Right after graduating from Columbia, I wanted to put my savings somewhere that would grow over time.
I’d been listening to real estate podcasts and watching friends dive into property investments, which sparked my interest.
The actual plunge happened during a visit to a friend in Bozeman, Montana. The landscape captivated me immediately – the mountains, the open space, everything about it felt right.
While catching up over drinks, I floated an idea: “What if we bought a place here?” To my surprise, he was game.
Getting Into Real Estate
We started property hunting right away and found something promising about two hours outside Bozeman – a century-old house with character and potential.
From day one, our strategy was clear: long-term rentals, not Airbnbs. The short-term rental market seemed too hands-on and complicated for what we wanted.
We actually moved into the house temporarily during renovations, getting it ready for future tenants.
Building Momentum: One Property Each Year
What began as a single Montana investment has evolved into a small but growing portfolio.
I now have properties in both Montana and Maine, with plans to acquire another in the coming months.
My current strategy is modest but deliberate – one property per year, with hopes to accelerate as my capital and experience grow.
I’m playing the long game, focusing on building a collection of properties that generate steady income while appreciating in value.
My Investment Criteria: More Than Just the Numbers
When evaluating potential investments, profitability obviously matters – each property needs to cash flow positively from the beginning.
I’m not in a position to subsidize properties that don’t pay for themselves.
However, my approach includes factors some investors might overlook.
I specifically target:
- Growing regions with upward momentum in both rental rates and property values.
- Properties with solid bones that need reasonable, not extensive, renovations.
- Northern locations with more temperate climates and abundant natural resources.
That last point might seem unusual, but I take climate change seriously as a long-term investment factor.
As southern regions experience more extreme heat events, I believe northern states will become increasingly desirable.
People will either relocate entirely or seek second homes in cooler climates. It’s a long-horizon bet, but one I’m comfortable making.
Expansion
Looking beyond my current investments, I’m exploring vacant land in Maine with a very specific vision in mind. I’d love to develop a specialty community centered around a shared passion.
My inspiration comes from Craig Fuller, who’s creating an aviation community outside Chattanooga – a unique blend of lifestyle and investment potential.
He’s developing homes centered around a runway, carefully navigating FAA approvals and complex regulations to build something extraordinary.
Conclusion
This concept resonates deeply with me because I experienced it firsthand through my grandmother, who lived in precisely this type of community during my childhood.
Her neighborhood featured a grass runway running through its center, with each home boasting its own hangar.
I still carry vivid memories of watching her take off in her little Piper Cub and seeing how this shared passion for aviation connected the entire neighborhood.
While the capital requirements for such a project exceed my current financial capacity, it represents the distinctive type of development I aspire to create in the future.
I believe creating spaces where community and shared interests intersect represents the ultimate evolution of my current investment philosophy.