$300K+ to Deploy – Seeking 15%+ Returns with Low Ongoing Time Commitment.

[Ben Kirchner]

Hi BP community,

I’m looking for perspective from investors who have successfully deployed capital in today’s environment.

Current Position:

• $300,000+ in liquid capital ready to invest
• 6 rental properties that I self-manage
• Portfolio generates 20%+ annual ROI in cash flow
• Ongoing time commitment is under 1 hour per week
• I own and run a full time business outside of real estate, so time commitment would be ideally be minimal.

Most of my properties were acquired 6–9 years ago and met (or exceeded) the 1% rule at purchase. In today’s market, finding comparable deals has been much more challenging. I’ve stepped back from active acquisitions largely because the numbers I’m seeing don’t resemble what I’ve historically required, as well as other business and life commitments.

That said, I’d like to put this capital to work.

Ideally, my investment would have:

• 15%+ annual ROI target cash flow.
• Ongoing time commitment of 0–10 hours per week

My current position:

• Willing to invest upfront time if the ongoing commitment becomes minimal
• Open to both long-term wealth building and/or strong cash flow (A blend of both, or strong on one side, and less on the other).

Paths I’m Considering:

• Acquiring additional rentals (if strong returns are still realistic in certain markets or niches)
• Private lending / hard money lending
• Purchasing performing or non-performing notes
• Tax liens / tax deeds
• Funding flips or partnering with operators 
• Real estate syndications or crowdfunding (though I question whether 15%+ is realistic here)

Current obstacles:

• For buying potential rentals / distressed properties / flips - Locating potential deals.  I've been out of the market for a bit.
• For private lending / purchasing notes / tax liens - This would be new, so would require some time to educate myself.
• Partnering - Networking and vetting system for potential partners and deals.

For those of you operating in 2025:

1. Where are you realistically seeing 15%+ returns without creating a second full-time job?
2. Are there specific markets, niches, or deal structures (creative finance, assumable loans, small multifamily, etc.) that are outperforming?
3. For private lending or note investing — what resources, education paths, or red flags would you recommend I research before committing capital?
4. If partnering with operators, what vetting process have you found most effective?

I’m not looking for theoretical possibilities — I’m looking for what’s actually working right now, from people actively deploying capital.  I'm certainly open to connecting with other professionals and partners in these realms to help each other out.  

Appreciate any insight, lessons learned, or resources you’d recommend.

— Ben