I have been MIA for a while. Much has happened since I’ve last posted. I don’t even remember what I posted about last time. We have been kind of busy. We finished the addition of two units to our property in the College Area near SDSU. I think it took about two and a half years to complete. Phew! In our brand new units, we’ve dealt with a clogged sewer, leaking mini-splits, a leaking window, lights and fans mysteriously turning on, and squatters in the property next door. I don’t love the issues but I enjoy the benefits of real estate. Rents have risen in that area. We were able to get over $600 more from a unit that went vacant.

We’ve also had to do some updating in the duplex behind our primary home. The previous tenant of the unit we just rehabbed, but an absolute pig. He left a full fridge and freezer, full dishwasher with dirty dishes, all his other dishes. It was terrible. We spent about 26k updating it. We were able to get only $130 more per month, but it had to be done. These units haven’t been updated in like fifteen to twenty years. The other unit is going to be vacated at the end of this month. We’re going to do the same in that one. Once we get both properties stabilized, we’re going to apply for a HELOC. I would like to have capital ready to deploy.

House hacking. I love it. It’s the easiest way to get into real estate investing. Real estate is a long game. Most people don’t have the patience to think long-term. I hear complaints about money all the time but the same people don’t help themselves out. I started reading “The Investor Agent”. It’s about being an agent for investors. Specifically, house hackers. I scream from the mountaintops the virtues of house hacking to anyone who will stick around and listen. I do that without the possibility of being paid. It got me thinking. I already have my license. Why not be an agent for people who want the same thing from real estate. I already walk the walk by house hacking myself. Having our mortgage covered by tenants is huge. I would love to help people start their journey to financial freedom. The freedom to tell their employer to stick it. The freedom to not have to worry so much about pleasing corporate employers to get the 3% yearly raise. The freedom to fund a 529 for their child. The freedom to go on vacations paid for in cash rather than credit cards.

I really need to think on this.