How are people able to acquire properties so quickly?

[Brianne H.]

One thing that continually boggles my mind, and I often hear on podcasts, is how are people able to scale so quickly and buy their 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th properties so quickly after the first (often within a year of buying the first one)? Or to go from buying a SFR or duplex to like 8 units or something much bigger within a year?

I know some people have partners, but not everyone who scales so quickly does. Some people live in less expensive areas, but not everyone who scales quickly does. Also not everyone who's able to buy more properties so quickly has a boatload of cash on hand. Not everyone getting into real estate has a great 9-5 paycheque, or can house-hack, or can get an FHA loan, yet a lot of those people acquire properties very quickly.

I'm just trying to wrap my head around how people are able to do what I would imagine would take 15 years, in about 3 years. At present, I'm doing a refi on my primary when some renovations will be complete in about Sept, and then plan to invest out of state in the midwest. Prices in my city just don't work and don't cashflow. Flips that are priced low enough to make the numbers work are non-existent. We have different rules here for foreclosures so no discounts to be had. Even with OOS investing, there are going to be travel expenses and of course closing costs to take into account over and above the down payment for a property. An FHA loan won't work as I won't be occupying the property.

So how have you (or those you know) managed to scale so quickly? 

[Joe Scaparra]

I'll take a stab.  Location and opportunity go hand in hand.  I'm not sure if living in Alberta is good for quick acquisition of investment property.  

But in Texas, opportunity abounds.  There are many paths to acquiring property, so I will outline just one of many. But first lets make a few assumptions.  You have a job producing income and you have some reserve.  You are single or married no kids (or kids less than 5).  You have studied real estate investing and you have a BURNING Desire to participate  in this excellent opportunity. Burning Desire means you are willing to get out of your comfort zone and willing to make a few sacrifices to be successful in achieving financial independence using investment real estate.  So far Good?

House Hack using Duplexes.  Easy Peasy to start.  Owner occupied, means only having to put 5% down if that is all you can spare.  Buy a $200k duplex, your nut is around $1,600-$1,800 monthly.  You rent out one side for $1100, that leaves you with approximately $500-$700 to pay each month.  But your Burning Desire is real, so you even rent out one  room on your side of the duplex for $500/month.  Your living for $100-200 month.  You save $1000 month or more from either previously renting or mortgage in Canada.  One year later, you take your $12000 in savings and move out of your duplex and buy another.  The duplex you just left you rent out both sides and now you have $500-$700 positive and your repeat on the new duplex.  If the market moves in your favor, you take HELOCs on one or more of your properties to use a downpayment on future buys.  The snowball begins.  12-14 years later your looking at owning 18 units or more and over half are paid off.  Good luck, for those with a BURNING DESIRE in TEXAS this is REAL... Good Luck.  The only question I have for you is,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,How HOT is your DESIRE, warm, cold or BURNING HOT!!!!!