Get Your Kids in the Game: Real Estate OJT with the Vazquez Crew
If you think real estate investing is just for adults with spreadsheets and gallons of coffee, think again. In my house, real estate is a family sport—kind of like Monopoly but with drywall dust, real hammers, and bank approvals.
Bringing kids into the business early is one of the best gifts you can give them. It’s not about forcing them to love it; it’s about giving them the chance to see how wealth is built—brick by brick, offer by offer, late-night by late-night.
Today I want to share how my kids and their friends are already diving in, what we’ve learned together, and why this approach might just change the way you think about family, work, and building a lasting legacy.
Big thanks to the ActiveRain team for featuring this article on the front page—what an honor! Appreciate everyone who’s been reading, sharing, and adding to the conversation. You all make this community the best spot for real estate pros to swap ideas and stories.
Meet the Squad
Let’s start with introductions, because this crew deserves some spotlight.
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Kelyn (the oldest)
Kelyn is knee-deep in house hacking research. He’s learning that buying a duplex, living in one side, and renting out the other is one of the smartest ways to start. He’s already walked through more duplexes than some rookie agents and discovered that location, tenant screening, and creative financing matter more than granite countertops.
Here’s the kicker: he didn’t just study it—he jumped right into rehabbing properties with me. He’s become downright great at flooring installs. Hardwood, vinyl plank, you name it—he can lay it down like a seasoned contractor. That skill alone saves thousands and makes him invaluable on every project. -
Liza (the middle)
Liza is our future short-term rental queen. She’s been saving every extra dollar and already has a list of dream vacation markets taped above her desk. She’s proof that you don’t have to be an adult to dream big about creating cash flow. Her Pinterest boards look like a mix of chic Airbnbs and wild beach escapes.
Liza’s also my painting pro. Trim work, accent walls, fine-detail touch-ups—she’s got the patience and eye for perfection. She even handles detailed cleaning after projects wrap. Investors know that final clean makes a huge difference for first impressions, and she owns that role like a boss. -
Zairon (the youngest)
Zairon is hunting for his first BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) property. He’s learning that “forced appreciation” isn’t something you yell at a house plant—it’s a strategy to add value through smart upgrades. He’s already figured out that finding the deal is the hardest part and that running the numbers matters way more than paint color.
Like his sister, Zairon dives in with a paint roller and a detailed-cleaning mindset. He’s meticulous, catching little things adults sometimes miss. Baseboards? Window sills? Done. He’s learning that the small touches are what make a rehab sparkle. -
Quan and Than (family friends)
Quan and Than are young adults and proof that age doesn’t set limits. They’re tight with my kids and jumped right into investing themselves. These two have already purchased two properties together and love to remind the rest of us about it. Friendly competition? You bet. They bring energy, fresh ideas, and the kind of enthusiasm that keeps everyone motivated.
If you saw the photo above, you know they don’t mind getting dirty. That’s the five of them in full Tyvek suits with respirators, ready to rip out insulation and tackle a dusty rehab project. Real estate glamor? Not exactly. Real estate reality? Absolutely.
Why Start Them Young
Why bring kids into investing so early? Here’s what I’ve learned.
1. Hands-On Learning Beats Textbooks
No workbook can compete with swinging a hammer, walking a property, or crunching real numbers on a potential deal. Kids remember what they experience, and nothing says “memorable” like demo day with flying drywall.
2. Confidence that Sticks
Negotiating a property deal before senior year of high school changes a kid. When you’ve stared down a seller and made an offer, class presentations and job interviews feel easy.
3. Real Money Lessons
When they understand leverage, cash flow, and ROI, they won’t freak out over credit cards or student loans. They start to see money as a tool instead of a mystery.
4. Building a Family Legacy
Real estate is bigger than houses. It’s freedom, stability, and something to pass down. Getting them involved early means they’re not just learning—they’re helping build something we all own.
OJT: On-the-Job Training, Vazquez Style
Here’s what real estate OJT looks like in our household.
