Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Investor Mindset
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 1 year ago, 07/11/2023

User Stats

19
Posts
1
Votes
David Howarth
  • Investor
  • Conroe, TX
1
Votes |
19
Posts

Millionaire?

David Howarth
  • Investor
  • Conroe, TX
Posted

How many Millionaires are there on this forum?

When did you start in RE, and when did you hit 1 Million in Net Worth?

User Stats

4,583
Posts
1,169
Votes
Michael Rossi
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Ohio
1,169
Votes |
4,583
Posts
Michael Rossi
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Ohio
Replied

I doubt if anyone on here will talk about their personal income or wealth. I know that I wouldn't, if for no other reason than security.

However, I do know for a fact that there are several millionaires on this forum. If you work your butt off (and assuming you have some money and great credit), you should be able to reach that level in 3 to 5 years. Keep in mind that being a millionaire won't even buy you a bag of McDonaldland cookies for lunch. So, while it might be nice to think to yourself that you are a millionaire, it definitely won't pay the bills!

Mike

User Stats

5,700
Posts
3,497
Votes
Rich Weese#2 Off Topic Contributor
  • Real Estate Investor
  • the villages, FL
3,497
Votes |
5,700
Posts
Rich Weese#2 Off Topic Contributor
  • Real Estate Investor
  • the villages, FL
Replied

I wrote a book 8 years ago detailing my early experiences in real estate called From Janitor to Multimillionaire. That covered my career through 1980. I'd been in real estate for 7 years. THE BOOK IS NOT FOR SALE!! I give it away on certain conditions.
I have a few LLCS which funnel into an Irrevocable Family Trust that holds the current assets. I'm not PERSONALLY a millionaire, but as manager and trustee, I probably have access to more than that. Rich

Steadily logo
Steadily
|
Sponsored
America’s best-rated landlord insurance nationwide Quotes online in minutes. Single-family, fix n’ flips, short-term rentals, and more. Great prices.

User Stats

19
Posts
1
Votes
David Howarth
  • Investor
  • Conroe, TX
1
Votes |
19
Posts
David Howarth
  • Investor
  • Conroe, TX
Replied

Im not looking for anyone to layout their finances. Im more curious to know if there are alot of successful people in RE.

User Stats

5,700
Posts
3,497
Votes
Rich Weese#2 Off Topic Contributor
  • Real Estate Investor
  • the villages, FL
3,497
Votes |
5,700
Posts
Rich Weese#2 Off Topic Contributor
  • Real Estate Investor
  • the villages, FL
Replied

Same as other fields. A rough % is 10% make 90% of the money and the other 90% scramble for the crumbs, until they select a different profession..

User Stats

95
Posts
14
Votes
Brian G.
  • Investor
  • Bloomfield, NJ
14
Votes |
95
Posts
Brian G.
  • Investor
  • Bloomfield, NJ
Replied

Mike, not even enough for cookies : ) ?

User Stats

4,906
Posts
1,569
Votes
Timothy W.#3 Off Topic Contributor
  • Attorney
  • Viera, FL
1,569
Votes |
4,906
Posts
Timothy W.#3 Off Topic Contributor
  • Attorney
  • Viera, FL
Replied

I restarted about a year and a half ago after losing it all. Mike's figures are right - about 250k per year in equity...but again that doesn't mean squat. Without cashflow you're sunk and the greater your equity, the greater you're sunk.

The greater victory for me is I've been financially independent for 2 years now.

User Stats

1,169
Posts
123
Votes
Frank Adams
  • Loveland, CO
123
Votes |
1,169
Posts
Frank Adams
  • Loveland, CO
Replied

It's not how much you've got, it knowing how to live (and enjoy life) on what you've got.

I'd suggest reading "The Millionaire Next Door", more than once. Read it and understand the philosophy of living below your means.

Last night on NPR I heard part of a report about the "housing crisis" in Las Vegas. One guy was described as "a former real estage mogul" who had had a net worth north of a MILLION DOLLARS as of a couple of years ago. The guy was saying that he had had, "several luxury cars, a very high dollar house, a big boat and a 'house on an island in North Carolina'".

Of course now he was (IIRC) living in a rental owned by a friend. IMO that guy DESERVED ALL THE BAD LUCK THAT CAME HIS WAY. I've always lived below my means and the last time I took out a mortgage (1995) the loan officer told us, "you [/b]should[b]be buying a house at least 3-4 times more expensive than this one" That house cost less than our gross income. We just laughed and said "no thanks".

Frank

User Stats

5,700
Posts
3,497
Votes
Rich Weese#2 Off Topic Contributor
  • Real Estate Investor
  • the villages, FL
3,497
Votes |
5,700
Posts
Rich Weese#2 Off Topic Contributor
  • Real Estate Investor
  • the villages, FL
Replied

I second The Millionaire Next Door, but I like the Millionaires' Mind even better. Both by the same person.

