What does it take to build real estate income while working a full-time job—and how do you know when it's time to stop buying properties? In this episode of Even Though, powered by Lighting Pros, host Matthew Efird sits down with Mike Neubauer, a former firefighter and real estate investor who replaced his firefighter income with real estate income in just 2.5 years. Instead of immediately leaving his job, Mike stayed long enough to secure his pension before going all-in on real estate. Mike shares how he started with a rental unit attached to his home, moved into short-term rentals, and reinvested his profits to grow his portfolio. But his journey isn't just about acquiring properties. It's about building systems, delegating responsibilities, and making investment decisions based on the numbers—not the hype. Today, Mike prioritizes a more hands-off investment approach. He explains why he hasn't purchased a property in two years, what he looks for when evaluating rental cash flow, and why sometimes the smartest investment decision is to wait. In this conversation, you'll learn: How Mike transitioned from firefighting to real estate investing. How to begin building wealth while maintaining a full-time job. Why your real estate investments should fit your goals, resources, and risk tolerance. How delegation can help you build a business instead of creating another job. What to consider when calculating rental income, mortgage payments, operating expenses, and future capital expenditures. Why understanding market cycles matters more than following investment hype. How networking and learning from experienced investors can open doors to new opportunities. Financial education that gives back Mike and his wife co-host the Our Family Invests podcast, where they discuss wealth, personal development, mindset, and family. He also helped create PlayArqium, a free financial life simulation game designed to make financial education more accessible. Players can explore money concepts, from saving and spending to more advanced financial strategies. Explore Mike's work: Free financial simulation game: https://playarqium.com Our Family Invests website: https://ourfamilyinvests.com Instagram: @ourfamilyinvests If you're interested in real estate investing, passive income, financial independence, or building a business that gives you more freedom, this conversation is for you. Watch the full episode and let us know in the comments: Would you buy a property that doesn't meet your cash-flow goals, or would you wait for a better opportunity? Subscribe to Even Though for more conversations about leadership, purpose, personal growth, and the stories that shape us. Share this episode with someone who wants to make smarter financial decisions. You can subscribe to the podcast at https://matthewefird.com. Check out Matthew's Book "Even Though, We Will" : https://a.co/d/0aRocHpq Check out Morgan’s AI course to start using AI confidently in your business: https://knoxoutai.com Are you a seasonal business owner who's struggling to make ends meet during the winter months? Do you hate losing great staff when the weather turns cold because you don't have enough work to keep them employed year-round? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com Would you consider yourself a corporate refugee or portfolio investor looking to get into business ownership in the emerging market of outdoor lighting? Would you be interested in an award-winning system focused on permanent holiday lights, landscape lighting, and temporary Christmas lights? Did you know that you can do outdoor lighting all year long? You could be a perfect fit for a Lighting Pros Franchise location! Learn more about Lighting Pros Franchise here: https://lightingprosfranchise.com Interested in having Matthew speak at your upcoming Event? Go here: https://matthewefird.com
