From teacher to 10 units in 10 months!

From teacher to 10 units in 10 months!

Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 193 posts · 346 votes

I’m so excited because I just closed on my 10th out of state unit today! I did my first deal ever exactly 10 months ago, thanks to the Bigger Pockets podcast, a lot of library books and a lot of good people. Before this I was an environmental education teacher for over a decade, and last year I got hooked when my friend had me listen to the podcast. So when yet another grant-funded position ended earlier this year, I chose to take a break from full time work and focus on RE instead...and it’s been so amazing!!

On my break I took classes in construction management and spent a lot of time going to meetups. Now I’m working as a project manager for a GC to get real world experience (building a ground up affordable housing development in LA), and I’m getting my real estate license. I also donate 1% of all gross revenue (not just profits) from real estate investments to affordable housing and community development, and am partnering with other investors to create a social equity financial model for our rental properties. More on that when I set up the blog. 

So my commitment to social justice hasn’t gone away, it’s just transformed into this new field (new to me) of real estate investing. I’m also really passionate about my non-profit colleagues finding their way to financial freedom as well. (If you can only read one book, read Your Money or Your Life). So far I’ve got 4 houses and 3 duplexes with none of my own cash invested except the first deal, and my goal is to be at 30 units with at least $60,000/year of net cash flow within the next 3 years.

My wife loves me AND is sick of me talking real estate all the time lol so if people ever want to catch up and talk RE I’m in! Some other folks in LA like @John Koster and @Shiva Bhaskar and I like to connect on out of state investing over beers every couple of months, and a new thing we’re talking about too is Opportunity Zones.

So anyway, I haven’t really shared too much of my story here and I just wanted to spread some inspiration for other go getters and life changers on the forums. 

As @Alexander Felice says, I think you’ve got to be a little obsessed. And take action! Thanks for all those who have supported me so far and to many more!

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Real Estate Agent · Washington, DC · Member since 2017 · 10 posts · 52 votes
7y

Amazing! You have accomplished so much in just 10mths. Congratulations!! Mind sharing how you funded and structured your first deal/rental purchase and how you were able to scale so quickly?

See this reply in the discussion

252 Replies

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  • Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon Congratulations by the way! Love the serve to others!

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    Great story!! Congrats on breaking the ice and taking the the leap into RE. I think all of my questions have been asked in the responses from the community. Looks like you might have to higher a VA to answer all these questions. GL! 😀

  • Rental Property Investor · San Diego · Member since 2019 · 73 posts · 34 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Sammy Lyon:

    I’m so excited because I just closed on my 10th out of state unit today! I did my first deal ever exactly 10 months ago, thanks to the Bigger Pockets podcast, a lot of library books and a lot of good people. Before this I was an environmental education teacher for over a decade, and last year I got hooked when my friend had me listen to the podcast. So when yet another grant-funded position ended earlier this year, I chose to take a break from full time work and focus on RE instead...and it’s been so amazing!!

    On my break I took classes in construction management and spent a lot of time going to meetups. Now I’m working as a project manager for a GC to get real world experience (building a ground up affordable housing development in LA), and I’m getting my real estate license. I also donate 1% of all gross revenue (not just profits) from real estate investments to affordable housing and community development, and am partnering with other investors to create a social equity financial model for our rental properties. More on that when I set up the blog. 

    So my commitment to social justice hasn’t gone away, it’s just transformed into this new field (new to me) of real estate investing. I’m also really passionate about my non-profit colleagues finding their way to financial freedom as well. (If you can only read one book, read Your Money or Your Life). So far I’ve got 4 houses and 3 duplexes with none of my own cash invested except the first deal, and my goal is to be at 30 units with at least $60,000/year of net cash flow within the next 3 years.

    My wife loves me AND is sick of me talking real estate all the time lol so if people ever want to catch up and talk RE I’m in! Some other folks in LA like @John Koster and @Shiva Bhaskar and I like to connect on out of state investing over beers every couple of months, and a new thing we’re talking about too is Opportunity Zones.

    So anyway, I haven’t really shared too much of my story here and I just wanted to spread some inspiration for other go getters and life changers on the forums. 

