I Finally Did It: I'm Retiring from My Corporate J.O.B.

I Finally Did It: I'm Retiring from My Corporate J.O.B.

Certified Public Accountant · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2008 · 279 posts · 151 votes

I'm Retiring from Corporate!

Next month, on January 18th, I will be retiring from my corporate job as an Internal Auditor to be a full-time real estate investor. I am super excited. I've been working toward this for the last 15+ years, since I was in college and purchased my first duplex. I posted a little more info on how I did it on my Bigger Pockets blog HERE.

My Background

I'm not quitting cold turkey with nothing to fall back on. I did things the slow way. I've been working to supplement my W-2 job income with real estate income and it has finally gotten to the point where I can step out on my own and not have my family of 5 starve (wife and 3 kids). I spent the first 12 years out of college working full-time in various accounting and auditing roles. Three years ago I transitioned to working part-time at my corporate job have been building up my rental portfolio income at a faster pace to where I finally have enough income to make the leap to full-time real estate investor.

What I'm Going to Be Doing

Starting next year I will be ramping up the number of flips and remodels. I will also manage the current rental houses, commercial properties and self storage units we have. My plan is to focus on core things we do well, and do lots more of them next year.

Thanks to Bigger Pockets

I'd like to thank Bigger Pockets for being part of my success. I've read so many articles, blogs, podcasts and forums over the last many years. I believe this is one of the most informative real estate websites out there today. I always recommend newbies join here and learn everything they can learn for free as opposed to signing up for expensive gurus. I've listened to more podcasts than I can count and even had the chance to appear on Podcast Episode 138. I think I probably have learned more from the podcasts than anything else.

Let's Wrap Things Up

I'm a little nervous, but also very excited about this next step. For those that are just starting out, I'll say this. You can do it, too. It took me a long time. I was conservative, slow, and steady, but I finally got there. You can probably get there faster than me if you learn from Bigger Pockets and don't make all the same mistakes I did.

Happy Investing!

Michael Rogers

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Most Popular Reply

Investor · Berkeley, CA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 713 votes
9y
Originally posted by @Michael Rogers:

Wow!  What a great showing of support.  Thanks so much everyone!!!

@Clint E. - We've got about 350 storage units and roughly 15 residential/commercial units on the rental side.  I'll also do 3 or 4 flips a year.  My strategy has evolved.  I think I've become more focused on buying properties with a margin of safety as I've gotten older.  I'm pickier, but I'm also looking at alot more properties than I used to.

@Rene G. - Thanks.  I hope you enjoy the blog post!

@Elsa Viramonted - It's definitely possible.  Good luck to your husband and you.  

@Rich V. - Thanks! Always good to hear from a fellow CPA.  Good luck this upcoming busy season..

@Jon Q. and @Gary Montgomery- Congrats on retiring as well.  What's the best advice to get the first few self employed months off to a smooth start?

Take a nice long vacation...Then developed a daily structure to keep you working and motived.  It can be difficult to adjust to a new life without a day job to provide you the structure you've been used to.  Also, emotionally it can be challenging...

"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world.  This makes it hard to plan the day."

-EB White

No one is meant to work 10+ hours a day for long periods of time with no time to appreciate life...After you get through this emotional phase (~3-6 months after leaving corporate), you'll likely then realize that working 4-6 hours a day and enjoying the rest of the time appreciating life... is the way life was meant to be lived!

Now, sometimes I do work 10 hour days, but it is work I love and I'm doing this work for customers (tenants) and investors who love me for it.

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123 Replies

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  • Licensed Agent & Wholesaler · Largo, FL · Member since 2016 · 15 posts · 7 votes
    9y
    Congratulations Michael Rogers -- you're an inspiration to beginners like me. Well done!
  • Investor · New York City, NY · Member since 2014 · 370 posts · 85 votes
    9y

    congrats

  • Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 38 posts · 11 votes
    9y

    @Michael Rogers,

    Congrats and good luck going forward!  I am have a similar background (CPA with an audit focus that recently transitioned to full time RE investing).  Shoot me a DM if you'd like to connect!  

