Rentals Helped Me Quit My 14-Year Nursing Job (And Start My Own Business)
BiggerPockets Real Estate PodcastSummary
Lindsay Barrientos, a nurse from Los Angeles, has successfully transitioned into real estate investing, amassing a portfolio of 12 properties in just four years. Starting her journey in late 2022, Barrientos faced the challenges of high home prices and interest rates but remained committed to her goal of financial independence. By strategically investing in markets like Gary, Indiana, where property prices are significantly lower than in California, she has been able to leverage rental income to fund further investments.
Barrientos began her real estate journey by house hacking her own home, renting out rooms to traveling nurses. After experiencing burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic, she sought alternative income sources and turned to real estate, utilizing resources from the BiggerPockets community to educate herself. Her investments have included both turnkey properties and those requiring renovations, allowing her to maximize cash flow and build equity.
In addition to her real estate success, Barrientos has also pursued further education, becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner. She has embraced creative financing strategies, including seller financing, to acquire properties and has built a supportive network of investors. Her story serves as an inspiration for those hesitant to enter the real estate market, demonstrating that with determination and the right resources, significant financial goals can be achieved.
Show Notes
Have you ever thought, maybe real estate investing isn’t worth it anymore?
Lindsay Barrientos didn’t start buying rentals after the 2008 crash or ride the low-interest-rate wave in 2021. She started in late 2022, after home prices and interest rates had already spiked. But she knew about the long-term potential of real estate and trusted the process—buying one house at a time and banking the rental income for the next down payment.
Now, just four years later, Lindsay’s 12-property portfolio has given her the flexibility to go back to school, quit her grueling W-2 job, and start her own business. And she didn’t do anything the average investor can’t do today. She lives in a high-cost-of-living area, so she invests in a real estate market where her money goes further. Her properties are 2,000 miles away, so she leans into her investing team.
No “perfect” timing. No big bank account. Just a plan and simple, consistent action.
Whatever’s keeping you on the sidelines—prices, rates, the economy—Lindsay’s story may be the push you need to get started today.
In This Episode We Cover
How rentals helped Lindsay quit her 14-year hospital job (and start a business)
Scaling from zero to 12 rental properties in just four years
How to narrow down affordable real estate markets to invest in
The two-offer strategy that can help you buy more off-market deals
Key relationships that make investing out of state (much) easier
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1348.
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