Welcome to my first investor newsletter! In this edition, I’ll share updates on what Lorna and I have been up to – from building practical homes over the summer to our recent trip to Costa Rica. I’ll also touch on some insights I gained at a business conference. I hope this gives you a glimpse into my world. Enjoy the read!

Summer Building Practical Homes

This past summer, my business partner Joe and I were hard at work building a dozen practical homes just south of Fredericksburg, Texas. These 400-600 square foot homes are designed to be affordable, efficient, and quickly constructed. The biggest challenge was getting used to the metal framing instead of traditional wood – we had to find the right fasteners and learn how to work with the factory-assembled frames. But in the end, the homes turned out great, with excellent insulation and mini-split air conditioning units that keep them comfortable year-round. It was a lot of hard work, but I’m proud of what we accomplished.

Costa Rica Getaway

In September, Lorna and I were able to get away for a week and visit her parents in San Jose, Costa Rica. It was wonderful to see them and their home, which is filled with all sorts of interesting pets, including a parakeet that only seems to like men! We also took a drive down to the Pacific coast and stayed at a resort in Manuel Antonio, where we had the whole place practically to ourselves. We saw so many amazing animals, from curious hermit crabs to playful monkeys in the national park. It was a much-needed vacation, and I’m grateful we could make the trip.

Business Conference Insights

Last month, I attended a 3-day business conference led by author Darren Hardy, who wrote one of the books that really inspired me to get started in real estate, The Compound Effect. One of the big takeaways for me was the importance of speaking directly to one person, rather than trying to address a general audience. Darren emphasized that people want to feel seen and heard, so I’m going to keep that in mind as I communicate going forward. Another concept that resonated was the “riches in the niches” – how specialists in a field can often earn significantly more than generalists. I’m applying that lesson as my partner Joe and I look to expand our practical homes business into new markets.

Thanksgiving in North Dakota

With the holiday season upon us, Lorna and I are looking forward to heading north for Thanksgiving. We’ll be visiting my 94-year-old grandmothers in North Dakota, as well as the rest of my extended family. It’s always a special time to reconnect, share a meal, and create new memories. I’m grateful to have such a wonderful support system, and I’m excited to see everyone, even if it means braving the cold North Dakota winter for a few days!

Cheers,

Josh

A LAUGH OR TWO FOR GOOD MEASURE

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WHY INVEST IN REAL ESTATE?

Real Estate Gives You the Reins

Investing in real estate offers you greater control over your financial future. Unlike other investments, real estate allows you to make key decisions, such as choosing properties, setting rental terms, and managing improvements, all of which can directly influence profitability. It empowers you to actively shape the outcome of your investment, providing a hands-on approach to wealth building.