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The Free and Clear Real Estate Plan

ByChad Carson

At Coachcarson.com, I write a lot about financial independence (FI). I also write about real estate investing, which is my favorite vehicle to get to financial independence.

With real estate, I have found that a very simple goal can help you reach financial independence faster, safer, and with more certainty than with any other path. I call this simple goal the free and clear real estate plan.

Let’s begin with an explanation.

What is the Free and Clear Real Estate Goal?

The free and clear goal is to eventually own a relatively small, easy-to-manage number of residential real estate properties free and clear of all debt.

Although the plan can work with apartments, mobile homes, or commercial real estate, I would argue in most cases that houses are your best investments.

The end result could look like this:

  • 10 single family houses owned free and clear

$1,200 = Rent per month for each house

($600) = Expenses per month for each house

$600   = Net Operating Income per month for each house

  • $600 x 10 houses = $6,000 per month passive income
  • $6,000 x 12 = $72,000 per year passive income

Pause for a moment.

Would $72,000 per year coming in passively, consistently, year after year change your life?

If only a few hours per week doing administrative work took care of your financial needs (yes, even managing 10 houses yourself is a VERY part-time job), could you figure out what to do with your time?  Of course, time is the ultimate currency.

Even if $72,000 per year doesn’t work for you, just add a few more houses until you hit your number. Either way, I think you’ll agree that the end result is worth while.

The Free and Clear Plan is a S.M.A.R.T. Goal

Financial goals are best when they are S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely). S.M.A.R.T. is best because it makes the path towards the goal much more achievable.

Specific

When you set a goal to own 10 houses free and clear of all debt, the goal is very specific. The goal is not 9 or 11.  The goal is 10.

Whether 9, 10, or 11 is the right number is not important. The energy and enthusiasm created from a clear goal is what matters.  That clarity is like a compass on a sailboat that continues to bring you back on course during inevitable storms and detours.

Measurable

The specific number of houses is also measurable so that you can track your progress. When you get 1 free and clear rental, you are 1/10th of the way to your goal. You can literally check this off on a chart.

I have found this visible, measurable progress to be extremely satisfying.  It creates even more enthusiasm and energy to continue pushing forward.

Achievable

10 houses are significant financially, but they are a still relatively small number.  Small translates into achievable.  Big dreams are wonderful, but until you believe them they will never come true.

Your own belief is really the biggest obstacle to achieving something worthwhile.  In Think and Grow Rich Napoleon Hill famously wrote “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

For those high achievers, small and simple goals are not selling yourself short. A successful goal just needs to meet your personal needs.  Leave the excessive goals to others who need validation by impressing themselves and others.

Relevant

As I’ve shown with the $84,000 per year in passive income, this goal is also very relevant for your own Destination of Financial Independence.  When your financial needs are taken care of, you can explore, grow, contribute, and discover what else you were put on this earth to do!

Timely

Finally, a timely goal can keep you moving forward.  I don’t think you need to stress about an exact date (like December 31, 2020), but a rough timeline will certainly help.

Even starting from scratch, a timeline of 15 years is very reasonable to reach the final free and clear goal if you are focused and persistent.  But, If you happen to be a couple of years late, it won’t make a big difference in the long run. Just have fun with it.

What Is Your Free and Clear Goal?

Ultimately this goal is about you. So I have some questions for you to ponder:

  • What S.M.A.R.T. goal will meet your needs?
  • Can you get excited about this destination?
  • Do you believe that you can achieve it? If not, chop the goal into smaller pieces until you can believe it.
  • Are you willing to commit yourself to a timeline?
  • How can you start moving forward … today?!

I believe financial independence is a destination worthy of your time and effort.

The ultimate payoff is personal freedom and autonomy.  It’s about more than money. With these rewards, you can finally break the shackles that chain you to a job or a way of life that is not fulfilling.

I also believe real estate investing is a vehicle that can carry you to this worthwhile financial destination better than any other.

The journey isn’t easy.  It won’t happen overnight.  But, with vision and persistence you can do it, just like many have before you.

Thank you for letting me be your coach in a small way on your own personal journey.

Is financial independence a goal you have? Will the free and clear plan help you achieve it? What does your free and clear plan look like?

I’d love to hear from you in the comments below