My Real Estate Journey

From Tyler Warne

My Real Estate Journey

From Tyler Warne

My Real Estate Journey:

From Small Beginnings to Larger Visions

Over the years, I’ve come to believe that real estate investing is one of the most exciting—and at times non-passive—paths to building wealth. My story starts like many others: with a spark of curiosity, then renewed by classic books on entrepreneurship and money management and mindset. Today, I look back with gratitude on every success, every misstep, and every lesson learned along the way. Here’s how I went from reading Think and Grow Rich and Rich Dad, Poor Dad to owning and growing my own portfolio of real estate properties.

1. The Power of Mindset

My decision truly began the day I opened Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. The book introduced me to the concept that your thoughts can shape your destiny. While reading this book, I discovered Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad, which taught me to think of money and investments in a new way—particularly the idea of using real estate as a vehicle for passive income.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Develop Financial Awareness: Learn the difference between assets and liabilities. Your first step is to get clear on what generates income versus what drains resources.
Leverage Self-Education: Whether it’s reading books, listening to podcasts, or attending seminars, never stop learning. The right knowledge will set you apart from those who simply “wing it.”
Then, take action: It is such a cliché, but we all know that nothing will happen if you just around waiting for it. As they say, “You miss 100% of the shots you do not take.”

These insights became the lens through which I viewed every subsequent business opportunity. It was more than just a shift in thinking—it was a commitment to build real wealth, not just earn a paycheck.

2. Early Businesses and Lessons Learned

Long before I owned commercial properties, I was a business owner. I built houses, ran an underground sprinkler company, and experienced firsthand the hurdles small businesses face. There were seasons of robust profits followed by unexpected expenses and learning curves I hadn’t anticipated.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Gain Operational Experience: The logistical, financial, and leadership skills you develop in running any business are invaluable. Even if you run them in a less than optimal way.
Accept Risk and Failure: Some ventures will thrive; others will fizzle out. Viewing each attempt as a learning experience keeps you resilient and open to new possibilities.
Because I’d spent time in both construction and service industries, I saw how cash flow ebbs and flows, how to manage teams, and how to pivot when markets shift. These lessons became crucial when I began to pursue real estate.

3. A Realization: Real Estate as a Path

Around 2011, I was running my side gig, a sprinkler and construction business. I was working in the yard of a client’s home and he and I were talking about how he was able to afford this property. He told me that he was big into certain types of investing. I then made a comment that “I work for my money”- I was proud of that, but as that statement seasoned in my brain, I became aware of how silly that was. And then started looking around at how the wealthy don’t work for their money. This began the long journey of education, hard work and dedication to the craft of real estate.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Lowest risk options: I thought about what I wanted to do with real estate. Before I really knew what I was going to do; I built houses and ran a sprinkler crew, then was a property manager and maintenance guy and finally an appraiser prior to taking on my first property.
Residential or Commercial maybe, Both: Each asset class has its own nuances. Commercial will generally be a larger purchase, but there are fewer buyers looking for similar deals, so this can turn into a great pursuit. Then there are residential properties, which have their own benefits and drawbacks, like shorter tenancy, more competition but also have much shorter vacancies – usually.
Consider Your Role in Real Estate: Do you want to be hands-on (like a DIY landlord) or more passive (as a partner in a bigger deal)? Each approach has different risk and reward profiles. There are distinct roles in each. The property management is different then owning the asset – They should be treated as such.

4. Building My Foundation: Becoming an Appraiser

To gain an in-depth understanding of the industry, I took a job as an appraiser and also pursued higher education. This gave me the technical know-how of property valuations, local market trends, and how lenders assess deals. It was an inside look at how properties are analyzed and financed, which was invaluable when I started searching for my own real estate investments. I also learned a lot from a formal education. Yes there were things that I was learning that wouldn’t apply to my real life, but there were other things that I learned that were not in a classroom, like hearing and still disagreeing with other points of view. It really changed how I did business.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Get Educated in Valuation and Finance: Whether through formal education or mentorship, understanding how to evaluate a property’s worth is essential.
Network with Industry Experts: Appraisers, brokers, and loan officers can often provide real-world advice that accelerates your learning curve.

