Images of the book cover as well as image of Sylvia Koketso Milosevic: https://www.nb.co.za/en/view-book/?id=9780624093763
Winning the property game
Koketso Sylvia Milosevic
Tafelberg
ISBN: 9780624093763
Koketso Milosevic answers Naomi Meyer’s questions on Koketso’s book, Winning the property game, recently published by NB Publishers.
Koketso, congratulations on your book, Winning the property game. What is your background? You grew up in a township, and experienced financial difficulties growing up, not so? When and how did you decide that you would change this?
Thank you for having me, and it’s my pleasure to share my story with you. Yes, I grew up in a township called Ga-Rankuwa, located in Pretoria, South Africa. When I was growing up, my family didn’t have much after my father lost his job. We struggled to make ends meet, and I saw the challenges my parents faced in providing for our family. But, despite these challenges, my parents instilled in me the value of hard work and determination.
As a young girl, I had big dreams of creating a better life for myself and my family. After completing my studies, I started my career in the casino as a casino dealer, and later ended up working on cruise ships overseas.
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As a young woman with limited resources, I faced many obstacles in getting started. But I was determined to succeed, so I started educating myself about property investing.
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As a young woman with limited resources, I faced many obstacles in getting started. But I was determined to succeed, so I started educating myself about property investing. Through perseverance and hard work, I was able to secure my first property investment deal at the age of 23 years, and that’s when my journey as a property investor truly began. Today, I’m proud to have built a successful career as a professional property investor and entrepreneur, and I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience to help others achieve financial freedom.
So, to answer your question, my background may have been humble, but my determination and passion for success drove me to overcome the challenges and pursue my dreams. And I believe that anyone can do the same, no matter what their circumstances may be.
You read a book, Rich dad poor dad by Robert Kiyosaki – and it changed your life. Did you write your own book to change people’s lives?
Yes, reading the book Rich dad poor dad by Robert Kiyosaki was a turning point in my life. It opened my eyes to the power of property investing and entrepreneurship, and inspired me to pursue a career in this field.
As I continued on my journey as a property investor and entrepreneur, I realised that there was a lack of resources and guidance available for those who wanted to enter this industry. That’s when I decided to write my own book, Winning the property game, to share my knowledge and experience with others and help them achieve financial freedom through property investing.
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Through my book, I aim to empower and inspire others to take control of their financial future and create wealth through property investing.
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Through my book, I aim to empower and inspire others to take control of their financial future and create wealth through property investing. I share powerful property strategies and teach readers how to leverage other people’s money and resources to invest in property without using any of their own money. I’m passionate about changing people’s lives, and I believe that my book has the power to do that by providing readers with the knowledge, tools and resources they need to succeed in property investing.
You had the looks to win a beauty competition, and then you used the opportunities it gave you to travel, and to read the book Rich dad poor dad – and then you made a decision about your life. What was this decision?
Yes, I did compete in a beauty pageant, which opened doors for me to travel and work on a cruise ship for over a decade. It was on my 21st birthday when I came across the book Rich dad poor dad by Robert Kiyosaki. I received the book as a gift from my mom, and it completely changed my perspective on money and financial freedom.
Reading that book was a turning point for me, as it made me realise that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life working for someone else and not having control over my financial future. I made a decision to take charge of my life and pursue my passion for property investing.
I began studying everything I could about property investing and started working with top property mentors locally and internationally, implementing the strategies I learned. Through hard work, dedication and a lot of trial and error, I eventually became a successful property investor and mentor.
I truly believe that anyone can achieve financial freedom through property investing, and I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience to help others achieve their goals as well.
The first part of your story feels too good to be true – and in the end, it was! Do you think that hardship can teach one a few lessons in life? Can good come from it?
Absolutely, without a doubt! Hardship can be one of life’s most powerful teachers, and I truly believe that it can lead to personal growth and success. Adversity and challenges can help us build resilience, determination and resourcefulness – qualities that are essential for achieving success in any field.
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In my own life, growing up in a township with limited resources and financial means, I faced numerous challenges and obstacles. However, instead of allowing my circumstances to limit me, I used them as a driving force to succeed. It was my hardship that taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance and innovation.
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In my own life, growing up in a township with limited resources and financial means, I faced numerous challenges and obstacles. However, instead of allowing my circumstances to limit me, I used them as a driving force to succeed. It was my hardship that taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance and innovation.
I believe that it’s not about the challenges that we face in life, but rather how we choose to respond to them. It’s about choosing to view hardship as an opportunity to learn and grow, and to use it as a stepping stone towards achieving our goals.
So, to answer your question, I definitely believe that good can come from hardship. In fact, I would say that some of my greatest successes and achievements have come from the lessons that I learned during my most difficult times.
I think one of the very important aspects of your story is that before you start investing in property, you first have to invest in yourself. Please could you elaborate?
Definitely, investing in oneself is a crucial part of success, not just in property investment, but in any aspect of life. I firmly believe that to achieve success, you need to have a clear understanding of who you are, what your strengths and weaknesses are, and what your goals and aspirations are. You also need to have the necessary knowledge, skills and mindset to succeed.
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Definitely, investing in oneself is a crucial part of success, not just in property investment, but in any aspect of life.
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In the context of property investment, this means that before you even start looking for properties to invest in, you need to have a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. You need to understand the different investment strategies available, the risks involved, and how to assess the potential of a property.
