IT professional with a 10 year plan to retire using real estate
Anthony GoodmanPro Member
Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 7 votesIT professional with a 10 year plan to retire using real estate
Most Popular Reply
Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes
5moQuote from @Todd Dexheimer:
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello Todd,
Thank you for your comments and questions. I have been thinking hard about what I want in the space for a few years now. I recently found a job in my career that I am happy with. If I stick around for the next 9 years, I will have benefits that I feel will be worth it for my retirement age, however I currently do not have 100k+ of Liquidity to syndicate or 20k outside of my 401k and Roth IRA and I don't see how without putting in those hours somewhere else I am going to gain (I have a salary with modest bonus).
I totally agree building a solid team is key. I am gaining the network to be able to help do the work, not crazy about swinging hammers or self managing property. I am more than willing to share profits there for an optimal end result so if you know of any resources to help let me know.
I also want a good understanding of the "boots on the ground experience". My goals of pocket neighborhood development is to solve challenges in community and I've always been the type of person that learns best from tangible experience. I do plan on grinding for a bit, but at a 10 year pace, so not extremely aggressive with a goal to replace my current income within the next 2 years or so. Obviously if the bug is caught or it looks like the experience is a better way to go to get where I want to be earlier, so be it.
Also, I don't plan on being a Flipper long term. I plan on doing 1 this year, and explore other methods as I continue, but hard money lending, Syndication, and developing systems is where I want to end up to retire at 57 from my IT career. Stacking units or a constant grind of increased wealth through sweat equity isn't really my plan. My "why" is to retire comfortably for my wife and I without burdening my children and leave them some assets behind while making an impact doing it.
What podcast guest were you on, Rookie or on the market? Love to dig in the achieves and listen.
I was on the Bigger Pockets podcast before they had multiple ones. https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/biggerpockets-podcast-248...
Been on plenty of others since then - a lot has changed since 2017😂
🤣 Me too. We're older than dirt around here. You can almost categorize it by Josh/Non-Josh. When you click on my podcast link in my signature a RealPlayer Video pops up 🤣🤣
Skyline Properties
19 Replies
- 5moArman AhmedPro MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus Cleveland Dayton, OH · Member since 2024 · 2k+ posts · 957 votes
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello All,
As an IT Network professional with 20 years of experience, reaching the level of IT Director, I have spent much of my career building value for large corporations. I am now focused on applying that same drive and experience to my own business to secure my future
I have a 10-year goal to acquire property and build a reliable team. By my 11th year, I aim to transition into private money lending and building pocket home cohousing communities. To get there, I want to master the business from the ground up, starting with Fix and Flip projects and then moving into the BRRRR strategy to grow my portfolio. I am looking for the right team to help me achieve my goals, look forward to meeting some like minded people.
Welcome, Anthony. That’s a solid plan, and honestly, your IT background translates really well into real estate since it’s all about systems, processes, and scaling smart. Starting with flips, then moving into BRRRR, is a strong path, just make sure your first few deals have enough margin to handle surprises while you’re learning. A lot of investors in higher-cost markets like Philly end up also looking out-of-state, especially in Midwest markets, because you can get more reps, lower entry prices, and better cash flow while building your team. Focus on finding a few good people to work with consistently, and the rest starts to compound from there. - Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 7 votes5mo
Great advice, thank you. I started real estate with learning about Large Multifamily GP/LP through syndication and I was looking out of state for that. For single family flip, how would you keep on top of a project while dealing with a PM or contractors you do not have a relationship with? I have associates with nightmare stories of contractors running out on them or thinking a project was on track to find out nothing was happening.
Welcome, Anthony! I really appreciate how clearly you’re thinking long term and wanting to learn the business from the ground up.
I am finishing up my IT career and can attest that your IT Network background will translate well into real estate because so much of successful investing comes down to systems, risk management, documentation, vendor coordination, and building repeatable processes.
As you move into fix-and-flip and eventually BRRRR, I'd pay close attention not only to acquisition and financing, but also to the operational side: repair scopes, timelines, contractor management, holding costs, rent-readiness, maintenance standards, and property management structure. Those details can make a big difference in whether the strategy performs as expected.
