wow... very daring indeed!

Lets not jump on his throat la... maybe he has enough cash reserve to see him through rocky periods?

Personally, I wouldn't have acquired that many properties in such a short span of time but to each their own.

There seems to be alot of speculation and uncertainty in your plan but so long as you have a secure backout plan then *shrugs* (Able to quickly sell off one or two properties in case of unforseen circumstances-hopefully at a nice profit) I am guessing you won't balk at the course you are taking now since you seem very confident.

I think one property acquired every 2-4 years is good if one can afford it and has carefully planned their lifeplan with consideration for worst case scenario (life is not a script which will follow our will as we wish after all). Then by the time they are close to retirement 3-5 properties which may ensure shelter and passive income. Again, each person's situation is vastly different and variables are aplenty so don't take it for granted that one can cash out easily or collect passive income at all times...

If you are able to profit from your endeavour then I applaud you but do be prepared for the worst... Optimism will only get you so far...

True true. If a person managed to reap rewards (in the case, properties being rented out and held on to) from their investments then naturally they will have a very positive outlook on it.

I think properties, well handled, can ensure a person is comfortable for life-but life is uncertain so don't see it as the be all end all. I feel those that believe that need to learn the meaning of 'asset allocation'.

That said, more than a few people rely on property investment as a passive stream of income and possible retirement fund after it is eventually sold. Some even hold on to properties as inheritance for the following generation. It is hard to deny that properties can create a person a lot of wealth so long as they don't bite off more than they can chew.

Actually I do agree on those points with you. After all, some (if not most) of the richest people in the world make their fortune by mastering one asset class and specific skills. However, there are risks involved and I believe most of them had alot of patience to learn, perfect and master their skills and assets and had enough foresight to ensure they don't go completely under should unexpected events cause their investments to go 'under'.

But I cannot completely condone those that stretch all their money in either property, shares or precious metals. Admittedly, I am more of a medium risk investor though I am aware of the fact that higher risks will reap higher rewards. There must be enough room to buffer any investment and for me that would mean leaving part of my assets in cash (with sad FD returns but what to do? ). I am still learning a little more about shares though so eventually I hope to invest part of my assets there.

Property though still remains a form of investment I hope to master (as well as the rest of the people in this forum I guess) as it is least likely to cause me financial ruin as long as I manage it properly. By the time I retire, I hope to have 2-3 paid up properties which is able to provide passive income for me, 2-3 properties which I would be able to sell with nice capital gain for $$$ and my own live-in home. So that would be 5-7 properties by retirement which are completely paid up for. Very general goal that I have yet to micro-plan to achieve. LoL! Give me time. I will figure it out as I learn from all you gurus

As for the 3 mil mark... Would that be completely in cash or mix of assets that make up 3 mil like a few of properties worth 1.5mil, 0.5mil in cash and the rest in stocks;unit trust;etc?

If a person has 3mil in pure cash along with other assets then I think asset allocation is definitely in order With that much $ then a person really shouldn't put all of it in one investment. But that is just me. I am not so brave I would strive to ensure that the value of my assets (cash or otherwise) remain the same if not more by appreciating more than inflation and provide me with a reasonable income though.

Every person will have a unique plan to make their fortune. What works for one person may not work for another so I won't let myself fall into that trap or feel pressured into something I am uncomfortable with. I simply wish the best of luck to anyone brave enough to stretch themselves financially with one form of investment alone with no buffer.