Shannon Aronson"Shannon, aren't you worried about losing your friends' and family's money? What if something happens to one of your deals?" I get asked this question all the time. And I used to have a long, defensive answer prepared. I'd explain my due diligence process, my risk management strategies, my track record—anything to prove I wasn't reckless or irresponsible.
Shannon AronsonLet me tell you about the moment I almost gave up on real estate investing entirely. I was sitting in my car outside a coffee shop where I was supposed to meet a potential investor—someone I'd known for years who had expressed interest in my first flip. My heart was pounding. My palms were sweating. And I couldn't make myself open the car door.
Shannon AronsonYou've created your vision. You've calculated your Magic Number. Now comes the question that determines everything else: How are you actually going to get there? This is where most people get stuck. They know where they want to go, but they're not sure which vehicle will get them there fastest—or which one they'd actually enjoy driving.
Shannon AronsonI used to drive through neighborhoods that felt completely out of reach. Beautiful tree-lined streets. Well-maintained homes with manicured lawns. The kind of places where people seemed to have it all figured out. And I'd think, "Wow, imagine living here." But there was always a little voice adding, "But people like me don't live in places like this. This isn't for me."
Shannon AronsonMost people get real estate investing exactly backwards. They start by researching properties, studying markets, connecting with agents, and analyzing deals. They dive into the "how" before they understand the "why." And that's precisely why so many people burn out, give up, or end up with properties that don't actually move them toward the life they want.