He Left a 16 Year Railroad Career for Real Estate: Ryan Mellies Story and Strategy

Welcome to The Red Chair Series, where we spotlight the agents and investors building real wealth through real estate.In this episode, Genevra sits down with Ryan Mellies, a seasoned investor turned agent who left a 16 year railroad career to build a thriving real estate business rooted in flips, rentals, and long term wealth strategies.Ryan shares how his early real estate experiences, including navigating the 2008 crash, shaped his mindset and pushed him toward investing. He walks through his first true flip deal, how he partnered with a longtime friend, analyzed the numbers, managed the rehab, and hit his profit goal almost exactly.He also opens up about one of his biggest learning experiences: a 12 unit apartment deal during COVID that came with permit delays, theft, and major holding costs, and the lessons it taught him about risk, location, and knowing your buy box.From there, Ryan explains how his portfolio evolved into 25 midterm rental properties, why he prefers midterm stays over traditional short term rentals, and why Johnson County continues to be his favorite market for stability and long term appreciation. He also shares a unique strategy he is focused on now: buying multifamily properties, converting them into condos or townhomes, and selling units individually for active income.This conversation is packed with real investing stories, practical strategy, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from doing the work.If you have ever considered investing in real estate or making the leap from a W2 job into entrepreneurship, this episode will inspire you and give you a roadmap to think bigger.