How a California Engineer Built Passive Income with Out-of-State Rentals | Real Investor Story

February 5
22 mins

Episode Description

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Real estate investing doesn’t have to mean flipping houses, endless rehabs, or managing tenants yourself.


In this episode of the Rent To Retirement Podcast, host Matthew Seyoum sits down with investor Jack, a structural engineer from California, to break down how he went from maxing out his 401(k) to building a cash-flowing, out-of-state rental portfolio—without sacrificing his career or family time.


Jack shares why California real estate didn’t pencil out, how he overcame the fear of investing out of state, and why new-construction turnkey rentals in Alabama aligned perfectly with his long-term retirement goals.


Whether you’re a busy professional, high-income earner, or someone tired of waiting on the sidelines for interest rates to drop, this episode walks through a real investor’s decision-making process, mistakes avoided, and lessons learned.


⏱️ Episode Timestamps


00:00 – Intro & Jack’s background

01:00 – Why 401(k)s alone weren’t enough

02:45 – Why California real estate didn’t work

04:00 – Discovering turnkey investing through BiggerPockets

05:00 – Choosing Alabama as a target market

06:20 – Why out-of-state investing felt scary (at first)

08:00 – The power of education & the RTR Academy

10:00 – Cash flow vs appreciation vs depreciation

12:00 – Leveraging real estate for long-term wealth

14:30 – Tax benefits & future short-term rental plans

17:00 – Interest rates, timing the market & opportunity cost

19:30 – Trusting property management from afar

21:30 – Final advice for new investors


🚀 Key Takeaways


  • Why waiting for “perfect” interest rates can cost you more long-term
  • How turnkey rentals create passive income for busy professionals
  • The real power of leverage, appreciation, and tenant-paid debt
  • Why education matters more than trying to do everything alone

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