4 Ways to Make Money in Real Estate

Life is full of distractions.

That’s why it’s so important to realign with what actually matters to you. Because if you don’t, you might wake up one day somewhere you never meant to be.

Getting clear on what you want to accomplish with real estate investing is step one to finding the right deal for right now. 

And this is true whether you are just starting out or taking things to the next level.

Here are the 4 Ways to Make Money in Real Estate Investing…

Cash Flow – Earning consistent monthly income from your properties after expenses.

Tax Savings – Legally keep more of what you make.

Passive Appreciation – Building wealth as your property naturally increases in value over time.

Active Appreciation – Increasing income and property value by improving operations, reducing costs, or adding new revenue streams.

When I was starting out, my goal was clear…I needed cash flow.

I wanted to replace my income as a power engineer, and I needed at least $5,000 a month from rentals.

After that happened, my focus started to shift. It wasn’t just about cash flow anymore. I started playing more of a long game, and commercial real estate began to make more sense.

(That said…If I knew then what I know now, I might have moved into commercial real estate sooner. There are so many reasons why. For starters, you can work with partners to share the load and scale so much faster.)

Once I got more comfortable investing in commercial real estate, my options really opened up.

Now, I can choose projects based more on what excites me. My newest hotel project is a perfect example.

It’s not about quick returns. It’s about creativity, collaboration, and building something I’m genuinely proud of.

Of course, profit matters, but I’m equally as focused on strategy. Especially on how to lower my tax liability and build long-term wealth.

So, when it comes to REI…What’s your goal?


And when it comes to ROI…What’s your timeline?

Knowing those answers can help determine what kind of deals actually make sense for you.

Are you looking to build generational wealth?


Or to buy, improve, and sell within a few years?


Do you want freedom from your job?

Or the thrill of building something bigger than yourself?

Whatever it is, clarity is everything. Reduce distractions and use your time and attention wisely by aligning your goals, strategy, and excitement.