5. The First Deals: A Four-Unit and a Single-Family Home

Armed with fresh knowledge, I ‘dove’ into my first deals—starting with a four-unit property and then adding a single-family house. One was a 4 unit. It had been under contract 2 times before I was there and they were both scared of some moisture in the wall and where that water may have been coming from. I asked the listing agent if I could poke a hole in the wall and after I did, we saw the damage wasn’t bad. It needed a re-model, but we kept the property going and it turned into a 325,000 profit over 6 years, which also paid us a little cash-flow. The learning curve was steep. I had to juggle tenant concerns, property upkeep – like a bathroom back up in the middle of the night, market fluctuations, and more. But along the way, I saw firsthand how real estate a powerful engine for could indeed be generating wealth.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Start: You don’t need an enormous complex as your first purchase. Or maybe you do. It doesn’t matter if you take the first step and buy something!
Run the Numbers: Factor in property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and vacancy. If the math doesn’t work on paper, it won’t magically improve because you think it might.
Build a Team: Having a dependable property manager, contractor, and attorney in your corner can make or break your investment.

6. Growing a Larger Portfolio

Those initial purchases were just the beginning. Over time, I continued acquiring properties, leveraging equity from existing deals to finance new ones. My portfolio grew as I refined my strategy, built relationships, and reinvested my profits back into real estate. Through careful planning and consistent effort, what started as a small endeavor became something much larger and more sustainable.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Scale Strategically: Look for properties that complement your existing holdings. If you specialize in multi-family housing, for example, refine that niche before leaping into office or industrial spaces.
Stay Liquid and Prepared: Keep cash or credit lines available to cover unexpected repairs or capitalize on sudden opportunities.
Reinvest for Faster Growth: Instead of pocketing all profits, allocate them toward new properties or property improvements to accelerate portfolio growth.

7. Looking Ahead: The Vision

My ambitions continue to grow, and with each new deal, I’m reminded that the journey is as important as the destination. Real estate isn’t simply about hitting a specific number; it’s about creating a framework that allows financial stability, personal fulfillment, and the chance to make a positive impact on others.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Set Ambitious Goals: Don’t be afraid to dream bigger than you think is possible. Ambitious targets give you a roadmap and spark your motivation.
Create Systems and Processes: As your holdings expand, it’s impossible to manage everything manually. Automate rent collection, maintenance requests, and other administrative tasks to stay on top of your investments.
Always Keep Learning: Markets evolve. Stay informed about new laws, economic trends, and best practices. Adaptability is key to longevity in this business.

8. Paying It Forward: Helping the Next Generation

Along this path, I’ve stayed connected to the realities of being a small-business owner and a first-time investor. One of my greatest joys is sharing insights with others who are just beginning their journey—helping them avoid pitfalls and realize the opportunities real estate can offer.

Key Steps & Takeaways:

Mentor and Teach: If you have experience to share, do so. We all benefit when knowledge is passed along.
Plan for Legacy: For those interested in long-term wealth, consider strategies like trusts or family partnerships to ensure that your assets continue benefiting loved ones for generations to come.
Support Small Businesses: If you own commercial properties, offering fair lease terms and practical guidance can help entrepreneurs flourish—and strengthen your community in the process.

Final Thoughts

My real estate story has been anything but straightforward—it’s involved reading books, juggling various businesses both successfully and unsuccessfully, working as an appraiser, and ultimately acquiring properties one at a time. There have been highs and lows, but each phase taught me a lesson.

Moving forward, I’m as excited about future acquisitions as I am about helping others navigate their own path to property ownership. Real estate, at its best, is a vehicle for personal freedom, communal benefit, and legacy. If you’re considering your first purchase—or dreaming of expanding your portfolio—remember that every big venture starts with a small step. Equip yourself with knowledge, persevere through challenges, and make decisions today that will shape the future you envision.

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My Real Estate Journey

From Tyler Warne

My Real Estate Journey

From Tyler Warne

Learn about oUR POPULAR property types

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