What happens after I reach my FIRE goals?

[Lei Z.]

Hello BP family!

While evaluating real estate investment as a strategy that will get me closer to my FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) goals, I can't help looking a little beyond the near future and what my REI journey would/should look like when I quit my W2 job.

Let's say my goal is to build a 10-15 door portfolio in 5 years that generates at least $3000 monthly cashflow (15 SFH with $200/month cashflow).

What I need help understanding is how to maintain this portfolio and target cashflow once I get there. If I'm not looking to expand my portfolio, would I need to sell/trade? Or can I just keep improving the operational efficiency of these 10-15 doors until the market condition suggests that I make a change? For example, the vacancy rate is trending high due to decrease in population/jobs. Am I missing something? In the first couple of years while building this portfolio, I expect to sell/trade to gain more cash to BRRRR but once I reach my goal, would there be any reason for me to continue doing so?

Happy 4th of July!