Since I don't know what you're specifically asking today, I'll make an educated guess—you follow me because you want to get into real estate investing.

I believe you're reading this newsletter because you want to buy assets. You understand the crucial difference between wealth and riches.

The Hunter vs. The Farmer

Being wealthy means having things you can give away while still producing income. Being rich means the only things you have to give away will eventually leave you poor.

Think of it as the difference between a hunter and a farmer:

A hunter goes out daily, sweating and chasing prey. When successful, he brings back food that satisfies the family for a short time. But prey spoils quickly, forcing the hunter back out within days.

A farmer, however, plants seeds in the soil. For the first few years, he has little to show for his efforts—some seeds succeed, others fail. He survives on basic foods like lettuce. But eventually, the first fruits appear. After 30 years, the farmer has so much produce that he must give it away—he literally cannot consume all he's grown.

Meanwhile, the hunter is still out hunting every single day.

That's the difference between being rich and being wealthy. And I believe you follow me because you understand this fundamental truth. You want to be wealthy, not just rich. You grasp that while the first couple of years might be challenging, the long-term benefits for you and your family are immeasurable.

And "long-term" doesn't necessarily mean 30 years. Sometimes it can be as short as five years or even six months.

How to Start Building Assets

If you're in your 20s or 30s and thinking about building wealth for future generations, you're asking the same question I asked before buying my first property at 24. How do you start?

Step 1: Define What a Good Deal Means to You

The first step is clarity. Define exactly what constitutes a good real estate deal for you. If you can't answer this question, you need to do more research and understanding of how real estate works.

Here are the key metrics to consider when buying an existing property:

Cost Column

• Purchase price
• Closing costs (attorneys, title insurance, etc.)
• Renovation costs

Earning Column

You have two primary options:

1. Flip it (renovate and sell quickly)
2. Rent it (long-term tenants, medium-term tenants, Airbnbs)

If you're committed to building wealth rather than just being rich, renting is the way to go. By holding properties long-term, you benefit from both rental income and appreciation. This is how one property can provide for a family in 30 years.

If you start in your 20s, you'll be reaping the rewards in your 50s. Looking back, if I could have purchased my first property at 14, I would have done it!

The type of renovation you do depends on your strategy—flipping requires different renovations than rental preparation. I've done both successfully, but rental properties have been far more satisfying for me.

Step 2: Connect with People

Once you're clear about what you want to buy, talk to as many people as possible about your investment criteria. These connections will help guide you, provide information, and give you access to deals.

Local real estate investors, realtors, contractors, and attorneys all have valuable networks. They know neighborhoods, markets, and where to find what you're looking for. Since they get paid when deals close, they have a shared interest in helping you succeed—at least in closing a transaction.

Remember though, their interest is in you closing a deal, not necessarily in you making money from that deal. This is why your clarity from Step 1 is crucial. Don't rely on them to ensure your profit, but you can count on them to bring you deals they believe you'll close on.

Step 3: Run the Numbers

After identifying potential deals, it's time to analyze all the metrics. This is where you determine if a property truly meets your investment criteria.

Step 4: Arrange Financing

Only after you have a deal that checks all your boxes should you worry about how to finance it. Most people make the mistake of starting with financing and working backward, which is why they never succeed.

When you identify truly good deals, financing tends to follow. In today's uncertain stock market, investors are constantly looking for real estate opportunities. Once you find good deals, lenders, investors, private equity firms, and even family members will be eager to participate.

Beyond Financial Freedom

What started as my quest for financial freedom turned into something much more valuable. I gained satisfaction, goals, and a mission. I found work I can do anywhere in the world, work I never want to retire from.

I began by seeking financial freedom but discovered purpose along the way. Now I travel throughout Europe, conduct business from anywhere, and help guide others on their real estate journeys.

This all started with that first property. I wish you the same success on your journey from hunter to farmer.