Walkthrough Wednesdays
We pick a property each week and tour it together. I teach them how to spot red flags like foundation cracks, outdated electrical, or that faint smell of “we might have a plumbing issue.” They take notes, ask questions, and sometimes spot things even I miss.
Math at the Dinner Table
Forget flash cards. We calculate cap rates and cash-on-cash returns between bites of arroz con pollo. My kids can rattle off gross rent multipliers faster than most college grads.
Weekend Warriors
Saturday demo day is family day. Everyone gets gloves and a task. Tearing out old carpet is a hit. Smashing tile? Even better. They learn hard work and teamwork while we laugh about who collected the most dust.
Negotiation Nights
We role-play offers and counteroffers. They practice asking questions, staying calm, and walking away when the numbers don’t work. These sessions sometimes turn into comedy sketches, but the lessons stick.
Skill Building
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Kelyn’s flooring expertise saves time and cash.
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Liza’s painting and detail cleaning turn every project into a showpiece.
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Zairon’s careful prep and cleanup make final inspections a breeze.
These aren’t just chores; they’re marketable skills they can use anywhere—inside or outside real estate.
Lessons Learned from First Deals
Each kid has had an “aha!” moment already.
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Kelyn realized house hacking means you live next to your tenants—so screening and communication are everything.
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Liza discovered that saving is a superpower. Every extra dollar brings her closer to her dream short-term rental.
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Zairon learned that not every “deal” is really a deal once you factor in hidden repairs and holding costs.
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Quan and Than? They proved that youth is not a barrier. With a clear plan and guidance, they closed on two properties before some people even open a retirement account.
Fun Stories from the Field
One day, we were removing old insulation from a garage ceiling. It was hot, dusty, and the pink fiberglass looked like cotton candy from a nightmare. Everyone suited up in white Tyvek, looking like a cross between astronauts and giant marshmallows.
Halfway through, Zairon yelled, “I think we found treasure!” He’d uncovered a 1980s baseball card wedged in the rafters. Worth anything? Probably not—but that excitement reminded me that every property has stories.
Another time, Kelyn negotiated with a seller while I quietly listened in the background. His voice cracked halfway through, but he stuck with it. When he hung up, his grin said everything: he’d just made his first real offer.
Liza’s proudest moment? Finding a short-term rental market I hadn’t even considered. “Dad, look at these numbers in St. Augustine,” she said, flipping her laptop around. She’d found a place with rising tourism and underpriced properties. I was impressed—and maybe a little jealous.
How to Get Your Own Kids Involved
Ready to try this with your family? Here’s what’s worked for us.
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Start with Shadowing
Bring them to one open house or contractor meeting. Let them see how deals are done. -
Give Real Responsibility
Whether it’s running numbers, taking photos, or making a call, let them own a small part. -
Teach the Language
Cap rate, equity, cash flow—kids are sponges for new words. Make it a game. -
Celebrate Every Win
First offer submitted? First tenant secured? Celebrate like it’s a championship. -
Make It Fun
If it feels like boot camp, they’ll tune out. Keep it light, share laughs, and hand out plenty of snacks.
The Bigger Picture
Real estate isn’t just about money. It’s about freedom, creativity, and legacy. By getting kids involved now, you’re teaching them to solve problems, think critically, and take ownership of their future.
Whether they stick with real estate or branch into something else, the lessons stay. They’ll always know how to evaluate a deal, spot value others miss, and handle a budget. Those skills translate everywhere.
Why It’s Worth It
When I look at Kelyn running numbers on a duplex and expertly installing flooring, Liza perfecting a paint job, or Zairon confidently analyzing a BRRRR opportunity and handling detailed cleanups, I see more than kids learning a business. I see leaders being built.
They’re not waiting for a “someday” job or a lucky break. They’re building the life they want, right now. And they’re proving that real estate isn’t just my dream—it’s a family legacy.
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!
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