Why I'm Pursuing Real Estate - and Maybe You Should, Too

My client was running ten minutes late for her facial appointment, but I didn't mind - I was about to see one of my favorite people.

As steam whirled around her face, she told me all about her latest trip - Jamaica. She had enjoyed the white sand beaches and rum punch drinks for a full week. At the end of our treatment, she told me about her next trip - Hawaii for another week.

Wow. "Now she was going to Hawaii? How does she do this?", I thought to myself.

While I was a bit envious, I was absolutely fascinated with her lifestyle. How did she have the money and time to travel?

As I got to know Susan more and more, I discovered that she owned several rental properties two hours outside of Los Angeles. She told me about the money these properties generated after the mortgage, insurance, and other expenses were paid. This was the money that funded her flexible lifestyle.

I was hooked on the concept.

There are several horror stories to go around about why you should not invest in real estate and I'll certainly touch on those in the future. For now, I want to share the reasons I'm pursuing real estate investing and why maybe you should, too.

There's Beauty in Transformation

This may sound silly, but I thoroughly enjoy visualizing things at their best. For example, when I drive or walk across a dilapidated house or apartment complex, I immediately think of better ways to landscape it. I picture different colors of paint on the exterior. I plan out how to maximize the space while maintaing the integrity and character of said space.

I also think about the joy I'd feel knowing I was providing a cozy and beautiful home for someone. I delight in seeing people happy and seeing people make a space their own.

Be aware that I'm totally idealizing this scenario. Bad tenants exist and the hassles of renovating a property are plentiful and almost certain - transformation is not without it's frustrations.

But at this point in my journey, I find it rewarding to improve something that will benefit someone else and that's what I'm committed to.

If you find yourself nodding in agreement with this concept, then maybe flipping a house or renovating a multiplex and renting it out is for you. Pimping something out can be gratifying, but...

Keep this in mind: Never in invest with your emotions. I know this goes against what all those cozy, warm feelings I mentioned above, but remember that the numbers have to make sense first. You'll know what I'm talking about as I delve deeper into property analysis and formulas in future posts.

"Passive" Income = Free Time

The reason you see the word Passive in quotes is because it's not really. While many people like the idea of making money without having to trade the time for it, some don't realize that it does, in fact, take a lot of hard work, research, and time - at first.

As a future property owner/real estate investor, here are just a few things you'll have to do:

Screen tenants or interview the property management company that will be handling your property.
Source the right contractor, plumber, electrician, etc. to keep your tenants safe and your property tip-top.
Understand insurance, taxes, laws, and so many other things I've come across in my self-education.

But, after you've done the calculations and put the right systems in place, you can enjoy having time and money on your side while the rent being charged to tenants not only covers your property's expenses, but also puts money in your pocket. This is called cash-flow and, if done right, it can allow you to have the lifestyle you want.

For me, the ideal lifestyle includes three things.
1. Quality time spent with my husband.
2. Flexibility of time and sufficient funds to travel.
3. Ability to stay home and raise our child when the time comes.

Notice that these three things revolve around time. While my aim is to make a profit for each deal I make, the bigger purpose is to take that money and invest it, maximize it, make it work for me so that I/We don't have to. In this sense, money is a tool - a powerful one. It's not about buying a new car or eating sushi every.single.night. or buying expensive clothes.

It's about making it afford the most precious thing we have - time. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. I can't think of anything more valuable to me than what I mentioned above.

What would you do if you had an extra four-six hours of free time? Would you travel more? Would you dedicate more time to your passion hobby? Would you simply enjoy a nice breeze flowing through your home? Let yourself visualize the impossible.

Fear is Bullsh*t

I have a confession: When it's comes to my career and work, I've often shied away from doing the difficult. Take my esthetician career, for example. It was an easy job that didn't challenge me and as a result I was miserable.

I'm ready to change that. Hell, I've been ready for several years. What's different now is that I'm determined to create a comfortable lifestyle for Joe and I.

More importantly, I'm not afraid of failure.

Pursuing real estate isn't easy. In fact, it's one of the more tricky roads to travel. There is so much to learn, so many unknowns, and so much room for disaster that sometimes I wonder why I'm putting myself through the discomfort of learning something new.

Why am I now willing to fail?

Because I want to prove to myself that I can do this. I already tried the safe route and I didn't like the outcome. Maybe by finally taking a risk, I'll get what I want.

I've visualized myself investing in real estate since my early twenties, but I never had the balls to explore what it would really take. I always rationalized the ways in which it couldn't be done. "I don't have enough money." "I don't know where to start." "I'm busy with other stuff." Blah, blah, blah.

Fear is what underlines all these reasons. I was scared of falling without a safety net, so I didn't even try - not even a little bit. And that's a shame.

Whether you're committed to improving your finances, flipping a house, losing weight, finding love, or being a better person, I want you to know that it's only possible when you decide and dedicate yourself to moving forward without any guarantees. I can't look into a crystal ball and see the money I'll make from income property nor can I see what tomorrow will bring. Nor can you.

The only thing you can do is take action toward the things you want most in life.

Ask and you shall receive 

Ask, DO, and you shall receive. Once you start taking action, things begin to align. Trust me. Trust the universe.

Do you find yourself holding back from investing your hard earned money because you're not sure of the outcome? Do you play it safe and let your money sit in your checking account, not earning it's maximum potential?

Then maybe it's time you join me and so many other people out there by putting your cash to good use. Invest it!

Your Turn

Have you ever thought about investing in real estate? If so, what prompted the idea?

If not, why? Is real estate something that ever occurred to you? Does it seem too complicated? I'd love for you to let me know in the comments.

As always - keep learning, keep investing & keep thriving!

-Brenda