All Forum Posts by: Myrna Barrett

Garrett, first off, huge props for recognizing this early. Most people don’t even stop to question the ‘trade time for money’ cycle until they’re decades in.

That said, I wouldn’t rush to just quit your job. Think of your W2 as both a financial safety net and a training ground. The income gives you stability while you map out your long-term vision, and the skills you develop now (whether in communication, project management, finance, etc.) can transfer directly into real estate or any business you start.

Real estate can create financial freedom, but it usually takes time, planning, and steady capital. One approach is to use your job to save and invest strategically, while building something on the side you’re passionate about, whether that’s a small business, freelancing, or eventually buying your first rental property. That way, you’re growing skills, stacking cash, and reducing risk all at once.

The key is to make your job work for you, not the other way around. Use it as fuel to invest in assets and build your entrepreneurial foundation. You’re already ahead of the game just by thinking about this now.

Lane, love how you’re already thinking creatively about maximizing what you have. That’s the right mindset to grow in real estate. One thing I’d keep in mind is running the numbers side-by-side so you can see the true net benefit of each option (renting vs. staying). Sometimes people only look at the gross rent or mortgage, but when you factor in vacancy, maintenance, utilities, property management (if you ever outsource), and tax implications, the picture looks different.

Also, since you mentioned possibly building in the side yard, it might be worth mapping out your financing and timelines so you can see which option keeps your monthly obligations lean while still moving you toward your long-term portfolio goals.

Welcome to BP, Jason! Great to see another finance/accounting professional in the REI space.

I come from a background in commercial real estate finance and property management, which has given me a unique perspective on how numbers and operations drive investment decisions. 

Like you, I’ve found that having both an investing and professional lens can be a real advantage when evaluating deals and planning long-term strategies. Excited to learn from your experience and the tax insights you bring to the community!

Thanks for sharing this, Marcus. I love the oatmeal cookie comparison 😂 and totally agree on the agent piece. It makes a huge difference when your team understands real estate from the investor lens.

Also 100% with you on the "just-in-time learning" mindset. As someone who supports landlords with bookkeeping and clean reporting, I see a lot of folks burn out trying to solve everything up front when really, like you said, the key is being resourceful and willing to figure things out as you go.

Appreciate the insight!

My name is Myrna Barrett, and I’m based in Antioch, CA (East Bay Area). While I’m not currently investing, I have hands-on experience managing my family’s 4-plex and supporting clients in the real estate industry through my career in commercial property management and finance.

I recently launched my own virtual bookkeeping business, MS Bookkeeping Services, LLC, where I support small landlords and real estate investors with hassle-free, accurate financials. My background is in commercial real estate finance, and I love helping investors get clear on their numbers so they can grow with confidence.

I joined BiggerPockets to expand my network, learn from experienced investors, and find ways to collaborate—especially with investors, property managers, and CPAs in the residential space.

📌Question for the community:
For those of you who scaled from one property to multiple rentals—what systems or team members made the biggest difference for you early on?

Looking forward to connecting and learning from all of you!

– Myrna