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How to Successfully Invest in Real Estate While Working Full Time: Lessons from My Conversation with Leon Barnes
One of the biggest questions I hear from listeners and clients is this: “Chris, is it really possible to work a full-time job and still build a meaningful real estate portfolio?”
For many people, that concern is the barrier that keeps them stuck in Wall Street, afraid to make a move toward real assets. And I get it juggling a career, family, and investing can feel overwhelming. But the truth is, you can do both, and you can do them well. The key is learning how to invest strategically rather than trying to muscle your way through the process alone.
That’s why my recent conversation with Leon Barnes, Director of Membership at the Collective Genius mastermind, was so valuable. Leon isn’t just helping some of the top real estate operators in the country grow their businesses; he’s also quietly building and managing his own rental portfolio on the side. He’s living proof that you don’t need to quit your job to build long-term wealth through real estate.
In this post, I’m breaking down the most important takeaways from our conversation so whether you’re just getting started or already building your portfolio, you’ll walk away with steps you can take right now.
The Myth of “Not Enough Time”
The number one obstacle most people believe they have is time. They assume real estate investing requires full-time hours, constant tenant management, and daily property issues.
But Leon’s story challenges that assumption.
He started out in corporate sales, stayed there for more than a decade, and still managed to build the beginning of his rental portfolio while working full time. Not because he had “extra hours lying around,” but because he learned early on to lean on two things most people ignore:
- Strong relationships
- The right “who’s”
Leon didn’t try to become an acquisitions expert overnight. He didn’t swing hammers himself or manage every tenant issue. Instead, he focused on what he’s great at connecting with people and partnered with individuals who had the skills he lacked. Today, that includes a longtime friend who now leads acquisitions and operations, along with a full-time property manager.
If you think you don’t have time to invest, what you actually lack is the right system and the right people.
The Trap of Chasing Door Count
A lot of investors get caught in the trap of comparing door count “I need 100 doors,” “I need 1,000 doors,” or “Someone else has more than me.” I shared on the show that this is more common than most people realize, and Leon agreed completely.
He started like many new investors, setting an arbitrary goal of owning 100 properties. But as interest rates shifted in 2022 and cash flow tightened, he had to face a hard truth:
A large number of highly leveraged doors can actually destroy your freedom, not create it.
What matters isn’t the number of rentals you have, but the quality of those rentals and whether they cash flow. Leon told me he would now rather have 40 free-and-clear doors than 100 leveraged doors, and I couldn’t agree more.
A massive portfolio with weak cash flow is a vanity metric.
A small portfolio with strong cash flow is a sanity metric.
And your financial freedom depends on sanity, not vanity.
Why Real Estate Strategies Must Change With Market Conditions
One thing I appreciate about Leon is that he understands that real estate is not a static strategy. What works in one season doesn’t always work in another.
In 2020 and 2021, interest rates were low and the Burr strategy (buy, rehab, refinance, repeat) was extremely effective. It was possible to add properties with great equity positions while maintaining strong cash flow.
But when rates rose in 2022, everything changed.
Cash flow disappeared on many Burr deals. Appreciation slowed. The same strategies that once made sense suddenly became risky. Leon and his partner had to reevaluate everything, including whether certain properties should be kept, sold, or refinanced.
Real estate requires flexibility.
If your strategy doesn’t evolve, you’re setting yourself up for unnecessary stress.
Advice for New Investors Who Are Nervous to Start
If you’ve been parking your money in Wall Street and “someday” planning to invest in real estate, Leon offered advice that I wish more new investors heard.
Here’s where he suggests you start:
1. Find a trusted advisor or mentor
You shouldn’t invest blindly. Get in proximity to people who are already doing this successfully. They can shorten your learning curve and help you avoid expensive mistakes.
2. Don’t be afraid of turnkey or passive options
If you don’t have time to do the heavy lifting, you don’t need to. You can buy properties or invest in opportunities that are already vetted and managed for you. Just make sure the operator is reputabl and ask for references.
3. Learn basic underwriting
Even if you never plan to be hands-on, you should understand how to read a deal. That doesn’t require becoming an expert; it takes learning a simple framework.
Real estate is accessible, even if you have a demanding career. But you must start with the right foundation.
The Power of Finding the Right Community
One thing that came up again and again in this conversation was the role of community.
Leon credits much of his growth to being surrounded by investors who were willing to share openly and learn from each other. That’s exactly what Collective Genius offers: a high-performing environment where egos stay at the door and wisdom fills the room.
Whether it’s CG, another mastermind, or a local networking group, having access to experienced investors gives you shortcuts you can’t find alone.
You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room; you just need to be in the right room.
The Ripple Effect of Helping Others Win
Leon ended the interview with something powerful: his desire for his ripple effect to be one of kindness, connection, and service. Yes, he’s helped investors double their business. Yes, he’s changed families’ financial futures. But ultimately, his purpose lies in helping people get the clarity and direction they need to move forward.
That’s something I believe in deeply.
We’re not just building wealth we’re building lives.
And that’s why these conversations matter.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone trying to balance a full-time job with building wealth, I hope Leon’s experience gives you confidence. You don’t need to quit your job. You don’t need 100 doors. You don’t need to operate alone.
You just need the right strategy, the right people, and the right mindset.
And your financial freedom is absolutely within reach.
If you haven’t listened to this episode yet, make sure to check it out it’s packed with wisdom and real-world experience that can change the way you invest.