I'm in my 6th year of investment, still excited

[Brandon Schlichter]

Overall the 'joy' of owning real estate/rentals hasn't worn off yet. 

Started in 2013 buying two rentals that year, then in 2014 I ended up with around ten, in 2015 I hit 20, 2016 I hit 40. 

Now, between January 2017 and today, I've added approximately 36 more units with another 12 in contract putting me to a total of 86 units.

I started out mostly buying houses and duplexes, and in the past two years added several quadplexes to get my numbers up. I also went with many lower-end properties which are now seeing very decent appreciation and the cash flow I had been aiming for the whole time.

I also opted for self-managing everything (But not doing maintenance myself). Between now and my 2018 goal of 125 rentals, I'll add a part-time secretary to help with the paperwork requirements and whatnot. Her pay will only take a few apartments to afford her.

The opportunities overall seem to be snowballing. Starting out it was my biggest fear that the market would contract price-wise and price investors out of the market. So since starting I've bought every single property I could cashflow and somehow get money for (begging, borrowing, eating ramen for, etc.) While my quality-of-life is less than many people I know, think it should be, but it indeed is quite rewarding to see a point in the future where I can walk away, stop re-investment and still make more than anyone else my age that I know.