Pushing A Snowball Down Hill
A real estate investor’s journey
Building a real estate portfolio is like pushing a snowball downhill.
The toughest part is getting started—but once you’re rolling, it’ll grow itself.
Most of us know this.
But when you’re looking through couch cushions for any loose change that will help you get your first rental up and running, it’s easy to forget that the torture is short-lived, and the best part has yet to come.
Let this be a reminder that you’re not alone.
Every investor has to venture through these 4 distinct phases of their real estate journey.
Eventually, momentum takes over and there’s nothing that can get in the way of your growth.
But before you get to that point, it all starts here. . .
Phase 1: Putting the Pieces Together
First you’ll scramble.
Scouring the internet for how-to blogs. Binging beginner friendly podcast series. Enrolling as a full-time student at YouTube University.
Ultimately, you’ll gather enough money, knowledge, connections, and courage to pull the trigger on your first project.
You’ll still have a mountain of unanswered questions, and a laundry list of what-ifs, but in front of you will be a your own little pile of dirty snow.
Whether that’s a value-add four-family that you plan to house-hack.
Or a beat up condo that you intend to renovate.
Whatever you manage to get your hands on, it’ll be all yours to mold and learn from.
Phase 2: Forming Your Sphere
By the time you fix up that four-family or complete an overhaul of the condo, much of those lingering questions will be answered and most of the uncertainty that once terrified you will be long gone.
With your first deal under your belt, you’ve successfully taken that loose, unformed pile of dirty snow - that was riddled with twigs and leaves - and have shaped it into a snowball.
Sure it’s small, but it’s smooth and free from debris.
You’ve gotten rid of any leftover doubt and replaced your self-inflicted anxiety with confidence.
You’ve documented every win, loss, and lesson and turned them into an operating manual.
This operating manual - comprised of your purchase criteria, investment thesis, do’s, don’ts, and systems - will serve as the foundation upon which you’ll continue building.
Believe it or not, this is the tipping point.
You’re sitting at the top of the mountain, snowball in hand, ready to start pushing downhill.
It happens that quick.
Phase 3: Starting To Roll
By this phase, you’re on the other side of the learning curve.
You’re no longer climbing up hill in search of information and clues of what to do, or where to go next.
You’ve drawn up a blueprint for yourself, and created a road map to follow.
From here, you’re repeating what’s been proven to work, and avoiding old mistakes.
Any new obstacles are easily overcome, and unforeseen roadblocks are bypassed without a hitch.
You still have to hunt for deals, but now you know exactly what you’re looking for.
Rather than filtering through hundreds of listings to find one that loosely fits within your buy-box, you’re able to narrow in on the handful that pass the napkin-math test, and execute on the best opportunities.
Renovation projects that previously took you 6 months to complete, have now been condensed to 60 days.
With momentum on your side, you hit full stride as you push your growing snowball down the hill.
The faster it rolls, the larger it becomes.
Phase 4: Unstoppable
Ultimately, you reach Phase 4.
You’re no longer searching for deals—they come to you.
You’re no longer strapped for cash—rents and liquidity events provide ample cushion.
You’re no longer desperate for contractors—you have a team of top-tier craftsman.
Your snowball turns into an avalanche.
There’s nothing that can get in your way.
I look forward to the day in which I can step back and watch the avalanche that I’ve created.
I’m still pushing my snowball down the hill.
But I vividly remember the days when I had nothing but a dirty pile of snow.
No strategy, no methods to the madness, just a willingness to figure it out.
I’m well past that phase now.
Every door that I add to the count, I find myself not having to push as hard.
I’ve developed an investing model that’s tried and true.
As I continue to fine tune, the portfolio scales itself.
Soon, growth will become effortless.
The same will happen for you.
Don’t get stuck on Phase 1.
Take down that deal and start shaping your snowball.
Eventually, the grueling, not-so-enjoyable stage of your journey, will be behind you.
And it only gets better ahead.
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