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College student buys first property at 21, now owns 30 homes

Created at 15 Aug · 1:26 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

Lawrence Guerguis, 24, began investing in real estate during college and now owns over 30 properties. He sold his car to finance his first investment in Illinois and later managed properties himself before establishing his own property management group.

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Key Numbers

30+investment properties owned
24current age
21age when first property was purchased
$16,000from car sale used for investment
$15,000down payment for first property
$400monthly mortgage payment for first property
$1,300HUD rent for first property's ZIP code
1.5 yearstime spent managing properties directly

Who's Involved

Lawrence Guerguis
24-year-old landlord owning over 30 properties
University of San Diego
University where Guerguis majored in finance and real estate
College student buys first property at 21, now owns 30 homes

↳ Why This Matters

Guerguis's story highlights an alternative path to financial independence and freedom, demonstrating that significant real estate portfolios can be built at a young age through strategic investment and diligent effort, even without traditional income sources.

Key facts

  • Lawrence Guerguis, 24, owns over 30 investment properties.
  • He began investing in real estate at age 21 while in college.
  • Guerguis sold his car for $16,000 to fund his first property purchase.
  • His first property was acquired in Illinois for $15,000 using a DSCR loan.
  • He managed his properties directly for 1.5 years before creating a property management group.

Lawrence Guerguis, now 24, began his real estate investment journey at 21 while still a college student. Initially planning a career in investment banking, a conversation with an investment banker who lamented his lack of time to enjoy his wealth prompted Guerguis to switch his focus to real estate, a field he had always been passionate about. He sold his car for $16,000 to finance his first property purchase in Illinois, a move that required a non-conventional DSCR loan due to his lack of W-2 income. The property's low cost allowed his rent to easily cover the mortgage, and he successfully found a Section 8 tenant. Following his college graduation in May 2024, Guerguis relocated to Cleveland, Ohio, where he personally managed and renovated properties for the first year and a half. This hands-on experience allowed him to gain expertise in property maintenance and management. He has since established his own property management group, enabling him to transition to a more passive landlord role while continuing to oversee his portfolio of over 30 homes. He has since returned to California.

Frequently asked questions

He sold his car for $16,000 and used $15,000 for the down payment on a property in Illinois, financing the rest with a Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loan.

He found a Section 8 tenant for his first property, which worked out despite his initial lack of screening experience.

Initially, he considered investment banking but developed a passion for real estate. After his first investment, he found his niche in being a landlord.

He has established his own property management group with people who handle repairs and showings, making his role more passive.

What Happens Next

01Guerguis continues to manage his portfolio of over 30 properties.
02He has transitioned to a more passive landlord role with his own property management group.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Lawrence Guerguis decided to pursue real estate instead of investment banking during college.
He sold his car for $16,000 to finance his first investment property in Illinois.
Guerguis purchased his first property for $15,000, using a DSCR loan and securing a Section 8 tenant.
After graduating, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to manage properties and perform renovations himself.
He established his own property management group after 1.5 years of hands-on work.
Guerguis now owns over 30 properties and has returned to California.

Sources

T1
I bought my first investment property while still in college. Now I'm 24 and own 30 homes as a full-time landlord.Business Insider

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