Starting Small, Dreaming Big: My Path to Real Estate Investing
How My Real Estate Journey Began
Real estate wasn’t always on my radar as a path to financial growth. My first purchase was a condo in Charlotte, NC. At the time, it was simply a place to call home—a milestone that marked my transition into independent adulthood. Over three years, living in and managing that condo taught me more about property maintenance, market behavior, and what it means to own a piece of real estate. Little did I know, those years would become the bedrock of my future investing journey.
Fast forward to today, my focus has shifted from personal homeownership to investing. I’m preparing to buy my first investment property—a duplex in Cleveland, Ohio. Choosing this path didn’t happen by chance. It was the result of research, lessons learned, and a determination to create a steady stream of income while building long-term wealth. Multifamily properties, like a duplex, struck the perfect balance between manageability and financial potential, offering the chance for rental income without the overwhelming responsibility of larger investments.
Navigating Financing with a Steady Approach
One of the most significant aspects of real estate investing is financing. It’s where many hopeful investors stumble, overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and strategies. For me, simplicity was key. With a stable W2 income as a software engineer at Re:Build Manufacturing, along with a low debt-to-income ratio, a traditional mortgage was the clear choice. I wanted to take advantage of my financial profile and keep things straightforward for my first real deal.
But why Cleveland? The decision was rooted in both logic and opportunity. The market there is more accessible for entry-level investors, with property prices that make sense for those who aren’t ready to take on half-million-dollar risks. It’s a city with neighborhoods full of potential, and I’m excited to explore that with my first duplex.
The Challenge of Saving Capital
If there’s one part of this journey that has tested my patience and discipline, it’s saving the capital needed for the down payment and closing costs. I’m working toward $62,000, and I’ve saved $40,000 so far. Each dollar represents more than just a financial milestone—it’s a testament to months of deliberate choices, sacrifices, and side hustles.
Alongside my full-time job, I work as a church organist at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on weekends. It’s not just about the extra income, though that has certainly accelerated my savings. It’s also about commitment. Balancing two jobs isn’t easy, and there are days when exhaustion creeps in, whispering that I should take a break or let up a little. But the vision of my future—a future where passive income contributes to financial freedom—keeps me motivated.
Budgeting has also become a lifestyle rather than just a tool. I’ve learned to prioritize needs over wants and find joy in the discipline. While others might spend on the latest gadgets or expensive nights out, I remind myself that these are short-term pleasures that pale in comparison to the long-term security I’m building.
Staying Focused Amid the Noise
One of the biggest pieces of advice I can offer to beginners is to stay focused. When I first dove into real estate, it was tempting to explore everything—BRRRR strategies, short-term rentals, multifamily properties across different states. The possibilities were endless, and with that came the risk of spreading myself too thin. I realized quickly that trying to master too many things at once only led to analysis paralysis.
To move forward, I chose to narrow my scope. I committed to the Cleveland market and a buy-and-hold strategy for my first investment. It wasn’t because other strategies weren’t appealing, but because I wanted to build confidence and expertise in one area before branching out. Real estate, after all, is a journey where depth often matters more than breadth.
The Unique Path I’m Carving
I don’t claim to have all the answers or a bulletproof strategy. What I do have is the willingness to share my journey, complete with the stumbles and small victories that come with it. My unique approach lies in working my W2 job while investing on the side. It’s not glamorous or headline-worthy, but it’s real. And I believe that sharing my experience—working full-time to generate capital, making sacrifices, and saving diligently—resonates with others who are in the same place: driven, hopeful, and maybe a bit unsure about where to start.
The Reality of Patience and Consistency
Real estate investing isn’t an overnight success story. The stories that catch the most attention are the ones where someone flips a house and doubles their money in a month. But for most of us, real estate is a marathon. It requires patience, resilience, and a strong belief that the small steps will add up to significant progress over time.
Every day, I remind myself that this is the path I chose and that every choice I make now is laying the foundation for my future. Whether it’s saying no to a night out, spending weekends at the church, or mapping out my next savings goal, I know that these efforts will pay off in more ways than one.
As I continue on this journey, I hope to connect with others who are just starting out. Real estate isn’t reserved for those who have endless funds or insider knowledge—it’s for anyone willing to learn, commit, and take consistent action. And if sharing my story helps even one person take their first step, then every late night and early morning will have been worth it.
The BRRRR method is a strategic approach in real estate investing that stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat. This method allows investors to accumulate multiple properties and build substantial equity without needing significant upfront capital. Understanding each step is crucial for investors aiming to leverage this method effectively.