What do your coworkers say when they find out you invest in real estate?

[Doug Spence]

It's relatively uncommon to find folks in the military that also invest in real estate (unless you count owning just a primary residence). I've gotten some entertaining responses, especially since I mostly invest out-of-state from San Diego. 

For example, when I was buying properties in Milwaukee, people asked me "Are you from there?" No, I replied. "Are you going to retire there?" No, I replied. "Then why are you buying properties there?!" To make money! Lots of folks assume you have to live where you invest, but I knew early on that I would have to get comfortable buying out of state in order to be a successful military investor. "Live where the military tells you to live and invest where the numbers make sense". 

Have you received confused expressions and crazy questions when people find out you invest in real estate?  

[Isabelle Trepkoski]

Hi Doug,

I totally get where are coming, I think most of my friends think my husband and I are crazy for investing in real estate instead of playing in safe in the markets. As well I just recently got my real estate license to start helping other investors and they are even more confused by that. 

It has taken me several years to feel confident talking to people about the choice to invest in real estate, but once you see the great results it gets easier. I think it is also getting over the stigma of "you should never talk about money", now I am very comfortable talking about the money part and I am more then willing share my journey down to every last dollar.

If it comes up in conversation I just always keep it casual and say "it has been a great fit for me and my family and I would be happy to share more details if your interested."

What markets are you in? We are Columbus, but my husband actually works out of SD, so we are very familiar with the area.