Why I Still Believe in Real Estate (Even When It’s Hard)

By Michael Del Prete | AZREIA

Let’s be honest this market isn’t easy.

Rates are up. Margins are tight. Good deals feel harder to come by. Some of you have been on the

sidelines, wondering if now is the right time to act.

I’ve been there too.

Recently, I was staring at a deal that just didn’t pencil. I wanted it to work. But the rent was short, the

wholesaler wanted too much, and I was trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Years ago, I

might’ve moved forward out of emotion or ego. This time, I walked. And that was the win.

Real estate, like anything worth building, requires patience, discipline, and the willingness to learn

through pressure. This is the market that creates real investors not gamblers, not trend chasers.

I still believe in real estate because I’ve seen what it does over time. I’ve watched members go from one

rental to retirement. I’ve seen people use their first wholesale check to pay off debt and start a new life.

I’ve seen struggling families stabilize because of one good deal and one smart move.

But it’s not passive. It’s not instant. And it’s never without challenges.

What I love about AZREIA is that we don’t run from tough markets. We lean in together. We learn. We

adapt. And we get better. That’s how we’ve supported tens of thousands of investors over 22 years and

why we’ll be here 22 more.

If you’ve been sitting on the fence, waiting for a “better time,” I’ll tell you this: The best time is the

moment you decide to take real action. That’s when things change.

Come to this month’s meeting. Join one of our groups. Ask the question onto which you’ve been

holding.

You’re not alone. You’re just one deal, one lesson, one conversation away from momentum.

Happy investing,

Michael Del Prete

AZREIA Executive Director