You’ve probably heard the stat before: over 90% of millionaires made their money through real estate. But here’s the part people don’t talk about enough – you don’t need to be rich to get started.
In fact, my journey began in a pretty ordinary way. No inheritance. No trust fund. Just a curious tenant, a good book, and a bit of courage to ask the right question.
It All Started with a Book and a Big Question
Back in 2006, I read Wealth Without Risk for Canadians by Charles J. Givens. One key lesson stuck with me: you don’t know unless you ask.
So I did.
I asked my landlord if I could buy the condo I was renting — and to my surprise, they said yes. That decision changed everything.
Building Equity and Gaining Confidence
Soon after I bought the condo, the market started to climb, and so did the value of my new home. With the equity I’d gained, I secured a homeowner line of credit — a powerful financial tool I hadn’t even known existed before.
Around that time, I picked up another game-changing read: Real Estate Investing in Canada by Don R. Campbell. It broke down everything — how to analyze rental properties, calculate cash flow, negotiate deals, and manage tenants. If you’re a beginner, this book is gold.
My First Rental Property: Ugly But Cash-Flowing
With a line of credit and a mortgage, I bought my first rental: a dingy ground-floor unit that already had a tenant in place. It wasn’t pretty, and neither was the experience.
The tenant sent threatening letters and dragged out the eviction for months. But while it was painful, it was also one of the most valuable lessons I’ve ever had in property management — straight from the school of hard knocks.
Partnering Up to Grow My Portfolio
As I bought more properties, I hit a financing wall — I couldn’t qualify for more mortgages on my own. That’s when I started partnering with others.
I teamed up with coworkers, friends, and even family members. They brought the money and mortgage qualifications, and I did the heavy lifting: finding solid properties, crunching the numbers, and managing the tenants and maintenance.
It worked. We bought more, earned more, and kept going.
My Real Estate Strategy That Still Works Today
Fast forward to today: I still own some of those early properties, while others have been renovated, flipped, or sold. I’ve tried a few different investment strategies, but here’s what worked best for me:
Buy and hold for the long term.
The properties I kept for 10+ years generated the most wealth — from monthly cash flow, mortgage paydown, and rising equity. These investments still provide income today and allow me to live a life I love.
Final Thoughts
Investing in rental real estate isn’t always smooth sailing. It’s not a get-rich-quick plan, and it’s definitely not passive — especially in the beginning. But if you stick with it, stay educated, and surround yourself with the right people, it can be profitable, rewarding, and even life-changing.
You don’t have to be a millionaire to start. But real estate might just help you become one.
