In this solo episode of Burning the Ships, I dive deep into the BRRRR strategy for real estate investing—the exact method my business partner, Bill Phillips, and I used to build a profitable rental portfolio, create long-term wealth, and eventually leave our W-2 jobs behind.
I walk you through each stage of the BRRRR method—Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat—the proven framework popularized by BiggerPockets investors Brandon Turner and David Greene. You’ll learn how we applied this strategy to scale from single-family rentals to multifamily properties, all while building equity, cash flow, and financial independence.
But this episode isn’t just about numbers, it’s about mindset and grit. I share the story of how one podcast episode sparked my journey toward financial freedom, why mental toughness is the real secret weapon of successful investors, and how anyone from new investors to experienced flippers can master the BRRRR strategy to build generational wealth through real estate.
If you’re ready to grow your rental portfolio, learn how to leverage the BRRRR method for passive income, and gain the confidence to take control of your financial future, this episode is your step-by-step roadmap to financial freedom through real estate investing.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
01:05 How the BRRRR strategy became the foundation of Jason and Bill’s portfolio
02:15 A story of grit: Jason’s mom’s birthday gift and how it set the tone for the episode
05:33 JJ’s Joke of the Week
06:27 The origins of the BRRRR strategy
08:05 Breaking down the BRRRR acronym: Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat
11:18 How one podcast changed Jason’s mindset on wealth and financial independence
15:07 Discovering financial independence and mapping out an early retirement plan
19:27 Finding the BRRRR strategy through BiggerPockets and realizing the path to true freedom
21:26 The math behind early BRRRR deals and building to 100 rental units
24:22 The reality of cash flow: why it’s not as simple as it sounds
27:52 Long-term wealth through principal paydown, appreciation, and tax advantages
30:33 Knowing your numbers: why ARV, rehab costs, and refinance terms matter
32:53 Common mistakes in the BRRRR process and how to protect your capital
34:37 How to make BRRRR work in today’s market, even with higher interest rates
37:38 Scaling responsibly: Building lender relationships and finding the right deals
40:41 Educating yourself on the strategy and resources to execute your own deals
45:04 Why persistence and resilience matter more than perfection
46:27 How to develop grit through discomfort and daily discipline
47:38 The “small wins” that rewire your mind to embrace hard things
52:36 Developing grit and being intentional about taking action
Quotables
“Equity looks great on paper, but it doesn’t pay the light bill.”
“You don’t need to be born gritty. You can decide to become gritty.”
“If everything stopped tomorrow, I could start over and build it all again using BRRRR.”
Links
608B Capital
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