Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes!
A few weeks ago, I spoke at the Real Estate Society at San Diego State, my old stomping grounds. The room was packed with about 75 students, all eager to hear about my journey from SDSU grad to running Good Life Property Management.
The energy was incredible. These students were sharp, hungry, and curious. I told them honestly, I probably wouldn’t have gone to a meeting like that when I was their age - I was too busy playing music and having fun.
During the Q&A, someone asked me what advice I’d give to a new graduate. I shared what I wish someone had told me:
it takes ten years.
When I was three years out of college, I remember sitting in my car on my lunch break - broke, frustrated, and praying just to make $50,000 a year. I had dreams of building wealth, but I hadn’t yet become the kind of person who could create it. That takes time. It takes experience, failure, persistence, and showing up every day even when the results don’t come quickly.
The Long Game Applies to Real Estate, Too
That idea - that it takes ten years - isn’t just true for careers. It’s true for real estate investing.
When new investors buy their first property, they often expect quick cash flow, instant appreciation, or effortless tenants. But the truth is, real estate rewards patience and perspective. The biggest wins come to those who stay consistent through the ups and downs - who think in decades, not months.
You don’t build financial freedom in a year. You build it through hundreds of small, smart decisions: maintaining your property, keeping good tenants, handling challenges the right way, and working with partners who care as much about your investment as you do.
Just like a career, your portfolio grows as you do - more experienced, more resilient, and more strategic over time.
Property Management as a Training Ground
That’s one of the reasons I love this industry. Property management is a masterclass in leadership, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving.
We deal with stress, deadlines, maintenance, and money - often all at once - and we do it to create peace of mind for both owners and residents.
If you own rental property, you know this already: success depends on how well people and systems are managed. The better you or your team get at communication, care, and follow-through, the more valuable your investment becomes.
It’s the same lesson I tell students and young professionals - don’t chase shortcuts, chase growth. The value is in who you become along the way.
Why We Call It “Good Life”
Over the years, we’ve hired dozens of graduates from SDSU, USD, and UCSD. I love giving young people a chance to find meaning and purpose in property management.
Because at its core, this business isn’t just about buildings - it’s about people. It’s about helping families find homes, caring for those homes well, and creating better experiences for everyone involved.
That’s why we call it Good Life. When you raise the bar - with better communication, more transparency, and genuine care - you create a better life not only for your residents, but for yourself and your community.
The Takeaway for Housing Providers
If you’re building wealth through real estate, remember:
Be patient. Keep learning. Focus on becoming a smarter, more disciplined investor.
Success takes longer than you think, but it compounds beautifully when you stay the course - just like a great investment property.
Here’s to the long game.
Will 50-Year Mortgages Help or Hurt the Housing Market?
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Learn how to defer capital gains taxes and grow your real estate wealth the smart way.
Join us for an exclusive live session where Ryan Prazen, Director of Real Estate Sales at Good Life Property Management, and Jake Schiro, President of APX 1031, share everything you need to know about 1031 Exchanges – from qualification rules to strategic reinvestment approaches that help you maximize your returns and keep more of what you earn.
Date: November 18th | 1:00 PM (PST)
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Have questions about managing your property?
Our team proudly serves San Diego, Orange, and Riverside Counties. Schedule a call with us today, and let’s chat about how we can guide you through every step of your property management journey.
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Steve Welty
CEO @ Good Life Property Management
DRE #01744610
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