By Tony Reid
Nine houses owned by former Rich List member and failed real estate agent Don Ha were put up for mortgagee sale today.
His company, Don Ha Real Estate, went into receivership in March owing KiwiBank $7 million.
However, that hasn’t stopped Mr Ha – he’s selling houses again, and wants to get himself back onto the Rich List.
“It’ll be much better this time round and much bigger,” he told 3 News.
“I’m 43 right now - I’m planning to retire at 83… I see the Barfoots and the Bayleys on the Rich List at $180 million dollars; I’ll be there a lot faster.”
Mr Ha, who estimates he has sold around $1 billion worth of homes since he started selling real estate, says everybody needs to go into receivership once in their life.
“You don't do it, you don't know it. You must do it to know it,” he says.
In 2007 his fortune was estimated at $60 million. He spent $2 million on the colt of champion race mare Sunline, and says while he “didn’t make any money… at least I had fun”.
Sunline Estate is the name of his latest venture, which he’s selling on behalf of Singaporean investors who own the subdivision.
While Mr Ha says he’s looking forward, the past isn’t too far behind – he says he still owes KiwiBank some of the $7 million, but didn’t disclose the exact figure.
3 News