Look forward to following your journey as you build your team and portfolio.
- Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 7 votes5mo
Thank you Kay! This is great information thank you. There are several phases of a project in IT implementation, same thing for Real Estate. A system that can be applied, I am hoping to capitalize on that. Thank you for sharing bullets on the operational side. I will be sending a connection request. And I hope to share at some point this year my first property project completion.
- 5moJimmy LieuBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2019 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votesHey Anthony, welcome to BP—sounds like you’ve got a really solid long-term vision and you’re approaching this the right way by wanting to learn the business from the ground up first. Coming from an IT background, you’ll probably pick up the systems and numbers side pretty quickly, but one thing I’d emphasize early is building your core team before you scale too fast—good contractors, a reliable agent, and eventually a property manager will make or break your experience, especially with flips and BRRRR deals. For getting back into it, I’d start by narrowing your buy box really tight (price range, property type, target returns) and underwriting deals consistently so you can recognize a “good buy” faster instead of second guessing everything. On flips specifically, just be careful not to underestimate rehab costs or timelines—those are the two things that usually hurt newer investors the most. As you transition into BRRRR, focus on buying with enough margin so you’re not stuck if the refinance comes in lower than expected. Overall, your plan to shift into private lending later actually pairs really well with having real operator experience first, so you understand risk from both sides. Keep networking in here, stay consistent analyzing deals, and your momentum will build quicker than you think.
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello All,
As an IT Network professional with 20 years of experience, reaching the level of IT Director, I have spent much of my career building value for large corporations. I am now focused on applying that same drive and experience to my own business to secure my future
I have a 10-year goal to acquire property and build a reliable team. By my 11th year, I aim to transition into private money lending and building pocket home cohousing communities. To get there, I want to master the business from the ground up, starting with Fix and Flip projects and then moving into the BRRRR strategy to grow my portfolio. I am looking for the right team to help me achieve my goals, look forward to meeting some like minded people.
Jimmy Lieu, Red 1 Realty4.9120 Reviews - Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 7 votes5mo
Thank you for the affirmation and advice. I was wondering if you could point me to any rehab cost calculator spreadsheet?
- Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 607 votes5mo
Anthony, that is a strong vision and a solid roadmap. Your IT background will translate well into building systems and scaling. As you get started, focus on assembling the right team early and plug into a local REIA group to connect with active investors and private lenders.
- 5moKerlous TadresBusiness MemberRealtor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
@Anthony Goodman, The Fix and Flip to BRRRR path is one of the smartest ways to build your foundation because flipping sharpens your rehab instincts while BRRRR teaches you how to recycle capital and scale without constantly needing new money. I would recommend locking in a solid contractor and a great agent who invests themselves before anything else, because your team will make or break your timeline. Welcome to the journey.
Kerlous Tadres | Reafco Real Estate541 Reviews - 5moAlfath AhmedBusiness MemberReal Estate Agent · Columbus, OH · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello All,
As an IT Network professional with 20 years of experience, reaching the level of IT Director, I have spent much of my career building value for large corporations. I am now focused on applying that same drive and experience to my own business to secure my future
I have a 10-year goal to acquire property and build a reliable team. By my 11th year, I aim to transition into private money lending and building pocket home cohousing communities. To get there, I want to master the business from the ground up, starting with Fix and Flip projects and then moving into the BRRRR strategy to grow my portfolio. I am looking for the right team to help me achieve my goals, look forward to meeting some like minded people.You are better off doing brrrr deals first then transitioning to doing fix and flip projects. I own 28 rental units in my market and have done multiple flips as well. Systems are going to be key and hiring good contractors.
Connect with investor agents to find deals.
ReafCo | Ahmed Group 539 Reviews - Investor · Peoria, AZ · Member since 2016 · 114 posts · 163 votes5mo
Anthony, welcome to the community. You already have a huge advantage coming in with a long-term mindset, leadership experience, and a clear vision for where you want to go. A lot of people jump into real estate without a roadmap, but your progression from Fix & Flip to BRRRR, then eventually private lending and cohousing development, shows strong strategic thinking.
Your IT Director background will also translate well into real estate investing. Building systems, managing teams, solving problems, and scaling operations are all critical skills in this business.