    As @Alexander Felice says, I think you’ve got to be a little obsessed. And take action! Thanks for all those who have supported me so far and to many more!

    Congratulations! Fantastic story

  • Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    WOW! What an amazing start to even more amazing adventures in your real estate journey. Such a great motivation to us all to keep on pushing.... and to begin with the end in mind.

  • Investor · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2016 · 62 posts · 27 votes
    7y

    Amazing and gutsy story there @Sammy Lyon

  • Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 193 posts · 346 votes
    7y

    Wow...so overwhelmed with all the love! Go BP community, serving up some positivity. Going to respond to these questions when I get a moment. In the meantime, THANK YOU!

  • Cleveland · Member since 2019 · 15 posts · 12 votes
    7y
    In the spring Sammy responded to a post I wrote. I had not purchased a property yet, but was eager. Since then, Sammy has been nothing short of amazing. We are both investing in the same market, and he has walked me through every step of the process. I could not be where I am today (getting ready to close on my first SF) if it was not for Sammy. He has literally taken me by the hand and shared every experience, every connection, every piece of information that he has with me. I am forever grateful for Sammy, he has helped me turn a dream into reality. I look forward to watching him grow on many levels. Keep your eyes out for Sammy, he is one of a kind and will continue to do great things!
  • Sherman Oaks, CA · Member since 2015 · 5 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon that is fantastic. You are an inspiration to all.

  • Member since 2019 · 1 post · 1 vote
    7y

    Which "Your Money or Your Life" book did you read? There are multiple books with the same title but different authors. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2019 · 30 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    Congrats very inspiring story.Just one question you said you took construction classes over the summer during your break from your other job.How long were the classes because I looked it up and it says you need a 2 year or 4 year degree.Or there are also certificates.Which one would you recommend to take as im getting my real estate license right now but think construction classes would be a good idea as well.Thanks

  • Member since 2019 · 47 posts · 16 votes
    7y

    Congratulations!!! This is a very inspiring story

  • Midlothian, TX · Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon Such an inspiration! Keep crushing it! I’m hoping to get my first property within the next 90 days and it’s my goal to secure 10 in 2020! 

  • Real Estate Broker · Windsor, CT · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 268 votes
    7y

    WOW! @Sammy Lyon this is excited news I would be interested to know exactly how you were able to purchase properties with no money in the deal...

  • Member since 2018 · 1 post · 1 vote
    7y

    I’m checking out Your Money or Your Life today! Which edition, please? The 2009 or the 2018 - they’re pretty different from my initial scan and I want to access the specific information you’re recommending! 

  • Property Manager · Madison, WI · Member since 2019 · 26 posts · 10 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    Who is the author of the book (your money or your life). I found a few versions on Amazon. I’m also a little obsessed with real estate investments right now and could use some good tips!

  • Rental Property Investor · Long Island, NY · Member since 2019 · 30 posts · 7 votes
    7y

    very inspirational, thanks

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 12 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon congratulations! What an exciting path of progress! If I were in LA I'd definitely join along for a beer! 🍻

  • Real Estate Agent · Altamonte Springs, FL · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon thank you for posting it definitely gives encouragement

  • Member since 2019 · 1 post · 1 vote
    7y

    Congrats. My goal is to buy 1 or 2 units within the next 2 years. .

  • Rental Property Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2019 · 67 posts · 4 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon great job. You want to net 60000 per month net flow. I would think with 30 units the numbers would be better than that? No?

  • Rental Property Investor · Irving, TX · Member since 2018 · 6 posts · 2 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon this is A W E S O M E!!!

    Very inspiring journey thus far. Definitely will be tuned in to the blog.

  • Member since 2019 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    Thank you for posting. As a teacher, this is so inspirational! I love what I do, but the plan is to supplement my income with real estate so that I can enjoy both the career and lifestyle that I desire.

    Keep it up!

  • KS · Member since 2019 · 7 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    Congrats. Would like to talk with you sometime

  • Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 229 posts · 229 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon congrats on your successES. Keep killing it my friend.

  • Rental Property Investor · St. Louis · Member since 2018 · 8 posts · 3 votes
    7y

    Very inspirational! Nice work!

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