Quick Summary: Real Estate Investment Success Story
Malcom & Merry’s Investing Journey
The Starting Point
Malcolm and Merry’s real estate investment journey began in 2013 with powerful advice from Mark Kohler: “Purchase one property a year.”
That simple strategy introduced them to Kathy Fettke and RealWealth in 2017. But like many aspiring investors, they didn’t jump in right away. They spent time learning, researching, and—if they’re honest—wrestling with fear.
In 2019, they finally took action. They didn’t wait for the “perfect” property or the “perfect” market. They just started with one property.
“What we did in 2019 is we started small. We just kind of put our foot in the door and started in Jacksonville and got a property for about $100,000. Then kind of went from there.” ~Merry
That single turnkey rental property in Jacksonville, Florida, wasn’t a life-changing investment on its own. But it was the catalyst that proved they could do it.
Quick View: From Fear To Financial Freedom
First Steps: Overcoming Fear
Investing: From 1 property to 12
The Goal: Never Stop Learning
Why Fear Almost Stopped Them
Malcolm and Merry faced a challenge that stops many would-be investors in their tracks: fear of taking the first step.
They had the knowledge. They had the strategy. They had access to RealWealth’s vetted teams and resources. But there was a two-year gap filled with research, planning, and overthinking.
Their biggest regret today?
“Don’t base your decisions on fear—just do it. We wish we would have started a lot earlier than we did. So just bite the bullet, do your due diligence, and go ahead and purchase your property.“ ~ Malcom
Understanding Real Estate Investing Takes Action, Not Perfection
Malcolm and Merry spent two years researching before buying their first property in 2019. Then they quickly added 11 more investment properties to their portfolio in the next five years.
“It was awesome. We started there and we just kept going.” ~ Merry
Looking back, they see clearly what those two years of hesitation cost them: 2-4 additional properties they could own today.
“Don’t base your decisions on fear. Do your due diligence and just do it.” ~ Malcolm
Florida Portfolio:
Ohio Portfolio:
Building Real Wealth Through Diversification
Malcolm and Merry didn’t just buy copies of the same turnkey rental property. They built a thoughtful, diversified portfolio across multiple markets.
“There’s a market for everyone in RealWealth. If you’re looking for cash flow or if you’re looking for appreciation in your assets, there’s basically different choices—a wide variety of choices if you’d like to participate in this network.” ~Malcolm
“We really hope to network with other people, other investors, and basically learn from them. We have 12 properties, but we met people that have 200 properties. What are they doing? What is our next step as investors so that we can grow as investors ourselves?” ~ Malcom
“We want to share our experiences with others who are just starting out and let them know where we started and where we are today to help them move forward.” ~ Merry
Why do they keep attending realWealth events?
Ready to Start Your real estate investing Journey?
Whether you’re curious, cautious, or ready to take action—your real estate investing journey starts with one simple decision: showing up.
Malcolm and Merry wish they’d started in 2017 instead of 2019. Don’t let fear cost you two years of growth.
Discover how education, community, and proven strategies can help you build lasting wealth through real estate investing. Membership is 100% free—Join RealWealth!
Frequently Asked Questions
Fear is completely normal—Malcolm and Merry experienced it too. They joined RealWealth in 2017 but didn’t buy their first property until 2019 because of hesitation. Their advice? “Don’t base your decisions on fear—just do it.” Start by doing your due diligence, use RealWealth’s vetted property teams, and take that first small step. The fear lessens with action, and momentum builds after your first property. Learn more about out-of-state real estate investing →
Start by becoming a RealWealth member and attending real estate investing webinars and educational events together. Share what you’re learning, set common goals, and support each other through the challenges. Malcolm and Merry built 12 properties by making decisions together and not letting fear stop them. Growing together creates a stronger foundation than investing separately. View RealWealth’s upcoming events and property tours→
That’s totally okay, and can even be an advantage. RealWealth helps new investors get started the right way every day. Malcolm and Merry spent time educating themselves before their first purchase, and they recommend doing your due diligence while not letting analysis paralysis stop you from taking action. Learn how to buy your first rental property in 90 days→
Success looks different for everyone. Malcolm and Merry have 12 properties and are still growing, learning from investors who have 200+ properties. Your number depends on your income needs, investment goals, and definition of financial freedom. Start with one property and let your experience guide your goals. Learn how to set SMART goals for your real estate investing journey→
It varies widely based on your approach. Malcolm and Merry took 2 years to buy their first property, and within 5 years, they had 12 properties. The pattern is clear: once you start, momentum accelerates. With experience, capital from existing properties, and a proven strategy, growth speeds up significantly. The key is taking that first step and staying consistent. Discover 10 proven tips for investing in real estate→
No. With technology, professional property management, and vetted local teams, you can successfully invest in properties across the country. RealWealth members often invest in states with better cash flow potential than their home markets. The key is working with trusted, experienced local property teams who handle day-to-day management while you benefit from the investment returns. Learn more about turnkey real estate investing→
Malcolm and Merry’s experience shows the power of starting small. They bought one $100K property in Jacksonville, Florida, to “put their foot in the door.” That single property proved they could do it and built the confidence for purchasing additional rental properties. Starting small reduces risk while you learn, then you can scale up as you gain experience and capital. Learn how four rental properties can set you up for success in retirement →
No, RealWealth membership is 100% free. Members get access to educational resources, vetted property team networks with turnkey properties for sale in top U.S. markets, investment counseling at no cost, and access to affordable real estate investing events. Join RealWealth for free→
