What if your 20-year military career prepared you more for real estate than ever imagined? Marcus Long shares how he went from the Navy to multifamily real estate syndications—carving out a life focused on impact, control, and presence. In this episode of Weiss Advice, Marcus walks through his steady evolution from buying a condo as a 22-year-old college student to retiring with a 15-property portfolio. He explains why financial freedom meant more than wealth—it meant showing up for his family. Marcus also offers insight into how service members can align long-term missions with personal purpose through real estate.
[00:01 - 07:00] From Service to Strategy
- Why a house hack turned long-term rental laid the foundation.
- The significance of managing a rental while on active duty.
- How early decisions created long-term options.
[07:01 - 14:30] Building While Deployed
- The importance of staying consistent even at a slow pace.
- Why flexibility made single-family homes the right fit early on.
- How to assess readiness for transitioning into real estate full-time.
[14:31 - 21:43] The Family Factor
- The need for control over time as a parent.
- How retirement from the Navy aligned with a personal turning point.
- What it means to be present for your kids.
[21:44 - 29:26] - Scaling Up with Purpose
- The significance of learning new strategies late in his career.
- Why collaboration through JVs and syndications appealed to him.
- How mentorship and networking played a key role.
[29:27 - 36:23] Legacy and Impact
- The importance of helping others in transition.
- How real estate became a platform for broader service.
- Why living intentionally matters more than hitting metrics
Connect with Marcus:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-long-22278391/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcus.l.long/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcus.long
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Tweetable Quotes:
“I didn't want a nine-to-five. I wanted something that gave me more control over my time so I could be present with my family.” - Marcus Long
“As I transitioned out of the military, I found that real estate gave me the ability to keep ser
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