I did not grow up around real estate. I learned the way a lot of new investors do. I watched videos, joined mentorship groups, underwrote deals at night after work, and figured things out one step at a time. Over the years, I realized real estate is the most powerful when it is approached with strategy, empathy, and creativity instead of pressure.

I bought my first home in 2022 using my VA loan directly from a close friend, without a real estate agent involved. I handled the paperwork, hired the title company, and coordinated with the bank throughout the process. That experience showed me how much is possible when you understand the process and are willing to take an active role in your real estate decisions.

In 2024, I used the rest of my VA entitlement to buy a four-bedroom property that I decided to "house-hack". My mortgage was covered as I rented out the spare rooms, and the property started cashflowing 1K+/mo with a minor modification to add 1 more bedroom. That was the moment I realized with the right structure, real estate can be a tool for financial stability and growth.

Eight months later, I partnered with a friend to purchase another property. We went ahead and set this up as an Airbnb per-room rental he lives on the property at.. During peak seasons, this home brings in around 2K/mo after all expenses. The experiences of the 3 properties taught me a lot about hospitality, operations, and creating value beyond just buying a property.

Like many newer investors, I tried traditional wholesaling. After spending thousands of dollars on mentorship programs, I'd come home after work each evening to made 5-20 calls a night. I tried my best to lock up discounted properties.

The truth is, most homeowners do not want to give their houses away. And they should not. After all the calls, effort, and exhaustion, I still had not closed a single wholesale deal.

That is when I realized I needed a better approach. Something that felt honest, respectful, and aligned with how I wanted to help people. That is when I discovered creative finance.

My first creative deal was an owner-finance wholesale transaction. It was the first time things finally clicked into place.

The seller, Kyle, owned a home free and clear. It was purchased at 250K, but worth ~250K. Because it was not his primary residence, he anticipated the hefty capital gains tax on top of agent commissions and closing costs. By the time everything was deducted, his 50K dollar profit would almost disappear.

We talked about another option. Instead of selling the property traditionally through a realtor, he could hold the note and finance like a bank would. That would allow him to earn interest, spread out his tax responsibility, and collect more income over time. I put the property under contract for 240K, assigned the home for 10K fee. Once I was a principal in the deal, I started interviewing buyers until we found the right fit.

We eventually met a family expecting their first child who wanted privacy, land, and a peaceful place to grow. The property was perfect for them: 3-bedrooms on 20 acres with seller financing at 4.5 percent. That interest rate alone saved them significant funds compared to the market rates of 6+ percent .

Everyone won in that transaction.

The seller's income nearly doubled his asking price when financed over time.

The buyers received their dream home at a very competitive interest rate.

Lastly, I earned my first assignment fee in a way that felt genuine and rewarding.

That deal shaped the path I am on today. To help people towards their real estate goals through win-win solutions.