More importantly, you need to have the right mindset. You need to believe that you can succeed, despite any obstacles that may come your way. You need to be willing to take calculated risks, learn from your failures, and persist in the face of setbacks.
This is why I place so much emphasis on personal development in my teachings. I believe that if you invest in yourself, you will become not only a better property investor, but also a better person in general. And ultimately, this will help you achieve the financial freedom and success that you desire.
You write about the importance of buying property, but you also mention that people tend to want to buy property and borrow money from banks – there are other ways to do it. Would you share some of these other ways?
One of the biggest misconceptions about property investment is that you need to have a lot of money to get started. In reality, there are several ways to fund your property investments without relying on traditional bank financing.
One method is what we call OPM, or “other people’s money”. This involves leveraging the money of other investors or partners to fund your property deals. This could include joint ventures with other investors, partnering with private lenders, or even crowdfunding. By using OPM, you can build your property portfolio without having to come up with all the capital yourself.
Another strategy we teach is called creative financing. This involves using alternative methods of financing, such as seller financing, lease options and rent-to-own agreements. With these methods, you can negotiate favourable terms that work for both you and the seller, without having to go through a bank.
Finally, we also teach our students how to use their own resources and assets to fund their property deals. This could include utilising equity from their current property portfolio, or even using their personal credit to secure financing.
The key takeaway is that there are many different ways to fund property investments, and it’s important to explore all of your options before assuming that bank financing is the only route. With the right knowledge and strategy, anyone can achieve success in the property game, regardless of their financial background or resources.
There are so many people living in absolute poverty in this country. Is this book for them? There are so many challenges.
Absolutely! Winning the property game is for everyone who wants to achieve financial freedom and create a better life for themselves and their loved ones, regardless of their current circumstances. I understand that there are many challenges, especially for those living in poverty, but I firmly believe that with the right mindset, strategies and support, anyone can overcome these challenges and succeed in the property game. That’s why my book and my company, Riches and Beyond, with The Property Game Tribe and The Property Game Youth Programme, exist: to empower and support people on their journey to financial freedom. We provide practical, proven strategies and SETA-accredited training to help people overcome obstacles, tap into funding opportunities beyond the banks, and make profitable property investments. With our strategies and teachings, even a person without a job, money or income will be able to use this knowledge and make a profit in the property space. So, yes, Winning the property game is for everyone who wants to win in the property game and achieve financial freedom.
What about people who already own property – what is your best nugget of wisdom for them?
Great question! For those who already own property, my best nugget of wisdom is to constantly educate yourself on the property market and explore different investment strategies to increase your returns. It’s important to keep a close eye on market trends, changes in legislation, and economic factors that could impact your investment. Also, people with properties have a bit of an advantage because there might be an equity they can use to invest in more properties.
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For those who already own property, my best nugget of wisdom is to constantly educate yourself on the property market and explore different investment strategies to increase your returns.
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Additionally, I highly recommend seeking out a mentor or joining a network of like-minded property investors who can provide guidance and support. This can help you stay motivated, accountable and informed about new investment opportunities.
Finally, remember that property investment is a long-term game, and it’s important to have patience and a well-thought-out strategy. Don’t be afraid to make calculated risks and learn from your mistakes. With dedication and persistence, you can achieve financial freedom through property investment.
You talk about strategies for how one can start a business from investing in property. But will your book also teach people about buying property while still busy working elsewhere? You can also tell our readers about your company, Riches and Beyond.
In my book, Winning the property game, I cover a variety of property investment strategies, including ways to invest in property while still working a full-time job. I understand that not everyone can just quit their job and dive head first into property investing, and that’s why I provide practical advice on how to start building a property portfolio while still maintaining a steady income stream.
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In my book, Winning the property game, I cover a variety of property investment strategies, including ways to invest in property while still working a full-time job. I understand that not everyone can just quit their job and dive head first into property investing, and that’s why I provide practical advice on how to start building a property portfolio while still maintaining a steady income stream.
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At Riches and Beyond, we take a comprehensive approach to property investing education. We not only teach our students how to find and fund profitable property deals, but we also provide ongoing mentorship and support throughout their journey. Our goal is to empower our students to achieve financial freedom through property investing, regardless of their current financial circumstances.
We have trained over 50 000 students in property investing and have helped them raise over R1 billion in funding for their deals. Our programmes are SETA-accredited, and we offer a range of courses and workshops to cater to the needs of our students. We are proud to say that our network of successful property investors is growing every day with students from around the world, and we look forward to continuing to help aspiring investors achieve their financial goals.
What is the most important life lesson you have learned, Koketso? Please share your insights with our readers.
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One of the most important life lessons that I have learned is that success is not just about talent or intelligence, but rather about hard work, persistence and a willingness to learn from failures.
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One of the most important life lessons that I have learned is that success is not just about talent or intelligence, but rather about hard work, persistence and a willingness to learn from failures. I believe that every person has the potential to achieve great things in life, but it’s up to them to put in the effort and dedication to make it happen.
Another valuable lesson that I have learned is the importance of surrounding yourself with positive influences and mentors who can guide and support you along your journey. No one can achieve success alone, and it’s crucial to build a network of people who share your goals and can offer you guidance and encouragement when you need it.
Lastly, I have learned that it’s important to stay true to your values and principles, even in the face of challenges or temptations. Success is not worth compromising your integrity, and staying true to yourself is the key to long-term happiness and fulfilment.
I hope these insights can inspire and empower readers to pursue their dreams with passion, persistence and a commitment to their values.