Account Closed
  • California
11
Votes |
277
Posts
Account Closed
  • California
Replied

MikeOH wrote: If you work your butt off (and assuming you have some money and great credit), you should be able to reach that level in 3 to 5 years.

I bet that "some money and great credit" coupled with willing to "work your butt off" describes about 2% of the members of this (or any other) board.

I'd say to any gurus who are still selling their "no money/no credit" path to getting rich seminars: GET REAL.

User Stats

48
Posts
0
Votes
Tony L.
  • Lakebay, WA
0
Votes |
48
Posts
Tony L.
  • Lakebay, WA
Replied

Finished reading "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker" a couple weeks ago. Harv has great information and offers a series of seminars you may be interested in. Hightly suggest reading this book as well as The Millionaire Next Door. Other reading are the Rich Dad series.

Account Closed
  • California
11
Votes |
277
Posts
Account Closed
  • California
Replied

Love T. Harv Eker! I went to one of his seminars and did the arrow in the throat action. Yup...it's a real arrow.

Millionaire Mind Intensive Weekend

User Stats

333
Posts
15
Votes
Ken Hicks
  • Boonies, PA
15
Votes |
333
Posts
Ken Hicks
  • Boonies, PA
Replied
Originally posted by Tim Wieneke:
I restarted about a year and a half ago after losing it all.
The greater victory for me is I've been financially independent for 2 years now.


Tim I am no math wizard but the math does not add up :mrgreen:
CV3 Financial logo
CV3 Financial
|
Sponsored
Fix & Flip | DSCR | Construction Loans Up to 90% LTV - Up to 80% Cash Out - No Income Verification - No Seasoning Requirements

User Stats

249
Posts
46
Votes
Ana Hyler
  • Lincoln, NE
46
Votes |
249
Posts
Ana Hyler
  • Lincoln, NE
Replied

Tim, tell us a little about your path. You're an inspiration, I'm sure to many....for sure to me. Would you mind sharing?

User Stats

1,092
Posts
750
Votes
Mark H. Porter
  • Investor
  • SC NC, VA
750
Votes |
1,092
Posts
Mark H. Porter
  • Investor
  • SC NC, VA
Replied

I’ve been in real estate now for 24 years and the first million was identified after about 6-7 years.  This has only been a part-time gig anyways as I’ve always had full and part-time jobs in addition to the real estate.

There comes a time when you’re working your numbers - maybe doing a PFS for the bank, maybe just checking what you can liquidate for, and all of a sudden it’s 7 digits.  I didn’t even know what to do when it first happened.

After that it really is “amount of smart work” = “greater possibility to hit home runs”.  Ive always been a hands in guy so I was the one running to Lowe’s getting contractor supplies so I wasn’t paying them $50 per hour to go shopping and catch up on their nicotine.

It still amazes me how and why it happened. I would say I'm still a small player in this game but I 'm buying my first NNN buildings for large chains. My wife gets quite intimidated by the numbers I banter around as neither one of us come from means.

My day? Well, I’m always “on”. I always take calls and respond to emails quickly.  As I still work as an IT project manager all my real estate stuff is done at night when I’m searching and running numbers in new properties.  It’s a bear and you’ll sacrifice family and friends time to get there.  It’s not free.

User Stats

1
Posts
0
Votes
Robin Gallop
  • Auburn, WA
0
Votes |
1
Posts
Robin Gallop
  • Auburn, WA
Replied

@Rich Weese. I’m a newbie looking to educate myself as much as possible and would be very interested in your book if your willing to share?

Thank you in advance!

User Stats

31
Posts
20
Votes
Erich Henson
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Viera, FL
20
Votes |
31
Posts
Erich Henson
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Viera, FL
Replied

It took me about ten years to build up my portfolio to a net worth of $1 million by the age of 40. On track to hit $10 million net worth by the age of 50, assuming a 5% average appreciation rate, mortgage pay down, reinvesting some of the equity into more real estate..

User Stats

5,439
Posts
13,733
Votes
Jim K.#3 Investor Mindset Contributor
  • Handyman
  • Pittsburgh, PA
13,733
Votes |
5,439
Posts
Jim K.#3 Investor Mindset Contributor
  • Handyman
  • Pittsburgh, PA
Replied
Quote from @David Howarth:

Im not looking for anyone to layout their finances. Im more curious to know if there are alot of successful people in RE.

 Glad you're not looking for anyone to lay out their finances. Yes, there are a lot of successful people in RE. There are also a lot of losers. Probably more losers than winners. But I've found nothing else in my life where you can live beneath your means, consistently act in an honest and forthright way, and still make it on a modest income.