Stories about Real People and Real Properties are firsthand Accounts of real estate investing that I have witnessed....Name and addresses are changed to protect privacy.
Featured Story
Here's a story about an investment in a property that paid off big. He had a small amount of savings that turned into a small rental business through hard work and innovation. Read More >>
Real Life Properties
Case Study 10: Land Development Project
At every state of the market, there are strong points and weak points. Regardless of a market’s current state, it’s important to take a step back and look at the…
Case Study 9: 45 & 46 Hubble Road and 156 & 157 Pine Street
A few years ago, we were looking at buying some duplexes to expand our portfolio. There were a couple in the area for sale—one didn’t need any repairs and the…
Case Study 8: 12 & 13 Maple Road
I bought a duplex in Fayetteville from a man who wanted to get out of property management. When he first approached me, I didn’t have much cash set aside, and…
Case Study 7: 432 Oak Street
I had a friend who wanted to sell me his first house after building a new home. He was planning on keeping the first house as a rental, but he…
Case Study 6: 654 Raindrop Road
When I first looked at this property several years ago, it had just been put in a newly designated flood zone by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Because of…
Case Study 5: 987 Park Boulevard
This house is in a great location—on and off one of the town’s main thoroughfares. When we bought it, the house was recently remodeled: 3 bedroom, 2 bath; 1600 sq….
Case Study 4: 126 Main Street
While the first two houses I bought on Main Street were pretty successful from the get-go, this third house was a different experience. Below is some of its financial breakdown…
Case Study 3: 124 Main Street
When I was looking at 123 Main Street, I noticed that the house across the street was also for sale. Once we finished looking at the first house, I asked…
Case Study 2: 123 Main Street
A few years ago, I had a tenant approach me and ask if I had any single-story units available. She lived on the second story of an apartment building I…
Case Study 1: My Origin Story
In 1995, my wife Laura and I bought 40 acres of land for $800 an acre ($37,000 total, with closing costs). Using some of our savings and part of a…
Real Life People
Real-Life People: Introduction
Imagine that you are looking to buy a business and happen to find one that has appreciating value, (almost) guaranteed…
Real-Life People #1
About eight or ten years ago, a friend approached me about buying a house. He was 26 or 27 years…
Real-Life People #2
Another person I know had a full-time job with a housing allowance (the job covered his housing). Rather than just…
Real-Life People #3
I know a man in ministry who is very disciplined with how he saves and invests his money. A while…
Real-Life People #4
I have a friend who has worked in the medical field for about 15 years. Even though he has a…
Real-Life People #5
I know an older gentleman with six rental properties. 20+ years ago, he bought the properties and worked to pay…
Real-Life People #6
I have a buddy who is a real scrounger. Over the years, he’s held a variety of jobs and worked…
Real-Life People #7
Another friend of mine is an executive at a local company and has done very well for himself. Rather than…
Real-Life Stories #8
I have a friend who is in his early 30s. He has bought and sold personal houses for a while…