How a Transcontinental Pilot built a Real Estate Empire (#005)

How a Transcontinental Pilot built a Real Estate Empire (#005)
Roger Bourget

Steve Rozenberg ran a successful property management company, Empire Industries, and is an international pilot. Listen in to find out how Steve chose Houston for real estate investing, the problems Steve and his investment partner Pete came across while acquiring real estate, and why Steve thought that buying more would fix his investment issue. Learn how Steve created his checklist for buying real estate and what his list contains. Find out why you should create your investment goal first, then create your investment strategy around your goal.

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Watch Selected Clips

Why choose Houston for Real Estate Investing (005 1)

Should you buy low priced homes in Houston (005 2)

Neighborhood investment rating for remote real estate investors (005 3)

Choosing the Right Neighborhood in Houston for Real Estate investing (005 4)

How to Manage Lower Priced Property Investments (005 5)

Real Estate Investor Protections against Floods in Houston (005 6)

Podcast Description

Growing up, Steve wanted to be an airline pilot as far back as he can remember. His first position as a pilot was with Continental Airlines at the age of 25. He felt his job was safe until 911 when his position was furloughed. Luckily, the furlough list cut off after his seniority, however, Steve was always worried that his position would be the next job on the cutting board. This turning point led Steve to realize he didn’t have another job skill to fall back on for a paycheck. At this point, Steve started reading book after book, and many books suggested real estate for a second income.

At 29, he felt like he was behind the curve with real estate and continued to read one book a week for the next two years to learn everything he could about this new and exciting opportunity. At first, he started wholesaling and learned about negotiating and speaking. He made enough money to join a local investment group and went in as an investor for an apartment complex. Steve and his new partner Pete eventually sold the apartment complex and took capital from the sale and moved into another investment.

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In This Episode:

[01:04] Steve’s background, how he became a pilot.
[02:40] How 911 affected Steve’s job as a pilot and how Steev discovered real estate investing.
[04:16] The changing airline industry and what Steve realized about his “secure” job.
[06:34] Steve considers real estate for a second income.
[09:39] He soon realized his pilot position could very easily be cut off.
[11:02] Steve met his business partner Pete through the real estate investment group.
[11:48] How Steve chose Houston as ground zero for real estate investing.
[13:16] Steve and his partner Pete learn how to find good real estate deals.
[15:27] The moment Steve found out that he needed to sell his real estate investment or go bankrupt.
[17:09] Steve’s decision to hire a business coach and how his new coach helped him run his real estate investment business.
[18:12] Biggest takeaway and lesson learned from investing in real estate.
[20:39] Have strategies and goals in place before you choose your investment properties.
[22:05] ROI on rental apartments for Steve in his investment choices.
[25:01] Lease agreements and bilateral contracts.
[27:02] Apartments versus buying homes, the cost, manpower and downsides of apartment complexes.
[32:09] Factors which created Steve’s decision to invest in Houston real estate.
[35:53] How to choose the right neighborhood to buy your next investment.
[39:08] Look for areas which are doing well economically.
[42:23] What Steve did after the decimation of Hurricane Harvey.
[43:38] Are flood zone properties still a good buy for real estate investors?
[45:42] Reasons why Houston is still a good place to invest in real estate.
[47:04] What factors make Houston a “renter friendly” city.

Guest Bio

Steve Rozenberg is an entrepreneur, international commercial airline pilot, real estate investor, CEO, business strategist, international speaker, and a leading expert in real estate investing. His company Empire Industries is considered one of the top residential property management companies in the United States, providing frustration-free property management by investors for investors.

Steve has written and published seven e-books, co-hosts two weekly radio shows “Real Estate Wealth Building” on 1070 AM the Answer and “Wealth Through Real Estate” on Vinyl Draught Radio in Houston. He has been featured across the country and in Australia on multiple real estate investor programs, including the podcast Entrepreneur On Fire, Flip Nerd, and Best Real Estate Investing Advice Ever with Joe Fairless. Steve is a speaker for the Lone Star Real Estate Expo in Houston and several motivational and real estate conferences throughout Australia.