From one deal to freedom.
It starts with one.I started out by moving into an apartment and renting out my house. I wanted to see if I could handle being a landlord, single parent with three kids and working full time.
Once I decided I could handle it I purchased a duplex, moved into one side and rented out the other. It started slow, but every couple of years I got another place.
Financial freedom happened at 7 units. I am at 11 now and hunting for the next deal. I still work because I love what I do but life is a lot more interesting since work became optional.
I was tired of losing sources of income, after Desert Storm the Marines down sized, in 2008 the recession caused me to get laid off from the police department. I found BiggerPockets and decided rental income was the way for me to have control over my income. It took me 8 years to go from 89k in bad debt to bad debt free and financially independent.
I post a lot in the Official BiggerPockets group on Facebook. I am still learning but love to share what I have figured out so far.
It isn't always easy. My first tenant was a close friend who was the worst (and only bad) tenant I have ever had. I almost quit over it. Luckily the market was down and I couldn't give the house away. I tried to.
If you are having a hard time, reach out to this community and you may be surprised how many of us are here who like to help.