Income Follows Assets. Why Your Next Step is the Most Important

By Michael Del Prete | AZREIA

From an early age, we’re taught that our income depends on our own time, energy, and effort. We pick up extra jobs, side hustles, and overtime hours, but there’s a natural limit to how much we can earn when we’re trading hours for dollars. The idea that “income follows assets” changes all that.

When my wife and I first read Rich Dad Poor Dad, it completely reframed how we thought about money and wealth. By owning assets especially those that generate income, like real estate, you can move beyond the grind. Leveraging equity, tapping into cash flow, and understanding creative financing strategies can truly reshape your financial reality.

Here’s one of our personal examples: in 2016, we purchased a sixplex using a “seller carryback” (where the seller finances part of the purchase) along with private funds from an investor’s self-directed IRA. We didn’t use any of our own money for this deal. One year later, we refinanced the property, paid off everyone involved, and owned a cash-flowing asset without using a dime of our own cash.

Because we already had other properties producing income, we didn’t need to pull money out of the sixplex. Instead, we let its positive cash flow accumulate. Fast forward to 2021: a new business opportunity arose, and we tapped into those reserves to purchase it. That business now generates even more cash flow and strengthens our overall financial foundation.

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

What’s your next step? If you’re new to real estate, consider attending an AZREIA meeting, exploring workshops on creative financing, or connecting with members who’ve walked the path before. If you’re a seasoned investor, think about how you can scale, diversify, or explore new avenues. We’re here at AZREIA to provide resources, education, and connections to help you move forward.

In the end, income follows the assets you invest in today. The sooner you plant those seeds; the sooner you’ll see them grow. Which seed will you plant next?

Happy Investing,

Michael Del Prete

AZREIA Executive Director