Personal Summary – Lessons, Mistakes, And Insights You won’t Find In Any Course

This week, I’ve shared our journey as real estate entrepreneurs in the U.S.:

• What renovations really look like (not just the Instagram version)

• Real-life challenges with contractors

• The importance of permits and accurate renovation plans

• And why Excel is just the tip of the iceberg in deciding whether a deal will succeed—or collapse

But if I had to sum it all up in one sentence?

Entrepreneurship is, first and foremost, a mindset.

It’s not just a profession—it’s a way of seeing the world.

It’s the ability to keep going when things fall apart.
To deal with uncertainty.
To adapt in real-time—and to grow from your mistakes.

Because in the real world, it’s not about what the course taught you—
It’s about how you respond when nothing goes according to the course.

Let’s be real:

• The contractor will be late

• The permit might get stuck

• The buyer could back out

• Renovation costs will exceed your budget

No matter how well you planned it in your spreadsheet—the field writes its own script.

And when you realize the home you bought needs a full foundation replacement, or when the city suddenly changes its zoning laws—that’s when you’re truly tested.

Not by how good your Excel formulas are—
But by how strong your mindset is, how creative you can be, and how calmly you can course-correct without crumbling.

✅ What We’ve Learned

✔ A successful project isn’t measured just by ROI—but by how well you can navigate the process
✔ Planning doesn’t end at acquisition—it’s a continuous cycle of decision-making
✔ The people around you matter:
→ A contractor who follows through
→ An agent who understands local marketing
→ An attorney who knows how to handle unique property situations

And most importantly—our biggest growth came from our mistakes.

Interestingly enough, our journey into U.S. real estate didn’t start with renovations or rentals.

We started—and are still actively investing—in Tax Lien and Tax Deed auctions.
It’s a lesser-known strategy that offers an alternative path to building wealth, through regulation research, strategic analysis, and disciplined execution.

That foundation shaped the way we now approach every deal.

We’re not perfect.
We’ve made mistakes—some costly.

But every mistake became a stepping stone.

Today, we build differently—
With clearer eyes, stronger systems, and a mindset focused on long-term growth.

Not just growing a portfolio of properties—
But building a business.

💬 If You’re Just Starting Out in Real Estate…

Know this:
It’s a journey.

It’ll challenge you.
Confuse you.
Knock you off your chair.

But if you treat it as a learning process, not just a chase for returns—
You’ll come out the other side stronger, smarter, and more prepared.

I’ve come to realize…

Real estate isn’t just about numbers.
It’s about people, management, the ability to see what others miss—and the strength to keep going when things get hard.

If that resonates with you—know you’re not alone.

I’m still here—learning alongside you.
Growing, adapting, and sharing the journey.

– Barad Zrihen