How I House Hacked My Way From Zero to Nearly 40 Properties

In 2008, I hit rock bottom. I lost 22 homes. I was nearly bankrupt. My world was upside down, and I had a choice—give up, or rebuild from the ashes.

I chose the rebuild.

It wasn’t easy. I had no cash, and my credit was wrecked. But I had a vision. I told myself, “We’re going to live differently now. It’s going to be hard, but this time, we build smart.”

That’s when I discovered house hacking. I didn’t have money, but I had drive. I didn’t have perfect credit, but I had a plan. I was ready to hustle.

Step 1: House Hack #1 — The Sacrifices Begin

The first house hack? Not glamorous. Broken toilets. Old wiring. A rough neighborhood. But I moved in, fixed it up with my own two hands, and rented out the other rooms.

Every dollar counted.

I became the handyman, the property manager, the accountant, and sometimes even the plumber. I patched drywall with YouTube tutorials, unclogged drains with coat hangers, and negotiated with tenants while juggling bills.

But that house gave me something no paycheck ever did—equity. That became my lifeline. I realized that if I could do this once, I could do it again. And again.

The Grit Between the Glamor

Let’s be real: this journey wasn’t cute. I was knee-deep in the grind—handling repairs after work, patching up water leaks, dodging crime, and constantly stretching dollars like rubber bands. My weekends weren’t for rest—they were for demo work, painting, and figuring out how to make a $10 fix look like a $100 upgrade.

There were nights I questioned everything. Days I thought about quitting. But every time I saw a unit rented, a repair finished, or a small refinance approved, I knew I was on the right path.

I dealt with code violations, contractors ghosting me, and tenants who thought paying rent was optional. But I didn’t let those setbacks stop me. I kept learning, kept documenting my process, and started building a track record that banks couldn’t ignore.

Scaling Up: From Hack to BRRRR

After a few house hacks, I hit a rhythm. That’s when I found BRRRR: Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. It became my playbook.

I used equity from the early deals to fund the next ones. I improved my credit, tightened my systems, and started stacking properties. Each refinance put cash in my pocket and pushed me to the next level.

I learned how to buy undervalued properties, rehab them cost-effectively, and rent them out for solid cash flow. The key was to keep moving—stay consistent and trust the process. I wasn’t chasing shiny objects. I was building a foundation.

But the problems didn’t stop. Broken ACs, plumbing disasters, terrible tenants—you name it, I dealt with it. I even lost money on a couple of deals. But I never lost momentum.

Meeting My Wife and Refocusing

A few years after losing it all, I met my wife. She believed in me when I was still putting the pieces back together. I didn’t have much to show at the time—just a few beat-up properties and a fire to get back on top. But she saw the vision. She saw me.

Her belief in me helped me block out the noise and keep going. I refocused, got sharper with my goals, and became more disciplined. She reminded me that the mission wasn’t just about building wealth—it was about rebuilding purpose. Her support became the turning point in my comeback.

It wasn’t just about building properties anymore. It was about building a future—with someone who saw my potential even when I felt like I was starting from scratch.

Property #10 and Beyond: Building Systems

By property 10, I realized I couldn’t do it all. That’s when I started building systems. I hired the right people. Contractors. Bookkeepers. Property managers. I stopped trying to wear every hat and started thinking like a business owner.

I created a repeatable process: find the deal, estimate repairs, negotiate like my life depended on it, then rehab and rent with precision. I tracked every dollar and documented every lesson. I became a student of the game.

That structure allowed me to scale. I picked up 27 more properties using the BRRRR method. Today, my company manages over 300. I’ve completed thousands of transactions and now coach other investors across the world.

From Loss to Legacy

People think success happens overnight. What they don’t see are the years of rebuilding, the sleepless nights, the trial and error, and the grind behind the scenes. I didn’t just build a portfolio—I built my life back, one screw, one lease, one closing at a time.

I used to feel shame about losing 22 homes. Now I talk about it openly—because that loss made me stronger. It gave me perspective. And it taught me that failure isn’t final unless you quit.

Now, I use my story to help others. I coach students, mentor investors, and run a property management company that’s investor-focused—because I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to be broke and confused. And I also know how to come back swinging.

Lessons From the Field

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Start where you are. It’s okay to be broke. Start anyway.

• Hustle makes up for what you lack in capital.

• Don’t chase comfort. Chase growth.

• Learn to fix things. You’ll save thousands and learn faster.

• Use house hacking to get started. Then scale with BRRRR.

• Create systems early. Your sanity will thank you.

• Document your wins. Banks want proof, not promises.

• Don’t be afraid of setbacks. They’re just setups for a better comeback.

Advice to Anyone Starting From Scratch

If you’re reading this and thinking, “There’s no way I can do that”—let me stop you. I didn’t grow up wealthy. I wasn’t handed anything. I lost 22 properties. I had to restart with nothing but knowledge, drive, and a belief that I could rebuild.

Here’s what I know for sure: if you stay consistent and stay focused, you will get there. Real estate isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme—it’s a get-rich-eventually system. And the sooner you start, the faster you build momentum.

Surround yourself with people who get it. Learn from those who’ve been through it. And most importantly, don’t stop moving forward.

The Power of a Comeback

This isn’t just about houses. It’s about rebuilding your life. I went from losing 22 homes to owning nearly 40—not because I’m special, but because I didn’t quit.

Now I help others do the same. If you’re down, don’t stay there. If I made it back, you can too.

Keep it consistent, stay patient, stay true—if I did it, so can you! Ready to learn? Let me guide you at propertyprofitacademy.com – Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group & its subsidiary companies and Coach at Property Profit Academy.

Property Profit Academy:
✔ Learn to buy properties with little to no money down.
✔ Build a $10M portfolio step by step.
✔ Master strategies like BRRRR and house hacking.

Meet our Team of Experts!

My team and I bring over 20 years of real estate experience, with deep roots in Florida’s investment scene. As a licensed MLO, I’ve helped close millions in loans and investor acquisitions. We’ve built strong relationships with wholesalers, probate attorneys, and sellers to source real deals—not just listings. My goal is simple: align your investments with your vision and deliver results that exceed expectations. Connect with Cody at https://graystoneig.com/cody

Hi, I’m Lisa-Kaye Price, Real Estate Lending Specialist at Graystone Investment Group. With 20 years of experience as both a licensed Realtor® and Mortgage Loan Originator, I specialize in helping investors secure smart financing for powerful real estate moves. Let’s connect and talk strategy! Connect with Lisa at https://graystoneig.com/lisa-kaye-price

Jay Michalec is the COO of Graystone Investment Group and a proud U.S. Army veteran. With 25 years in hospitality, Jay brings leadership, service, and operational excellence to real estate. He’s known for keeping things running smoothly and supporting both the team and clients every step of the way. 📅 Connect with Jay: https://graystoneig.com/jay