All Forum Posts by: Michael P.

This is the story of how we – a family of seven on a single income – house-hacked our way from $0 to $3 million in real estate in less than 10 years, and how just three properties bring in $275k/year in gross rental income.

In 2015, at age 25, after renting ($500/month) a bedroom at my parents’ house for two years, my wife and I closed on our first real estate purchase: a four-family in Garfield, NJ (12 bed / 4 bath) for $430,000.

That one decision changed everything.

The purchase allowed us to live for free—and gave my wife the financial freedom to leave her teaching job and stay home with our then 6-month-old son.

Two years later, in 2017, we did a cash-out refi and bought a three-family in North Arlington, NJ—FSBO for $350,000 off Craigslist.

Two years after that, in 2019, we used a HELOC from the North Arlington property to buy a four-family in Lyndhurst, NJ for $620,000.

We’ve renovated nearly every unit in those three properties ourselves. So when Elon and Trump offered a federal employee buyout, I knew it was time. I walked away from a 13-year government career that had taken me from $50K to $147K.

Here's the kicker: these three properties generate a combined $120,000 in net income. We're incredibly frugal, so that's more than enough to achieve our financial independence.

Now, we're a stay-at-home family, planning to worldschool our five children. Leaving my career was a huge decision, but the freedom is indescribable.

I've only had the golden hand-cuffs off for a month, but it is truly liberating... I've taught my 5-year-old daughter to ski and my 3-year-old son to ride a bike. I'm finally able to pursue my passions, and every day feels like a breath of fresh air.

My hope is that our story inspires you to save strategically, invest consistently, and prioritize buying your freedom. It's possible—even with a big family!

The GOAT has hair