Before You Buy Another Property…

Buying your next property isn’t just about finding a deal—it’s about finding the right deal for where you’re headed. Here are the five questions I run every potential purchase through before I make a move:

1️⃣ Does this property move me closer to my long-term goal—or just scratch my short-term itch?
Be honest. Are you buying because it aligns with your freedom plan—or because you’re bored, frustrated, or afraid of missing out? Momentum matters, but misaligned momentum can set you back a year.

2️⃣ If this property only breaks even today, what’s my five-year story?
Run the rent appreciation math. Factor in principal paydown, tax benefits, and likely rent growth. Sometimes “break even” now means a huge win later—if you can afford the wait.

3️⃣ If this property loses a tenant tomorrow, can I still sleep at night?
Risk tolerance isn’t about bravery—it’s about bandwidth. Before you buy, make sure your reserves, systems, and stress level can handle the worst-case scenario without derailing your life. 

4️⃣ What’s my opportunity cost?
If I put this money here, what opportunity am I saying no to? Could this same cash build more leverage elsewhere—a flip, a partnership, a different market, or even paying down higher-cost debt? The best investors don’t chase deals—they choose trade-offs intentionally.

5️⃣ Will this property scale my life—or shrink it?
Some deals add freedom. Others add headaches. Look at the management intensity, distance, and maintenance load. If every property you buy requires you to be more involved, you’re building a job, not a portfolio. Every property either adds freedom or friction. Make sure your portfolio is building income and peace of mind.

When you run your deals through these five filters, you stop collecting doors for the sake of it and start building freedom by design—not by accident.