PFREI Series Episode 151: CJ Calio

In real estate investing, the options are as diverse as the properties themselves, each with its own unique appeal and potential for financial gain. However, amidst this sea of opportunities, the one constant that guides you toward the shores of long-term success is discipline and focus. It's the unwavering commitment to a particular strategy that truly sets you on the path to mastery. Real estate investing is not a sprint; it's a marathon. Set your sights on the long game because nothing truly valuable comes without dedication and hard work. Building your real estate empire demands determination and a relentless pursuit of results. It's in this unwavering dedication that the most remarkable stories of success are born.
According to CJ, as an investor, you have to make choices and sacrifice time upfront at the beginning to put in extra work to be freed up afterward. There are so many options and variations of investing in real estate, but being disciplined with one thing served CJ well. CJ shares that he chose to be focused on and to stay with the rental properties investment strategy to become a master of it. He had moments of being yanked into the possibility of looking into flipping and other more appealing and attractive quick cash investment strategies, but he had to remind himself they were shiny objects and not his target and focus. More cash always speeds up acquisitions, but you have to learn a new skill set, a new market and build a new team, which will distract you from your focus and goals.
CJ's journey from a hardworking UPS driver to a thriving real estate investor is a testament to the power of resilience and determination. For years, he had found contentment in his stable job, but one Christmas, a breaking point arrived, revealing the heavy toll it took on his personal life and well-being. Frustration, exhaustion, and a burning desire for change pushed him to reconsider his career path. CJ resolved to start some businesses, but it was a challenging road marked by failed business attempts and financial setbacks. After 69 months of tenacious effort, together with his wife, they embarked on a journey to create a life that allowed them more freedom and financial security in real estate with a focus on rental investing.
Their initial rental property purchase was the spark that ignited a passion for investing. The realization that they could generate income without being tied to a grueling schedule was a game-changer. Over five years, CJ and his wife strategically built a growing portfolio that not only allowed them to quit their jobs but also expanded into large-scale commercial properties, adding 12 such ventures to their impressive portfolio in the past five years. Their story is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and the possibilities that await those who dare to chase their dreams.
That is part of what CJ shares with Fuquan today, emphasizing the enduring wisdom of staying committed to one's path in real estate investing. He underlines that one of the most remarkable aspects of success in real estate investing and staying true to your process is people take notice. Follow your course for success. Success is not the end. It's the start of your journey.
Tune in to get insight into CJ's journey from corporate to a thriving real estate career and top strategies for rental properties and large-scale commercial investments.
Highlights from the Interview
CJ's Christmas story that led to his journey and transition to real estate
CJ's obsession with real estate and his strategy for achieving work-life balance
The success in focusing on a particular strategy to become a master of it
Why CJ is so passionate about real estate
How the current market is affecting CJ's business model and how he is mitigating the risks
How to set yourself up for the long game by holding
What CJ is doing to educate and serve people in the real estate space