💼 🎙️ He Quit His Job With 35 Properties — Then Scaled to 300

Steven built his portfolio while working 10–12 hour retail shifts, then dedicating nights and weekends to real estate. His early focus was education, mentorship, and disciplined deal analysis. He carved out consistent time instead of trying to do everything at once.Rather than letting real estate interfere with his job, Steven protected his work performance so income remained stable. That steady paycheck became the engine behind his growth, allowing him to reinvest and scale methodically.🏗️ How Steven Built His Portfolio While Still EmployedSteven’s primary strategy was buying distressed properties, completing mostly cosmetic renovations, increasing rents, refinancing, and repeating the process. Early on, he used creative financing — including a credit card cash advance — which he paid off after refinancing.To maximize buying power, he lived at home until he surpassed 100 units and reinvested nearly all profits. His days were long, but structured. The takeaway: building on the side requires planning, not endless free time.📍 What He Bought and Where He InvestedSteven focused on:• Single-family homes• Duplexes and triplexes• Small apartment buildings (generally 10 units or fewer)He invested across Central North Carolina, between Raleigh and Charlotte, targeting middle- to upper-lower-class neighborhoods. He avoided luxury markets and high-risk areas, choosing locations where cash flow and tenant demand were more predictable.📊 Key Takeaways for High-Income Earners and Business Owners Investing on the SideSteven evaluates deals by focusing on purchase price, value creation, and real cash flow — not headlines or interest rate noise. His long-standing goal has been roughly $300 per unit per month after expenses, with enough cushion to handle vacancies and repairs.He emphasizes knowing every number, building reserves, and underwriting conservatively so real estate supports life — not the other way around.⏱️ If You Are Starting With Little Time or MoneySteven believes real estate is uniquely suited for busy professionals. Even a few focused hours per week can create momentum if used intentionally. Education, mentorship, and patience mattered more than speed early on.🤝 Why Passive Investing in Real Estate Is So PowerfulPassive investing allows professionals to participate in real estate without day-to-day operations. Steven explains that partnering with experienced operators can provide exposure to cash flow and long-term wealth while preserving time for careers and family.🧭 Coaching Advice For Active and Passive Investors Buying Real Estate Part-Time (Steven Andrews)• For new investors: Build the foundation first. Understand the numbers before buying anything.• On balance: Shift from living to work toward working to live. Growth should be sustainable.• With limited time or money: Be consistent and methodical. Planning beats rushing.• On underwriting: Never guess. Run the numbers carefully and double-check assumptions.📚 Books Recommended for Active and Passive Investors• Building Wealth — Russell Whitney• The New American Dream — Steven Andrews