People always think you need a ton of money to get into real estate. Spoiler alert: you don’t. What you really need is hustle, vision, and a bit of strategy.
Let me take you back to the beginning of my journey and show you how I went from being a financial advisor to owning over 30 properties—and it all started with just one FL investment property.
The Lightbulb Moment
Back when I was a licensed financial advisor, I spent my days helping clients with retirement plans, stocks, and mutual funds. But the more I helped others, the more I realized something important: most of the wealthy clients I worked with owned real estate. Not just their primary home—but investment properties that were paying them monthly.
That’s when it hit me. If I really wanted to build long-term wealth, I needed to stop selling investments and start owning them.
Finding My First FL Investment Property
My first deal was in Tampa, Florida—a small house in a working-class neighborhood. It needed work. Okay, a lot of work. Most people would have run the other way, but I saw potential. More importantly, I saw an opportunity to learn.
At the time, I didn’t have deep pockets. So I used a little creativity. I negotiated seller financing and kept my renovation budget tight. No granite countertops, no over-the-top finishes—just clean, livable, and functional. Tonka-style thinking: strong, simple, and built to last.
Living In My Flip
To save even more, I moved into the property while I fixed it up. Was it glamorous? Not even close. I painted walls at night, installed floors on weekends, and lived with the smell of fresh drywall for months. But here’s the thing—I was building sweat equity.
When I finished the renovations, I refinanced, pulled my cash out, and went after my next deal. That first FL investment property turned into a down payment for the next one.
Rinse and Repeat: The BRRRR Life
Ever heard of the BRRRR strategy? It stands for:
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Buy
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Rehab
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Rent
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Refinance
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Repeat
It became my blueprint. Every FL investment property I picked up got me one step closer to financial freedom. I wasn’t chasing fancy flips—I was buying long-term cash flow and future appreciation.
By reinvesting the equity and cash flow from each deal, I bought property after property. Some years I acquired 5, 10, even 20 homes.
Creative Financing Was My Secret Weapon
Remember, I wasn’t rich. I just got really good at solving problems. Here are some strategies I used:
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Seller financing
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Subject-to deals
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Hard money loans
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Private lenders
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DSCR loans
Each FL investment property I bought taught me a new trick, and soon, other investors started coming to me for advice.
Starting Graystone Investment Group
Eventually, I realized something big: there were thousands of people who wanted to invest in Florida real estate but didn’t know how. That’s when I launched Graystone Investment Group, our full-service investment company based in Tampa.
We started helping investors from all over the world—Canada, China, Colombia—buy, manage, and scale portfolios of FL investment properties. We even created a motto: You invest, we do the rest.
Today, Graystone manages over 300 rental properties, and I own over 30 personally. Not bad for a guy who started by swinging a hammer in a beat-up Tampa house.
Lessons From That First Deal
If you’re thinking about getting into real estate, here’s what I learned from my first FL investment property:
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Start ugly. Don’t wait for the perfect deal. That beat-up house taught me more than any online course.
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Live cheap. Living in the investment saved me thousands.
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Stress test every deal. I didn’t do this at first, and I almost paid for it.
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Cash flow > looks. Pretty doesn’t always pay the bills.
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Build your team. Find investor-friendly agents, lenders, and contractors.
Why Florida?
Florida is still one of the best places in the U.S. for investment real estate. Here’s why:
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No state income tax
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Strong rental demand
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Weather and lifestyle attract long-term tenants
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Growing job markets in cities like Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville
Every FL investment property I’ve bought has appreciated over time while putting money in my pocket each month. That’s the kind of wealth-building I can get behind.
Ready to Start Your Story?
If you’re sitting on the sidelines waiting for the “perfect” moment, stop. I started small. I made mistakes. I learned on the job.
Now I teach others how to do it the smart way—without the painful lessons I had to go through.
Start with one FL investment property. Just one. That’s all it takes to build momentum. From there, you can scale, systemize, and build something that pays you for life.
Let me help you make your first one count.
Keep it consistent, stay patient, stay true—if I did it, so can you! Let me guide you at http://propertyprofitacademy.com
Written by Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group & its subsidiary companies and Coach at Property Profit Academy
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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.
Agents, join us today!
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
