I was recently featured in CanvasRebel Magazine, and I’m grateful for that.
They shared my story—the ups, the downs, losing everything, rebuilding, and doing over 3,500 deals.
If you haven’t read it yet, here it is:
👉 https://canvasrebel.com/meet-jorge-vazquez/
But after reading it myself, I had a thought…
“If someone reads this… will they actually know what to do next?”
Because stories are great.
But strategy is what changes your life.
So let’s talk like we’re sitting at a coffee shop, no fluff, no filters.
Just real talk.
Quick Answer: The Real Way to Start in Real Estate
If you’re trying to get into real estate, don’t overcomplicate it.
Here’s the real formula:
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Focus on simple, boring properties
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Learn how to control deals before owning them
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Build equity first
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Turn that equity into long-term cash flow
That’s it.
Everything else is just noise.
What the Interview Doesn’t Fully Show
The interview talks about losing everything.
That part is real.
But here’s what matters more…
👉 What changed after that
Because losing money doesn’t automatically make you smarter.
Changing your strategy does.
And that’s where most people get stuck.
They go through hard times…
But they don’t adjust how they play the game.
The Shift That Changed Everything
Before…
I wanted:
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Pretty houses
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Clean flips
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Deals that looked impressive
After…
I focused on:
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What actually works
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What survives bad markets
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What people always need
I call it:
Tonka Truck Investing
Not fancy.
Not sexy.
But strong.
Reliable.
And it works.
What That Actually Means
Think:
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Affordable homes
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Working-class areas
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Simple rehabs
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Easy maintenance
These properties don’t depend on hype.
They don’t need perfect conditions.
They just perform.
If You’re Starting From Scratch, Read This Twice
If you told me:
“I don’t have money… what do I do?”
Here’s exactly what I’d tell you.
Step 1: Stop Waiting for Money
This is the biggest excuse I hear.
“I need more money first.”
No, you don’t.
You need:
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Knowledge
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Effort
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The ability to find deals
Money follows deals.
Not the other way around.
Step 2: Control Deals Before You Own Them
This is where everything clicks.
You don’t need to own a property to make money from it.
You can:
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Take over payments (subject-to)
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Lease and re-rent (sandwich lease)
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Partner with someone who has the capital
The goal is simple:
👉 Find opportunity
👉 Structure the deal
👉 Create value
Ownership is just one option.
Step 3: Focus on Equity First (This Is Huge)
Most people chase cash flow first.
“I want $500 a month!”
That’s fine… but it’s slow.
What changed my life was this:
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Buy below market
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Fix the property
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Increase value
Now you’ve created equity.
And equity gives you power.
Step 4: Then Turn That Into Cash Flow
Once you have equity, now you can:
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Refinance
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Hold
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Rent
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Scale
That’s how you build a real portfolio.
Not one deal at a time…
But with momentum.
Simple Example (No Fancy Math)
You find a property:
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Seller is tired
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House needs work
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Price is below value
You:
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Structure the deal creatively
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Improve the property
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Increase its value
Now you either:
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Sell for profit
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Or keep it and rent it
You didn’t need to be rich.
You just needed to see the opportunity.
Why Most People Still Don’t Do This
It’s not lack of information.
We have too much information now.
The real problem is:
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Overthinking
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Waiting too long
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Wanting everything perfect
Let me make it simple:
👉 Your first deal won’t be perfect
👉 Your second won’t either
But that’s how you learn.
What’s Happening Right Now (And Why You Should Pay Attention)
The market today is shifting.
And that’s actually a good thing.
Because:
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Sellers are more flexible
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Deals are sitting longer
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Creative financing is back
This is where real investors step in.
Not when things are easy…
But when others hesitate.
If You Want to Take Action This Week
Don’t just read this and move on.
Do this:
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Look at 5 deals per day
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Talk to at least 2 sellers
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Learn ONE strategy (not ten)
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Take imperfect action
That’s how this starts.
Simple Takeaways
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
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You don’t need a lot of money to start
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You need the right strategy
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Focus on simple, durable deals
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Build equity first
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Turn that into long-term wealth
And most importantly…
👉 Stop waiting.
Final Thoughts
I appreciate CanvasRebel Magazine for sharing my story.
But this right here?
This is the part I’d tell you directly.
Real estate isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about:
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Staying consistent
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Making smart decisions
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And not quitting
Keep it consistent, stay patient, stay true—if I did it, so can you. This is Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group and all our amazing companies, and Coach at Property Profit Academy. Thanks for tuning in—until the next article, take care and keep building!
If you’d like to connect directly with me, feel free to book a time here: https://graystoneig.com/ceo.
Book an Expert
New investor? Start with Jorge.
Jorge Vazquez – CEO & Investment Strategist at Graystone. Let’s make your portfolio stronger, steadier, and more profitable.
Deals? Book with Cody.
Meet Cody Bergstrom, Your Expert in Finding Deals Let’s find an off-market deal that actually works for you.
Need financing? Book with Lisa.
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