One thing I would encourage you to explore along the way is passive investing through syndications as part of your overall strategy. Even while you are actively learning the business through flips and BRRRRs, passive investments can expose you to experienced operators, larger assets, and different markets without having to manage every detail yourself.
It can also become a powerful tool from a tax perspective, especially as you start generating larger gains from flips or business income. Many investors use passive investments to help offset taxable income through depreciation and other real estate tax advantages while continuing to grow their knowledge and network.
The syndication model is also a great way to “learn from the pros” by seeing how experienced operators structure deals, raise capital, manage assets, and scale portfolios. You can gain exposure to larger multifamily or commercial projects years before taking on those responsibilities yourself.
You’re definitely in the right place to connect with like-minded people and build the team that will help you reach those goals. Looking forward to seeing your journey unfold.
- Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 7 votes5mo
Quote from @Randy Smith:
Anthony, welcome to the community. You already have a huge advantage coming in with a long-term mindset, leadership experience, and a clear vision for where you want to go. A lot of people jump into real estate without a roadmap, but your progression from Fix & Flip to BRRRR, then eventually private lending and cohousing development, shows strong strategic thinking.
Your IT Director background will also translate well into real estate investing. Building systems, managing teams, solving problems, and scaling operations are all critical skills in this business.
One thing I would encourage you to explore along the way is passive investing through syndications as part of your overall strategy. Even while you are actively learning the business through flips and BRRRRs, passive investments can expose you to experienced operators, larger assets, and different markets without having to manage every detail yourself.
It can also become a powerful tool from a tax perspective, especially as you start generating larger gains from flips or business income. Many investors use passive investments to help offset taxable income through depreciation and other real estate tax advantages while continuing to grow their knowledge and network.
The syndication model is also a great way to “learn from the pros” by seeing how experienced operators structure deals, raise capital, manage assets, and scale portfolios. You can gain exposure to larger multifamily or commercial projects years before taking on those responsibilities yourself.
You’re definitely in the right place to connect with like-minded people and build the team that will help you reach those goals. Looking forward to seeing your journey unfold.
Thank you for the great feedback! I started off learning about syndication for Multifamily 50+ in 2023, it was hard to pencil deals that were attractive conservatively. Work go in the way as I discovered that with gaining partners in the GP to sponsor the lending and user their network for LP that the Acquisition fee that was attractive was not going to be mine and I wouldn't start seeing any residuals until year 3 in most cases, I am glad the deal I closed fell through because a lot of people that were in my boat are defaulting now. I do plan on putting my money into syndication as a strategy and I've already started investing in Roots as a better return than my Credit Union Money Marketing account. I wish I would have started with BP then make the initial investment I did for the Multifamily knowledge, but I learned a LOT that I will use in the future. With that said, if you have any tools (spreadsheets for ARV and soup to nuts systems) I'd appreciate the references the BP tool doesn't really give me an indicator on estimated costs in different areas for Reno.
- Rental Property Investor · St. Paul, MN · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes5mo
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello All,
As an IT Network professional with 20 years of experience, reaching the level of IT Director, I have spent much of my career building value for large corporations. I am now focused on applying that same drive and experience to my own business to secure my future
I have a 10-year goal to acquire property and build a reliable team. By my 11th year, I aim to transition into private money lending and building pocket home cohousing communities. To get there, I want to master the business from the ground up, starting with Fix and Flip projects and then moving into the BRRRR strategy to grow my portfolio. I am looking for the right team to help me achieve my goals, look forward to meeting some like minded people.Good luck! That's a hard path, but can be profitable if done right.
It sounds like you're making good money with your current career, so the key will be to build a solid team. Otherwise, you will end up spending a ton of hours grinding away only to make half of your current income.
From 2008-2015, I did fix and flips and BRRRR. In 2008 & 2009 I had a full-time job, so I was working 18-20 hour days x 7 days per week, grinding to make it work. In 2010, I quit my job to focus on the business full-time, so I was able to cut my hours down to only 15 hours/day.😂 I built up a decent team, but certainly could have been more efficient had I focused more on that part of the business.
