7 Questions Every Real Estate Investor Needs Answered
FAQs from my real estate coaching students
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For the last couple of years…
I’ve worked 1:1 with students who want to learn more about real estate, development, construction, and wealth-building.
Over that time, I’ve noticed the same questions coming up again and again.
So instead of keeping them behind a curtain, I figured I’d share the real answers to the everyday questions my students have.
But first…
I made a YouTube video about this recently. And I actually broke down 11 FAQs—not 7.
If you’re interested in hearing all of them—or if you prefer to watch/listen to a video instead of reading, check it out here:
1. "How Do I Quit My 9-5?"
Here's the truth nobody tells you: You don't—at least not right away. The cash conversion cycle in real estate is slow. If you're making $10,000 monthly with bills to match, you can't just jump ship. Your first properties won't generate enough cash flow to replace your income. Plan for a decade-long transition where inflation and appreciation do the heavy lifting.
2. "How Do I Raise Capital?"
Your phone's contact list is your first fundraising tool. Most people never ask their network about investment opportunities. Start with a one-page pitch deck. Keep it small out of the gate. Remember: Your first deals might be thin on returns for you, but great for your investors. That's okay—you're buying trust and building a track record.
3. "Should I Invest in Multi-Family or Storage?"
While everyone chases multi-family, here's why I lean more toward storage:
Lower management intensity
Automated operations
No resident drama
Easier scalability
Stronger institutional exit potential
I've done both. Storage consistently outperforms with fewer headaches.
4. "How Can I Become a Millionaire With Real Estate?"
You have to build your asset column. You make money when you buy, but you don't realize it for years. Recently, we acquired a $4.7M property for $3.4M. On paper, I gained about $450,000 in equity as a third partner. But that equity is locked until we refinance or sell—likely 5-7 years out. Real estate millionaires are built through patience.
5. “How Do I Get Into Real Estate with Zero Dollars?"
Here’s what’s worked for me:
Find distressed situations (especially with new builders or commercial properties)
Bring together operators and capital
Add value through deal structuring
Focus on development opportunities
I’m not sitting on the MLS finding these deals—I’m looking for those distressed situations. Understanding creative financing is an absolute must if you want to go this route.
6. "How Did You Grow Your Construction Business?"
The truth is that I scaled slowly. Basically one employee, then another employee, then a few more each year until we were at 50 employees.
Every revenue threshold requires sacrificing margin for growth. At $1-2M, you can run everything. At $5M+, you'll break if you try. Hire for your weaknesses, pay for quality, and think bigger—don't plan to double, plan to 10x.
7. "How Can I Passively Invest in Commercial Real Estate?"
You can consider investments like REITs, but direct ownership as a passive LP investor can offer things like depreciation on appreciating assets—a wealth-building accelerator the ultra-wealthy use religiously. But it’s not all about depreciation. Ultimately, the answer depends on your goals, which you should determine before making any investments.
The Bottom Line
Real estate wealth isn't built overnight. It's built through asset accumulation, delegation, and patience. The people getting rich quick? They've been laying groundwork for a decade.
Most investors waste years learning these lessons the expensive way. The smart ones learn from others' experiences and compress decades of learning into months of execution.
P.S. If you want to learn about passively investing alongside me in my future deals…
See you next week!