Building a Better Future—One Home at a Time

陈钢房屋买卖建筑师出版商

Building a Better Future—One Home at a Time

I started my new job on October 22, after giving my previous employer a two-week notice. With this new chapter in my career, I decided to make another important move—literally. I’m in the process of buying a new home in Torrance, just six miles from my workplace. The escrow is scheduled to close on December 8. After that, I plan to remodel the house for about a month and move in around January 2026.

This home is special not only because of its location but also because of how competitive the market has become. There were four offers on this property, and I feel fortunate that mine was accepted. I made an offer without even seeing the house first, and only went inside to view it after agreeing on a price. In the end, four people were vying for it, each asking for an even higher price.Earlier, I had made an offer on another home that attracted eight offers—I wasn’t even in the top five. That’s how tough it is out there.

Right now, my daily commute takes between two and a half to three hours round trip. Once I move, it’ll drop to just fifteen minutes each way. That time saved will mean more energy for work, family, and life.

Looking ahead, I plan to continue investing in real estate by buying at least one home per year for the next few years. That’s the same strategy I followed between 2009 and 2015, and it worked well for us. Most of our wealth came from home values appreciating after we bought. I did sell three homes too early in the past, but I don’t plan to make that mistake again. From now on, my goal is to hold onto every property I buy and rent it out.

The logic is simple: once the down payment is made, the tenants’ rent helps cover the mortgage. After thirty years, the loan is paid off and the home is completely mine. That’s how long-term wealth is built—slowly, steadily, and securely.

Many people struggle to buy a home because they either don’t earn enough to qualify for a mortgage or don’t have enough saved for a down payment. But as soon as you’re able to, it’s far better to buy than to rent. Owning property not only builds wealth—it also reduces your tax burden and creates financial stability.

You don’t need to start big. Buy a small home first, live within your means, and move up later as your income grows. Real estate remains one of the best ways to build lasting financial security and freedom.