To swing a hammer or not?

[Alan Mackenthun]

Brandon Turner instigated an unofficial Bigger Pockets meet up last night in St. Paul, MN. It was my pleasure to meet Brandon and a number of other local BPer's. Later I found myself thinking about something Brandon said when I should have been sleeping (thanks Brandon) so I figure it's worth a post. I've heard others say the same thing before around here (or maybe Brandon just repeats himself?) and I never liked the thought much possibly becuase it hits too close to home.

Basically, the thought was "I wish I didn't know how to swing a hammer as I'd be a much better RE investor".

The assumption this rests on is that swinging a hammer and actual physical labor is beneath an investor (at least that's the way it hits me). It seems to me that the ability to actually lay hands on a project and constructing, improving or even repairing someone's home is nothing to be ashamed of. I work with software and people pay high rates for my services. That's all well and good, but I enjoy helping out my renters with problems when I'm able and I simply sleep better at night when I can look back at even a small project and see that the place is somehow better. I've bought cheap run down homes in the city and spent way too much time and effort fixing them up. It may not pay as well by the hour, but when passing by I'll detour a bit to drive by and see how these homes are doing. I don't think I'd have nearly the pride in the improvements if had only been a passive investor. Certainly there's a time and a place for contractors and delegation, but I don't see any downside to being able to swing a hammer when needed and time allows. Thoughts?

[Joel Owens]

Yes some people get enjoyment out of other things people cannot stand to do. I pay people to mow my yard. I can't stand yard work.

Spending time with family and friends is high on my list.

If people want to rehab houses themselves to give a sense of accomplishment that is great.

Mine is running my commercial real estate business, martial arts, and my exercise. Everybody has a different thing they put currency in. If it isn't your thing then people sometimes discount it or do not understand it. Some people just enjoy deconstructing things and then rebuilding them into something better using workers or employing their own hands.

Having lost people in my life at an early age I grew to understand that money wasn't important but it was TIME that mattered. No matter how rich or poor we all have so much time on this planet. The freedom of having passive income working for you while going to bed every night versus being chained to a job that sucks more and more life and time out of you is a no brainer.

It's not money but the freedom it gives you to get the most out of your life doing what makes you happy.