Passive Income from Real Estate is not always Passive

My way to real estate has been a very hands-on method. But a house that no one else would buy with good potential. Spend time fixing them up (doing most of the work) and then rent them out for income.

My supposed wealth is in the property value. Most of the properties I purchased have doubled in value after fixing them up. As I rent them the income helps pay for the next fixer upper.

At times I can go months of just collecting rent and enjoying the fruits of my labors, but it rarely lasts long.

Saturday night at 8pm the call comes in the sink in the basement is overflowing as the washer empties into it. A plumber to clear the drain starts at $300 and goes up from there, worse yet on a Saturday night or even Sunday.

So, since I had the skills and the tool, I thought I needed I got into the car and 30 minutes later arrived.

With my drain tool, a $110 harbor freight special I ran it into the drain, pulled out 2 rags that had blocked the drain. My clothes were covered in black goo and smelling I returned home. 2 hours of my time vs $300 plumber and probably much faster service.

So my rentals are not truly passive but the $300 I saved can be used to help build my next property.