Building Real Estate Wealth Through Long-Distance Investing and Medium-Term Rentals with Holly Haws
Building real estate wealth doesn’t come easy. It takes grit, commitment, and a whole lot of figuring things out as you go. But with the right strategies, it’s absolutely possible.
That’s exactly what we talked about on a recent episode of my podcast. I had the pleasure of sitting down with fellow real estate investor and coach, Holly Haws. Holly’s story is proof that you don’t need millions in the bank to get started. She showed us what’s possible when you combine hustle with smart strategy.
From Teaching to Real Estate: Holly’s Jumpstart into Investing
Holly started as a high school math teacher. She and her husband were on a mission to pay off $29,000 in student loans. With a combined income of just $84,000, they worked every extra gig they could find. After a year of grinding, Holly hit a wall—burnt out and exhausted.
That’s when she decided to become a real estate agent. She believed that if she could sell just four homes a year, it would match the extra income from all those side hustles. However, she sold 16 homes in just seven months!
Her first investment property didn’t come from some big plan. It came from a listing client. The numbers were solid, and Holly and her husband bought it. That was the beginning of something big!
Building a Real Estate Portfolio with Less Than $100K
Most people think you need a ton of money to build a portfolio. Holly proved that wrong. She and her husband bought over 35 properties with less than $100,000 in capital. No gimmicks—just smart strategy.
She leveraged owner financing, negotiated creative terms, and used commercial lending to get deals done. One property cost her just $3,000 down. She never set out to flip homes, but sometimes the profit was too good to pass up.
Still, their main strategy was to buy and hold. The goal was cash flow and long-term wealth.
Scaling to 40+ Doors and Managing the Properties from Afar
Though Holly and her family moved from Wichita to Fort Worth, they didn’t sell their portfolio. She still manages it all!
How? Systems, processes, and constantly recruiting quality people.
Contractors don’t last forever. Vendors move on. Holly made peace with that. She treats recruiting vendors like lead-generating for new deals. It’s just part of the business.
And because she built strong systems, she can run her empire from her laptop on her terms.
Investing in Medium-Term Rentals
When she moved, she didn’t want to sign a tenant to a long lease. So, she got creative with medium-term (midterm) rentals.
She turned her house into a shared space for traveling nurses, with keypad locks on each bedroom. She now rents to nurses on 30–90 day stays. The income? Nearly double what she would’ve earned with a long-term tenant, and with fewer headaches than short-term (Airbnb-style) rentals.
Her advice: Look for properties within 15 minutes of a hospital. That’s the sweet spot. And, these tenants? They’re some of the best—quiet, respectful, and gone most of the day!
Real Estate as a Vehicle for Freedom
Today, Holly is a full-time mom, part-time coach, and still growing her business. That’s what freedom looks like.
But she’s honest about the path. There were years she and her husband worked 60–70 hours a week. They put in the work up front so they could buy back their time later.
Her message? Don’t skip the grind. Real estate isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it.
She also warns people not to label real estate as a “job” too soon. Early on, it should be your passion project. Something you look forward to doing after hours.
The Power of Continuous Learning
One thing Holly and I agree on—learning never stops. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve got a hundred deals under your belt, there’s always more to learn.
Attend workshops. Watch webinars. Read the books. Listen to real estate podcasts.
The more you learn, the better your chances of succeeding in this business.
Want to hear my entire conversation with Holly? Listen to the podcast episode!
Tune Into The Whole Enchilada of Real Estate Investing for Powerful Insights from Industry Experts!
Holly’s insights show what’s possible with discipline, creativity, and purpose. She figured things out and built her life from the ground up—one property at a time.
If her story inspired you, tune into The Whole Enchilada of Real Estate Investing. You can learn from real estate leaders, wealth builders, and street-smart investors!
And, for expert investing guidance, connect with me. Let me help you build wealth the smart way!
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Are you a real estate investor, entrepreneur, or expert with a story that can help others? I’d love to have you on my show. Share your experience, grow your brand, and inspire the next generation of investors!
Marigona Gllarevaa – Jan 01, 1970