The BRRRR method gets talked about a lot—Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. Most people treat it like a simple formula you can follow step by step.
That hasn’t been my experience.
Over time, I’ve come to look at BRRRR as a system that only works when each piece is handled with intention. It starts with the purchase. If the deal isn’t strong going in, everything that follows becomes harder to execute.
I focus heavily on buying below market value, often through off-market opportunities where there’s room to improve the property in a meaningful way. That gives me options on the renovation side, which is where a lot of investors lose control of the deal.
There’s a clear difference between making a property look good and actually increasing its value in a way that shows up on an appraisal. Cosmetic upgrades might help with rent, but they don’t always translate into higher valuations.
What has worked for me is focusing on how the property functions. That could mean improving layouts, adding legal bedrooms, ensuring proper egress, upgrading ventilation, or bringing everything up to code. These aren’t always the most exciting upgrades, but they consistently produce results that matter.
Every renovation decision ties back to return. If it doesn’t improve rent, strengthen tenant quality, or support a better refinance, it needs to be reconsidered.
Refinancing is another step that gets oversimplified. Pulling money out is only part of the equation. The real goal is to position the property so it performs well over time. That means locking into the right financing and placing tenants who will treat the property well and stay longer.
The Shift From Job to Business
Like a lot of people, I didn’t start out thinking this would become my full-time focus.
I was working a regular job while building my portfolio on the side. Most of that time was spent after hours and on weekends, managing renovations and dealing with the realities that come with tenants and older properties.
I kept reinvesting and stayed consistent.
Eventually, the portfolio reached a point where it could support my lifestyle. Walking away from a steady paycheck wasn’t easy, but it was a decision that made sense based on what I had built.
What changed for me wasn’t how much I worked, it was what I was working on. The effort I was putting in was now building something for myself. The decisions carried more weight, but so did the upside.
Creating an Edge Through Vertical Integration
As the business grew, one of the biggest challenges was relying on outside contractors. Timelines would stretch, costs would shift, and quality wasn’t always where it needed to be.
That led me to start SPM Inc., a construction and renovation company that works with investors, homeowners, and joint venture partners.
Bringing that piece in-house changed how I operate. I have more control over timelines, costs, and the standard of work across projects. It also allows for better planning before a renovation even starts, since the investment strategy and construction plan are aligned from the beginning.
Being involved on both sides of the deal has given me a better understanding of where value is actually created and where money tends to get lost.
Systems Built Through Experience
One of the biggest improvements in my business came from building systems around the day-to-day operations.
Tenant screening, lease structures, bookkeeping, capital expenditure tracking, and joint venture reporting are all handled through processes that have been refined over time. Renovation scopes and budgets follow a consistent framework rather than being built from scratch each time.
None of this came from getting everything right early on.
Most of these systems were developed after running into issues that could have been handled better. A tenant situation that could have been avoided. A project that went over budget. A refinance that didn’t unfold as expected.
Each situation forced me to adjust how I operate. That’s where real progress came from.
Taking Action When It Counts
A lot of people spend years getting ready to invest.
They read, study the market, and wait for the right moment. At some point, that preparation turns into hesitation.
The biggest difference in my own path came from taking action early, even when I didn’t have every answer. That doesn’t mean moving without thinking things through. It means making informed decisions and being willing to learn through experience.
If I had waited until everything felt certain, I wouldn’t have moved forward.
For newer investors, working with someone who has already been through different market conditions can make a big difference. There’s value in learning from someone who has dealt with tenant issues, financing challenges, and the ups and downs that come with holding property over time.
Giving up a portion of a deal isn’t always a downside if it helps you avoid costly mistakes and move forward with more confidence.
A Long-Term Approach
Real estate works best when it’s approached with a long-term mindset.
That means buying with a margin, making decisions during renovations that support the overall performance of the asset, and structuring financing in a way that allows the property to hold up over time. It also means putting systems in place so the business can run without constant stress.
About ten years ago, I started by renting out a few bedrooms and getting a feel for what passive income could look like.
Today, I’m running a portfolio, a renovation company, and working with partners on multiple projects. It didn’t happen overnight, and there were plenty of adjustments along the way.
It started with taking action and continuing to move forward, even when things weren’t fully clear. The opportunities are still there. The difference is that fewer people are willing to step into them when the path isn’t obvious.
