And it sounds like excess can be directed to retirement accounts, which is really the whole purpose of our RE empire, funding retirement.

My question is this: with my goal of building a REI empire using a buy-and-hold strategy, should I take money out of the City heights home to purchase another?

@ J Scott, for a team of 4 you get:Mastery Coaching & Support26 Weeks of Intensive Weekly Coaching 26 Action Plan Modules Designed to Set Up Your Business 1 on 1 Coaching Sessions 26 Weeks of Email & Emergency Hotline Support Business Plan Review & Deal Submission Review 24/7 Free Access to the Mastery Website Mastery Mastermind Event Homestudy Systems & Online Training ProductsMarketing Homestudy System Wholesaling Homestudy System Rehabbing Homestudy System Pre-Foreclosure/Short Sale – Online Training 6 Week Negotiation Series – Online Training 48 Hour Transactional Funding FortuneBuilders University Membership Live Training PackagesPre-Foreclosure/Short Sale Bootcamp – 4 Days + Guest Rehabbing Bootcamp – 4 Days + Guest Marketing & Wholesaling Bootcamp – 4 Days Info Empire Event – 3 Days + Guest Memphis 2-Day Buying Tour – Personal Onsite Visit + Guest Personal Onsite Office IntensiveVisit our Multi Million Dollar Real Estate Office Office & Business Set Up Follow Up Consulting Sessions

If you're an agent in ATL, you know who I'm talking about.Of course, for both of us, our sample sizes are relatively small (I've sold about as many houses as you have he past opulent years) and our data is purely empirical.

Some days I dread going into work but when I think about my investments, I realize that I'm working towards a very rewarding goal of building a real estate empire.

EMPIRE!!!

@Steve FitzgeraldTrusts provide anonymity and the LLC a corporate veil that can isolate assets from other assets so one catastrophe can't take down the empire. 

I bring this up because it'd be great to hear how someone got started in a high-barrier to entry type city and how they built their wealth/empire.  

Cashflow allows you to retire, but growth rate lets you build an empire.

Also, you can check out Empire Industries LLC as a property management company, they are run by a couple of actual real estate investors and they do provide some turn key properties as well.