Michelle Schrader

A pharmacist by degree with a passion for real estate. My real estate journey began in 2019 after my grandfather passed away and his townhome was available for purchase. My husband and I had considered investing before, but when this opportunity presented itself, we knew it was time to take the leap, and hopefully make my Grandfather proud. While renovating, I immersed myself in every webinar, podcast, and audiobook I could find. On a plane ride, I listened to David Greene’s BRRRR book and realized we had been following the strategy without even knowing it! At first, I wasn’t sure if being a landlord was our long-term goal, so we shifted our focus to vacation rentals. We went under contract on a property with a closing date set for March 2020. As the world started shutting down, panic set in. Our North Carolina agent reassured us, saying, “Don’t worry, COVID isn’t a problem here.” We asked to postpone closing twice, and on our second request, the sellers told us something I’ll never forget: “If you can’t weather the storm, get off the beach.” We found our courage, moved forward with the deal—and ended up having the best year on record. Since then, we’ve expanded through 1031 exchanges, STR tax strategies, partnerships, and now own a portfolio of 4 long-term rentals and 7 short-term rentals (with some medium-term stays in the mix). I’ve stepped back from my W-2 pharmacy job to manage our properties—but more importantly, to be present at every soccer game, every cooking class, and watch every Bills game with my three boys. Recently, I earned my real estate license—not just to deepen my knowledge, but to help others unlock the power of real estate. I’ve coached friends through their first deals and would love to help more investors navigate this journey. Whether your goal is financial freedom, a dream vacation home, or providing safe, quality housing, I’d love to help you take that first step. I still remember when a local investor sat down for coffee with my husband and I. He shared so much advice, and while I understood the words, I wasn’t sure how to implement them. That’s the hardest part—just starting. But if you ask questions, keep learning, and set clear goals, you’ll be amazed at where real estate can take you.