The Female Investor

**Winner of the Personal Finance and Investment Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards 2022**

Conquer the challenges faced as a woman pursuing financial independence and prosperity

In The Female Investor: Creating Wealth, Security, and Freedom through Property, celebrated property and finance experts Nicola McDougall and Kate Hill deliver a practical and approachable guide for women of all ages as they navigate the world of property investing. You'll learn how to build equity and wealth in the property market and achieve financial independence, all while overcoming the gender-based salary deficit and balancing the demands of family and work.

You’ll discover invaluable advice on:

• How to get started with property investing, regardless of what stage of life you're in
• How to protect your assets in the event of a relationship breakdown and handle "the talk" with your partner when you decide it’s time to join financial forces
• New strategies and trends for achieving financial independence, like rentvesting and co-buying

The Female Investor is an essential read for young women just starting out in the workforce, long-time professionals returning to work after caring for a child, and any other woman trying their best to overcome the financial disadvantages faced by women everywhere. It also belongs in the libraries of anyone else who seeks to support the women in their lives.

About the Authors ix

Introduction: Why You Must Act — Now! xi

1 Who Can Help: Getting Your Team on Board 1

2 How to Save: Finance is Not a Dirty Word 15

3 When to Buy: The Truth about Property Investment 31

4 Where to Buy: The Lowdown on Location 51

5 What to Buy: It’s Not Just about the Dwelling 73

6 How to Buy: Negotiate Like You Mean It 97

7 Landlady Know- How: How to Own Property for Yonks 113

8 How to Hold: Fear Not, My Friend 131

9 How to Improve: The Reality of Renovations 153

10 How to Grow: Having ‘The Talk’ 167

11 When to Sell: Why Your Property Must Grow Wrinkles 181

Some Final Words from Nicola and Kate 193

Index 197

Nicola McDougall is a celebrated Australian property and finance journalist, blog writer, business owner, and property investor.

KATE HILL is an award-winning property mentor, qualified property investment adviser, and buyers’ agent.

BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT WITH PROPERTY INVESTING

It’s a known fact that women are more likely to be less financially secure than men. Whether through an income pay gap, maternity leave, or a relationship breakdown, many women are forced to play financial catch-up throughout their lives.

In The Female Investor, property experts Nicola McDougall and Kate Hill deliver a surprisingly simple yet incredibly powerful call to financial action for women everywhere. This groundbreaking guide will teach you the ins and outs of the property market and reveal how you can grow a modest sum into a small fortune that will help you achieve independence, provide for your family, prepare for your retirement, and realise your best life.

Learn how to:

• protect yourself financially in the event of a relationship breakdown
• understand the fundamentals of the property market
• overcome gender-based financial and investing obstacles
• build your nest egg and provide for those close to you.

The Female Investor is a must read for any woman ready to achieve financial independence—and anyone else who wants to support the women in their lives.