I guess my question would be, why do you want to grind for years to quit your job so that you can have a new job? Is it for a career change because you love working in the real estate industry? Or are you looking for passive real estate income?
What you've laid out is great if you are looking to replace your job with a new business, but that business is a job that will require plenty of hours to maintain. If you're looking for passive income, focus on making more money in your current job and then using that money to invest passively through syndications, NNN leases, hard money lending, etc.
- Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 7 votes5mo
Hello Todd,
Thank you for your comments and questions. I have been thinking hard about what I want in the space for a few years now. I recently found a job in my career that I am happy with. If I stick around for the next 9 years, I will have benefits that I feel will be worth it for my retirement age, however I currently do not have 100k+ of Liquidity to syndicate or 20k outside of my 401k and Roth IRA and I don't see how without putting in those hours somewhere else I am going to gain (I have a salary with modest bonus).
I totally agree building a solid team is key. I am gaining the network to be able to help do the work, not crazy about swinging hammers or self managing property. I am more than willing to share profits there for an optimal end result so if you know of any resources to help let me know.
I also want a good understanding of the "boots on the ground experience". My goals of pocket neighborhood development is to solve challenges in community and I've always been the type of person that learns best from tangible experience. I do plan on grinding for a bit, but at a 10 year pace, so not extremely aggressive with a goal to replace my current income within the next 2 years or so. Obviously if the bug is caught or it looks like the experience is a better way to go to get where I want to be earlier, so be it.
Also, I don't plan on being a Flipper long term. I plan on doing 1 this year, and explore other methods as I continue, but hard money lending, Syndication, and developing systems is where I want to end up to retire at 57 from my IT career. Stacking units or a constant grind of increased wealth through sweat equity isn't really my plan. My "why" is to retire comfortably for my wife and I without burdening my children and leave them some assets behind while making an impact doing it.
What podcast guest were you on, Rookie or on the market? Love to dig in the achieves and listen.
- Rental Property Investor · St. Paul, MN · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes5mo
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello Todd,
Thank you for your comments and questions. I have been thinking hard about what I want in the space for a few years now. I recently found a job in my career that I am happy with. If I stick around for the next 9 years, I will have benefits that I feel will be worth it for my retirement age, however I currently do not have 100k+ of Liquidity to syndicate or 20k outside of my 401k and Roth IRA and I don't see how without putting in those hours somewhere else I am going to gain (I have a salary with modest bonus).
I totally agree building a solid team is key. I am gaining the network to be able to help do the work, not crazy about swinging hammers or self managing property. I am more than willing to share profits there for an optimal end result so if you know of any resources to help let me know.
I also want a good understanding of the "boots on the ground experience". My goals of pocket neighborhood development is to solve challenges in community and I've always been the type of person that learns best from tangible experience. I do plan on grinding for a bit, but at a 10 year pace, so not extremely aggressive with a goal to replace my current income within the next 2 years or so. Obviously if the bug is caught or it looks like the experience is a better way to go to get where I want to be earlier, so be it.
Also, I don't plan on being a Flipper long term. I plan on doing 1 this year, and explore other methods as I continue, but hard money lending, Syndication, and developing systems is where I want to end up to retire at 57 from my IT career. Stacking units or a constant grind of increased wealth through sweat equity isn't really my plan. My "why" is to retire comfortably for my wife and I without burdening my children and leave them some assets behind while making an impact doing it.
What podcast guest were you on, Rookie or on the market? Love to dig in the achieves and listen.
I was on the Bigger Pockets podcast before they had multiple ones. https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/biggerpockets-podcast-248...
Been on plenty of others since then - a lot has changed since 2017😂
- Member since 2024 · 7 posts · 7 votes5mo
Quote from @Todd Dexheimer:
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello Todd,
Thank you for your comments and questions. I have been thinking hard about what I want in the space for a few years now. I recently found a job in my career that I am happy with. If I stick around for the next 9 years, I will have benefits that I feel will be worth it for my retirement age, however I currently do not have 100k+ of Liquidity to syndicate or 20k outside of my 401k and Roth IRA and I don't see how without putting in those hours somewhere else I am going to gain (I have a salary with modest bonus).
