Have you ever wondered how some firefighters manage to retire early while others work overtime until their last day? In this eye-opening episode, we're joined by Will Pritchett, a battalion chief who retired from the San Antonio Fire Department at just 43 years old after building a portfolio of 40 rental properties.

Will shares his 14-year journey from converting his bachelor pad into his first rental to creating a real estate empire that provided the financial freedom to leave the fire service on his own terms. What makes Will's story particularly valuable is how he systematically redirected overtime pay into real estate investments, creating a snowball effect that accelerated his path to financial independence.

The conversation dives deep into practical strategies that any first responder can implement, from using private lending at favorable rates to evaluating rental properties in today's challenging market. Will explains his evolution from focusing purely on cash flow to understanding the wealth-building power of equity, and how he's adapted his investment approach during periods of high interest rates.

Perhaps most valuable is Will's candid discussion about overcoming the naysayers in the firehouse who warned against real estate investing. As he puts it, "It's always a bad time to buy real estate, but buy it anyway." This perspective reflects the reality that waiting for perfect market conditions means missing opportunities that compound over time.

Whether you're a firefighter just starting your career or approaching retirement, this conversation offers actionable insights on breaking the overtime dependency cycle and building wealth through real estate. Ready to transform your financial future while still serving your community? This episode is your roadmap.

Links to books discussed in the episode

Debt Millionaire

https://a.co/d/bSZTvpm

Seth Teagle joins First Responder Financial Freedom to share his remarkable journey from firefighter paramedic to successful real estate entrepreneur. After 22 years in the fire service and multiple career-ending back injuries, Seth transformed his side hustle into a thriving business that now manages 2,000 units across multiple states.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Seth unpacks his innovative approach to Build-To-Rent (BTR) developments. Unlike traditional apartment investing, this strategy involves constructing single-family homes, duplexes, and small multi-unit buildings specifically designed to be held as rentals, with the ultimate goal of selling entire neighborhoods to institutional investors. Seth explains why these large equity groups are aggressively seeking this product type and how his team has positioned themselves to capitalize on this growing market trend.

What truly sets Seth's strategy apart is his use of modular construction - a method far removed from what many imagine when they hear the term. Seth dispels common misconceptions, detailing how today's factory-built homes rival or exceed the quality of traditional construction while cutting build times in half. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the practical advantages this approach offers in addressing labor shortages, weather delays, and quality control challenges that plague conventional building methods.

The episode also delivers a masterclass in real estate financing mindset. Seth shares how paying 16% interest on his first apartment deal - a rate that initially seemed terrifying - ultimately led to a $1.2 million refinance that changed his life trajectory. His philosophy of focusing on the deal's fundamentals rather than fixating on interest rates provides a powerful framework for evaluating opportunities in any market condition.

Ready to expand your real estate investing horizons beyond traditional approaches? This conversation will challenge your assumptions about construction methods, financing strategies, and what's possible for first responders looking to build wealth through innovative real estate approaches.