How much do you love real estate

Question

I get it BPers love making money in real estate. but besides making money, how much do you like the business? I have been investing since 2001 and went through the roller coaster of 2008 crash, made money, lost money and came out OK. over the years, I had two evictions sued by tenant once and tenant lost in small claims court. I love the mailbox money. but I hate it when tenant having problems. hate it when tenant gives notice and have to go through renting the unit. after being through the last crash, I have to make sure I am prepared for the next down turn which means watch the cash flow, the reserve closely and pay more attention to the macro economic climate.

I don't regret the journey I took 16 years ago and I will do it again if asked. but the end goal of all this is achieve financial freedom, not for the love of real estate. I have seen people claim to be passionate about real estate. I guess I will never be that kind of person.

Lee S. · Answer

@Harrison Liu I wouldn't say I'm passionate about anything that involves work, and REI is work.  I've just got going this past  year with my first 2 rentals.  You know what non investors say when you tell them you have rentals, "I would never want to deal with tenants", we have all heard that a million times.  However, I'll take REI any day over working a 9-5 for wages.

I accept that there will be headaches and move forward.  I've been self employed my entire life so headaches are not new to me.  I use to see 40-50 patients a day in my office, REI is an island vacation compared to that nightmare!

Harrison Liu · Answer

I agree with you whole heartedly. I have a 9 to 5 job all my life up till last year. Thanks to real estate I am able to stand on both of my feet without the support of corporate America. it is amazing to see the fruits of labor for all these years. real estate is the career that I will never be retired from. but it does beat 9 to 5 for any given day by a long shot.