BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast

Making $200K/Year With the Least Amount of Rentals Possible

Feb 19, 2025

Dion McNeeley, known as the ‘lazy investor,’ shares his unique strategies for achieving financial freedom with real estate. He emphasizes unconventional wisdom like avoiding good school districts and ending leases in winter. Dion also discusses his innovative ‘binder strategy’ that lets tenants manage rent increases, reducing the stress for landlords. With a financial journey from debt to earning $200,000 annually with fewer properties, he illustrates how smart choices can lead to successful investing without the grind.

49:13

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Episode guests

Dion McNeeley

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Quick takeaways

Dion McNeeley's unconventional investing approach emphasizes avoiding properties in good school districts for enhanced tenant stability and retention.

The 'binder strategy' encourages tenants to participate in rent increases, fostering positive relationships and minimizing turnover for landlords.

A long-term investment mindset is crucial for real estate success, as patience often leads to greater financial independence over time.

Deep dives

Challenge Conventional Wisdom

Investors are often advised to buy properties in good school districts and have leases end in the summer for better tenant turnover. However, one counterintuitive approach suggests that buying in areas with less desirable school districts can actually lead to greater stability. The reasoning is that tenants in these neighborhoods may not be reliant on schools for child education and thus are less likely to move when family situations change. Additionally, by having leases that end in winter, landlords can take advantage of slower rental markets, reducing turnover and associated costs.

Intro

2min

From Setback to Success: My Real Estate Journey

8min

Redefining Success in Real Estate Investment

6min

Smart Strategies for Rental Success

17min

Navigating Rental Property Ownership: LLCs vs. Personal Names

2min

Navigating LLCs and Their Impact on New Real Estate Investors

5min

Navigating Real Estate Investment Complexities

10min

Don’t buy in good school districts. Always end your leases in winter. NEVER raise rents on a tenant.

These are just some of the “Dionisms” that have made Dion McNeeley, the so-called “lazy investor,” rich with rental properties. He achieved financial freedom, retiring early with a $200,000/year passive income after slowly, steadily, and lazily investing for the past decade.

Want to never swing a hammer? You don’t have to! Want tenants to stick around as long as possible? They will! Too scared to have the rent raise talk? Let Dion do it for you! In this episode, we’re breaking down the ten different “Dionisms” (unconventional landlord advice) that have literally made Dion millions and can do the same for you.

Dion went from debt-riddled to multi-millionaire in just over a decade, starting his journey making just $17/hour, with three kids and very little time. If Dion can reach financial freedom with FEWER rentals, why can’t you?

In This Episode We Cover:

Dion’s small (but mighty) financial freedom-enabling real estate portfolio

Dion’s “binder strategy” that has tenants raise rents FOR you

Why Dion never has his leases expire in the summer (even though EVERYONE says to do this)

Buying in average school districts? Dion says DON’T buy near good schools (and he’s right)

The surprising reason why the “worst states to invest in” will make you the richest

And So Much More!

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