I read Robert Kiyosaki ‘s “Rich Dad Poor Dad” book when I was maybe 14 or 15. From then on I knew I wanted to invest in Real Estate. I’m not exactly a entrepreneur, hustler even business(ish) type guy. I thought from a young age that I was military bound. Did ROTC and even joined the Naval Reserves. I ended up working in Information Technology. Now wait, before you decide this guy is loaded. I started in retail, made it to management. Hated that so took a pay cut and got a Tech job making $38k in Rhode Island. That’s not a lot. But during that time, about 9 months in, I bought a duplex and moved my little family(Wife and one kid at the time) into one half. Got a bit of a pay bump when I was promoted to Senior Tech 7 months after buying the house. Almost exactly a year later I bought a 3 family. I keep the duplex and had to take half the loan from a private party(family loan). But I made it work. I’m now in the process of selling the duplex I got for $145k. It’s listed for $199k. The plan is to take that money and get a 3+ family that cashflows. The Duplex doesn’t bring in any money, especially after management and other expenses.
I do this very part-time. I’m basically involved in the buying of the properties and any major decisions about repairs or renovations. Otherwise my excellent Property Manager takes care of everything. I spend most of my time outside of work enjoying my family. But because of the investment in the duplex and living in a house I owned that wasn’t as big or as nice as one I could rent, I now live rent free in an apartment that is at the high end of what I could afford in a great school district and only 10 minutes from work.