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?

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  • Flipper/Rehabber · West Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 1 post · 2 votes
    7y

    @Kristin Rodriguez

    Amazing! Would also love to know how you funded and structured the loans.

  • Investor · Atlanta · Member since 2016 · 58 posts · 54 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon Congrats! Very powerful and inspirational. Will love to hear the full story!

  • Investor · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 8 votes
    7y

    Thanks for sharing! Congrats on your success! 

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2019 · 189 posts · 62 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon - CONGRATULATIONS! That's huge. I've sent you a colleague request. If you'd like boots on the ground and/or JV opportunities in Detroit I've got teams that work on apartment syndication (we seek passive investors only at this stage) and a team working on picking up small MFHs. Let me know if you'd like to connect and chat to see if we can work with each other.

    Also, I love your social justice initiatives. Once I build up my RE business I will be starting a charity as well. I'd love to reach out to you at that time, if you're open to it. The % of investment into it is the approach I'll be taking as well. 

    Thanks and have a great day! Again, congrats!

  • Member since 2019 · 25 posts · 13 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!

     Thanks for sharing your story! I too am in the LA area, have recently left my job to focus on real estate investing, and would love to connect!

  • Chicago, IL · Member since 2018 · 546 posts · 227 votes
    7y

    100% feeling this thread. This is super inspiring. 10 months? My only question is how did you make it all happen so fast?!? Truly incredible story. Success stories like these keep me going.

  • Investor · Springfield, MA · Member since 2017 · 31 posts · 11 votes
    7y

    excited for you

  • Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2017 · 16 posts · 11 votes
    7y
    Would love to sit down with you and buy you a cold one sometimes!
  • Rental Property Investor · Menifee, CA · Member since 2019 · 17 posts · 11 votes
    7y

    @Jennie Monfried jennie im in cal too, what city in Fl gained your trust?

  • Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 4 votes
    7y

    Congratulations, I have gone to school for years to get a BA in real estate and still unable to get into real estate in any aspect. My goal is to build a rental portfolio to give me an option for early retirement. So any advice I can get will be greatly appreciated. 

  • Member since 2018 · 264 posts · 61 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon Congrats!  

  • Rental Property Investor · Marysville Wa · Member since 2017 · 28 posts · 6 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    This is awesome and I hope to someday get on a roll like you have done the last 10 months! Really cool post and I might have to pick your brain soon!!! BP is absolutely amazing for every aspect of REI

  • Rental Property Investor · Buena Park, CA · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    Wow this is a great story! Thanks for sharing I’d love to hear more about your investment structure in LA, as I’m looking for the next thing to invest in! Good luck! I’m so amazed and inspired by the pace you have!

  • Rental Property Investor · Poughkeepsie, NY (Hudson Valley Area) · Member since 2019 · 188 posts · 102 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon you are a prime example of how it’s done, from committing to your goals, the education and working in a related field, plus also giving back to the community! You literally wrote the book in your short story of what realestate investing is intended to be. I commend you and if I had the time I would fly out to LA for those beers. If you ever want to visit NYC You have a place here for sure. Pleasure to meet you and congrats on your milestone! Wow!

  • Lake Forest, CA · Member since 2019 · 5 posts · 2 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    Congrats on closing another deal and thank you for sharing your story. I am new to the BiggerPockets community and am already learning a lot of great info. My friend has been doing BRRRR for about three years (all out of state). I am excited to continue learning and do my first deal. I am in Orange County and would love to join one of your meet ups. Let me know the next time you meet for beers.

  • Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 16 posts · 4 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    You are super enthusiastic, lets see the numbers. 10 units in 10 months and you only put down for first property? That sounds too good. Let’s see the numbers and details.

  • Layton, UT · Member since 2019 · 85 posts · 49 votes
    7y

    Sweet! I'd love to connect with you and maybe do a video chat. I'm just about to get started and will also be doing out of state buy and hold.

  • Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon unam interested in learning and habe the time. Please help.

  • Real Estate Agent · Atlanta · Member since 2019 · 4 posts · 2 votes
    7y

    I'm so happy for you Sammy. WOW, 10 units in 10 months what an accomplishment. 

  • Homeowner · Long Beach, CA · Member since 2016 · 1 post · 1 vote
    7y

    Congrats! Thanks for sharing your story... and the book recommendation!

  • Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 7 posts · 14 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon Wow and Well Done! It’s great to hear these success stories as my wife and I are preparing for our first opportunity. As many have said before me, meeting up with others in LA to expand my knowledge and shoot ideas would be awesome. Plus i like beer and sometimes brew my own.

    However, it’s your day and enough about me. Cheers to your victory!

  • Contractor · San Jose, CA · Member since 2018 · 262 posts · 407 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon

    Congrats, isn't it amazing how quickly it snowballs after the first few? Never thought I'd own what I own today. It's literally moving money around, trading up, moving more, trading up, etc etc.

    Best of luck

    Junior

  • Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2019 · 35 posts · 24 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon what are some other books you recommend?

  • Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2019 · 36 posts · 13 votes
    7y

    @Tj Dowhan was just going to ask this. I see three on the top of the list

  • Rental Property Investor · Bakersfield, CA · Member since 2019 · 21 posts · 10 votes
    7y

    @Sammy Lyon this is a fantastic story. I too am a teacher. I teach at a continuation high school and am embarking on a new phase; I recently discovered BP with my wife. Where to start!?

    Today a webinar pushed me to take action by analyzing a deal a day, for 30 days (is this achievable?).

    -Carr

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