point is simple. The DIY mindset might feel empowering at first, but it quickly becomes the biggest handbrake on your investing progress.
We live in the age of the multi-hyphenate. Everyone is a coach, investor, flipper, and content creator. But look a little deeper and you’ll see that multi-hyphenates often spread themselves too thin to be truly excellent at anything. When it comes to building real wealth through property, you don’t need generalists. You need the best of the best.
“You wouldn’t represent yourself in court after watching a few seasons of Suits,” says APIA General Manager, Sarina Gibbon. “So why are you trying to be your own property manager, accountant, quantity surveyor, and buyer’s agent all at once? Everywhere I look, I see people stuck in false economies. They’re bleeding cash because they can’t bear another expense line. But paying for competence is cheaper than paying for your mess to be cleaned up. Real wealth-building starts when you get out of your own way.”
That’s the point. It’s not about doing more, learning more, or wearing every hat. It’s about getting honest about where your value lies and building a team around you to do the rest.
If you’re an investor stuck in place, overwhelmed by choice, or falling into the trap of thinking hustle equals results, it’s time to stop and reassess.
You are not lazy for outsourcing. You are finally running a business.
🧠DIY or Delegate? A Quick Guide for Investors
Not sure what’s worth doing yourself and what’s smarter to hand off? Here’s a quick framework to help you decide:
✅ Good DIY (if you’re competent and enjoy it):
- Learning your numbers: Understand yield, cashflow, LVR, and how deals stack up
- Market research: Following listings, sale data, and trends in your chosen area
- Negotiating deals: If you’re confident and have the time
- Routine inspections (if local): Especially early on, to learn what good vs. bad looks like
- Painting, garden clean-up, or cosmetic tweaks: But only if you’re quick and tidy
🚫 Better to Outsource:
- Property management: Unless you’re emotionally bulletproof, legally sharp, and genuinely good at managing people and relationships
- Tax and structuring advice: One wrong move can cost thousands
- Renovation project management: Budget blowouts start with “I’ll just do it myself”
- Legal work and conveyancing: Pay for precision, not risk
- Specialist lending advice: Especially if your portfolio is growing or complex
🔑Ask Yourself:
- Am I saving money or just delaying the inevitable?
- Do I like this task or am I forcing it out of guilt?
- Is my time better spent growing the portfolio rather than fixing the plumbing?
Watch the Full Presentation
Maree’s full-length keynote Foresight is 20-20: My Mistakes, Your Advantage is now available on APIA TV.
👉 Give yourself the gift of learning from someone who’s been there and rebuilt wiser. Your future self will thank you.
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