Can You Really Get Rich Quick with Real Estate?

Here’s How Shiloh Lundahl Did It

If you’ve listened to my podcast for any amount of time, you know I’ve often warned against the idea of “get rich quick.” Too often, it’s attached to schemes and scams that lead people astray. But every once in a while, someone comes along who actually proves that done the right way getting rich quicker than most people think is not only possible, it’s repeatable.

Recently, I brought back an old friend of the show, Shiloh Lundahl. Shiloh’s not some overnight TikTok influencer or crypto flash-in-the-pan. He’s a licensed child and family therapist who, over the last eight years, quietly built a real estate portfolio of over 250 properties including stunning Airbnb rentals in Costa Rica and amassed over $8 million in equity.

And here’s the kicker: he did it while still working his day job.

Defining “Rich” and “Quick”

Before you roll your eyes at the phrase “get rich quick,” we need to define terms. Shiloh made a great point: becoming a millionaire within five years is “quick.” Not overnight. Not from a guru pitch. But five years? That’s fast in the world of wealth building.

Shiloh didn’t inherit money. He didn’t win the lottery. He did one deal in 2015 using a home equity line of credit, turned a $13,000 profit in a few months, and that single transaction completely changed his mindset.

From Flipping to Lease Options: A Real Estate Pivot

After testing the waters with fix-and-flip deals (and making some solid returns), Shiloh and his partner realized flipping wasn’t scalable in the long run. That’s when they discovered lease option investing a strategy that allowed them to create cash flow without becoming full-time landlords.

By structuring deals that transferred more responsibility to tenants, they reduced maintenance hassles and scaled faster. Within just a few years, they were managing nearly 100 lease option properties. This model gave them recurring income, appreciation, and massive equity growth all without dealing with midnight toilet calls.

What It Really Takes to Build Wealth Fast

So what made it work for Shiloh?

Discipline. Period.

For the first five years, he didn’t take a single distribution from the business. Every dollar earned was reinvested. He lived off his therapy income while building long-term wealth behind the scenes.

And he created systems. He subscribed to wholesaler email lists, learned how to screen 100+ deals in minutes, and asked every seller the same seven questions. With repetition, he got better, faster, and more accurate in his decision-making.

Success didn’t come from luck it came from process.

Mindset Shifts and Paying Yourself First

Early on, Shiloh read The Richest Man in Babylon, one of my favorite books too. The key lesson? Pay yourself first. He opened a separate account and saved 10% of everything he made no exceptions.

That account became his “opportunity capital.” When deals came along (even silver quarters from the bank!), he was ready. Most people miss wealth-building chances not because the opportunities aren’t there, but because they’re not prepared for them.

Why Real Estate Works Better Than a 401(k)

Shiloh’s story is the anti-401(k) approach. Instead of locking money away in a tax-deferred cage, he created his own investment engine with much faster returns and real control. While others wait 30-40 years for retirement, he built financial freedom in under a decade.

And it wasn’t just about money. It was about purpose.

Real Ripple Effects in Costa Rica

Today, Shiloh owns three gorgeous short-term rental properties in Costa Rica. Each one is managed by people he met over two decades ago while doing mission work there. People who once fed him, now work with him. He’s created opportunities for them to thrive even after COVID hit the country hard.

That’s the ripple effect in action. That’s why I do what I do.

So… Can You Get Rich Quick?

Yes, if you do it the right way. It’s not about shortcuts it’s about intentional, high-leverage work. If you’ve got limited capital, then you better be ready to show up with time, energy, and discipline.

Shiloh’s story proves that:

• You can start with little capital

• You can work a day job while building wealth

• You can grow fast if you delay gratification

• You can use real estate as your engine for freedom

So now I’ll ask you: What’s stopping you?

If you’re not where you want to be financially, maybe it’s time to start your own version of this journey. And if you’re looking to build passive income faster, I’ll keep bringing you real stories like this to help you do it the smart way.

Want to connect with Shiloh or join his mastermind in Costa Rica?

Visit MeetShiloh.com

And if you got value from this, be sure to share it with someone who needs to hear the truth behind what it really takes to grow wealth fast with integrity and purpose.