From Registered Dietitian to 250+ Rental Units (and Growing)
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be a successful real estate investor in Michigan with more than 250 units of multifamily real estate, I might have laughed. Back then, I was a registered dietitian—a great career, but still a JOB. I was working for money, trading my time for a paycheck, with no real way to build lasting wealth.
Fast forward to today, and my money now works for me. How did I make that transition? By developing high-income skills first, leveraging those skills to grow my income, and then using that income to invest in real estate. If you want to do the same, let me walk you through the process step by step.
5 Key Steps to Becoming a Successful Real Estate Investor in Michigan or Anywhere Else
Step 1: Develop a High-Income Skill Set
Before I could become a successful real estate investor, I needed capital. That meant increasing my income—and to do that, I had to grow my skill set. Here’s something I live by: “Skills pay the bills.”
Instead of looking for a higher-paying job, I focused on learning sales, marketing, negotiations, social media, and content creation. These skills allowed me to build a scalable business that produced real wealth. If you’re currently in a 9-to-5 job and wondering how to start, focus on acquiring skills that can increase your income first. Then you can invest.
Watch this video to learn more: 3 Simple Steps to Increase Your Income and Start Investing in Real Estate
Step 2: Understand the Power of Money
One of the biggest mindset shifts I had was realizing: “Money never disappears. It just transfers hands.” The question is—how do you position yourself to be on the receiving end of that transfer?
Real estate is one of the best ways to do that. Every time someone rents one of my properties, they’re transferring money to me in exchange for housing. But to get there, I had to understand how money worked, how to leverage assets, and how to invest strategically.
Step 3: Master the Art of Negotiation
When I started investing in real estate, I quickly learned that “Negotiations are the key to success in anything in life, but especially real estate.”
Negotiation isn’t about trying to win at someone else’s expense—it’s about creating a win-win scenario. Here are some key principles I follow:
- Don’t negotiate too soon. Gather information first. Understand the seller’s true motivation.
- Find out what’s most important to the seller. Some sellers care more about a fast close than the highest price. Others want certainty. Solve their problem.
- Work with the seller, not against them. Build a relationship, and you’ll find better deals.
- Start your negotiation higher than where you’re willing to go. This gives you room to adjust while still landing on a great deal.
- Be willing to walk away. If the deal doesn’t make sense financially, don’t force it. There’s always another opportunity.
Watch this video to learn more: The Secrets to Successful Real Estate Negotiations
Step 4: Take Massive Action
A lot of people get stuck in analysis paralysis. They read books, watch YouTube videos, and listen to podcasts—but they never actually do anything. My advice? “Don’t decrease your goals. Increase your actions.” If you want to HAVE more, be willing to DO more.
I didn’t become a successful real estate investor in Michigan by starting out with a big portfolio. I started with one property. Then another. Then another. The key is to start, learn as you go, and scale up over time.
Step 5: Let Your Money Work for You
Once you’ve developed your high-income skills and built up capital, it’s time to let your money work for you. Here’s how real estate allows you to do that:
- Cash Flow: Rental properties generate passive income every month.
- Appreciation: Over time, real estate increases in value, growing your wealth.
- Leverage: You can use other people’s money (bank loans, private lenders) to buy properties.
- Tax Benefits: Real estate investing comes with tax advantages that help you keep more of your money.
Pro tip: Learn how to use my Multifamily BRRRR Method to produce an INFINITE return on your investment.
Are YOU Ready to Become a Successful Real Estate Investor?
My journey from registered dietitian to real estate investor wasn’t easy, but it was simple. I focused on growing my skills first, increasing my income, and then investing in real estate. If you’re serious about moving from working for money to letting your money work for you, start with skills, take action, and negotiate wisely.
If you’re looking to get started with Michigan real estate investing, contact us today. I created The Stephan Group Brokerage to help investors find, analyze, and negotiate great deals, as well as operate their real estate portfolio here in Metro Detroit.
If I can do it, so can you. Your future in real estate starts now!