  • Jabdiel FloresPro Member
    Real Estate Investor · La Puente, CA · Member since 2016 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    Congratulations on your accomplishment, and best wishes on your new goals.   

    Looking forward to being in your situation in a few years.

  • Investor · Columbus, MT · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    @Michael Rogers

    Well done! It's great to see a family get outa the rat race! 

  • John De SouzaPro Member
    Investor · Arlington, TX · Member since 2014 · 48 posts · 10 votes
    9y

    I'm so happy for you!  You kept your eye on the target for so many years.  Welcome to the club! :)

  • Rental Property Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2011 · 266 posts · 158 votes
    9y

    @Michael Rogers congrats to you and your family! Who knew that hard work really does pay off?!

    I second that the podcasts are an amazing learning tool. I'm going to re-listen to episode 138...apparently there is some gold in there that will help me leave the J-O-B behind for good!

    Congrats again and I look forward to continuing to follow your progress.

    Take care.

    -Andrew

  • Investor · Longwood, FL · Member since 2015 · 221 posts · 130 votes
    9y

    Thanks for posting. I will listen to your podcast. It looks like you diversified your portfolio accross many income sources. It looks like a pretty good hedge against downturn in individual sectors. Congrats, I am sure you are a wealth of knowledge.  

  • Investor · Chattanooga, TN · Member since 2013 · 53 posts · 24 votes
    9y

    Congrats, Michael! Very inspiring!

  • Lansing, MI · Member since 2015 · 301 posts · 149 votes
    9y

    @Michael Rogers - Awesome! Just goes to show that you have to keep the long term in mind in real estate. It's not get rich quick. 

  • Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2015 · 233 posts · 188 votes
    9y

    Congratulations @Michael Rogers. Just proves you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Well done. Good luck moving forward. 

  • Investor · Norfolk, VA · Member since 2016 · 9 posts · 8 votes
    9y

    Congrats Michael!! Really enjoyed listening to your BP podcast 138. It was really informative. Good luck to you in 2017!!

  • Real Estate Broker · Lynnwood, WA · Member since 2016 · 12 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    Wonderful post. Thanks

  • Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2015 · 183 posts · 146 votes
    9y
    Michael Rogers Congratulations! Great story, slow, steady, and well planned. Best wishes for a successful fulltime REI career.
  • Bloomfield Hills, MI · Member since 2016 · 1 post · 1 vote
    9y

    Congratulations Michael.  Very inspiring.  Hope you stay plugged into BP.  I'd love to hear how you are getting along.  You'll do great!

  • Investor · Galway, Galway · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    Congrats Michael.  The very best of luck to you on your new path.

  • Julie MarquezPro Member
    Investor · Skagit County, WA · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 807 votes
    9y

    @Michael Rogers That's so exciting and so smart the way you went about it to get to your real estate career. Congrats!

  • Greer, SC · Member since 2016 · 11 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    Congratulations!! What an amazing achievement!

  • Dana WhickerPro Member
    Investor · Fernandina Beach, FL · Member since 2014 · 557 posts · 374 votes
    9y

    Awesome!

  • Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2016 · 61 posts · 86 votes
    9y

    congrats!

  • Flipper/Rehabber · Edison, NJ · Member since 2015 · 18 posts · 4 votes
    9y

    Congratulations!!! @Michael Rogers Keep Going

  • Rental Property Investor · Littleton, CO · Member since 2015 · 252 posts · 164 votes
    9y

    Strong work Sir! You're an inspiration for the rest of us. I've got a ways to go yet, but give me 10 more years and I'll be right behind you.

  • Owen DashnerPro Member
    Lender · Omaha, NE · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y

    Sweet!  Nice work, congratulations!

  • Rental Property Investor · Providence, RI · Member since 2016 · 59 posts · 39 votes
    9y

    @Michael Rogers, congratulations, your finally where most of us are working to be.  Good luck going forward and keep us posted on your success.

  • Investor · College Grove, TN · Member since 2009 · 36 posts · 12 votes
    9y

    Congrats @Michael Rogers!    Nice to hear and wish you much continued success!

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