I totally agree building a solid team is key. I am gaining the network to be able to help do the work, not crazy about swinging hammers or self managing property. I am more than willing to share profits there for an optimal end result so if you know of any resources to help let me know.
I also want a good understanding of the "boots on the ground experience". My goals of pocket neighborhood development is to solve challenges in community and I've always been the type of person that learns best from tangible experience. I do plan on grinding for a bit, but at a 10 year pace, so not extremely aggressive with a goal to replace my current income within the next 2 years or so. Obviously if the bug is caught or it looks like the experience is a better way to go to get where I want to be earlier, so be it.
Also, I don't plan on being a Flipper long term. I plan on doing 1 this year, and explore other methods as I continue, but hard money lending, Syndication, and developing systems is where I want to end up to retire at 57 from my IT career. Stacking units or a constant grind of increased wealth through sweat equity isn't really my plan. My "why" is to retire comfortably for my wife and I without burdening my children and leave them some assets behind while making an impact doing it.
What podcast guest were you on, Rookie or on the market? Love to dig in the achieves and listen.
I was on the Bigger Pockets podcast before they had multiple ones. https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/biggerpockets-podcast-248...
Been on plenty of others since then - a lot has changed since 2017😂
You REALLY gave me some things to think about, thanks Todd.
- Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes5mo
Quote from @Todd Dexheimer:
Quote from @Anthony Goodman:
Hello Todd,
Thank you for your comments and questions. I have been thinking hard about what I want in the space for a few years now. I recently found a job in my career that I am happy with. If I stick around for the next 9 years, I will have benefits that I feel will be worth it for my retirement age, however I currently do not have 100k+ of Liquidity to syndicate or 20k outside of my 401k and Roth IRA and I don't see how without putting in those hours somewhere else I am going to gain (I have a salary with modest bonus).
I totally agree building a solid team is key. I am gaining the network to be able to help do the work, not crazy about swinging hammers or self managing property. I am more than willing to share profits there for an optimal end result so if you know of any resources to help let me know.
I also want a good understanding of the "boots on the ground experience". My goals of pocket neighborhood development is to solve challenges in community and I've always been the type of person that learns best from tangible experience. I do plan on grinding for a bit, but at a 10 year pace, so not extremely aggressive with a goal to replace my current income within the next 2 years or so. Obviously if the bug is caught or it looks like the experience is a better way to go to get where I want to be earlier, so be it.
Also, I don't plan on being a Flipper long term. I plan on doing 1 this year, and explore other methods as I continue, but hard money lending, Syndication, and developing systems is where I want to end up to retire at 57 from my IT career. Stacking units or a constant grind of increased wealth through sweat equity isn't really my plan. My "why" is to retire comfortably for my wife and I without burdening my children and leave them some assets behind while making an impact doing it.
What podcast guest were you on, Rookie or on the market? Love to dig in the achieves and listen.
I was on the Bigger Pockets podcast before they had multiple ones. https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/biggerpockets-podcast-248...
Been on plenty of others since then - a lot has changed since 2017😂
🤣 Me too. We're older than dirt around here. You can almost categorize it by Josh/Non-Josh. When you click on my podcast link in my signature a RealPlayer Video pops up 🤣🤣
Skyline Properties
- 5moTerrance HillPro MemberRealtor · Memphis, TN · Member since 2010 · 425 posts · 117 votes
Respect the plan, Anthony. Your IT background should actually help a lot with systems and scaling once you get rolling. Flips and BRRRR are a solid way to start, just make sure your numbers are tight and you're not rushing deals. The team you build (contractors, agent, lender) is going to make or break you early on. I'm open to connect.
- Investor · Hendersonville, NC · Member since 2013 · 757 posts · 282 votes5mo
You came along at the right point. Almost all MF operators believe that THIS is the best time in the cycle to make a lot of bets and see how they go.
Unfortunately, I made my first bets on MF in 2020 or so, and am reaping the disaster as we speak.
But I do feel that as soon as the bottom is clearly here (which is a "kind of" but "not yet" if you ask me), if you go "risk on" you probably have a good chance of retiring in 10 years.
- Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 1 post · 0 votes4mo
hi im looking for business partner to do same plan maybe we can invest and work together?
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