Income Follows Assets: Why Your Next Step Is the Most Important

By Michael Del Prete | AZREIA

From an early age, we’re taught that income depends on our time, energy, and effort. So we pick up extra jobs, side hustles, or overtime—but there’s a ceiling when you're trading hours for dollars. The idea that income follows assets flips the script.

When my wife and I first read Rich Dad Poor Dad, it completely reframed how we thought about money and wealth. By owning income-generating assets—especially real estate—you can break free from the grind.

Learning how to leverage equity, tap into cash flow, and use creative financing can reshape your financial reality.

Here’s a personal example: In 2016, we bought a sixplex using a “seller carryback” (where the seller finances part of the purchase) and private funds from an investor’s self-directed IRA. We didn’t use a dime of our own money.

One year later, we refinanced the property, paid everyone back, and walked away with a cash-flowing asset—without ever using our own cash.

Since we had other properties producing income, we let the sixplex’s cash flow accumulate rather than drawing from it. By 2021, a new business opportunity came along. We tapped into those reserves to buy it, and that business now generates even more cash flow, strengthening our financial foundation overall.

Real estate is a long game. That sixplex was our seed in 2016. We nurtured it, gave it time, and let it grow. This wasn’t an overnight success—it was about patience, strategy, and letting our assets work for us.

So, what’s your next step?

If you’re new to real estate, consider attending an AZREIA meeting, diving into a creative financing workshop, or connecting with members who’ve walked this path before.

If you’re more experienced, think about scaling, diversifying, or exploring new strategies.

At AZREIA, we’re here to provide the tools, education, and connections you need to move forward.

In the end, income follows the assets you plant today. The sooner you sow the seed, the sooner it can grow.

Smarter Investing,

Michael Del Prete

AZREIA Executive Director