How to Achieve Financial Freedom Before 40 Through Commercial Real Estate Investing
Matthew Aitchinson shares his journey to financial freedom through commercial real estate investing
Matthew Aitchinson's journey to financial freedom through real estate investing offers valuable insights for aspiring investors. His story demonstrates that with the right mindset, strategy, and consistent action, it's possible to build substantial wealth before turning 40.
The Genesis of a Real Estate Investor
Matthew's path to real estate success began shortly after college. Driven by a desire for financial freedom and entrepreneurship, he found an unconventional opportunity through a Craigslist ad for a real estate mentorship. This exposed him to the world of house flipping, where he learned the ins and outs of the business.
A Mindset for Success
Be Dumb Enough to Believe, Smart Enough to Act
Matthew lives by the mantra: "Be dumb enough to believe in yourself and smart enough to take action on your goals." This mindset propelled him to take his first significant step - flipping a house that netted over $100,000 at just 21 years old1
The Crock-Pot Mindset
One of Matthew's core philosophies is the "Crock-Pot mindset." This approach emphasizes patience and the understanding that building wealth through real estate is a long-term process. It requires the right ingredients and time to create something truly valuable, as opposed to seeking quick, unsustainable gains1
Continuous Learning and Reflection
Matthew attributes much of his success to being a perpetual student. He consistently seeks mentors, asks questions, and takes action on what he learns. Importantly, he emphasizes the value of reflection - regularly assessing his progress and making necessary adjustments.
Setting Clear Goals and Reverse Engineering
A crucial aspect of Matthew's success was setting clear, long-term goals and reverse engineering the steps to achieve them. For instance, he set a target of $500,000 in annual passive income within a decade. By breaking this down, he determined that acquiring one commercial property per year, each netting $50,000 annually, would achieve this goal.
Evolution of Investment Strategy
On top of his mindset that sets the foundation, Matthew's investment strategy evolution also maps out his route to success: He began his real estate journey by flipping houses, where he learned the foundational skills of real estate investing. As he gained experience, he adopted a "flip two, hold one" strategy, which allowed him to gradually build a portfolio of single-family rentals. However, recognizing the limitations and scalability issues associated with single-family properties, he transitioned to commercial real estate. It was in the realm of hospitality investing that he truly found his sweet spot, leveraging his skills and experience to maximize his investment returns.
Diversification is a cornerstone of Matthew's investment strategy in commercial real estate as well. His approach to diversifying his portfolio includes investments in shopping centers, medical office buildings, and hotels. This strategy allows him to spread risk and capitalize on various market opportunities, effectively balancing his investment risks while maximizing potential returns across different sectors.
Conclusion
The story of Matthew Aitchinson shows that, with the correct strategy, it is possible to achieve financial independence through real estate before the age of forty. Aspiring investors can forge a route to significant wealth and financial freedom by fusing a strong work ethic, ongoing education, strategic goal-setting, and a readiness to change.
Want to start your journey in commercial real estate investing as well? We’re here to help! Contact 310-943-8530 or info@cbicommercial.com today!