Real estate medicine from Dr Seuss can fix your future

ONE house, two house, red house, blue house ... the path to real estate success can benefit from a smattering of inspiration from the late, great Dr Seuss.

FINANCE stuff is technical, confusing and boring for most property owners and buyers.

Too many numbers, too many rule changes, too many taxes, it can make heads spin.

That’s why for many years I’ve tried to inject a touch of weirdness and quirkiness into these columns — quoting characters including Thor, Disney princesses, Yoda and Darryl Kerrigan from classic film The Castle.

But I know when I’m beaten. My weirdness has been eclipsed — or at least matched — by Michael Yardney, founder and director of Metropole Property Strategists.

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Yardney runs property investment blogs and podcasts, and this week listed more than 10 quotes from children’s book author Dr Seuss to inspire financial success. He says he loved reading Dr Seuss books to his children, and now reads them to his grandchildren.

Do you like real estate, Sam-I-am?

The Lorax, Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the list goes on ...

Here’s a selection of Yardney’s favourite quotes from the Doc — real name Theodor Seuss Geisel — and my thoughts on how they can shape our real estate money moves.

1 “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”

If translated to classic Aussie slang, this would say “have a go, ya mug!” Whether we’re saving for the home of our dreams or taking the first steps down the path to becoming a property investor, we choose how we approach housing and what we’re prepared to do to achieve it.

2 “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

We’ve never had so much access to good, free information about real estate. Most of it is online, on websites including realestate.com.au. Build a strong knowledge base, making sure you read several sources, and owning real estate can be a financially rewarding experience and pay for many future adventures.

Reading is a powerful tool for property owners and investors.

3 “Step with great care and tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act.”

Be driven to achieve goals but remember to leave time and money for other parts of your life. That may mean refusing to borrow the maximum amount on a home loan, or taking a breather between investment moves as you build a property portfolio.

4 “Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

The more questions you ask about real estate, the clearer the answers become. There are many experts available to help — real estate agents, buyers’ agents, valuers, accountants, lawyers, property strategists. Use their experience for your personal gain.

5 “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”

Thinking big breeds success. Stretch yourself with aggressive plans to pay off your mortgage quickly. Don’t stop at just one investment property. Aim high.

Dr Seuss has been dead for more than 25 years but his wise words live on. With his inspiration, you will likely own a house, you will like it with a mouse, you will like it here and there, you will like it anywhere.

@keanemoney