Because Smart Portfolios Begin with Selective Investments.

You ever look back and realize... you said yes to a deal just because the numbers looked good even though deep down, you knew it didn’t really fit the bigger picture?

Yep. Been there. Done that. Learned the lesson.

Listen, I don’t care how good the cash flow looks on paper, if the property doesn’t align with your long-term vision, your systems, and your strategy, it’s a distraction. And distractions cost you time, focus, and exit power.

So today we’re talking about being picky with your acquisitions.

Not emotional. Not greedy. Not random.

Picky. Strategic. Focused.

Because at this stage, we’re not just collecting doors — we’re curating assets that build a brand, attract capital, and sell like a business.

First things First, Let’s Get One Thing Straight

If you haven’t already mapped out your investment thesis — pause here and go back to Step 2.

Your thesis is your filter.

It’s your  “why, where, what, and how.”

Every single deal needs to pass through that filter. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t belong. No matter how cheap it is. No matter how much cash flow it promises.

Your legacy isn’t built off opportunities.

It’s built off alignment.

Let Me Break It Down Like This...

Every deal you add to your portfolio is like an ingredient in a recipe.

You can’t just toss random ingredients together and expect a Michelin-star result.

It has to:

• Make sense with what’s already in the pot

• Cook in the same time frame

• Be something the person eating it actually wants

If your portfolio is built to attract long-term buyers, short-term profit grabs can throw the whole

flavor off.

The 4 Real Questions I Ask Myself Before Buying Anything

1. Does this deal fit my overall strategy, or is it just shiny and tempting?

• Am I just excited because it’s a deal... or is it a fit?

• Does this property align with the type, market, and exit plan I’ve already committed to?

• Would my future buyer/lender look at this and say “Smart move”... or “Why is this in here?”

If it breaks my flow, it’s a no.

2. Will this location still make sense in 5 to 10 years? Questions to keep in mind...

• Are people moving to this neighborhood or running from it?

• Are jobs growing? Are the schools improving?

• Is this city or zip code in my “high conviction” market?

We’re not just investing for the now.

We’re investing for your next move.

In most cases, if we wouldn’t buy three more properties within 1 mile of the property in question... we most likely don’t need to buy the first one. The exception would be in areas where gentrification exist.

3. Will this property be in alignment with my existing systems, or am I starting from scratch again?

This one’s huge. We’re not in the business of building a new infrastructure for every property we acquire. We have to ask ourself these few questions:

• Does my contractor already cover this area?

• Can my PM manage this, or would I need someone new?

• Is this a lease-up I already have a template for?

Every time we reinvent the wheel, we slow down our progress.

I’m not saying you can’t expand, but there’s a difference between expanding strategically and starting over every time.

4. Does this make my entire portfolio more attractive?

This is the part most people overlook.

You’re not just acquiring a single asset — you’re strengthening the story of your business. The more cohesive your properties are, the easier it is to:

• Refinance as a portfolio

• Sell the whole thing to an institutional buyer

• Attract equity or JV partners

• Brand yourself as a pro in a specific niche

If you’ve got 10 cash-flowing units that all serve different tenants, markets, and management models, you don’t have a portfolio. You’ve got a puzzle missing half the pieces.

Real Talk: Deals I No Longer Say Yes To

• Properties outside my focus market — even if they’re discounted

• Deals that require a completely new team or PM

• “Airbnb goldmines” that would force me to manage furniture, guests, or regulations

• Homes in C- neighborhoods that kill my brand value

• Anything that makes me say “Well, I could make it work...”

Because if I have to force it, it doesn’t fit.

A Real Example — So You Don’t Make This Mistake

A couple years ago, someone pitched me a beachfront short-term rental in Florida.

The numbers were wild: $85K gross, strong reviews, good location. But I had to ask myself:

• Is this my strategy? No.

• Will I need a new team to manage it? Yes.

• Can I plug this into my existing systems? Nope.

• Will this make my Ohio-based, Section 8 portfolio look stronger to a buyer? Definitely not.

So even though the cash looked cute, I passed.

Because long-term alignment > short-term excitement.

Your Portfolio Is a Product. Every Property Is a Piece.

So here’s the new standard. If the property is not in line with your, brand operations, market or exit strategy, it doesn’t make the cut.

Your future self will thank you, when it’s time to cash out. Your future buyer isn’t just looking at

rent rolls. They’re asking:

• Is this repeatable?

• Is this systemized?

• Is this cohesive?

• Is this adding value to my life or stress?

• Can I resell this for value at a later date?